[wxsig] X1W-2 Fan

[wn0x at earthlink.net]

Thanks John.  

I ordered my kit today.

Not sure what I will do about the fan, but will probably leave it off until I can come up with a way to turn it on when humidity > 80%. 

Rich/wn0x/ap006



-----Original Message-----
>From: John Bennett <jabennett at insightbb.com>
>Sent: Feb 12, 2007 7:42 PM
>To: TAPR Weather Station SIG Mailing List <wxsig at lists.tapr.org>
>Cc: wn0x at earthlink.net
>Subject: Re: [wxsig] X1W-2 Fan
>
>Guys,
>
>Understand that the boards were originally designed to support my WXN
>server which doesn't run the fan unless the RH exceeds a specified
>setpoint (default is 80% - can be altered in the wxnhostd.ini file).
>Given Murphy's probabilities of blowing things up, I decided the best
>place to put the PIO was on the inside board. It's easier to replace the
>PIO there if it gets blown than if it's on the tower. Also, the T-238
>does not support on/off control of the aspirator. The X1W-2 works in
>both the T-238 and WXN enviroments. In the rev 2 version, the rain gauge
>and EMP interface was duplicated on the -2 in hopes that it would be
>incorporated into the T-238+ firmware (rain gauge does work - speaking
>of the EMP interface). Will has expressed a desire to do so, but like
>myself he is very busy. Hard to find time for much anything else except
>eat, sleep and work it seems.
>
>The idea of the aspirator is to improve the accuracy of the RH readings
>at the high end to help prevent condensation from forming on the sensor.
>If condensation forms, all bets are off for an accurate reading. The
>idea was to turn off the aspirator when it was not needed to save the
>fan bearings. Since I have started using them (several years now), not
>one has failed except due to a direct lightning strike. Unfortunately I
>have no frame of reference to using one that is on continuously since I
>have never done this.
>
>Accuracy at the high-end, incidentally, is a marked improvement with the
>4000 series sensors over the earlier IC  Honeywell had out. Not one
>failure to date, and seems to track very closely with NWS readings. The
>older sensor used to saturate almost every night, regardless of
>conditions. This is assuming the board has been properly sealed per my
>suggestions in the manual.
>
>If you are not running my server, you don't need the PIO switch. Just
>hook up the power leads to 12V. If you use only the photo-cells to run
>the aspirator, it would not run at night when it is needed the most
>unless you have a fairly decent battery than can be charged - and then
>you have more tower maintenance.
>
>The -1 board has two such PIOs. Just because the are labeled 'Aspirator
>Control' and 'Rain Gauge Heater Control' doesn't mean they have to be
>used for that. If I ever get the time, I hope to do something in the way
>of a remote I/O control board using these PIOs. They are inexpensive and
>can be used for input as well as output. Ideal for simple on/off and
>sensing applications. Lots of things you could do with them. But that's
>another project.
>
>Hope this helps you understand why the PIOs are there.
>
>John
>n4xi
>
>On Mon, 2007-02-12 at 08:28 -0800, Rasputin Novgorod wrote:
>> The fan is installed in X1W-2 Humidty/Temperature Kit,
>> but the strange thing to me is that the control for the fan 
>> is located on the X1W-1 indoor barometer board, so you have
>> to string more wires to connect them. 
>> 
>> 1) I wondered about moving the fan controller to the fan
>> baord, but then I suppose you have to string extra wires
>> to provide power for the fan.
>> 
>> 2) Instead, I was thinking of getting some photo-cells to
>> power the fan. When the sun is shining and you need a fan,
>> the fan would get power from the sun (photocells) and 
>> start up.  I'm unsure how many cells I'd need, or about
>> regulation. Any thoughts?
>> 
>> Sincerely
>> /b
>> 
>> 
>>  
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>-- 
>John Bennett
>Evansville, IN
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