Delta-T WS-GP2 Quick Start Guide

WS-GP2 Weather Station
WS-GP2 Weather Station for wind speed and direction, relative
humidity, air and soil temperature, rain and solar radiation
Quick Start Guide
Delta-T Devices Ltd
V2.4
Introduction
The WS-GP2 Weather Station measures wind speed and direction, air temperature,
relative humidity, solar radiation, rainfall and soil temperature.
This guide explains how to choose a site, install the mast, mount and align the
sensors. Then, using a PC, we show how to change the weather station program,
check the sensor readings, then acquire and display readings.
Description
The weather station has a 2m high by 48 mm diameter anodised aluminium mast.
Cross arm, connectors and fittings are provided for sensors and a GP2 data logger.
The mast attaches to the ground via the standard base. This may be pinned to the
ground by the stakes provided or bolted down on to concrete or rock.
The M2-BASE is an optional extra, suitable for fixing into concrete.
A levelling mechanism fits on the top of the mast for mounting a type ES2
solar radiation sensor.
The cross arm is installed near the top of the mast and has an adapter to
take a combined wind direction and speed sensor.
Below this can fit a bracket holding the combined air temperature and
humidity sensor in a radiation shield.
The RG2-BP rain gauge has a base-plate to be staked level on the ground.
1 Unpacking
Check your contents against your order - you should have:M2 mast with cross arm, steel guy ropes, baseplate, stakes, logger canopy, Ubolts, and a GP2 Logger.
See Figure 1 and the Parts Index on page 4.
Wind speed and direction sensor AN-WD2-03
RH and air temperature sensor RHT-SDI-12-T6 (including 1m M12 bare wire
cable connected – for connection to GP2 logger).
Solar energy flux sensor ES2-05
Rain gauge RG2+BP-06
Soil Temperature sensor ST1-05
GP2 Logger, with GP2-USB cable and GP2 User Manual
Download DeltaLINK from our website: https://delta-t.co.uk/software/deltalink/
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© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
Identify Parts
Figure 1: WS-GP2 Weather Station Mast and Sensor Parts (not to scale)
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© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
Parts Index
1)
2)
3)
4)
Ground stake (x3)
D-shackle (x6) size: 3/16 inch
Ring bolt (x3) size: M6
Lock nut. (x3 size: M6
plus x3 with a reverse screw thread)
5) Guy- line tensioning shackle /straining screws (x3).
6) Hook bolt (x3)
7) Stainless steel guy rope (3x 1.5m)
8) Ring bolt & lock nut (size:M8)
9) Mounting bracket for RHT sensor.
10) RHT radiation shield. Includes sensor with 1m 5 way M12 bare wire cable.
11) Mast to ball & socket connector
12) Ball & socket levelling device.
13) M8 nut.
14) Levelling plate
15) ES2 solar radiation sensor
16) Bubble level.
17) Spanner for ball and socket device 22mm locknuts
18) Mast to cross arm connector
19) Cross arm (1m x 32mm) with 6.5 mm dia. holes at 4 positions
20) Combined wind speed and direction sensor.
21) Alignment hub
22) Cross arm end plug x2.
23) Cross arm adapter
24) Allen key for cross arm adapter.
25) Stand offs for mounting GP2 to Logger Canopy
(4x M4 x 15mm)
26) Logger canopy
27) GP2 data logger
28) Logger- canopy connectors
31) U bolt clamp plate (51mm x2)
32) Nuts & washers (x4 size: M6).
33) U Bolts (51mm x2)
34) RG2 rain gauge.
35) Right angle brackets (x2) with self- tapping
screws for mounting RG2 to base-plate.
36) Stakes for RG2 base plate (x4)
37) Base plate for RG2
38) Stake for M2 Mast base-plate x2
39) M2 mast base
40) Allen key (8mm)
41) ST1 soil temperature probe.
