Solar 2 Weather Station

Features:

• – Low power consumption (10mA at 12 VDC)
• – RS-232 or RS-485 communication to monitoring options
• – Easy to attach parameter sensor channels
• – Two additional general-purpose channels

The Capricorn FLX offers two reliable mechanical wind sensor options.

Capricorn FLX Mark I (Standard)

Durable aluminum/stainless steel wind direction and speed sensor. The sensor offers 360-degree wind direction resolution and high accuracy. For installations subject to extreme weather conditions, a heated option is available.

Capricorn FLX Mark II

Lightweight material durable even at the highest wind speeds. Increased performance in snow and icy conditions.

This capacitive relative humidity sensor is compact and easy to use. It can be easily installed in a self-aspirating radiation shield for protection from the sun and rain. This sensor offers long-term stability with minimal drift. Because the sensor is a capacitive device, it will not be affected by surface contamination in unclean environments. Since the sensor element is socketed and laser trimmed it can be easily replaced in the field without any additional calibration. The relative humidity sensor comes with a standard 50-foot cable and a quick disconnect connector.

Type: Capacitance

Accuracy: ± 3% (or better) from 10 to 90% RH at 68° F

Temperature Effect: less than <±1.5% RH from 14° F to 140° F

Stability: ±2% RH over 2 years

Reporting Resolution: 1% RH

Range: 0 to 100%

The optional tipping bucket electric rain gauge is composed of a complex spun collector funnel with a knife edge that diverts the water to a tipping bucket mechanism. For each tip, a magnet causes an electronic pulse that is recorded. The rainfall sensor is completely automatic - spent water drains out of the bottom of the housing, hence, the instrument requires no servicing.

Accuracy: ±1% at 2 in./hr or less

Resolution: 0.01 inch

Heated rain gauge is available.

Catalog No. 82601: This silicon photovoltaic pyranometer or solar radiation sensor is calibrated to measure the shortwave radiation reaching the Earth's surface, measured in Watts per square meter. Self-cleaning dome-shaped head prevents water accumulation. Sensor head is potted solid to prevent internal condensation in humid environments.

ISO 9060:2018 Class C (previously known as second class)
Range: 0 to 2000 W mˉ²
Calibration Uncertainty: ± 5 %
Measurement Repeatability: Less than 1 %
Non-stability (Long-term Drift): Less than 2 % per year
Non-linearity: Less than 1 %
Response Time: Less than 1 ms
Field of View: 180˚
Spectral Range: 360 to 1120 nm (wavelengths where response is 10 % of maximum)
Directional (Cosine) Response: ± 5 % at 75˚ zenith angle
Temperature Response: 0.04 ± 0.04 % per C
Operating Environment: -40 to 70 C; 0 to 100 % relative humidity

Includes leveling plate, mounting bracket, and 50-foot cable.

Catalog No. 82605: This thermopile sensor meets ISO 9060 second class requirements. It measures solar radiation received by a plane surface, in W/m², from a 180° field of view angle. SR05 is ideal for general solar radiation measurements in meteorological networks and PV monitoring. The pyranometer is easy to mount and install, in particular with its ball leveling mechanism. The sensor outputs 0 to 1 VDC signal and can be interfaced directly to the Weather MicroServer’s analog channels.

ISO classification: ISO 9060 Second Class

ISO classification: ISO 9060 Second Class
Spectral range: 280 to 3000 nm
Calibration Uncertainty: < 1.8% (k=2)
Operating Temperature Range: -40 to +80°C
Output: 0 to 1VDC

Includes a tube mounting bracket and 50-foot cable. Additional mounting brackets are available.

Catalog No. 82603-6A: This thermopile sensor meets ISO 9060:1990 First Class requirements and features a sixty-four thermocouple junction (series connected) sensing element. The sensing element is coated with a highly stable carbon based non-organic coating, which delivers excellent spectral absorption and long term stability characteristics. It has improved performance due to the increased thermal mass and the double glass dome construction. The integral bubble level is raised to the top of the housing and can be viewed without removing the redesigned snap-on sun shield, which also covers the connector. The connector with gold-plated contacts allows for easy exchange and re-calibration.

