CloudWatcher recommendations please

[iapa]

Hi, looking for options for environmental monitors.

specifically cloud, wind and rain.

must be externally mounted to detect when (if) adverse conditions clear.

TIA

[scotty38]

Ha I just replied on your other thread.... I'll fetch it over here

[scotty38]

Here's what I put on the other thread....

If you're speaking of the Hydreon unit for the cloudwatcher that is more of an ON/OFF for rain and can be affected by dew. I went for the other version that can be set accordingly for Rain/Wet/Dry as needed. Also the internal device is probably the SOLO which isn't needed really. I have the Cloudwatcher connected to my observatory pc and then check things out via that. You can install the software on another network connected PC if you wish but I don't bother.

Also if you buy one now you'll get the detector that will support the latest software which converts the sky brightness reading into SQM. I have that software installed as they sent it me to fix a couple of bugs I'd found but unfortunately my version is just a tad too old so I'll need to buy a new cover as and when they're available.

Edited January 25, 2023 by scotty38

[scotty38]

This is the one I went for:

AAG CloudWatcher cloud detector – Lunático Astronomía (lunaticoastro.com)

 

I also added the humidity, pressure and the wind speed sensors, couldn't resist....

All mine came from FLO by the way.

 

Conditions as we speak:

Edited January 25, 2023 by scotty38

[iapa]

This is the one I was looking at, I started by searching on FLO - as any normal person would do in the UK.

Discarded the Pegasus as it is an in-door only unit, and I need to know when the rain stops or cloud clears

The Lunatico is already in the cart with bells and whistles - why not if I am building a new forever observatory; that advice was from the Chief Finance Officer.

 

Edited March 20, 2023 by iapa
Spelling corrections

[Jannerland]

@scotty38 How have you found the default threshold  limit values match up with the reality? I'm thinking specifically of the cloud conditions thresholds - I've found I needed to drop the value for "Clear" status to -20 to get better match with genuinely clear skies

 

[scotty38]

I must admit I keep wondering about changing the sky temp limits. It can be out a touch but it hasn't seemed to cause me any bother yet though. The one I have fiddled with is rain just to make sure it picks it up ok. I was having a play last week as we had a few spots of rain that didn't register as quickly as I wanted. Is yours at default as I couldn't recall what they were but seeing yours rings a bell now.

 

[Jannerland]

Yes "rain" is at default on mine but I dragged cloud (clear) a long way colder.

I know behaviour can be tweaked via the sky temp correction factors on the setup page but I simply haven't had the conditions it suggests to do the tests the manual recommends.

[scotty38]

I haven't touched the K-Factor adjustments either but think I may move the cloud clear setting a bit now you've reminded me......

[Lumos]

I have the current Cloudwatcher and Solo and I had to adjust the default rain and SQM values but the thing is rock solid and Lunatico is such a great company to deal with.

[Martin Farmer]

Hi, 

I’m using one of the AMS weather stations. It’s proved extremely reliable and very effective in detecting the onset of poor weather conditions for imaging. 
 

https://www.amsobs.com/

 

 

 

regards

Martin

Edited March 20, 2023 by Martin Farmer

[Lumos]

On 01/02/2023 at 07:30, Jannerland said:

Yes "rain" is at default on mine but I dragged cloud (clear) a long way colder.

I know behaviour can be tweaked via the sky temp correction factors on the setup page but I simply haven't had the conditions it suggests to do the tests the manual recommends.

Here are the settings I ended up with that seem to be remarkably accurate