Chapter 16. Frequently Asked Questions
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Chapter 16. Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

16.1. Local Communication
16.2. Remote Communication
16.2.1. Modem
16.2.2. Ammonit Tunnel
16.3. Firmware Upgrade
16.4. Data: Transfer and Download
16.5. Sensor: Configuration and Connection
16.5.1. Sensor Configuration
16.5.2. Sensor Connection
16.6. Measurement
16.7. Errors and Messages

Find in this chapter a summary of frequently asked questions.

If you do not find the answer to your specific question in this chapter, contact the Ammonit support team.

16.1. Local Communication

QuestionAnswer

The Meteo-40 display does not show anything.

The display is switched off. Press the middle button of your data logger and hold it until the display turns on. The display of Meteo-40 is only illuminated, when CECS is running. During MARS operation, the display is switched of. Refer to Chapter 9, Using the Display.

The ambient temperature is below -20 °C. The crystals of the LCD got stuck.

I cannot configure Meteo-40 using the buttons.

You do not have permission to configure the data logger with the buttons on the Meteo-40 housing. See Section 9.1, “Assigning Permissions to Display Users”.

The red LED light is turned on. What does it indicate?

It indicates that an error in the measuring operation occured. For details see System → Logbook in the web interface or System → Errors → Error List in the display menu.

The yellow LED light blinks. What does it indicate?

It indicates that at least one RS485 sensor is connected. According to the Modbus protocol, the yellow LED light blinks, when a measurement is taken.

I do not have an USB Ethernet adapter available. How can I connect Meteo-40 Revision C to the LAN?

As Meteo-40 Revision C has no Ethernet port, an USB Ethernet adapter is required. Use the USB Ethernet adapter included in the delivery.

Meteo-40 Revision D data loggers are equipped with Ethernet port and can be connected directly to the LAN - without any accessories.

Meteo-40 is connected to the LAN. After entering the IP address of Meteo-40 in my browser, I receive an error message.

Check the three following possibilities:

Meteo-40 is connected via USB to a Windows PC and is not recognized.

Download and install the required driver file. See Section 2.5, “Connecting Meteo-40 with your Windows 7™, Windows Vista™ or Windows XP™ PC via USB”.

Which cable I have to use to connect Meteo-40 to my PC?

Use a standards USB-A+B cable, the same cable used to connect printers or other devices.

Note that you might require a driver file for Meteo-40 (see above).

16.2. Remote Communication

16.2.1. Modem
16.2.2. Ammonit Tunnel

16.2.1. Modem

QuestionAnswer

After configuring and connecting the Sierra Wireless FXT009 modem, the connection cannot be established.

  • Make sure the SIM card is not broken. The SIM card should be inserted properly and the SIM card slot of the modem has to be locked (see Section 7.9.6.1, “Information on Modem Sierra Wireless Airline Fastback Extend EDGE FXT009”).

  • Check the power supply of the modem. A small red light indicates that the modem is running.

  • Make sure that you configured the SIM card's provider details in the provider settings. Use the Provider helper(see Section 7.9.1, “Using the Provider Helper”), if you are unsure. If your provider is not given in the list, ask your provider for the details, i.e., APN, username and password.

    We recommend doublechecking the provider details.

  • Make sure that the used SIM card has not been locked by entering a wrong PIN code. You can create a new PIN code via the Meteo-40 web interface; the PUK code is required.

  • Make sure that you use a SIM card / rate, which supports mobile Internet.

An Internet connection is always established, when I switch on the CECS of Meteo-40. The modem should only be online, when data has to be sent.

Deselect the checkbox Modem online, when CECS is on in the Communication → Modem menu. Thus the modem only establishes an online connection, when an action (e.g., upload data, email data or online availability) is scheduled.

I cannot connect to the data logger via modem?

  • Make sure the modem is switched on and running to perform the scheduled actions. Did you configure a switch to toggle the modem? If the modem is connected via relay to the data logger, a switch has to be configured in the Communication → Modem menu of the data logger. In Meteo-40 firmware version 1.0 Rev. 13915 and higher S1 is set by default in the modem configuration.

