Solar Temp Humidity sensor problems.

[esvfm]

I've recently ordered a range of sensors and hubs from you and have been getting on well with all of them but the temp solar humidity unit.

I can read the separate temperature device fine and I can detect the DS2438 ok on the network. The problems I'm having is that I always read 0 for the solar sensor and the humidity values seem quite low too (I've seen nothing higher than 50%). I've tried reading the values in a number of ways including USB and serial adaptors the dallas one wire java viewer and the one wire C public domain kit. I've checked that the config register is set to read the 3rd channel and that appears ok so does the onboard temp probe.

I was wondering if there are some checks I can perform on the device to check that the sensors are behaving properly (I'm a software engineer by trade). Or do you have any other ideas as to what the problem could be?

Thanks for your help,

Chris.

 

[ericvic]

Chris,

Are you supplying external power to the device?

You should not be getting 0 values on the solar sensor. They will probably be very small but should not be 0.

Are you sure that the actual humidity is greater than 50%? You could take it to the bathroom and run a steamy shower to see if it will register higher humidity.

Eric

 

[esvfm]

Hi Eric, thanks for the quick response.

I've tried tried using external and paracitic power for the device (running it through one of your 6 channel hubs), it doesn't seem to make any difference.

Nice idea about the shower! Unfortunately due to the fact I'm doing things at work, I can't take the sensor into a shower, even if I did I think the health and safety people would have 'issues' with me doing such a thing. Its fairly wet and horrible here in the UK at the moment and the outside relative humidity is in the high 80 - 90% range so I presumed it would be a bit lower inside but not 40% lower. We're due to order some more sensors soon so I think I'll grab another one to compare it with.

With the solar sensor 99% of the time the readings are 0, though I have seen it show something tiny like +/- 0.002 for a second or so, this being inside a fairly well lit office (or up against a window), putting my finger over the sensor makes no difference.

Thanks for youre help,

Chris.

 

[ericvic]

Chris,

It certianly sounds like there is a problem with that board. If you want me to take a look at it you could ship it back and I will see what I can find out.

Eric