42) Adjustable spanner
43) Mallet
44) Optional extra type M2-BASE for fixing mast in
concrete (7¼ x 5½ inch, internal depth 5 inch)
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© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
2 Choose the Location
You may need a pickaxe and shovel to prepare the site.
Results depend not just on sensor accuracy and reliability but also on how
representative the site is – so choose the site carefully.
Where data is to be compared to a “standard” meteorological site, the sensors should
be exposed in a similar way to sensors at the standard sites, i.e. over a level surface of
short grass and away from trees or buildings.
These are rough guidelines. Refer to meteorological publications for further advice.
e.g. http://www.wmo.int/web/www/IMOP/WebPortal-AWS/Index02.html
Rules of thumb
2X
Near a building, mount the sensors outside the
zone of influence. Horizontally this extends
roughly twice the height of the building upstream
and ten times downstream. Vertically it extends
to about twice the height of the structure.
If the requirement is to measure the true local
conditions, e.g. a field of newly planted corn,
Rules of thumb
10 X
2X
select a relatively uniform area of the terrain. Be
aware that, as a crop grows up towards the
sensors, the measured wind speed decreases
as the canopy approaches.
Sensors are also influenced by the changing
local thermal and humidity microclimate above
the crop. There are no simple rules to follow –
Clothes line effect
but be aware of the following:
Clothes line effect: vegetation upwind may
affect vapour gradients and heat transfer.
Oasis effect: If an isolated source of water, e.g.
a lake or glacier, is surrounded by a relatively
arid area, then the relative humidity may be
Oasis effect
affected if the wind direction draws air from the
water source.
Leading Edge effect: When air moves over the
boundary between two surfaces that differ in
temperature, moisture content, roughness or
some other characteristic, it takes time for the air
to adjust. The line of discontinuity is known as
the leading edge. The boundary layer will vary in
Leading edge effect
vertical extent with distance from the leading
edge as it adjusts to the new conditions.
Figure 2: Location
Thermal plume effect: Avoid placing objects
directly under the air humidity and temperature sensor, such as a solar panel, which
can create a rising thermal plume when warmed by the sun.
X
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© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
3 Assembly
Figure 4
Steps to
assembly
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© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
Mast Assembly
It helps to have two people available.
Step 0.
Before assembly lay out all the parts and identify them.
See Identify Parts on page 3.
Step 1.
Insert the 2m mast into the base and tighten up the locking
grub-screw using the 8mm (M8) Allen key.
Step 2.
Slide the mast cross-arm connector over the mast and position it
near the top of the mast to minimise interference with the wind
sensors. Secure the join by tightening the socket grub-screw with
the hexagonal 8 mm Allen key.
Step 3.
Screw the mast ball and socket connector on to the top of the
mast.
Step 4.
Insert cross arm through connector, and secure it by tightening
the locking grub-screw using the M8 Allen key.
Step 5.
Screw the solar sensor levelling device
onto the mast ball and socket connector).
Step 6.
Attach ring bolts to the mast
Step 7.
Attach steel guy wire to the ring bolts using the D-shackles
Step 8.
If you have an assistant, now is the time to ask them to hold
the mast vertical. Then, using the steel guy ropes as an
indicator, hammer in the guy rope stakes at 3 locations
around the mast, about 120 cm away from the centre.
If you don’t have an assistant, put two stakes in, haul up the
mast with the third, and position your third stake that way.
Step 9.
Hammer the 2 stakes in to attach the mast base
securely to the ground.
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© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
Step 10.
Attach the steel guys to the 3 stakes using the D shackles.
Step 11.
Tighten the guy line tensioning shackle/straining screws.
For ease, position the guy line tensioning shackles to
close to the mast, rather than at the ground stakes – this
will help to make quick adjustments to all three tensioners,
within reach.
Try to ensure the mast is vertical.
Sensor Assembly
Step 12.
Attach the RHT mounting bracket using the U-bolts
provided.
