USER MANUAL Gateway and Node ™ Product numbers 6803 and 6810 R Davis Instruments, 3465 Diablo Avenue, Hayward, CA 94545-2778 U.S.A. • 510-732-9229 • www.davisinstruments.
FCC Part 15 Class B Registration Warning This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Welcome to Your EnviroMonitor System An EnviroMonitor System includes a Gateway and a number of Nodes, each with up to four sensors that form an advanced mesh network operating at 902 928 MHz (868 MHz in the EU). The Nodes transmit the sensor data to a “mesh parent,” either the Gateway or another Node. The Gateway then sends the data via cellular connection to WeatherLink.com. EnviroMonitor can be customized for different sized installations. Each Gateway can receive 20 or more Nodes.
Planning Your System After determining which sensors you want and where you want to install them, make sure you have the correct number of Nodes to support those sensors. The maximum distance between two Nodes and a Gateway and a Node will vary depending on many factors including environment, height, terrain, and RF noise. To get optimal transmission range: • Ideally, locate the devices with unobstructed lines of sight between them. A large hill or large metal barrier will block signals.
Make a Sketch It is helpful to make a sketch of your installation to get an idea of where the Gateway and Nodes should go. Dav is R Peppers S S N N Hw y. 1 0 SAMPLE FARM d.
Tips for Siting the Gateway and Nodes Siting the Gateway • The Gateway should be mounted where it has the strongest cellular connection and a clear, open “view” of the sky with good sunlight for the solar panel. ™ ™ • You may add a cabled or wireless Vantage Pro2 sensor suite, such as GroWeather to your Gateway. If you use a cabled sensor suite, you will need to choose a location that is within reach of the sensor suite’s included 100’/30 m (extendable up to 1,000’/300m) cable.
Siting the Nodes • Ideally, the mesh network will be most effective at “self healing” any temporarily impaired transmission paths if each Node has more than one way to reach the Gateway. While the system is designed to handle a mesh, a “star” or nodes in single lines, it is a good idea whenever possible to site each node so that it is within transmission distance of either two (or more) other Nodes, or the Gateway and another Node.
Set up your Gateway Contents of Gateway Cellular Antenna Main Power Jack Blue Button Status LEDs Power Cell EM Mesh Davis Talk BLE Device ID Battery y EM Mesh Cell Davis Talk BLE DID: AA123456789 Optional Cabled Vantage Pro2 Jack R Mesh Antenna Solar Power Cable Main Power Cable Battery Cables Hardware kit 2 Large & 2 Small U-Bolts 1/4" Lock Washers 1/4" x 1 1/4" Lag Screws Oval split grommet 1/4" Hex Nuts Backing Plates (Disregard two #6 x 3/8 Screws) 8’ Cable for Cabled GroWeathe
Power-up and Connect your Gateway Install the EnviroMonitor App 1. Install the EnviroMonitor app on your Smartphone. Find the app by searching for the Davis EnviroMonitor app in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store. The EnviroMonitor app will guide you through creating an account on WeatherLink.com, adding the Gateway, adding Nodes to the Gateway, and adding sensors to the Node. EnviroMonitor App Add Gateway Open the App to create your account on WeatherLink.
Power up your Gateway 1. Remove all cardboard and packing materials from inside the Gateway. 2. Connect the battery. The Gateway is shipped with one battery cable (the red, or positive cable) disconnected to prevent battery drain. Connect the red cable to the red terminal. Red Cable IMPORTANT: If putting your Gateway into storage, disconnect the red cable. 3. Plug the main power cable into the jack.
Connect the Gateway to WeatherLink.com 1. Make sure the Bluetooth (BLE) function on your smartphone is on. 2. Open the app and choose Sign Up to create an account, or Log in if you have already created an account 3. Tap Add Gateway. 4. Bring the phone close to the Gateway. 5. If a message appears that an upgrade has been detected, select Upgrade. Upgrading can take several minutes. Tip: The LED flashes to show that the Gateway’s BLE is on. If it is not flashing, press the blue button.
Tip: While south is generally appropriate for the Northern Hemisphere (and north in the Southern Hemisphere), your goal is to maximize direct sunlight on the solar panel. If your location does not have a full sunrise-to-sunset exposure arc when the panel faces south, you should face your solar panel toward a point midway in the existing arc to maximize panel charging.
Add a Vantage Pro2 Sensor Suite (optional) Add a cabled or wireless Vantage Pro2 integrated sensor suite, such as GroWeather (product number 6820/6820C), to your system, to get rain, wind, temperature, humidity, and solar radiation data to the Gateway. Connect a Wireless Sensor Suite Connect a wireless station by following the prompts int he EnviroMonitor app, the same way you connect Nodes to the Gateway Connect a Cabled Sensor Suite 1. Open the Gateway door. 2.
Set Up Nodes and Sensors Contents of Node Solar Panel Cable Lithium Battery Installed Bluetooth status LED Mesh status LED Solar Panel Jack Remove Battery Pull Tab Battery Compartment Door Door Tabs D-Cell Battery Compartment (batteries not included) Mesh Antenna Sensor Ports Connector for Internal or External Antenna Hardware Kit 2 Large & 2 Small U-Bolts 1/4" Lock Washers 1/4" Hex Nuts Backing Plates 1/4" x 1 1/4" Lag Screws Green 6-Wire Sensor Connectors Cable Ties Adhesive Mounts Precision Sc
Requirements & Tools for Installation of Nodes and Sensors • Included precision/miniature slotted screwdriver; ideal size: 2.5 mm or 3/32”; see actual size image of screw head and screwdriver blade at right. • Four D-cell batteries • Smartphone with EnviroMonitor app installed. See page 7: Install the EnviroMonitor App.