The screw-in drying cartridge is easy to remove and the replacement desiccant is supplied in convenient refill packets.

The sensor outputs 0 to 1 VDC signal and can be interfaced directly to the MicroServer’s analog channels.

ISO classification: ISO 9060:1990 First Class
Spectral range (20% point): 280 to 3000 nm
Spectral range (50% point): 285 to 2800 nm
Response time (63%): <1.5 s
Response time (95%): <12 s
Zero offset A: <10 W/m²
Zero offset B: <4 W/m²
Directional response (up to 80° with 1000 W/m² beam): <15 W/m²
Temperature dependence of sensitivity (-40°C to +70°C): <3%
Output: 0 to 1VDC

Includes 50-foot cable. Optional mounting brackets available.

Catalog No. 82603-10A: This thermopile sensor meets ISO 9060:1990 Secondary Standard requirements (highest possible ISO pyranometer performance category). The SMP10 extends this quality to applications where maintenance is difficult and/or forms a major part of the cost of ownership. The Internal drying cartridge is rated to 10 years if the housing is not opened.

The SMP10 uses a temperature compensated detector and has better linearity and long-term stability, lower thermal offset and faster response than a first class pyranometer.

The faster response time meets the requirements for solar energy monitoring.

ISO classification: ISO 9060 Secondary Standard
Spectral range (50% point): 285 to 2800 nm
Response time (63%): <0.7 s
Response time (95%): <2 s
Zero offset A: <7 W/m²
Zero offset B: <2 W/m²
Directional response (up to 80° with 1000 W/m² beam): <10 W/m²
Temperature dependence of sensitivity (-40°C to +70°C): <1%
Output: 0 to 1VDC

Includes 50-foot cable. Optional mounting brackets available.

Control Module
Dimensions: 5.8" L x 4.5" W x 2.4" H
Weight: 0.4 lbs
Input Voltage: 8-24VDC
Current Consumption: 10mA @ 12VDC

Temperature
Accuracy:
± 0.9°F from +14° to 185°F (±0.5°C from -10° to 85°C)
± 3.6°F from -67° to 257°F (±2.0°C from -55° to 125°C)
Resolution: 0.01°F

Relative Humidity
Type: Capacitance
Accuracy: ± 3% (or better) from 10 to 90% RH at 68° F
Temperature Effect: less than <±1.5% RH from 14° F to 140° F
Stability: : ±2% RH over 2 years
Reporting Resolution: 1% RH
Range: 0 to 100%

Solar Radiation
Depends on the sensor selected (see above for options)

Barometric Pressure
Accuracy: ± 0.03 in. Hg (1 hPa)
Range: 14.8 to 32.5 in. Hg (500 to 1100 hPa)
Resolution: 0.0001 in. Hg (0.01 hPa)

Wind Direction
Resolution: 2 degrees
Range: 0 to 360 degrees
Accuracy: ± 4 degrees

Wind Speed
Accuracy: ± 0.25 mph from 0 to 23 mph
± 1% from 24 to 160 mph
Range: 0 to 160 mph
Resolution:1 mph

Rainfall
Accuracy: ±1% at 2 in./hr. or less
Resolution: 0.01 inch

Industrial grade WVGA touchscreen displays current weather data, trends, min/max.

Computes and displays wind chill, heat index and other calculated parameters.

Seven-inch color LCD panel with 800 x 480 pixel resolution.

Available in desktop/wall-mount chassis, 19" rack mount, or panel mount.

Open Weather Display Page

Weather Master™ is our proprietary software optimized for CWS weather stations. It provides computer weather monitoring, calculated parameters, graphing and trend displays, as well as automatic archiving of weather data, alarm notification, interface with CAMEO/ALOHA, and weather web page updates.