Mount the RHT sensor in the radiation shield using the
housing sleeve and plastic compression nut provided.
Step 13.
Attach the ES2 solar radiation sensor to the levelling plate
via a screw into its base.
Level it using the bubble level indicator and lock it in place
using the 22mm spanner.
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© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
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© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
Step 14.
Fully insert wind vane arm into
the hub at the top of the wind
sensor. Align the vane with the
centre axis of the sensor.
Using the 5/64 inch Allen key,
tighten the set/grub screw at the
top of the hub to lock the
windvane in place.
Step 15.
Slide the cross arm adapter onto the cross arm.
This requires the 5/32 inch (~4mm) Allen key.
Step 16.
Remove the post lock screw using a
5/32” (or 4mm) Allen key. Insert the
post into the alignment hub replace the
screw, so joining the two together.
Step 17.
Sit the wind sensor + alignment hub into
the cross arm adapter, ensuring the
sensor axis is vertical.
Step 18.
Find true north
It is best to set the wind direction sensor to true north, not magnetic north.
Compass Method: Get a
compass and the local angle of
magnetic declination – either from
a map, local airport - or use an
online calculator e.g.
http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/
geomag-web/#declination
...and enter your latitude and
longitude.
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© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
Magnetic declination (or variation) is the angle between magnetic north and
true north.
It is positive when the angle measured is east of true north and negative
when west. So, if the declination is positive, true north is left of magnetic
north.
Typical map of magnetic declination for year 2020
(reproduced courtesy of NOAA)
From this map you can see the magnetic variation around the world can be
quite large. Magnetic north also drifts over time, so it is best to refer wind
direction to true north.
Star Method: Find the North Star or the Southern Cross.
Whichever method you use, establish where true north intersects the
horizon.
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© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
Step 19.
Orient the body of the wind vane
19.1. Ensure that the hub lock screw is in place on the hub.
In this state the wind vane cannot rotate and, if read, the sensor should
indicate 180 degrees, i.e. south.
19.2. Rotate the body of the sensor until the counterweight and the black
arrow on the housing actually point to true south (and the wind vane tail
points to true north).
19.3. Tighten the two vertically paired grub screws on the cross arm
adapter and then remove the hub lock screw - to release the wind vane and
allow it to rotate freely.
19.4.
Attach the sensor cable to the socket on the housing.
Step 20.
Mount the canopy, or optional M2 enclosure, at a
convenient height on the mast using the two U bolts The
canopy is designed to protect the logger from the heat of
the sun, so mount it facing away from the equator (north
in the northern hemisphere, on the south side in the
southern hemisphere).
Step 21.
Mount the logger. Remove the logger lid
and insert the four M4 bolts to protrude out
of the hole at the back of the logger.
Hold these in with a hexagonal socket
wriech and bolt on the 4xM4x15mm stand
offs. These allow air currents flow between
the canopy and the back of the logger and
so help it stay cool in hot weather.
Step 22.
Install raingauge RG2.
Locate it away from air flow
and fix it horizontally on the ground the
plate and stakes provided.
Step 23.
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Install soil temperature sensor ST1
Bury it along with about 1 m of cable to
isolate it from the direct heat of the sun.
RG2
obstructions
mounting
ST1
© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
4 Wire-up the Sensors
Individual sensor wiring instructions are also displayed in the ‘Info Panel’ of each
Delta-T sensor, when selected in the DeltaLINK program. See the example on the next
page.
Note: In April 2024 new firmware and wiring changes were released. If you received
your WS-GP2 before this date, please contact Delta-T ([email protected]),
quoting serial numbers of your equipment and we can get you the correct instructions.
SDI-12 connection to logger
The RHT sensor has an M12- 5way connector fitted to it. This is connected to a M12
5-way bare wire cable which is connected to the GP2 SDI-12 port (connections in table
above).
To add more SDI-12 connectors onto the network, insert an STP T-piece between the
sensor and logger cable, then add a sensor with an M12 connector fitted. See GP2
user manual “wiring and connector requirements” for pin-outs, connectors and wiring
recommendations.