    It is not sufficient to toggle the switch manually, as it is not saved to the data logger configuration. After rebooting the data logger or after power supply interruptions, the modem will not start again. It remains switched off. See also Section 7.9, “Configuring the Modem”.

  • If the modem is configured properly and you do not receive any measurement data, it could be a problem with the modem. Are the frequency bands configured correctly? Refer to Section 7.9.6.1, “Information on Modem Sierra Wireless Airline Fastback Extend EDGE FXT009”.

    We also recommend upgrading the data logger firmware regularly as we contineously improve the software.

  • If you receive measurement data, the signal might be too weak to set up the Internet connection to access the data logger. In this case refer to Section 16.2.2, “Ammonit Tunnel”.

[Tip]Tip

We recommend testing the modem functions before installation in the field, i.e., sending emails, uploading files and accessing the web interface via modem connection.

How do I connect a BGAN satellite modem?

BGAN satellite modems are connected via Ethernet cable to Meteo-40. If you are working with Meteo-40 Revision C with RS232 slot, you need an USB Ethernet adapter to connect the modem.

In order to supply the satellite modem, a LAN switch has to be assigned in the Communication → LAN menu. Make sure that the checkbox LAN online, whenever CECS is on is not selected. Hence, the modem goes online only when needed. The modem itself has to be configured using the software provided by its manufacturer. For further details refer to Section 7.9.7, “Connecting a BGAN Satellite Modem to Meteo-40” and especially to Section 7.9.7.3, “Recommended Settings for Satellite Connections”.

16.2.2. Ammonit Tunnel

QuestionAnswer

After entering the URL of the tunnel connection, a message is displayed which indicates that the tunnel is not responding.

  • Your data logger is (currently) not connected to the Internet. The data logger has not been configured to be online for this time. Meteo-40 establishes an Internet connection for the periods configured in the schedule (see Section 7.2, “Configuring the Communication Schedule”).

    [Tip]Tip

    If you use AmmonitOR to monitor your data logger, you can check, when the data logger is scheduled to be online.

  • The data logger is busy, e.g., performing an upgrade, uploading files. Try to access the tunnel connection a few minutes later.

  • Another user is logged in and is downloading data files. Try to access the tunnel connection a few minutes later.

The entered URL seems to be wrong.

Make sure that the URL has the form https://Dnnnnnn.tunnel.ammonit.com/, where Dnnnnnn must be replaced with the serial number of the data logger without spaces or hyphens.

If a tunnel affix has been entered in the Meteo-40 web interface (Meteo-40 firmware version older than 1.0 Rev. 13645), enter the URL of the data logger without tunnel affix: https://Dnnnn.tunnel.ammonit.com (Dnnnnnn represents the serial number of the data logger). The tunnel affix has to be entered for the tunnel access code. If you lost your tunnel affix or tunnel access code, call the Ammonit support team.

The data logger is sending / uploading data, but I cannot connect to the data logger via tunnel.

The tunnel connection seems to be not stable enough. The issue can be solved as follows:

  • The GPRS connection might be very weak. Switch to GSM. Ask your provider for the dial-in number (P-to-P). The dial-in Number has to be configured in the Meteo-40 web interface in the Communication → Modem menu. An APN does not have to be entered. See also Section 7.9, “Configuring the Modem”.

  • The signal might be very weak. Replace the installed antenna with a Yagi directional antenna. The Yagi antenna can be aligned to a near transmitting station to receive a better signal. For further details see Wikipedia.

  • Instead of using a standard SIM card with dynamic IP address, insert a SIM card with public IP address into the modem. The data logger can be accessed via its public IP address and/or via the domain provided by the tunnel server, if configured. See also Section 7.3, “Configuring Online Access”.

    If your data logger is registered in AmmonitOR, you can find its public IP address in the Data Loggers → Connections menu. Go with the mouse pointer on a displayed connection in the graphic view or look up the IP address in the text view.

16.3. Firmware Upgrade

QuestionAnswer

Do I have to be on site to perform an upgrade?

No, you can start the upgrade via remote access (tunnel connection), e.g., when the data logger is scheduled to be online.

Nevertheless we recommend upgrading the data logger in the office to avoid any unexpected difficulties.

My data logger is not connected to the Internet; how can I perform an upgrade?