Open Weather Software Page

Check current conditions quickly from a hand-held mobile device for decision-making in the field. The CWS Weather Monitor App is compatible with all CWS weather stations that include the Weather MicroServer. The app includes three real-time monitoring screens which display standard meteorological parameters. Access to a Cloud Weather Server account is required.

The Capricorn FLX 420 offers 4-20mA signal output to interface to PLC, DCS, and SCADA systems.

Open Orion 420 Page

Wireless transceivers offer a cable-free means to remotely monitor weather information when hardwire installations are not feasible or practical.

For fixed-mount weather stations, the 900MHz wireless transceiver offers outdoor line-of-site with 2.1 DB antenna at 9 miles (14 km).

For Capricorn FLX weather stations, weather sensors are connected to the Control Module which is housed with a transceiver in a weatherproof enclosure. The other transceiver is connected to the Weather MicroServer.

These stations require power at the site of the weatherproof enclosure. This power can be AC, battery or solar.

A wireless weather station system configuration would include the weather station itself with display or software, plus a weatherproof enclosure and transceivers.

Certifications:
FCC and IC

900 MHz Model, Catalog Number 8255

Includes universal mast mount, guy wire clamp, guy wire, lag screws, and eye bolt screws.
Catalog Number: 88002

(Does not include mast - User supplied or select steel mast above)

Open Hardware Kit PDF including diagrams

Includes 4" wall mounts with lag screws.
Catalog Number: 88003

(Does not include mast - User supplied or select steel mast above)

Open Hardware Kit PDF including diagrams

This tripod mast is designed to provide 8 to 10 feet of stable, secure support for your weather station sensors or other instrumentation. Set up takes less than five minutes.

Competitively priced and sturdy, the tripod is constructed from welded aluminum and anodized for appearance and longevity. The 15-pound tripod can support up to 60 pounds of equipment such as weather sensors on a 1" (outside diameter) vertical pipe stub.

Operational Features

• – Sturdy construction supports up to 60 pounds of equipment.
• – Legs insert easily into body and fasten securely with stainless steel retainer pins.
• – Guy wires clip quickly to feet for increased stability.
• – Includes tiedown kit for optional optimized stability.

Tripod Specifications

Capacity: Supports up to 60 lbs.
Diameter: 1" OD
Shipping Weight: 17lbs
Shipping Box Dimensions: 70" x 8" x 8"

Order Information

Tripod with Tiedown Kit, Catalog Number: 88019
Tripod Tote for storage and transportation, Catalog Number: 88009

Open Tripod Data Bulletin PDF

Universal mounting adapter to attach weather sensors to existing towers or alternate masts, even those with multiple instruments. Can be used vertically or horizontally. Aluminum construction. Includes three clamps for mast of up to 3” diameter.

Catalog Number: 88022-1

(Does not include mast - User supplied)

Open Diagram PDF

Universal Mount for Tower/Mast (Catalog Number 88022-1) shown above with Orion Weather Station sensor.

PN 82606: Adjustable Angle Mounting Stand for POA Pyranometers mounts on the end of a horizontal arm or vertical pole.

PN 82606-1: Instrumentation Cross Arm, 2 ft Aluminum, for Pyranometer.

• – 1" IPS anodized aluminum Crossarm, 1.31" OD
• – Mounting bracket and u-bolts, 304 stainless steel
• – Mounts to 1.0" to 2.1" OD pole

PN 82607: Solar Sensor Mounting Stand for GHI Pyranometers. Works with SMP6 and SMP10 sensors.

For POA installations, include the Instrumentation Cross Arm, PN 82606-1, and the Adjustable Angle Mounting Stand, PN 82606.

To fully power weather stations in applications that do not have access to electricity, we offer solar panels. These are custom per installation based on geographical location. Most common are 20 and 40-watt systems.

Catalog Number: 83000

Includes:

• – Solar panel
• – Controller
• – Mounting adapter
• – Battery and battery enclosure