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© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
5 Install DeltaLINK3
Install and start the GP2 software DeltaLINK on your PC as instructed in the GP2 User
Manual and connect to the GP2 logger using the GP2-USB cable provided.
6 Examine the Weather Station Program
1. Select the Program window. Delta-T installed weather stations will have the
WS-GP2 Weather Station Program pre-installed as shown.
If missing, install this program: Click Change on the Program window and select
Edit, Import Program, select, WS-GP2 Weather Station Program from the folder
location C:\Program Files\Delta-T\DeltaLINK\WS-GP2 and click OK.
Resize your window and the panels as convenient in order to read them.
This weather station program is just an example to get you started, so please feel
free to alter it.
2. Click on each sensor in the Measurement section of the Properties panel and
observe that information about that sensor appears in the Info Panel.
3. To view the entire Sensor instructions in a separate panel right click over the Info
panel to display “Print Preview” and select it with a right click.
4. To print this use ALT P or click the print icon.
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Note: different recording rates and calculated results can be chosen, and they can be
different for each sensor.
Note also you can run the weather station program connected to the GP2 simulator
without a GP2 logger or weather station present. This is useful for tweaking the
program and seeing the effect of different options on the simulated results graphs.
Note SDI-12 sensors (including RH and air temperature) cannot currently be
simulated.
See also: GP2 User Manual.
7 Can I add more Sensors?
Yes! The WS-GP2 uses 2 SDI-12 measurements, 3 analogue and 2 counter channels.
This should leave: 9 analogue channels, 2 counter and ~60 SDI-12 inputs to use for
other sensors.
For further information see the GP2 User Manual.
Note that the WS-GP2 weather station program has assigned Power Bank A to
supply the precision reference 3V needed for the wind direction sensor on
channel 1. So all the Power Bank A terminals, (PWR screw terminals on
channels 1-6) will also be supplied 3V.
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© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
8 Check Sensors & Start Logging
1. Select the Sensors
window and click the
Read now button. The
sensor readings will
continually refresh on a
scrolling time graph.
2. Observe the sensor
reading display in the
scrolling charts and value
panels.
3. Check the wind vane
reads 360 degrees at
north and 180 at south.
4. Spin the anemometer and
blow on the radiation
shield and check the
readings look plausible.
5. Illuminate the light sensor
then cover it, and check
the readings seem
plausible.
6. Pour water into the rain
gauge funnel to simulate
rainfall.
7. Click the Cancel button
when finished.
8. Select the Logger
window and click Start to
commence logging.
Weather Records
9 Collect and Save Logged Data
1. Select the Dataset window. All stored data in the logger will be retrieved and
displayed on the screen (it may take a few seconds to download the data).
Click Refresh if required.
2. Select File, Save to save the data to a dataset file.
3. Select File, Open to open and view a previously saved dataset file.
4. To save a dataset file as an ASCII file for importing into other programs, open the
file in DeltaLINK, and select File, Save As… selecting the appropriate file type to
save.
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© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
10 View Weather
Display Options in Dataset
View
Right-click on the timescales axis to
select from the preset timescale options.
Left click and drag on a chart to mark out
a zoom region. Then right-click to zoom.
Right click on the value axis to restore
the default zoom.
Left click and drag top and bottom chart
borders then click to resize the chart.
Right click on the chart region to pop up
a menu of display options including Hide,
Show all Charts and Details options
See also the online Help.
Key to graphing symbols
Note – Statistical symbols
are only available if
selected in the program.
