jase
21-04-2013, 08:03 PM
I have two second generation AAG CloudWatcher units for sale. Cloud and rain sensors work but the daylight sensor is not accurate which is a known issue with the second generation units (resolved in later hardware releases). I never used the daylight sensor anyway as observatory closure was planned on time (or more specifically elevation of sun below horizon for dawn sky flats). Cloud and rain sensors were of more importance (for obvious reasons!). I no longer use these units having been replaced by a Boltwood Cloud Sensor II as I wanted to also measure wind speed which at the time the AAG CloudWatcher was not capable of performing.
Anyone thinking of setting up a remote observatory will know how important it is to protect your equipment from the elements. It makes it a few magnitudes more difficult when your observatory is hundreds of kilometres away at a dark sky site. Having the right fail safes in place will give you peace of mind.
Both units have a 10M cable which provides ample length to run underground or fix to a pole near the observatory.
There are no wiring attachments provided (i.e. no DB9), you'll need to supply this along with a power supply (15v-18v is recommended, though it they operate fine on 12v). Super easy to wire up - child's play in fact...
Power (red, black and grey wires)
Black and grey go together - negative
Red - positive
DB9 connection (female) pin outs (three wires)
Yellow wire - Pin 2 (receive)
Light Green wire - Pin 3 (transmit)
Blue wire - Pin 5 (ground)
There are two additional wires to optionally connect a relay i.e. to force observatory roof closure bypassing software controls.
Software can be downloaded from http://aagware.eu
$95 each - includes shipping anywhere within AU. [Both units are now SOLD]
Questions via PM thanks.
Anyone thinking of setting up a remote observatory will know how important it is to protect your equipment from the elements. It makes it a few magnitudes more difficult when your observatory is hundreds of kilometres away at a dark sky site. Having the right fail safes in place will give you peace of mind.
Both units have a 10M cable which provides ample length to run underground or fix to a pole near the observatory.
There are no wiring attachments provided (i.e. no DB9), you'll need to supply this along with a power supply (15v-18v is recommended, though it they operate fine on 12v). Super easy to wire up - child's play in fact...
Power (red, black and grey wires)
Black and grey go together - negative
Red - positive
DB9 connection (female) pin outs (three wires)
Yellow wire - Pin 2 (receive)
Light Green wire - Pin 3 (transmit)
Blue wire - Pin 5 (ground)
There are two additional wires to optionally connect a relay i.e. to force observatory roof closure bypassing software controls.
Software can be downloaded from http://aagware.eu
$95 each - includes shipping anywhere within AU. [Both units are now SOLD]
Questions via PM thanks.