The standard Vantage Pro station consists of three main components: the console
on which all the weather readings are displayed; the anemometer for measuring
wind speed and direction; and an assembly known as the Integrated Sensor Suite
(ISS for short) that contains all the other outside sensors, such as those for
temperature, humidity, rainfall etc.
The key features of all VP systems include:
- Console with large impressive display;
- Option of wireless or cabled (30m supplied) link from sensors to console;
- Sensors to measure wind speed & direction; air temperature & humidity;
pressure; rainfall; plus numerous derived readings, such as wind chill, dew
point etc;
- Integral radiation shield as standard;
- Easy installation with screw and U-bolt fixings included;
- Fully detailed installation manuals;
Additionally, there is a range of optional accessories that allow a weather
monitoring installation to be customised for many specialised applications:
- Weatherlink data logger and software to link your weather station to a
PC or upload weather data to the internet; Solar radiation and UV sensors
(the 'VP Plus' models include these as standard);
- A range of additional sensors to measure temperature, humidity, soil moisture
and leaf wetness at several locations (wireless stations only).
- Additional wireless accessories for increased flexibility and greater range;
- Tripod and mounting poles for easy installation;
- Fan-assisted radiation shields can be specified for ultimate temperature
accuracy;
N.B. All systems we supply incorporate the latest revisions of hardware and
software from Davis, including an improved anemometer reed switch, better conformal
coatings, and a revised temperature/humidity sensor.
A Closer Look
Console
Probably the most conspicuous feature of the VP stations is the latest console
design with its much larger LCD display. Many more parameters are visible or
can be called up for display on this screen.
Consoles come in both wireless and cabled versions and obviously need corresponding
wireless or cabled outside sensors to match. (It is not possible to mix wireless
and cabled parts).
Also available is a type of console without a display known as an Envoy unit
and intended for specialised installations where a PC will always be used to
view the weather data, rendering a console display superfluous.
Integrated Sensor Suite (ISS) and Anemometer
In a standard VP station, the outside sensors are grouped into two units: the
anemometer for measuring wind speed and direction; and a second unit known as
the Integrated Sensor Suite (ISS) containing temperature and humidity sensors
and the rain gauge. The ISS also serves as a mounting point for solar radiation
and UV sensors, where fitted. [NB Davis promotional pictures such as the one
reproduced here often show the ISS and anemometer mounted as if they were a
single combined unit, but they are two quite independent parts and, in practice,
best mounted separately - see our AWS Installation FAQ.]
The ISS consists of the conical black rain gauge mounted above the white louvred
radiation shield, which serves to prevent temperature errors due to sunlight
falling directly on the temperature sensor. This shield contains the temperature
and humidity sensors but, in addition, houses the circuitry for combining the
inputs from other outside sensors, via sockets into which cables from the other
sensors plug.
The ISS comes in two versions: wireless and cabled. In wireless stations, the
circuitry within the radiation shield contains the wireless transmitter. In
cabled versions, there is a single cable joining ISS and console ? a major
improvement compared to the three cables necessary with older station designs.
The wireless ISS is also fitted with a small solar panel to supplement the built-in
lithium battery to power the sensor/wireless circuitry; this will naturally
perform best in the UK when oriented to face south. Power for the cabled ISS
sensors is supplied via the cable.
The anemometer is supplied with a 12m cable and can therefore be mounted up
to 12m away from the main body of the ISS. Standard extension cables can also
be bought to increase this distance if required. For wireless VP stations only,
there is the option of buying a separate anemometer transmitter, which allows
the anemometer and ISS to be mounted completely independently.
Weatherlink
The optional Weatherlink package allows a VP station to be connected to a PC.
The package consists of two components:
- The data logging module, which fixes to the back of the console and allows
weather data to be stored for several weeks without a PC being connected;
- Comprehensive software to store, display and analyse all accumulated weather
data and, if required, to run a live weather reporting website;
Supplementary Stations
For wireless stations only, a number of additional independent sensors, known
as supplementary stations, can be added to a VP system. These stations fall
into two groups: supplementary temperature and temperature/humidity stations
for general-purpose monitoring at locations other than the ISS; and more specialised
stations for horticulture/agriculture applications, primarily for measuring
soil moisture and leaf wetness, but also able to make extra temperature measurements,
for example of soil temperature.
