Aux input for anemometer,

[Mgallo]

Hello Guys,
My clipper has been working flawlessly, I am so happy with it. Thanks for all the support. Would it be a crazy amount of time and resources to get one of the aux inputs to read my APRS #40R Anemometer (APRS6504) sensor that is currently mounted 110feet up in the air on my 125foot tall monopole wind turbine tower, just spinning away waiting to speak with a Classic.  I would be even willing to pay to have this feature added, not sure I could throw to much at you maybe $1000cdn.  As you can tell I would rather it worked as an all in one systems vrs me having to have an additional data logger, then have to compare spread sheets from Midnite to APRS data etc.  All we want is Midnite Data.
Cheers, a happy classic user, installer, and dealer.
Michele

[boB]

Anemometer input is definitely in the works.

I believe it is the NRG #40 that outputs a variable frequency and variable amplitude
sine wave that can start from a very low amplitude.  I am not sure (yet) if this low
amplitude sinewave can be read very well from the Aux 2 input.  If it turns out to
be too low of a signal, a comparator circuit could be built to square that signal up
so that Aux 2 input can more easily detect and count the pulses.

For the digital output anemometers, there should be no problem.

boB

[Halfcrazy]

I believe the APRS or NRG #40 is a simple read switch. I can verify this as I have one flying lonely here to waiting for the Classic.

Ryan

[Mgallo]

From what I remember James Jarvis and Andrew Kurtz from APRS world explained there APRS #40 is basically a simple "switch" open/close etc with a magnet that makes the contact close as it spins around etc. But I could be wrong.

[boB]

I didn't know that APRS world uses  "#40" as their anemometer model number...

It's the NRG  #40C anemometer that has the sinewave output.

No wonder I was cornfused !

boB


http://www.nrgsystems.com/sitecore/content/Products/1900.aspx?pf=StandardSensors

The NRG #40C anemometer is the industry standard anemometer used worldwide. NRG #40C anemometers have recorded wind speeds of 96 m/s (214 mph). Their low moment of inertia and unique bearings permit very rapid response to gusts and lulls. Because of their output linearity, these sensors are ideal for use with various data retrieval systems.

A four-pole magnet induces a sine wave voltage into a coil producing an output signal with frequency proportional to wind speed. The #40C is constructed of rugged Lexan cups molded in one piece for repeatable performance. A rubber terminal boot is included.

A calibration certificate verifying that the sensor is traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (USA) is available through electronic download.

[Mgallo]

Sorry if I have confused us all,
I just installed the anemometer that Ryan suggested I put up there as that was what he and others were playing with etc.  It is APRS #40R Anemometer (APRS6504).  Any way I am sure one day we will be able to make either work even if we need to use some sort of converter brd between etc.  I would suspect lots of other things to deal with in the mean time.  Below is some info on the one I have up.  What it all means, I have no idea but I am sure boB could decipher it all,  I know it spins in the wind and the contacts open and close. Cheers

http://www.aprsworld.com/sensors/anemometer40/

Output Signal: Reed switch, dry contact. Frequency proportional to cup rotational speed.,
m/s = (Hz * 0.383) + 0.324, MPH = (Hz * 0.857) + 0.725

This #40R Anemometer is an improved version of the popular three-cup design
used in wind assessments for decades. It is manufactured to precise industry
standards. The rotor is made of tough polycarbonate for exceptional durability and  reliability. The sensor base is also made of rugged polycarbonate, making it more  resistant to damage during installation than our competition. A green molded vinyl boot protects the anemometer wiring. Made in the USA with exceptional quality control -- all units are tested mechanically and electronically before shipping.
Internally, the #40R anemometer has a fully hardened beryllium-copper shaft running in self-lubricating modified Teflon bearings. The rated bearing PV (pressure-velocity) factor is 20,000. At 15 MPH the PV is approximately 500. At 100 MPH the PV is approximately 2,000. Over designed is an understatement.

