Ambient Weather WH31L Lightning Detector for Models WS-2000, WS-5000, WS-1965
The WH 31L Lightning detector is an add-on sensor that connects to either an Ambient Weather WS-2000, WS-5000, or WS-1965 weather station. The sensor detects lightning strikes and transmits this information once every 79 seconds to the display console and our cloud service, AmbientWeather.net. The sensor has three settings to adjust the sensitivity for possible interference.
Personal lightning detectors operate by detecting the electromagnetic pulse (EMP) emitted by a lightning strike. By measuring the strength of the detected EMP, the device can then estimate the distance from the detected strike. Through the application of electronics and software, personal lightning detectors such as the WH31L identify storm activity within a 25 mile range(40 km) of your location.
The WH31L has a water resistance rating of IPX4 (resistant to water splashes from any direction).
Note: You must update your weather station console firmware to the following versions:
- Console Firmware Version 1.6.2 or greater
- Wi-Fi Firmware Version 4.2.2 or greater
To upgrade the firmware, visit the WS-2000/WS-5000 Firmware Update Help Guide...
CAUTION! Ambient Weather DOES NOT RECOMMEND THIS DEVICE FOR SAFETY, BOTH PERSONAL AND PUBLIC. DO NOT MAKE IMPORTANT LIFE-THREATENING DECISIONS BASED ON THIS DEVICE.
Personal lightning detectors cannot measure the exact location of a lightning strike. Lightning detectors are also sensitive to false alarms. Although personal lightning detectors function well with respect to their ability to detect nearby lightning, they are quite basic in functionality when compared to professional lightning detectors.
For example, they cannot tell where a lightning strike was located, or from which direction the lightning is approaching, only that lightning is in the area. Also, since a personal lightning detector is triggered by EMPs, interference from other EMP-emitting devices (such as electronic equipment, appliances, fluorescent lights and even car engines) can sometimes result in either false alarms or missed strikes. This interference often has the additional effect of preventing personal lightning detectors from functioning properly while indoors or near outdoor electronic equipment.
Mounting the WH31L out in the open can lead to better readings and less interference, but the IPX rating is not sufficient for sustained direct rain contact. If mounting outside, it is highly recommended for this device to be mounted in an enclosure, such as the Ambient Weather WH31-SRS Temperature and Humidity Solar Radiation Shield to protect it from the elements.
Features
Sensor Features
- Detects lightning within 25 miles (40 kilometers)
- High or low sensor sensitivity selectable to meet different installations
- Long wireless range up to 330 feet (100 meters) in open areas
- Transmits readings every 79 seconds
- Suspension eye for easy mounting
Wireless Specifications
- