Wireless Repeater Installation Manual For AC-Powered and Solar-Powered Repeaters Models 7626 and 7627
FCC Part 15 Class B Registration Warning This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Table of Contents Introduction ......................................................................................................... 1 Included Components and Hardware.............................................................. 1 Wireless Repeater Installation Overview........................................................ 2 Applying Battery Power.................................................................................. 2 Repeater Configuration/Architecture ...................................
Introduction The Vantage Pro2™ Wireless Repeater can be used with any Vantage Pro2 wireless transmitter station and re-transmits the information to a Vantage Pro2 compatible receiver (Vantage Pro2 console or Envoy®). Note: Not all consoles have the capability to access wireless repeater information. If your console or Envoy has firmware older than May 2005, it does not have the capability to see and configure Vantage Pro2 wireless repeaters.
Tools for Setup The following are tools and materials required to set up and install the wireless repeater: • • Ratchet with 4'' or longer extension, 7/16'' (11 mm) size socket Unbent paperclip Wireless Repeater Installation Overview The following is a brief overview of the steps involved for installing a repeater or series of repeaters as part of your Vantage Pro2 wireless network: • • • • • • Apply power (battery or AC power).
Applying AC Power (# 7626 AC-Power units) 1. Open the shelter enclosing the AC-powered wireless repeater to display the wireless repeater board. 2. Thread the power adapter plug through the square black grommet into the transmitter shelter. Every Davis shelter has two of these grommets at the bottom of the shelter to provide weather resistant entrances for cables.
Repeater Configuration/Architecture Vantage Pro2 Wireless Repeaters are used to enhance the transmission range and capabilities between a station, or multiple stations, and a console. A repeater receives signals transmitted from a Vantage Pro2 station and retransmits it to a console, wireless Vantage Pro2 Envoy, or another repeater. Depending on transmission distance, one repeater or several repeaters can be used to collect and retransmit weather data.
The block diagram below shows the typical single repeater configuration: 1 A 1 1 A Vantage Pro2 Console/Receiver A 1 1 Any Vantage Pro2 Station OR Weather Envoy A 1 A Repeater This configuration allows for greater distances between a station and a console. The distance gained between the station and the console is up to 1000' more. Note: The maximum distance allowable in a single repeater configuration is 2000’.
The above diagram displays an example daisy chain configuration of one station and three repeaters, creating a total line of sight transmission distance of 4000'. This configuration allows more flexibility between a station and a console. The distance gained between the station and the console is up to 1000' more per each repeater that is added to the network.
can listen to. The table below lists the maximum number of transmitters allowable for one receiver: Transmitter Type Maximum Number Integrated Sensor Suite (ISS) 1 Anemometer Transmitter Kit 1 Leaf & Soil Moisture/Temperature Station* 2 Temperature Station 8 Temperature/Humidity Station 8 Maximum Number of Transmitters in a network with one receiver *Allowable only if the stations are used in combination, not two of the same kind.
There is also a maximum of eight repeaters allowable in a network. Note: Although one repeater can listen to multiple transmitters at a time, it can only listen to one other repeater. Implementing a Configuration Once a configuration has been chosen that best suits the needs of the desired station/console setup, installing and verifying communication between the repeater(s) and station/ stations is the next step.
Single Repeater Installation A single repeater installation is used in situations where one station can not successfully communicate with a receiver, or if a station needs to be farther away from a receiver than maximum line-of-sight transmission distance of 1000'. The repeater can also be used as a signal amplifier for situations in which a signal is weak between a station and a receiver.
Use this table to determine which ID the transmitter is using based on the position of the #1, 2, and 3 switches on the DIP switch. ID CODE SWITCH 1 SWITCH 2 SWITCH 3 1 (default) off off off 2 off off ON 3 off ON off 4 off ON ON 5 ON off off 6 ON off ON 7 ON ON off 8 ON ON ON 3. Use the “Transmitter and Repeater ID Worksheet” to record the transmitter ID.
Verifying Repeater ID The wireless repeater contains a DIP switch used to give the repeater a unique identification. DIP switches #1, 2, and 3 on the repeater are used in the same way that DIP switches are used on all stations. Note: For single repeater installations, the repeater should remain on the default ID of A and should not be changed. Verify that the repeater DIP switches are all in the down position or OFF. The repeater has the default ID of A and communication testing can continue as planned.
ter DIP and Repeater DIP switch positions for a normal single installation configuration: Transmitter DIP Switch with ID 1 ON Repeater DIP Switch set to ID A 1 A ON Any Vantage Pro2 Station 1 A 1 A Vantage Pro2 Console/Receiver Repeater The Status LED blinks red when it detects some radio energy, until the repeater receives the desired transmitter.
The transmitter ID for the station set on the repeater should display on this screen, with the number displaying above the ticker tape and an “X” displaying on the bottom right of the console screen. If the transmitter ID is not displayed in this screen, see “Maintenance and Troubleshooting” on page 25. 2. Press DONE to display Screen 2: Configuring Transmitter IDs. 3.
• • • Typical maximum range for the station. The typical range of all Vantage Pro2 stations are: Line of sight: 1000' (300 m) Under most conditions: 200 - 400' (60 - 120 m) Typical maximum range for the repeater. The range for a standard wireless repeater has the same range limitations as all Vantage Pro2 stations. The maximum line of sight transmission distance between a transmitter and a receiver using one wireless repeater is 2000'.
Advanced Repeater Installation Installing more than one repeater, or getting a repeater to receive signals from multiple stations/repeaters, follows the same basic processes used to install the a single repeater into a single transmitter/single console network. See the desired advanced repeater installation for complete instructions.
