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Orion™ Vehicle-Mount Weather Station

Orion Vehicle-Mount Weather Station

“Our team likes the easy-to-set-up system...we can deploy within minutes after arriving on scene. There are no moving parts, which makes the system virtually Firefighter-Proof!”

Features

  • Most essential weather parameters in one compact module
  • Ultrasonic wind sensor
  • No moving parts
  • Advanced impact rainfall sensor
  • Low power consumption
  • Fast and simple to install
  • Low maintenance
  • One-year Warranty

The Orion Vehicle-Mount Weather Station combines cutting-edge weather sensor technology with tactical mobility to provide a revolutionary weather station for First Responders.

Weather Parameters Monitored:

  • Temperature
  • Barometric Pressure
  • Relative Humidity
  • Wind Speed and Direction
  • Rainfall

The 9-ft telescoping sensor mast is made of rugged anodized aluminum, with heavy-duty powdered-coated steel mounting brackets which are permanently installed on the vehicle. An alternate collapsible roof mount mast is available.

Standard Orion Vehicle-Mount Weather Station Includes

  • Exterior sensor head with 15-foot cable to connector including: Radiation shield with temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, Ultrasonic wind speed and direction sensors with alignment adaptor, Impact rainfall
  • Connector mounts on truck for exterior sensor input cable to interior Interface Module
  • Orion Interface Module with 50-foot cable to connector
  • Interior wall mount power supply
  • Telescoping mast (9-foot) and truck mount brackets

Optional Sensor Protective Storage Case

For vehicles without built-in sensor storage, a heavy-duty Protective Storage Case is recommended to protect the weather sensors. Constructed of ultra-high-impact structural copolymer, making them extremely strong and durable.

They are unbreakable, watertight, airtight, dustproof, chemical resistant and corrosion proof, offering total protection for sensitive weather-monitoring instruments.

VM Sensor Storage Case

Sensor Measurement & Specification

The Orion Vehicle Mount Weather Station incorporates the following sensors in a compact, all-in-one sensor head with a single 15-foot sensor cable that connects to a connector plate on the exterior of the vehicle. Click to expand for specific sensor and measurement details.

Both wind speed and direction are measured using an advanced ultrasonic sensor. The sensor uses ultrasound to determine horizontal wind speed and direction. The array of three equally spaced ultrasonic transducers on a horizontal plane is an ideal design which ensures accurate wind measurement from all wind directions, without blind angles or corrupted readings.

The wind sensor has no moving parts, which makes it maintenance free. The measurement range for wind speed is from 0 to 134 mph (0 to 60 m/s) and for wind direction from 0 to 360°.


Barometric pressure, temperature, and humidity measurements are combined in an advanced sensor module utilizing capacitive measurement method for each parameter.

Barometric pressure is measured using a silicon-based sensor. The sensor has minimal hysteresis and excellent repeatability, as well as outstanding temperature and long-term stability. The measurement range is from 17.72 to 32.48 in. Hg (600 to 1100 millibars)

Temperature measurement is based on a ceramic sensor. The measurement range is from -61.6 to 140 °F (-52 to +60 °C).

Humidity measurement is based on a capacitive technology. The sensor is highly accurate and it offers excellent long-term stability in a wide range of environments with negligible hysteresis. The measurement range for humidity is 0 to 100% RH.

This tri-sensor module is mounted in a specially designed radiation shield and is easily replaceable and available as a spare component.

The shield protects the sensors form both scattered and direct solar radiation and precipitation. The plastic material in the plates offers excellent thermal characteristics and UV stabilized construction. The white outer surface reflects radiation, while the black inside absorbs accumulated heat.


The rainfall measurement is based on an impact sensor, which detects the impact of individual rain drops. The signals exerting from the impacts are proportional to the volume of the drops. Hence, the signal from each drop can be converted directly to the accumulated rainfall. Due to the measurement method, flooding, clogging as well as wetting and evaporation losses in rain measurement are eliminated.


The Orion is a maintenance-free weather station that will provide you with years of operation. However, there are some simple steps you can take to extend the life of your sensor module.

Periodic cleaning - To ensure the accuracy of measurement results, the sensor module should be cleaned when it gets contaminated. Leaves and other such particles should be removed from the precipitation sensor and the transmitter should be cleaned carefully with a soft, lint-free cloth moistened with a mild detergent. Be careful when cleaning the wind sensors as they should not be rubbed or twisted.

Replacing the PTU module - The PTU module contains separate sensors for pressure, temperature and humidity. Sensors can drift over time and the manufacturer recommends replacing the PTU module once every two years to ensure that your unit meets its stated accuracy. This can be done in the field.


