Ambient Weather PM25 Wireless Outdoor Particulate Monitor
Note; The PM25 Monitor works with Ambient Weather Models WS-1965, WS-2000, WS-2902C, WS-5000, and the OBSERVERIP Module (WS-0800-IP, WS-0900-IP, WS-1200-IP, WS-1400-IP, WS-1550-IP, WS-1600-IP, WS-5000-IP).
BEFORE YOU ORDER, make sure you upgrade the firmware first:
- WS-2000/WS-5000: How to Update the Firmware
- ObserverIP Module: How to Update the Firmware
- WS-2902B/WS-2902C: How to Update the Firmware
Important Notes and Limitations:
- Place the sensor in a shaded, well-ventilated, non-moisture condensing area. Although the sensor is designed for outdoor use, it is best to mount it in a well-protected area, such as under a patio or carport.
- The PM25 Wireless Outdoor Particulate Monitor has a water resistance rating of IPX3 (can take water sprays of up to a 60° angle).
- The solar panel is sensitive to low light but will still require monthly charging from the USB power port.
- With PM2.5 sensors, fog reflects the light and can result in a higher reading. This is characteristic of the inherent sensor design. The condition occurs during rainy or foggy weather, where:
Outdoor Temperature – Dew point Temperature ≤ 2ş C (3.6 şF).
Thus, when the air is nearly saturated, the data is invalid.
Place the Ambient PM25 outdoor sensor anywhere in and around your home to monitor PM2.5 concentration levels. Although the sensor is designed to be outdoors, it is best to mount it in a well-protected area, such as under a patio or carport. Sends data to AmbientWeather.net, where you can monitor and analyze the air quality. Send alerts. Works with Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
Includes a solar collector and rechargeable batteries. A USB port allows you to charge the batteries where there is no sunlight.
The sensor is a high-quality Sensirion Particle Sensor.
PM2.5 refers to particles that are 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter. The high-quality Sensirion Particle Sensor uses laser scattering to radiate suspending particles in the air, then collects scattering light to obtain the curve of scattering light change with time. The microprocessor calculates the equivalent particle diameter and the number of particles with different diameters per unit volume.
The following describes the Air Quality Index (AQI) vs. PM2.5 breakpoints.
AQI Category: Breakpoints
- Good: 0.0 – 12.0 (µg/m3
- Moderate: 12.1 – 35.4 (µg/m3)
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: 35.5 – 55.4 (µg/m3)
- Unhealthy: 55.5 – 150.4 (µg/m3)
- Very Unhealthy: 150.5 – 250.4 (µg/m3)
- Hazardous: 250.5 – 350.4 (µg/m3)
- Extremely Hazardous: 350.5 – 500 (µg/m3)
Sensor Dimensions: 2.8 x 4.0 x 2.7 in
Printed on the part as WH42 or WH42B.
Product Support Questions
There are two versions of firmware:
- Console Firmware
- WiFi Firmware
The WS-2000 firmware must be updated to the following revisions in order to support the PM25, PM25IN, and AQIN Sensor:
- Firmware Revision Number (console): 1.4.4
- WiFi Firmware: AMBWeatherV4.1.4
To check the firmware version:
How do I Check my Firmware Versions
You must upgrade both versions of firmware for proper PM25 sensor operation:
Console Firmware:
How do I update firmware, WS-2000?
WiFi Firmware:
How do I update WiFi firmware, WS-2000/WS-5000
... PermalinkWhy does my PM25/PM2.5 not show up on AmbientWeather.net/ Ambient Dashboard app?
You will need to update your consoles firmware and your wifi firmware to the most current versions as shown below.
How Do I Update Firmware, WS-2000/WS-5000?
How Do I Update The WiFi Firmware, WS-2000 And WS-5000?
... PermalinkThe following is a guide on how to properly mount the PM2.5/PM25 sensor, and perform preventative maintenance:
Mounting Guidelines:
Place the sensor in a shaded, well ventilated, non-moisture condensing area. Although the sensor is designed for outdoor use, it is best to mount in a well protected area, such as under a patio or carport.
The solar panel is sensitive to low light, but will still require monthly charging from the USB power port.
With PM2.5 sensors, fog reflects the light, and can result in a higher reading. This is characteristic to the inherent sensor design. The condition occurs during rainy or foggy weather.
Mounting orientation is not important. It can be mounted vertically or horizontally, as long as the vents are not blocked.
