WatchDog weather station
professional weather station with five sensors including wind direction, wind speed, temperature, relative air humidity and rainfall / it can adapt up to six sensors / internal data logger for 8800 values / RS-232 port / optional software kit

The WatchDog weather station is a multifunction device which will cover all your needs. The WatchDog weather station allows you to detect as well as to store wind direction, wind speed, temperature, relative humidity and rainfall rate. You can choose the measurement interval with the WatchDog weather station. Data can be transferred from the weather station to a PC or portable computer to be analyzed subsequently. Other sensors can be adapted (see Optional accessories). The WatchDog weather station is used in agriculture and gardening as well as in industry, and in the research sector.  If you install the WatchDog weather station on a vertical mast, we recommend you use the 25 m PC cable to get an optimum reading (see Optional accessories). Here you can find an overview of another weather station model.

 - Simultaneously measures five parameters and
   additionally calculates the dew point and the
   Wind Chill.
  - It can be extended up to 6 external sensors.
  - Selection of register intervals.
  - wide internal memory for 8800 measurement
    series (it allows registering within a 30 min.
    interval all the parameters during 180 days)

  - stable EEPROM to preserve data even with low
    battery.    
  - It can be directly programmable or through the
   optional software.

  - RS-232 interface for the control and diagnosis of
    data in real time. 

  - LCD display which directly shows max., min.
    and current values.
  - it can be used as a portable device (powered by
    batteries for 12 months of operation)

Watchdog weather station

Technical specifications

Measurement range

Resolution

Accuracy

Wind speed: ±5 %
Wind direction: ±7 º
Air temperature: ±0.6 ºC
Air humidity: ±3 %
Rainfall: ±2 %

Memory interval

adjustable: 1, 10, 15, 30 o 60 min. (30 min. it allows more than 180 days registration)

Delivery contents

Diverse sensors for wind speed, wind direction, temperature, air humidity and rainfall.

Memory

8,800 measurement series

Calculated values

Dew point, Wind Chill

Port

RS-232

Software and data cable

optional

Display

Graphic dual LCD

Case

ABS plastic

Additional sensors

External sensors can be connected 
(see Optional accessories) 

Power

4 x 1.5 V AA batteries

Battery life

Max. 12 months of operation

Dimensions

300 x 215 x 300 mm

Weight

2,900 g

Operating temperature range

-20 ... +70 °C

Delivery contents

1 x WatchDog weather station with 5 sensors included  (wind velocity and direction, temperature, air humidity, rainfall) and user’s manual.   

Optional accessories

- Software kit
Software for programming the device, for the reading and filing of measurement values. The software kit includes an interface cable and a CD with the software. Among its additional functions you can find: real time registration, statistical function and data export to Excel.

- Extra-long data cable (RS-232)
If you wish to connect your PC or portable computer to the WatchDog weather station to read the stored values and the device is placed on a high vertical mast, you will need to connect the data cable when the weather station is installed to easily read the measurement values.
 - Length: 25 m

- RS-232-USB-Adaptor (RS232-USB)
In case your PC or Portable uses USB-Interfaces, you can use the adaptor in connection with the standard rs-232-cable. A small software program (covering all the actual drivers) is included.

- Aluminium tripod
For short registers (p.e. 8 h). If you do not wish to place the weather station on a vertical mast, we recommend you use the aluminium tripod.

 - 3 legs, rotary adaptor plate
 - Aluminium

- Ground temperature sensor
This sensor is easily connected to the weather station plug and it is used to measure ground temperature.
 - Measurement range: +30 ... +100 °C
 - Accuracy: ±0,6 °C
 - Connection: 1,8 m or 6,1 m cable
   (according to the order)

- Solar radiation sensor
This sensor is easily connected to the weather station plug and it is used to measure solar radiation energy.
Measurement range: 1 ... 1250 W/m²
 - Accuracy: ±5 %
 - Connection: 1,8 m cable

- PAR sensor (Photosynthetically active radiation)
This sensor is easily connected to the weather station plug and it is used to measure photosynthetically active radiation.    

