Combo solar, temperature and humidity sensor

[pete_c]

I am currently utilizing two Temp08's, one Temp05 and two DS9097's for various sensors, weather station etc.

I currently am using one combo solar, temperature and humidity sensor on a DS9097U (no external power) utilizing it with MCS XaP 1-wire plugin by itself with no other devices on said 1-wire network. It is mounted outside and has been working with no real issues except for one. About 2 years ago the photdiode went out and I replaced it with a new one ordered from Hobby-boards. Since the replacement of this photodiode my night solar readings went from 0 to -6. It would be beneficial to see it at zero at night for my measurements and wondering if anyone out there has had the same issues?

Recently I decided to use a pagoda for my outdoor temperatures. I built one out of plastic plates and it is working OK with just a temperature sensor. I didn't like the way it looked and decided to purchase one instead from Ambient Weather. I decided it would be better to install a combo temperature, humidity and solar sensor in the new pagoda instead of just a temperature sensor. I was going to purchase a second combo sensor for the Pagoda. The pagodo shell is white plastic and my assumption is that the white plastic will serve as a light diffuser so I can leave the sensor inside of the pagoda. Has anyone used these combo one wire boards in a pagoda yet?

Here are the readings that I get today from the combo sensor outside (it is not in direct sunlight so it doesn't ever really get "saturated".

12 11:59:59 | Port=COM2 Address=2D0008013977B510 Family=DS1920 Temperature=20.4375 |
12 12:00:20 | Port=COM2 Address=2D0008013977B510 Family=DS1920 Temperature=20.4375 |
12 12:00:36 | Port=COM2 Address=54000000A9173A26 Family=DS2438 Temperature=68.3375 Humidity=100 Voltage= 4.27 4 0.02 607 |
12 12:00:41 | Port=COM2 Address=2D0008013977B510 Family=DS1920 Temperature=20.4375 |
12 12:01:02 | Port=COM2 Address=2D0008013977B510 Family=DS1920 Temperature=20.5 |
12 12:01:18 | Port=COM2 Address=54000000A9173A26 Family=DS2438 Temperature=68.3375 Humidity=100 Voltage= 4.28 4.07 0.02 613 |
12 12:01:23 | Port=COM2 Address=2D0008013977B510 Family=DS1920 Temperature=20.5 |
12 12:01:43 | Port=COM2 Address=2D0008013977B510 Family=DS1920 Temperature=20.5625 |
12 12:02:00 | Port=COM2 Address=54000000A9173A26 Family=DS2438 Temperature=68.3375 Humidity=100 Voltage= 4.28 4.09 0.02 613 |
12 12:02:04 | Port=COM2 Address=2D0008013977B510 Family=DS1920 Temperature=20.5625 |
12 12:02:25 | Port=COM2 Address=2D0008013977B510 Family=DS1920 Temperature=20.5625 |
12 12:02:43 | Port=COM2 Address=54000000A9173A26 Family=DS2438 Temperature=68.50625 Humidity=100 Voltage= 4.3 4.09 0.02 620 |
12 12:02:46 | Port=COM2 Address=2D0008013977B510 Family=DS1920 Temperature=20.625 |
12 12:03:07 | Port=COM2 Address=2D0008013977B510 Family=DS1920 Temperature=20.625 |
12 12:03:25 | Port=COM2 Address=54000000A9173A26 Family=DS2438 Temperature=68.61875 Humidity=100 Voltage= 4.3 4.09 0.02 620 |

 

[skyewright]

The pagodo shell is white plastic and my assumption is that the white plastic will serve as a light diffuser so I can leave the sensor inside of the pagoda.

If the plastic is so transparent that a solar sensor gives a useful reading then the pagoda would not seem to be doing its job very well - it is after all mean to be a radiation shield!

One alternative approach might be to take the solar sensor off-board, i.e. have the sensor outside the pagoda (e.g. on top) connected to the board by leads?

 

[pete_c]

Thanks skyewright. I currently use the older sensor outside in a shaded area where it never gets direct sunlight. Midday it usually peaks at about 870 or so. I am fine with that. I have seen write ups about putting the sensor inside of a pingpong ball with decent results. All of this will also involve optimal placement of the Pagado.

 

[pete_c]

Decided to look some more at the Hobby-Boards combo device. Its been pegged at 100% humidity now for the last few weeks. Took it apart. It wasn't wet and there was no mildew on it. I did remember to have it coated for the outside when I purchased it. Cleaned the humidity sensor with a cotton swab and alcohol. Before I did this ran the 1-wireview to look at it and saw the following error:

Polling Humidity
OneWireIOException: Error during putByte(), echo was incorrect

Its been outside now for more than a year running off of the two wires with no additional power to it.

Temperature-Solar reads are fine with no errors. Does anyone know what would cause the above mentioned error?

Still on the fence relating to buying a second one to install in my new Pagoda. Most likely the Pagoda will be mounted high near the current weather station - 2 stories up accessible only with a ladder. Kind of looking a plug n play setup which will involve no maintainance.

I am getting reads now - but still close to 100% and while I know its very warm outside now I don't think its that humid outside. It is the only device sitting on this network along with the 9097.

 

[kealb]

Exactly the same happens to me, pegs at 100% apart from the occasional dip to about 92%. Third time this has happened to my sensors. It is mounted outside in a screen which is necessary for determining the outside hum.

Anybody got any ideas on how to make these last longer?

 

[skyewright]

Anybody got any ideas on how to make these last longer?

Here's a mod that looks interesting and that I intend to try (but haven't yet)...

Weather-Above 1-wire Temp/Hum Mod


David

 

[pete_c]

For the humidity sensor portion Eric sugested replacing just the humidity sensor. That worked. I have mounted my Pogoda on the weather mast and currently looking at the light sensor. It gets good light where the HB is mounted inside of the Pagoda thru the pagoda shielding. The high light values are lower so will use the new span values instead. I'm really just looking to compare typical sun values, cloudy day values, etc.

 

[midon]

Anybody got any ideas on how to make these last longer?

Both Eric and I have converted to selling the new HIH4021 sensors instead of the HIH4000's. The HIH4021's are sealed and better protected against condensing environments. Still too early to say how much longer they will last, but early results are promising. Been using a couple in a harsh environment for about 6 months.

Mitch