Preventive Maintenance:
Periodic cleaning of the PM2.5 sensors fan may need to be done if readings do not seem to change. To clean the fan you would remove the battery compartment of the sensor. Then carefully remove the sensor body from the protective shell. There are 2 small gauge wires connecting the solar cell to the sensor body. Please be careful to not pull on the wires and cause them to break. You would then use a can of compressed air to gently blow out any debris from the sensor fan(Warning: Do not use an air compressor)
Carefully separate the sensor body from the protective shell
ADVANCED CLEANING PROCEDURE:
(Note, if you’re not experienced/comfortable with performing something this complex please do not attempt as the unit may get damaged and void the warranty)
If an issue persists of the readings still being low then usually some pests have gotten into the internal sensor itself. You can carefully remove the screws from the main sensor housing and inspect/clean any pests, spider webs, eggs, etc. It is recommended to use Q-Tips to remove the debris.
To access the internal Detecting Chamber please refer to the images below.
Step 1: Remove the rubber coverings of the 3 screws.
Step 2: Remove the 3 screws.
Step 3: Remove the Protective Top Cover
Step 4: Carefully lift up and flip over the Sensor Board.
Step 5: Carefully clean the sensor board and Detecting Chamber then re-assemble in the reverse order.
... Permalink
Currently, at this time, no.
AQI is calculated individually for each pollutant. The overall pollutant with the highest AQI becomes the reported AQI. Since AmbientWeather.net only monitors (at this time) PM2.5, the only AQI value they could calculate would be the PM2.5 AQI. If, by chance, the PM10 AQI is higher than the PM2.5 AQI, then AmbientWeather.net would be reporting the wrong AQI value.
AQI, is a unitless index derived by the EPA.
Reference:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-05/documents/zell-aqi.pdf
The U.S. EPA PM2.5 AQI model is on Page 11.
... PermalinkCan the PM25/PM2.5 sensor measure pollen?
No. Pollen doesn’t have much effect on the AQI for particle pollution. Most pollen particles are much larger than the particles we measure for the AQI. The size of PM2.5 is 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller while pollen particles are usually well over 10 micrometers. Pollen particles can sometimes rupture and break into smaller airborne particles in the PM2.5 range, but their contribution is too small to make a difference in the AQI.
... PermalinkQ: Which sensors work with the WS-2902B console?
A: The WS-2902B will ONLY work with the WH31/WH31B/WH31E, WH31P (probed) and PM25/PM25IN sensors.
The sensors are “pass-through”, which means they will not appear on the local display console, but are displayed on AmbientWeather.net.
It will NOT work with WH31L (lightning), WH31LA (leak alert), WH31SM (soil moisture) .
The following image is an example of a channel 1 sensor. The title is customizable on the website:
The following is a guide on how to properly mount the PM2.5/PM25 sensor, and perform preventative maintenance:
Mounting Guidelines:
Place the sensor in a shaded, well ventilated, non-moisture condensing area. Although the sensor is designed for outdoor use, it is best to mount in a well protected area, such as under a patio or carport.
The solar panel is sensitive to low light, but will still require monthly charging from the USB power port.
With PM2.5 sensors, fog reflects the light, and can result in a higher reading. This is characteristic to the inherent sensor design. The condition occurs during rainy or foggy weather.
Mounting orientation is not important. It can be mounted vertically or horizontally, as long as the vents are not blocked.
Preventive Maintenance:
Periodic cleaning of the PM2.5 sensors fan may need to be done if readings do not seem to change. To clean the fan you would remove the battery compartment of the sensor. Then carefully remove the sensor body from the protective shell. There are 2 small gauge wires connecting the solar cell to the sensor body. Please be careful to not pull on the wires and cause them to break. You would then use a can of compressed air to gently blow out any debris from the sensor fan(Warning: Do not use an air compressor)
With PM2.5 sensors, fog reflects the light, and can result in a higher reading. This is characteristic to the inherent sensor design.
The condition occurs during rainy or foggy weather, where:
Outdoor Temperature – Dew point Temperature ≤ 2º C (3.6 ºF)
Thus, when the air is nearly saturated, the data is invalid.
Do your best to mount the sensor in a well drained area which is less prone to moisture condensation if possible.
Product Manual
https://ambientweather.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/478/
Product Page
https://www.ambientweather.com/ampm25.html
The PM2.5 works with the following weather stations:
WS-0900-IP (discontinued)
Product Manual
https://ambientweather.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/478/
Product Page
https://www.ambientweather.com/ampm25.html
The minimum battery voltage for the PM2.5 sensor is about 1.0 V.
Product Manual
https://ambientweather.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/478/
Product Page
https://www.ambientweather.com/ampm25.html