- Measurement range: 0 ... 2500 µmol/m²/s
- Accuracy: ±5 %
- Connection: 1,8 m cable

- Ground humidity sensor                               
This sensor is easily connected to the weather station plug and it is used to measure absolute ground humidity.              

 - Measurement range: : 0 ... 100 %
 - Accuracy: ±2 %
 - Connection: 1,8 m cable

- Atmospheric pressure sensor
This sensor is easily connected to the weather station plug and it is used to measure atmospheric pressure.   

 - Measurement range: 880 ... 1080 mbar
 - Accuracy: ±2 %
 - Connection: 0,3 m cable

- Lead-in cable for standard signals
This cable allows the connection with other sensors which send standard electrical signals.
 - Input range: 0 ... 2,5 V / 4 ... 20 mA
 - Length: 1,8 m

- Extension
For all the standard sensors with a length of      4,3 m.

Wind Chill
The Wind Chill describes the difference between the measured and the received air temperature depending on the wind speed. We have available another weather station type which can detect the  Wind Chill as well as other parameters.

Atmospheric pressure
The atmospheric pressure in the world is the hydrostatic air pressure which exists in a place. This pressure is equivalent to the atmospheric column weight which is on the earth surface or on any body on the earth. The average atmospheric pressure at sea level is 101,325 Pa = 1,013.25 hPa = 101,325 kPa under normal conditions.

Dew point / Dew point temperature
Air can absorb more vapour when temperature increases. When the temperature of any air element decreases and simultaneously the air humidity is 100 %, the remaining vapour descends as rain. This limit is called dew point. Buildings must be built in such a way that the temperature in the lowest part is not under the dew point to avoid condensation of water and damages in the buildings as the formation of mould. Atmospheric flows are very harmful through the insulation. In these situations it is important to wait for the lowest dew point. Also the Wetbulb temperature is very important for the climatological industry, and it is also an important parameter for other sectors. With this weather station you will be able to calculate dew point as an option. We have also available other devices to measure dew point such as PCE-555 o el PCE-320,

Information about relative humidity: Relative humidity (r.h.) shows the relationship between absolute humidity (the amount really there) and the saturation state of water vapors. Relative air humidity is measured using humidity indicators, that show on their displays from 0% (absolutely dry air) up to 100% (air that is completely saturated, such as fog, clouds or steam bath). Some models of humidity indicators are an unlimited measurement range. The physical area is between 40 and 65% r.h. Given that hot air possesses the ability to absorb more water vapour than cold air, people feel that in winter, air is too dry and in summer it is too humid. If air heats up it increases the amount of water vapour to that of saturation. The consequence is that the % of relative humidity decreases while the real quantity of water remains constant. Something similar occurs when air is cooled, decreasing the quantity of water vapour. This increases the percentage value of relative humidity. Condensation forms when there is an excess of water in saturated conditions. Some of our humidity indicators offer the ability to not only measure relative humidity and temperature, but can also calculate dew point and dew point temperature. Dew point temperature is defined as the temperature at which the actual vapour content of air is the maximum (100% relative humidity). Dew point temperature is independent of the actual temperature. One possibility of dew point temperature is freezing metal until its surface forms condensation. The temperature of the metal will then be the dew point temperature. With this weather station you will be able to measure relative humidity which will be shown on the display.

What is a rain gauge?

A rain guage is a place where meteorological measurements and observations of the different meteorological parameters using suitable instruments to establish an atmospheric behavior. Below, you will find a classification of the general characteristic of the weather station according to technical standards:

·         Pluviometric stations: Weather stations with a pluviometre or other recipient which allows to measure the amount of rain between two consecutive measurements.

·         Pluviographic stations: when weather stations can make automatically and continuously a rainfall registration. The amount of water, intensity, duration and period of rain can be known.