Key to statistical
symbols
Maximum
Time of
maximum
+1 standard
deviation
Average
Time of
minimum
-1 standard
deviation
Minimum
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% of time wind was from each direction:
% of windrun from each direction
% of wind energy from each direction
Class Rose: % of time speed was in each
Beaufort scale range
1
2
3
4
5
6 and greater
© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
Further processing your weather data
You can save your data by clicking on the File > Save option. This will save a *.dt6 file
to your PC. This file opens up in DeltaLINK but if you want to process it using Excel,
click on the File>Save As option and change the “Save as type” option to Comma
separated (*.csv). Once saved, this *.csv file can open up directly with Excel.
Once your data is in Excel, many third-party Excel add-ins are available to help you
process your database.
Battery Life
Replace the battery before the battery voltage indicator drops below 5.5V.
At 1 reading/ minute on all sensors the internal 6 long life alkaline AA (LR6) batteries
should last one year.
Note the simulator does not accurately predict battery life and should not be relied on.
To increase battery life, reduce the reading frequency, and/or use an external lead
acid battery or an approved mains-powered 12V DC supply.
You might expect an external 10 Ah lead acid battery to last longer but this is not the
case - the GP2’s input overvoltage regulator for external power sources uses quite a
lot of current (~0.8mA) but also internal self- discharge in the lead acid battery can limit
this - to 10 months at 25C, and only 3 months at 40C, unless periodically recharged
– for example by a solar panel.
Note: When retrieving data, keep an eye on your logger battery. Its status is reported
by the logger software, and you can also log it along with the sensor readings. The
voltage reported is what is presented to the sensors, and is slightly less than that at
the battery terminals.
Note: If a powered sensor is connected to power bank A or B, then every time any of
those sensors are read, power is supplied to all the sensors on that power bank.
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© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
Specifications
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© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
Service & Recalibration
Before returning parts, please contact Delta-T or your local agent for instructions.
Wind speed and direction AN-WD2
Recalibrate: every year. Service: 6-12 months: look & listen to see if the vane and
cups are running freely, are undamaged, and are not loose. 12-24 months: replace
anemometer bearings. 24-36 months: complete factory overhaul of sensor.
Most parts are replaceable in the field.
See also AN-WD2 User Manual and document folder on the on the Delta-T website.
Rain gauge RG2
Can be recalibrated in the field.
See also the RG2 User Manual on the Delta-T website.
Light sensor ES2
Typical drift <2% per year. Recalibrate every 2 years. Keep it clean and level.
See also the ES2 User Manual on the Delta-T website.
RH & air temp sensor RHT
Typical drift <0.25%RH per year and <0.03degC per year. No adjustment of the RH or
temperature element is possible. Inaccurate sensors must be replaced. Replace every
two years in clean atmospheric conditions or every year if the atmosphere is polluted.
See also the Tekbox TBSHTP06 User Manual on the Delta-T website or via the
Tekbox website directly.
ST1 Soil temperature sensor
This cannot be recalibrated. The only check you can do is to check the resistance
across the terminals, which should be 2000 Ohms at 25°C.
See also the ST1User Manual on the Delta-T website.
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© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
Notices
This product uses software code. It should not be used in safety-critical applications or
where consequential loss may occur. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure
appropriate safeguards are in place for regularly monitoring and checking the
equipment.
In no event shall Delta-T’s liability exceed the selling price of the product. Delta-T is
not liable for indirect, incidental or consequential damages in connection with the use
of equipment, including but not limited to data loss, vegetation loss, loss of energy or
water, cost of substitute equipment or services, property damage, or personal injury
that results from installer’s negligence. The customer agrees to the limitations and
exclusions of liability by purchase or use of this product.
See also the GP2 Product Usage.pdf in the online Document Library folder.
CE Conformity
The CE marking identifies this product as complying with all relative directives in the
European Union (EU).
The UKCA marking identifies this product as complying with all relative directives in
the UK.
Certification is available on request
Delta-T Devices Ltd
130 Low Road, Burwell
Cambridge CB25 0EJ
UK
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Tel:
+44 1638 742922
Fax: +44 1638 743155
e-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
web: www.delta-t.co.uk
© 2024 Delta-T Devices Ltd
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