5. Continue setting the next sequential repeater ID for each repeater in the chain. Verifying Communication with a Transmitter and Repeaters Note: The repeater that received the default ID of A is the only transmitter in the network that must be configured with the station’s Transmitter ID. 1. Have the first repeater in the chain placed in an area where it is likely to receive the transmitter signal. 2. Turn the Transmitter ID for the station ON on the Transmitter ID switch. 3.
Verifying Repeater Communication with a Console The console is configured the same way it is configured in a Single Repeater installation, except that the repeater ID that is selected is the last repeater in the chain. On the Console in Screen 2: Configuring Transmitter IDs: 1. Find the transmitter ID transmitting through the repeater, and if the station is not already toggled on with it’s station type selected, do so now. Turn the station on by pressing the up arrow until “ON” displays on the screen.
Verifying communication with multiple transmitters Note: All transmitters in the network must have unique IDs in order for any repeater to communicate with them. 1. Find out and record all the transmitter IDs the wireless repeater will transmit. Use the “Transmitter and Repeater ID Worksheet” to record the transmitter IDs used. See “Verify Transmitter ID” on page 8 for information on determining the transmitter ID for all stations in the network. 2.
pressing the up arrow until “ON” displays on the screen. Change the station type by pressing GRAPH until the correct station type displays. 2. Press WIND to turn the repeater function on and to display repeater ID information. The first repeater ID displayed is Repeater A, which is the default. 3. Find the second transmitter ID, and if that station is not turn on with it’s station type selected, do so now. 4.
2. Verify that the repeater DIP switch in this repeater is set to the default ID of A (all DIP switches on the OFF position). 3. Identify the next repeater in the network and open it. 4. Change the Repeater ID to B.See the table marked “Repeater ID DIP Switch Positions” on page 13. 5. Continue setting repeater IDs for each repeater in the chain. Verifying communication with multiple transmitters Note: All stations in the network must have a unique ID in order for one repeater to communicate with them. 1.
Repeat the test process to verify communication for every repeater in the network.
Note: See the Vantage Pro2 console manual for more information on the screens in the Setup Mode if necessary. To verify that setup was successful, in the console’s current mode: 1. View the transmitter information displaying at the bottom of the console screen. If the transmitter ID being repeated is displayed and an “X” displays in the bottom right-hand corner of the ticker tape, the transmitter is being repeated and received by the console successfully.
Mounting the Wireless Repeater The wireless repeater can be installed on a flat surface or on a pole at the locations designated for installation. Use the U-bolts to install the wireless repeater on a pole or the lag screws to install the repeater on a flat surface. General Installation Guidelines • • • If the wireless repeater is a solar power unit (#7627) the solar panel should face south if in the Northern Hemisphere, or north if in the Southern Hemisphere.
Installing the Repeater on a Pole Refer to the following illustration to install the repeater on a pole: Hex Lock Nut Flat Washer Washer U-Bolt 1. While holding the shelter against the pole, place a U-bolt around the pole and through the two holes on at the top of the shelter. 2. Place a flat washer, a lock washer and a hex nut on each of the bolt ends. 3. Using an adjustable wrench or 7/16" wrench, tighten the nuts. 4.
WeatherLink and Console Configuration The Vantage Pro2 console, Envoy, and corresponding WeatherLink software for Vantage Pro2 allow you to view the information coming from your network but also allow you to configure and view information directly related to your repeater network.
Note: The signal strength information will only display in the wind compass if one of the stations the console is set to receive is configured as an ISS or Anemometer Transmitter Station. Display Screen 2 of the Setup Mode to reconfigure a station in the network to an ISS if necessary., redisplay Current Weather Mode and press WIND again to view the signal strength. If there is more than one station, reconfigure each station the same way and repeat the process.
3. Select the repeater identification the station is using to communicate to the console or receiver. Note: The repeater selected for the station should be the repeater closest to the console or receiver. For example, in a daisy chain of one station and three repeaters, the last repeater in chain is the repeater that should be selected. 4. Continue selecting the correct repeater ID for each station in the network. Click OK to save the settings and exit the dialog box.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting Communication Troubleshooting Depending on the complexity of the repeater network, communication problems between the transmitter(s), repeater(s), and console could consist of a number of factors. To solve communication problems in the network, the transmitter, repeater or console causing communication problems must be isolated.
Error 1 (One Flash) Problem Station ID or IDs not found. Repeater Behavior When trying to acquire stations, the repeater looks for a station signal for ten minutes. During this time, the STAT LED flashes red when it detects energy not associated with a station. It flashes yellow if it has found some stations but not all, and green when all stations are found. For each station found, the TX LED flashes immediately after the STAT LED, indicating that it is transmitting the station ID(s).
After ten minutes, The STAT LED flashes red three times if it has not found any signal from the previous repeater in the chain. It flashes yellow three times if it has found some of the repeater or station IDs but not all. If the repeater flashes red the TX does not flash. If it flashes yellow, the TX then flashes the repeater ID it can not find. Solution The repeater is not in range to receive signals from the previous repeater or the repeaters are not programmed in sequential order.
Appendix A Specifications Complete specifications for all of the Vantage Pro2 weather products as well as the wireless repeater are available in the Weather Support section of our website: http://www.davisnet.com/support/weather/ General Operating Temperature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -40 to 150° Fahrenheit (-40 to 65° Celsius) Non-operating Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -40 to 150° Fahrenheit (-40 to 65° Celsius) Current Draw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.
Repeater Board Display and Contents Solar Power Tab AC Adpater Battery Compartment Status TX LED LED Transmitter DIP Switches Repeater Test Switch Repeater DIP Switches 29