Connect Node to Gateway 1. Take the Node and smartphone to the general location in which you wish to install your Node. Make sure the phone’s Bluetooth (BLE) is on. 2. Open the app on the smartphone. 3. Open the door of the Node. (This turns the Node’s BLE on.) The BLE status LED will blink blue. See the illustration on page 12: Contents of Node. 4. In the app, select the Gateway to which this Node will send its data. 5. Tap Add Node. 6. Bring the phone close to the Node. 7.
4. Insert the 6-wire sensor connector into the sensor port indicated by the app. Make sure it is aligned properly and not offset. Note: If the Davis sensor has an RJ-plug on its cable, use the Davis RJ Adapter, product number 6860. Or, you can remove the plug and strip the wires. RJ Adapter, #6860 Try not to strip the covering back so far that the bare wires can touch each other when the connector is plugged in, but make sure the clamp in the sensor port is closing on wire, not plastic. (About 1/4” [6.
Mount the Node The Node can be mounted on a pole or a flat surface such as a wall or a wooden post. It is important that the Node be mounted so that the solar panel gets the greatest amount of sunshine -- the solar panel should be facing south (in the Northern Hemisphere) or north (in the Southern Hemisphere). Tip: Mounting the Node may be easier if done by two people.
Mounting on a Flat Surface Attach the Node to the mounting surface in the desired location using the lag screws and backing plates as shown below. Use a pencil or a center-punch to mark the location of the pilot hole. ® Note: To increase transmission range from Node to Gateway or Node to Node, you may replace the internal mesh antenna with an external Long Range Antenna. See page 22: Appendix A: Adding a Long Range Antenna Manage Your Data Log on to WeatherLink.com to view and manage your data.
Maintenance The solar panel on your Gateway or Node will perform well even with dust on it. However, you can keep the panel charging optimally by periodically cleaning any bird droppings, heavy dust, dirt, snow, leaves, or insect nests or webs from the solar panel. The frequency of cleaning will depend on your installation, but at least once a year. Those near roads or railroad tracks, for example may collect more dust and dirt than those in the center of a field.
Troubleshooting Gateway What do the Gateway status LEDs indicate? Gateway Status LEDs BLE DAVIS TALK MESH CELLULAR POWER LED LED Behavior Indicates What to do Solid green Battery is good. Solid amber Battery is weak. Check solar panel or replace battery soon. Solid red Battery is very low. Replace battery. Off In power-save mode. Press the blue reset button to “wake up” LEDs to determine status. Solid green Connected to WeatherLink.com with good signal RSSI.
My Gateway can’t access the cell network or WeatherLink.com Have you configured your Gateway in the EnviroMonitor app? If you have done so and the cell LED blinks red, your Gateway may be installed in a poor cellular coverage area. Leave the Gateway in place for at least 30 minutes to see if it can connect. If not, you may need to relocate the Gateway or contact Technical Support. See page 26: Contacting Davis Technical Support.
Node What do the Node status LEDs indicate? Node Status LEDs RADIO BLE LED LED Behavior Indicates What to do Off BLE radio is in low-power mode. Close, then open the door to activate the BLE radio. Flashes blue. Node is ready to connect to the EnviroMonitor app. Use the EnviroMonitor app to configure the Node. Solid blue. The Node is connected to the EnviroMonitor app. Off The radio LED has timed out to save power. Solid amber for 3 seconds when powering up. The Node is powering up.
Appendix A: Adding a Long Range Antenna Add a high gain external antenna to your Gateway and/or Nodes to increase the transmission distance of an EnviroMonitor mesh network up to 10,000 feet (3,000 m). Antennas can be used for either Node-to-Node or Node-to-Gateway transmission. Choose either product number 7676, 5dBi; or 7678, 8dBi. The table below shows estimated transmission ranges of each of the antennas. (The antenna that comes installed in your Gateway or Node is a standard dipole.
3. Remove the installed mesh antenna by unscrewing it from the connector. You may need to use a 5/16”(8 mm) wrench or small pliers. 4. Remove the solid grommet from the hole on the right side of the bottom of the Gateway shelter. Run the connector end of the antenna cable up through this hole and place the split grommet with a round hole (included with antenna) around it and push the grommet up into the hole to seal the shelter. 5. Screw the external antenna cable into the connector. Do not over-tighten. 6.
Using a Long Range Antenna with a Node 1. Open the Node. 2. Remove the installed mesh antenna by unscrewing it from the connector on the right side of the Node shelter. You may need to use a 5/16”/8 mm wrench or small pliers. 3. Screw the external ck antenna cable into the connector. Do not overtighten. 4. Run the cable out the bottom of the Node, making sure it exits against the foam. 5. Close the Node shelter. 6.
Specifications Gateway Operating Temperature. . . . . . . . . . Charging Temperature . . . . . . . . . . Storage Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . Current Draw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Housing Material. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dimensions (width x height x depth) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contacting Davis Technical Support For questions about installing or operating your EnviroMonitor Gateway or Node, please contact Davis Technical Support. We’ll be glad to help. Online www.davisinstruments.com See the Weather Support section for copies of user manuals, product specifications, application notes, software updates, and more. E-mail support@davisinstruments.com Telephone (510) 732-7814 Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