Wind Speed
Range: 0-135mph (0-60 m/s)
Accuracy: ±3% at 10 m/s
Resolution: 0.1 mph (0.1 m/s)
Units Available: knots, mph, km/hr, m/s

Temperature
Range: -60 to 140°F (-52 to +60°C)
Accuracy: ±0.5°F (±0.3°C) at 68°F (+20°C)
Resolution: 0.1°F
Units Available: °F, °C

Relative Humidity
Range: 0 - 100%
Accuracy: ±3% (0-90%), 5% (90-100%)
Resolution: 1%
Units Available: %RH

Wind Direction
Azimuth: 0-360°
Accuracy: ±3°
Resolution: 1°
Units Available: ° Azimuth

Barometric Pressure
Range: 17.50 to 32.50 InHg (600 to 1100 hPa)
Accuracy: ±0.015 InHg (0.5 hPa) at +32 to 86°F (0 to 30°C)
±0.03 InHg (1 hPa) at -60 to 140°F (-52 to 60°C)
Resolution: 0.01 InHg (0.1 hPa)
Units Available: Kpa, mbar, InHg

Precipitation
Range: cumulative
Collection Area: 60 cm2
Accuracy: ±5% (spatial variations may exist)
Resolution 0.001 in. (0.0254mm )
Units Available: mm, inches


Optional sensors of Solar Radiation, Photosynthetically Active Radiation, Visibility, and up to two additional Temperatures can be connected via the Weather MicroServer.

Data Viewing & Monitoring

Select your desired method of data viewing and monitoring. Click a title to expand text for additional information.

FTP output (XML and CSV) • XML web service • Internet browser user interface

SNMP, Modbus/OPC and RTU communication protocols are standard for Industrial Management applications.

Compatible with CWOP (Citizen Weather Observer Program) and Weather Underground, the MicroServer can automatically post data from your weather station to these network websites.

Serves met data to third-party apps like CERES for hazmat plume modeling and situational awareness.

Open Weather MicroServer Page

Weather MicroServer

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

Color Weather Display

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

Weather Software

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.

Open Weather Monitor App Page

OVM Weather Monitor App

Connection between sensor head and monitoring device

The Orion Vehicle-Mount Weather Station includes 15-feet cable lengths for each sensor to the connector plate. Inside the vehicle, additional 50-foot sensor cables connect to the Control Module.

A standard 7-foot serial communication cable connects the Control Module to the monitoring device whether a computer, MicroServer or Display Console. Extra length RS-232 cable is available up to 200 feet, catalog number 8233.

Orion VM Weather Station Connection

Masts & Mounting Hardware

Included with this Vehicle-Mount Weather Station:

A 9-foot telescoping mast and brackets are standard. The mast mounts permanently to the side of the vehicle. The sensors should be stored securely unless in use.

Features:

  • Fully adjustable telescoping pole
  • 58" outside pole and 48" inside pole
  • Heavy anodized aluminum
  • Twist lock for quick and easy height adjustment
  • Collapsed: 60"
  • Fully extended: 104.5"

(If the vehicle does not have built-in storage for the sensor head, consider Accessory Catalog Number 88173: Protective Case for Vehicle-Mount Sensors.)

Open Installation Instructions


Accessories

The following accessories are available. Click a title to expand text for additional information.

For vehicles without built-in sensor storage, a heavy-duty Protective Storage Case is recommended to protect the weather sensors.

Constructed of ultra-high-impact structural copolymer, making the case extremely strong and durable. It is unbreakable, watertight, airtight, dustproof, chemical resistant and corrosion proof, offering total protection for sensitive weather-monitoring instruments.

Catalog Number: 88173 (specify Orion sensor head)

(shown with Orion sensor head and cable, not included)

VM Sensor storage case

Plugs directly into the Ethernet Port on the Weather MicroServer.

Catalog Number: 8356


Plugs directly into Serial Port on a computer or Weather MicroServer.

Catalog Number: 8353


In addition to the standard one-year warranty, which is included with the purchase price, we offer standard factory warranty extensions on all weather station components in additional one-year increments up to a maximum of five years.

The Free One-Year Standard Factory Warranty and the Extended Standard Factory Warranty do not cover damage due to normal wear and tear, exceptional operating conditions, negligent handling or installation, or unauthorized modifications.

Warranty options can only be purchased with new orders.

Catalog Number: 85110


Open Orion Brochure PDF PDF

Orion Brochure


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Open Vehicle-Mount Brochure PDF

Vehicle-Mount Brochure


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Open Orion User Manual PDF PDF

Orion User Manual


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