Cloud Sensor II User’s Manual Cloud Sensor II User’s Manual Tuesday, August 21, 2012 Distributed by: Diffraction Limited http://www.cyanogen.com Phone: (613) 225-2732 Manufactured by: Diffraction Limited Copyright 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009 Boltwood Systems Corporation Copyright 2010 & 2011 Diffraction Limited Manual V0028 for firmware version 00062 and above, and Clarity II version 3.008 and above. V0029 1 Cloud Sensor II User’s Manual TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Warnings...................................................................................................................................................3 2. Parts List ...................................................................................................................................................4 3. Introduction...............................................................................................................................................4 4. Operating Principles..................................................................................................................................5 4.1 Celsius vs Fahrenheit Temperatures ...................................................................................................5 4.2 Sky Temperature.................................................................................................................................5 4.3 Ambient Temperature and Humidity ..................................................................................................5 4.4 Wetness Or Rain Sensor .....................................................................................................................6 4.5 Anemometer........................................................................................................................................7 5. Installation of Software.............................................................................................................................8 6. Installation of Power Supply, Adaptor box, and Drivers..........................................................................8 6.1 Windows XP .....................................................................................................................................11 6.2 Windows 2000 ..................................................................................................................................17 7. Simulation Mode.....................................................................................................................................24 8. Cloud Sensor II Familiarization..............................................................................................................24 9. Sensor Head Installation .........................................................................................................................28 9.1 Location ............................................................................................................................................28 9.2 Mounting...........................................................................................................................................29 9.3 Roof Cable ........................................................................................................................................30 10. Maintenance..........................................................................................................................................32 11. Equipment Protection............................................................................................................................33 12. Birds, Bugs, and Leaves........................................................................................................................33 12.1 Birds................................................................................................................................................33 12.2 Bugs (Insects)..................................................................................................................................33 12.3 Leaves And Debris..........................................................................................................................33 13. Lightning and Electrostatic Discharge (ESD).......................................................................................33 14. 12V Operation.......................................................................................................................................34 15. Clarity II Software ................................................................................................................................34 15.1 Clarity II Window...........................................................................................................................35 15.2 Setup Window.................................................................................................................................39 15.2.1 Setup Section ...........................................................................................................................40 15.2.2 Firmware Downloading Section ..............................................................................................41 15.3 Log Files .........................................................................................................................................42 15.4 Registry...........................................................................................................................................43 16. Software and Firmware Updates...........................................................................................................43 16.1 Updating Clarity II Software...........................................................................................................43 16.2 Updating Firmware (obsolete for most cases) ................................................................................43 17. Remote Operation .................................................................................................................................44 17.1 Single Line Data File Facility .........................................................................................................44 17.1.1 New Format .............................................................................................................................45 17.1.2 Old Format...............................................................................................................................46 17.2 Potential Remoting Problems..........................................................................................................46 18. Contact Closure For Emergency Observatory Shutdown .....................................................................47 19. Error Messages......................................................................................................................................48 20. COM Automation Interfacing...............................................................................................................48 21. Troubleshooting ....................................................................................................................................52 21.1 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................52 21.2 Clarity II Problems..........................................................................................................................52 21.3 Simple Hardware Checks................................................................................................................53 V0029 2 Cloud Sensor II User’s Manual 21.4 Try Another Computer....................................................................................................................53 21.5 Cable Multimeter Check At The Sensor Head................................................................................54 21.6 Further Cable Checking ..................................................................................................................54 22. Physical Data ........................................................................................................................................55 22.1 Dimensions .....................................................................................................................................55 22.2 Power ..............................................................................................................................................55 23. Warranty ...............................................................................................................................................55 24. Contacting Us........................................................................................................................................56 Appendix A: Log File “D” Record Format.................................................................................................57 1. Warnings a) As distributed the Clarity II software will start in simulation mode. See Section 7. b) THIS DEVICE IS PRIMARILY INTENDED FOR OBSERVATION PLANNING. While it can be used to trigger the closure of an observatory under adverse weather conditions, it is NOT intended as the primary or sole protection against wind, rain or snow entering the observatory. Under certain meteorological conditions it is possible for rain to occur without clouds being detected