In order to perform an upgrade, the data logger has to be connected to the Internet.

By connecting your smartphone to the data logger, you can set up an Internet connection via the tethering function of the smartphone. Connect your smartphone to your Meteo-40 data logger via USB (USB-A slot of the data logger and micro USB slot of the smartphone). Open the settings for Tethering and portable hotspot of the smartphone operating system (see Figure 4.14, “Tethering Settings of an Android™ smartphone”). Activate USB tethering.

Browse for the IP address of your Meteo-40 data logger using the keys ( Communication → Devices → LAN → USB (Activated) → IP settings). Enter the data logger's IP address in your smartphone browser, login and perform the upgrade.

Do I have to install all upgrades?

We recommend installing all available upgrades to benefit from new features and to fix recent problems.

Ammonit regularly informs Meteo-40 users about available upgrades by email.

During the download process the connection was interrupted? Do I have to restart the download process?

The downloaded software packages are stored on the data logger. Start the upgrade process again to continue the download and installation process. Once downloaded packages do not have to be downloaded again.

How does the installation process affect the recording of the MARS?

If the MARS is not affected by the upgrade, the recording continues without any interruption.

If the MARS will be upgraded, the recording stops for approx. 30s and continues afterwards.

16.4. Data: Transfer and Download

QuestionAnswer

Which methods are available to transfer data files?

If no Internet connection is available on site, can I download data files?

Yes, you can download the statistics and/or the source data using a pre-configured USB flash drive. Switch on the data logger (CECS) and plug in the prepared USB flash drive. All generated CSV files will automatically be saved on the USB flash drive. See also Section 4.2, “System Administration”.

You can also connect to the data logger via USB or W-LAN on site and download the CSV files on your PC.

What happens to data files, which could not be sent / uploaded according to the schedule time, e.g., because of connection problems?

Files, which have not been sent according to the scheduled time, will be sent or uploaded at the next scheduled action.

I receive data files with the file type csv.gz? How do I handle these files?

The file is compressed using GNU gzip (See Section 6.6, “The CSV File Format”) and has to be decompressed before you can use it. If you work with Microsoft Excel™, open the file as decribed in Section 6.6.3, “CSV Import in Microsoft Excel 2010™”. If you work with LibreOffice or OpenOffice, use the settings decribed in Section 6.6.2, “CSV import in LibreOffice or OpenOffice”.

How can I open CSV files generated by Meteo-40 with Microsoft Excel?

In order to open CSV files with Microsoft Excel, the settings have to be adapted. Launch Microsoft Excel and open the Options in menu File. Under Advanced the decimal and thousands separators are defined. Adapt the settings for Meteo-40 CSV files as follows, if necessary. Decimal separator has to be a dot (.); thousands separator has to be a comma (,). If necessary, deselect the function Use system separators.

CSV files generated by Meteo-40 data loggers use the comma (,) as field separator, double quote (") for embedding commas in textual strings and UTF-8 as character set. These details have to be considered, when data files are imported. In order to import CSV files, click on From Text on the Data tab and browse for the CSV file. Follow the instructions of the import wizard.

For further details refer to Section 6.6.3, “CSV Import in Microsoft Excel 2010™”.

I have an AmmonitOR installation on my own server. How can I upload the data files to it?

Select in the Communication → AmmonitOR menu of your Meteo-40 data logger for AmmonitOR server the value Custom AmmonitOR and below under server the name or IP address of your server.

16.5. Sensor: Configuration and Connection

16.5.1. Sensor Configuration
16.5.2. Sensor Connection

16.5.1. Sensor Configuration

QuestionAnswer

The sensor, which I have to install, is not given in the sensor list. How do I configure the sensor?

If the sensor is not given in the list, you can select Other Sensor in the Sensor Helper and configure channels, slope and offset values, measurement rate etc. manually.

If the anemometer you want to install is not listed in the Sensor Helper, select Anemometer for the sensor type and Generic Anemometer for the sensor. The other values have to be configured manually.

If the analog wind vane you want to install is not listed in the Sensor Helper, select Wind Vane for the sensor type and Generic Analog Wind Vane for the sensor. The other values have to be configured manually.