·         Main weather stations: to make observations of atmospheric conditions in order to provide information to make weather forecasts and to study the weather and climate. The measurements taken include temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and precipitation amounts. Wind measurements are taken as free of other obstructions as possible, while temperature and humidity measurements are kept free from direct solar radiation, or isolation.  They are normally taken three different observations per day.

·         Ordinary weather stations: They must be provided with a psycometer, pluviometer and a pluviograph to measure rainfalls and temperature instantaneously.  

·         Main synoptic stations: These stations are used for important meteorological elements observations during international connectivity hours. Meteorological information is taken every hour: cloudiness, wind speed and wind direction, atmospheric pressure, air temperature, clouds high and types, visibility, special phenomena, humidity, rainfalls, cloud layers, wind course, atmospheric phenomena sequence. The information is encoded and interchanged through the different World Meteorological Centers for weather forecast and also for the aviation service.

·         Additional synoptic stations: Observations are also done during international connectivity hours. Meteorological information is related to: visibility, special phenomena, atmospheric weather, cloudiness, state of ground, rainfalls, air temperature and humidity, wind, etc...

·         Agrometeorological stations: They are used for both meteorological and biological observations and any other observation which help to determine relations between weather and climate as well as between the life of animals and the life of plants.  They have the same observations programs than main weather stations.

WatchDog weather station is an affordable solution for producers, consultants, researchers as well as any other job related to meteorology. Growing conditions can be monitored, registered and analyzed for a efficient production control as well as pest control. WatchDog weather station offers an accurate real time information about weather conditions from your field or vineyard. Modern and advanced characteristics recently included in WatchDog weather station are also offered:

·         To improve data management due to the fact that it enables diverse people to download database from these meteorological stations. Storage capacity is tripled and it grows measuring time.

·         Also, displays of weather stations have been improved, so it is possible to check until 30 days of data as well as max. and min. values. Also, displays show calculations of hours / cold and days/ grade.

·         Diverse functions have been improved: communication, transference speed to 9600 bauds, individualized transference with other weather stations, etc.  

·         WatchDog weather station is very easy to handle. Adjustment of the sensor and measuring range are operated by means of the weather station keyboard (adjustment through the computer is not necessary).

The WatchDog weather station is formed by different meters to measure meteorological elements and it is used for weather observation. The weather station is mainly used to measure and forecast State weather conditions however it can be also used for private measurements. There are differences between digital and analogue weather stations. Analogue weather stations are placed in "meteorological shelters" (also known as Stevenson's thermometer shelters)   which are small weather-resistant wooden or plastic boxes to protect measuring instrument not only against rain and dirty but also they provide accurate measuring values. Meteorological shelters allow air to flow inside them and they are usually white painted to protect temperature values against direct sun light. If the boxes were painted with dark colors, they would absorb more radiation transferring it inside the shelter so this would increase internal temperature in relation to the  external one so the meteorological shelter would always register high temperature values. To compare weather station values they have to be placed 2 meters on the floor and 10 meters from the nearest tree and exposed to wind and sun during all the day. Weather stations normally come with a psychrometer, a thermometer with max. and min. values and a hygrothermogram. Besides, outside the meteorological shelter a pluviometer and an anemometer are placed. Modern weather stations can also measure  global solar radiation, sunlight duration and some special values such as the floor evaporating temperature. Analogue weather stations do not need to be powered via the mains and allow to get accurate results. The disadvantage is that meteorological values can be only registered manually every time.

Contact:
PCE Instruments UK Limited
Unit 11 Southpoint Business Park
Ensign Way, Southampton
United Kingdom, SO31 4RF
Phone: +44(0) 23 809 870 30
Fax: +44(0) 23 809 870 39

Contact:
PCE Americas Inc.
1201 Jupiter Park Drive, Suite 8
Jupiter 33458 FL
USA
Phone: +1-410-387-7703
Fax: +1-410-387-7714