Ambient Weather WS-2902 Quick Start Guide

[@HowardOchs]

Helpful video, thank you for your time!

[@george84982]

Where can i find english manual? There is only german manual in the box?

[@defineaffordable]

at ambientweather.com, go to the WS-2902 product page and scroll down. There's a link to download a pdf of the (English) manual. p10.secure.hostingprod.com/@site.ambientweatherstore.com/ssl/Manuals/WS-2902A.pdf

[@garyroxene]

What are the benefits to having wifi connected besides reading your local conditions remotely?

[@defineaffordable]

Apologies for the response delay - I am not affiliated with Ambient-Weather and did not see that you had posted a question. Please note that if you are a FaceBook user, there is a fairly active Ambient Weather user group there. To answer your question... What I like about the wifi connections (so AWN gets the data and your sensor array is online) is when the "Alerts" area of the AWN app or site web page are used. There is a "Customizations" section that allows for certain alerts to be sent. Examples that trigger an alert to be sent include: * Battery level parameter changes from 1 (powering the device) to less than 1 (not powering the device). I have a bunch of these simple alerts as I also use an Ambient Weather WS-3000 connected to 5 WH31 Temperature and Humidity sensors associated with the AWN site web page and each of the sensors has it's own battery and Alert line item. * Outdoor sensor array has not reported for 20 minutes. * Garage, attic or indoor or outdoor temperatures exceed certain values (the WH31 sensors); the outdoor sensor array will alert when battery, rainfall, wind gust and wind speed exceed certain values; the Ambient Weather Outdoor Particulate Monitor will trigger particulate and battery level alerts, too. If all you need is the 2902 and its monitor, I believe there is an outdoor sensor battery icon on the monitor screen - so you need to check that rather than get nudged by a smartphone notification and if you don't get additional sensors, then WiFi may not be needed to connect to the internet. Just to be clear, the WS-2902 outdoor sensor array connects to the monitor (or in my case little Ambient Weather OIP box) using 915 MHz radio frequency. In the case of the WS-2902, the WiFi part is from the monitor to your local WiFi for internet connection and the AW network for your site's web page. Lastly, you can set options in the AWN App to forward weather telemetry data to PWS and there is a IFTTT (If This Then That) scripting if you're interested in things like irrigation control (example: recent rain was enough that the AW soil moisture sensor says the ground is sufficiently wet, so do not turn on irrigation even though the irrigation system timer said it is time to go on).

[@epictimelapses5612]

Excellent Video! I purchased the WS-2902 a mouth ago and my experience has been great!

[@defineaffordable]

Thank you for your kind words. Video's a hobby and I have no official affiliation with Ambient Weather - I've done a few video projects for Ed because I like the AW branded products.

[@p36jet]

How do you use the bubble level when the unit is on a 30 foot pole?

[@defineaffordable]

Well... there's always using something safe/steady that is 35 feet tall. If the sensor array is level, then YAY! If not, you'll need to figure out a way to get it level and that will vary depending on how the sensor array is mounted. I asked a neighbor kid to bring his quad-copter (drone) over and hover over the sensor array. The drone's camera was about a foot away from the bubble level and we were able to see that it was level (luckily)...

[@garyniblock8864]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@cory5875]

pittsburgh dad music

[@ZiggyDaZigster]

Just got mine put together, ac plugged into the display unit and double AA's in the weather station, and it never picks up on the weather station. The display unit doesn't. It shows no signal. But it's right next to the display unit. What am I missing, I've waited like 30min.

[@defineaffordable]

I did this video for Ambient Weather for free. I am not an employee (or contractor) for AW. I suggest you contact them at one or both of the following: ambientweather.com/contact facebook.com/groups/ambientweathernetwork Their customer service is generally refreshingly good...

[@MarinaHirales]

Does anyone have the user manual in Spanish for the Ambient Weather ws-2902 ?

[@defineaffordable]

I have not seen a non-English user manual for any Ambient Weather products - Does not mean they don't exist, just that I have not seen them. I don't work for AW - video is a hobby... but they have shipped internationally... the *best* source of information starts with Ambient Weather. Check the contacts area at their site [ambientweather.com/contact] which has a listing: "Se Habla Español: [phone]". They also have a fairly active Facebook user group area. Good luck!

[@germanlopez2333]

Good review, I have the WS 2080 connected to a computer uploading the data to CWOP / APRS. With the WS2902 I can upload the data to CWOP / APRS without a computer. Greetings. German.

[@defineaffordable]

Thank you!

[@elmerrose8798]

How was you able to get the 2902 to upload to CWOP? Thanks

[@curtisyerger]

I have the 2902 and want to upload to APRS, what are you using to do it because I have not been able to figure it out and there are several other hams on the ambient facebook page asking the same thing. KC3EKL

[@defineaffordable]

Hi Elmer, please consider asking this question at the Ambient Weather facebook page or use the "Contact us" information at ambientweather.com

[@defineaffordable]

Hi Curtis, please consider asking this question at the Ambient Weather facebook page or use the "Contact us" information at ambientweather.com

[@TheFrankRizzo]

Does the iOS/Android app display live data from the station?

[@defineaffordable]

Not directly from the outdoor sensor array or display console. Link to the manual: site.ambientweatherstore.com/Manuals/WS-2902.pdf The weather station connects to the display console on 915 MHz radio frequency (page 41). Smartphones, tablets, WiFi or Blue Tooth don't use that frequency. The display console connects to wifi (2.4 GHz), but all the console knows how to do is to connect to the weather web servers to which it is registered and feed them the weather telemetry from the outdoor sensor. I use wunderground.com - the WS-2902 can also connect to weatherbug.com and weathercloud.net. Yes, the WS-2902 can connect to 1, 2 or all 3 weather sites if you you want (page 35). The updates from the weather station to the display happen every few seconds. The updates from the display to the weather websites happens every few seconds, then add a few seconds to the servers to update the weather station's web page... the update happens on my iPhone within about 15-30 seconds, so very timely. (Apologies for the delayed response.)