[Important]Important

Only for the sensors listed in the Sensor Helper, Ammonit assures the correct calculation of the statistics!

If you are unsure how to configure an unlisted sensor, contact the Ammonit support team.

I have a calibrated sensor. Where do I enter the calibration values?

For each configured sensor you can modify the slope and offset values in the Sensor Helper.

My configured pyranometer SPN1 does not display any estimated value?

In order to estimate DNI and sun status, you have to enter the geographic coordinates of the measurement station, i.e., latitude and longitude. Both coordinates are important to get the zenith angle of the sun at the site. Enter latitude and longitude in the System → Administration menu of your Meteo-40 data logger.

How many switches can be controlled by the switch manager?

The switch manager can control exactly one switch.

16.5.2. Sensor Connection

QuestionAnswer

Where can I find a plan to connect a sensor?

  • If you ordered the measurement system including steel cabinet and cables from Ammonit, connection plans can be found in the steel cabinet. Additionally, the sensor connection with Ammonit cables is described in the data sheet, which you received for each sensor bought from Ammonit.

  • If you ordered only the sensors without cables from Ammonit, refer to the data sheet by the sensor's manufacturer. In Chapter 13, Electrical Connection Plans you can find the electrical connection plans for Meteo-40.

I have to install two potentiometric wind vanes, a barometric pressure sensor and a temperature humidity sensor - all connected to analog voltage channels. Which data logger model is suitable?

The Meteo-40M model offers 8 analog voltage channels to connect two potentiometric wind vanes, a barometric pressure sensor and a temperature humidity sensor.

If digital wind vanes TMR would be installed, which require only one digital channel each, the Meteo-40S model would be suitable, as well.

[Note]Note

Digital wind vanes TMR are more precise than potentiometric wind vanes. Additionally, digital wind vanes TMR are subject to less mechanical wear than potentiometer wind vanes thanks to their solid state design. Wind vanes TMR do not have moving parts, except the bearings. Thus digital wind vanes TMR are more reliable and less susceptible to failure.

16.6. Measurement

QuestionAnswer

Sensors are configured and connected, but the measurement is not recorded?

Check the following options:

  • It seems that the power supply during measurement was not sufficient or has stopped. Thus MARS is turned off. Connect Meteo-40 to a reliable power supply to operate MARS on.

  • In the status box Recording is swiched off. Click Switch on in the Meteo-40 web interface.

  • The configuration has not been saved after the last modification. Save the configuration and click Switch on for recording.

Where can I find the meteorological data in m/s or °C?

The current value of each evaluation is displayed in the Measurement → Evaluation menu in the Meteo-40 web interface. Additionally, you can display live data in the Data → Live menu of the data logger.

In the CSV files you can find the evaluated meteorological data according the the settings you made in the Data → Statistics menu.

Furthermore, if you work with AmmonitOR, you can monitor the meteorological data in your AmmonitOR project, e.g., in various plots for selectable periods.

Where can I find the original electrical measurement data?

The current electrical value of each channel is displayed in the Measurement → Channels menu of the Meteo-40 web interface. Additionally, you can see the electrical values of all channels in the Data → Source menu.

In the source file, which can be downloaded in the Data → Statistics menu of the data logger, you can see all electrical values of all channels for a selected period.

16.7. Errors and Messages

QuestionAnswer

After saving a configuration or starting an action, an Internal error occured and is displayed in the web interface?

Internal errors could have various reasons. Not always a serious error occured, e.g., due to a short connection time out, an operation could have been interrupted. Try the following actions to solve the problem:

  • Go to another page and perform the action again.

  • Restart the data logger and perform the action again.

The red LED light is turned on. What does it indicate?

It indicates that an error in the measuring operation occured. For details see System → Logbook in the web interface or System → Errors → Error List in the display menu.

[Important]Important

If you should notice any error on your data logger or in the web interface, we kindly ask you to inform us as soon as possible. The Meteo-40 data logger is a very complex system, so unfortunately it can happen that errors occur. In order to avoid any disruption of the data logger operation, we need on your assistance.

In case of an error, please note down what have been done on the data logger before the error occured, which system components are used, e.g., GSM modem or satellite modem, and which system configuration is active.

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