Author Topic: Low power computer for my weather station  (Read 4055 times)

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Mary B

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Low power computer for my weather station
« on: May 14, 2015, 12:52:59 AM »
I just put my weather station online, was wondering what was out there that I could use to make it stand alone and very low power. When I go to bed the power hungry main computer gets shut down... One of the single board linux jobs? Software too to run a LaCross 2315...

SparWeb

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Re: Low power computer for my weather station
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2015, 01:45:07 AM »
A netbook might work - it's like a laptop but missing half its brain.

For that very reason, I went with the Davis.  I did have to fuss to get the WeatherLink to work, but eventually it did, and it only quits working after power failures. 
All it needs to send updates to the web is my DSL/router, which I always leave on.

Your other question:   have you tried Cumulus?
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Mary B

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Re: Low power computer for my weather station
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2015, 03:13:58 AM »
Cumulus is not guaranteed to work with Lacrosse stuff... . Lower the power the usage the better for this. I am storing very little locally and uploading to weather underground http://www.fieldlines.com/index.php?action=post;topic=148696.0;last_msg=1033472 I want to upgrade to Davis eventually but the LaCrosse was free when my dad died mom was going to toss it, brand new in the box!

ubud

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Re: Low power computer for my weather station
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2015, 09:25:17 AM »
when you look to upgrade the weather station take a look at Dr. tech Professional Wireless weather station.http://www.rakuten.com/prod/dr-tech-professional-wireless-weather-station-with-solar-power-sensor/246565584.html?listingId=259672691&sclid=pla_google_mail-direct&adid=29963&gclid=CNHatMqdwcUCFdQRHwodFlIAxA

I have had one in service for 2+ years and am happy with it, + its bout $250 cheaper than the Davis.

The batteries in the weather head lasted over a year, in the local display 6 ish mos.  (dependent on how often you operate the back light)


Bruce S

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Re: Low power computer for my weather station
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2015, 10:50:59 AM »
Mary B;
Might be something DamonHD can help with.
Last I looked he had one running very low power (4 watts).
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DamonHD

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Re: Low power computer for my weather station
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2015, 01:25:32 PM »
Hi,

Look at this:

http://www.earth.org.uk/off-grid-stats.html

The server hosting that server and my mail and various other core services is a RPi and running on ~2W or less.

Rgds

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stofanel

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Re: Low power computer for my weather station
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2015, 01:58:08 PM »
I am using a Raspberry Pi to measure and log wind data. The anemometer itself (a Maximum 400) was more expensive than the computer. Given the Linux platform and the 26 pin GPIO, I was able to interface the instrument with minimal circuitry (a common emitter amplifier to amplify the anemometer signal at low speeds)

The software is a custom job (python) and the Raspberry Pi is connected to the wi-fi via a USB dongle. I can access the Pi remotely via the internet if I wish.

stofanel

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Re: Low power computer for my weather station
« Reply #7 on: May 14, 2015, 02:01:11 PM »
Damon, regarding your RPi:

Have you had any issues related to SD card failures? When I had the RPi remote ssh enabled, I kept getting hit by repeated cyber attack mostrly from China. This overwhelmed the SD card as it constantly updated the login files.

DamonHD

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Re: Low power computer for my weather station
« Reply #8 on: May 14, 2015, 02:35:14 PM »
Hi,

No, nor with my SheevaPlug before it, but I specifically tuned them to reduce write activity in various ways to reduce the chance of such a failure.

http://www.earth.org.uk/note-on-Raspberry-Pi-setup.html

Specifically syslog and fstab settings can make a BIG difference.

Rgds

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Mary B

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Re: Low power computer for my weather station
« Reply #9 on: May 14, 2015, 04:58:32 PM »
Thanks Damon, hoped you would chime in with a link so I wouldn't have to wade through a bunch of posts to find it! I will look into it and start collecting parts. My area did not have an online weather station and when I upgrade to a Davis I can pipe the data to the NWS to help them out.