On the subject of updates, my display console updates at the specified 16 second intervals, my web updates at both wunderground.com and ambientweather.net are precisely at 1 minuter intervals. The rapid fire feature on wunderground is enabled. I was hoping for faster updates but can live with the one minute interval.

[@FoxFanable]

How far can the weather station be from the receiving station/computer? I'm presuming as far as your wifi signal will go? Good job on review, thanks Lloyd

[@defineaffordable]

Yes, the Wifi distance between the outdoor sensor array and the indoor router is the limiter. If needed, use of a WiFi network extender or w WiFi mesh system (with appropriate outdoor coverage) should be possible - but I have not tried that. Contact Ed at Ambient Weather (or post to the ambient weather facebook page) to confirm. Thank you for the good words - video is my hobby...

[@PrerequisiteName]

The console communicates directly with the sensor array. The the console then uses your wifi to upload your data to ambient and if you like wunderground. The quality of your wifi does not affect how far away the sensor array can be from the house. My weather station is about 150 feet from the house and I've never had a communication issue. In fact I see that ambient now sells the same ws-2902 array with a console lacking internet connectivity for about half the price. Though the uploading of the data is what makes it really interesting for me.

[@andidinarpusatinstrumentsurvey]

How can i buy

[@defineaffordable]

Apologies for the reply delay. I have never been affiliated with AmbientWeather other than I buy and use many of their products. Typically, AmbientWeather products can be purchased from AmbientWeather.com, Amazon and a few other online retailers. If you are outside the US, use the “Contact us” link at AmbientWeather.com.

[@deeyamaple6441]

Can you use a PVC pipe to mount the weather station on? If not, what is acceptable?

[@defineaffordable]

Apologies for the response delay. I have found narrower diameter PVC pipe moves too much when windy - especially when it is a long length to get the height needed. If you use FaceBook, join the Ambient Weather area. If not, ambientweather.com has PWS sensor array mounting options and suggestions. And you can always send this same question to Ambient Weather at the "contact us" link at their web page, too. I am not an Ambient Weather employee - I am a video hobbyist that happens to like (and use) Ambient Weather products.

[@leftycosta1899]

I used a 1 1/2 inch pvc pipe no problem.

[@PrerequisiteName]

I used 1 1/2" PVC, but I put a wooden dowel in the center. I mounted that to a tall wooden lamp post (could just as easily have been a fence post), but I put a block of wood under the pipe to bear the weight. I did used clamps to hold it in place for a few weeks until I was sure that's where I would mount it. I actually used 3 bolts and a wing nut so I could easily tip the pole when I need to occasionally wash out the rain cup or replace the battery. For the battery I used lithium batteries so they would last longer. It's been a year and haven't had to change the battery yet. Also I had a problem with a bird who like to use the rain gauge as a toilet. So I taped roofing nails around the cup, business end up. I've been very happy with the ws-2902.

[@ismayonnaiseaninstrument9889]

Use a 1/2 conduit pole

[@IJustWant2Win]

What are the differences between this and the WS2000?

[@defineaffordable]

Apologies... I am not an Ambient Weather employee. I think the outdoor sensor array is the same for both. The difference between the WS-2000 and the WS-2902 is the indoor display panel. If you are on FaceBook, consider following Ambient Weather - there is a pretty active group (including Ambient Weather employees) and you will get a much better answer there. (Video capture and editing is my hobby.)

[@Whats_noah_up_to]

great video thank you

[@TimTools99]

Could have done without the music . It was distracting. Too loud.

[@defineaffordable]

OK - I got the hint... either no music or turn it down. I can't change this one - If Ed lets me to do other projects, I will keep this in mind.

[@frankenstake]

@@defineaffordable thank you!

[@1shARyn3]

😞 Assumes that station accessibility exists to maintain AA batteries

[@defineaffordable]

That's true. I am not aware of any electronics items that don't have some sort of maintenance need. Ambient Weather has a Facebook page and many posters have installed their outdoor sensor arrays on either extendable/telescoping poles or use some sort of hinge to get the array to a height where it can be serviced. For example, removing seeds or other debris in the rain collection area. (Please note that I have never been employed by or otherwise directly affiliated with Ambient Weather or the company which acquired Ambient Weather a few years ago - other than make these videos. I like their products and mashed that with my video hobby.) My Ambient Weather WS1200 outdoor array requires a 10 foot ladder for access. One of these days, I'll have to re-think its mounting method as I probably should stop using ladders...

[@virginiajohnson433]

Get local weather on labtop

[@defineaffordable]

Or a smartphone or a tablet... or even a desktop computer. I'm in California and got an outdoor sensor array to see how much rain would hit when the drought finished. The indoor consoles display all sorts of interesting information received from the outdoor sensor array. You could also see if there is a "local" (to you) sensor array someone else set up and you could get to that from your laptop/tablet/smartphone from AmbientWeather, PWS, Wunderground, etc... A lot of us make our sensor data available publicly, the apps are generally free to download and use (and also have web browser access so you don't even need to download/install an app). Not everyone wants to spend money on a personal weather station. That's fine... (I am not affiliated with Ambient Weather. I like, buy and use, their products.)

[@FerreEdu]

Foda!!

[@jeffo9147]

Friendly piece of advice, don’t play music in the background in videos. It’s highly annoying

[@defineaffordable]

Thanks.

[@zermus7040]

Lol wunderground. It's Weather Underground. :)