[Mgallo]

Hello,
I was wondering if you guys had any progress on the anemometer input working with the classic. I still have my anemometer up on the tower just spinning away. I now have 4 more customer that are getting clippers/classic wind and have asked about installing anemometer with there classic systems.
Thanks

[boB]

OK, Michele.  I have one of these anemometers right here.   I will see if I can make a quick and dirty interface for this and see how it goes.

boB

[pechan]

Do it!

[ClassicCrazy]

OK, Michele.  I have one of these anemometers right here.   I will see if I can make a quick and dirty interface for this and see how it goes.

boB

Bob - while you are at it maybe you can have it output an aprs formatted wx text file - then all we need is a few more inputs for rain gauge, OA temperature, barometer and a way to PTT  and the Classic will double as a full featured aprs weather station too ! ha ha - well maybe on the future version of the Classic - wouldn't that be a cool feature ! Even non hams could send their data out to wx servers via weather underground .

WT9M

[boB]

OK, Michele.  I have one of these anemometers right here.   I will see if I can make a quick and dirty interface for this and see how it goes.

boB

Bob - while you are at it maybe you can have it output an aprs formatted wx text file - then all we need is a few more inputs for rain gauge, OA temperature, barometer and a way to PTT  and the Classic will double as a full featured aprs weather station too ! ha ha - well maybe on the future version of the Classic - wouldn't that be a cool feature ! Even non hams could send their data out to wx servers via weather underground .

WT9M

Man !  I sure wish I had 1/2 the time to do a bunch of that stuff we dream of !

[vtmaps]

Man !  I sure wish I had 1/2 the time to do a bunch of that stuff we dream of !

I wish I had twice the time to do those things     --vtMaps

[dgd]

Would it be a crazy amount of time and resources to get one of the aux inputs to read my APRS #40R Anemometer (APRS6504) sensor that is currently mounted 110feet up in the air on my 125foot tall monopole wind turbine tower, just spinning away waiting to speak with a Classic.  I would be even willing to pay to have this feature added, not sure I could throw to much at you maybe $1000cdn.  As you can tell I would rather it worked as an all in one systems vrs me having to have an additional data logger, then have to compare spread sheets from Midnite to APRS data etc.  All we want is Midnite Data.

So you are just asking for the Classic to include wind speed info in its reporting?

I initially wondered if the Classic with an anemometer input (to an AUX port or via a network connection) would somehow be used by the Classic to do  something intelligent with wind curve analysis. Or even with a learning system to create a wind curve and more finely tune an existing curve.

Maybe the Clipper could also use this wind speed info to do something smarter about slowing the turbine. The anemometer would be more sensitive to the actual wind speed before the turbine speeds/slows to the reflect the current true wind speed. This sort of positive feedback into the Classic could make a smarter and faster reacting Classic/Clipper combo rather than a reactive (after the event) combination that we currently have.

dgd

[dgd]

And I forgot to say that doesn't just about every turbine have a wind speed vs watts produced wind curve provided. Almost none I have even seen produce a volts generated with accompanying amps out at battery voltage.
Making an effective wind curve now is a bloody onerous task unless someone has done it already.

Dgd

[boB]

And I forgot to say that doesn't just about every turbine have a wind speed vs watts produced wind curve provided. Almost none I have even seen produce a volts generated with accompanying amps out at battery voltage.
Making an effective wind curve now is a bloody onerous task unless someone has done it already.

Dgd

You don't see those curves because the manufacturers don't know them because MPPT for consumer wind is still new.

The best way to find the actual MPP power curve (voltage vs. power)  is to use a wind tunnel where you can
take measurements with a steady wind speed for each data point...  OR, adjust the curve over time.

Wind speed (anemometer) can help maybe but one problem is that the anemometer does not see the
same wind speed as the turbine itself.  That is why, in my opinion, the wind turbine should be its own
anemometer for making the wind curve.

If a wind tunnel was used to make the curve, then the wind speed could also be known for each data point and
the output power in watts from the turbine could pretty much be your wind speed indicator...  If your batteries
are full or in Absorb, then the extra power from the Clipper would be needed to get the whole power produced
if it was to go that far.  But one purpose of the Clipper is to stall the turbine so you get less power out
when not needed.  Sorry, too much fun here.  Getting back to work now.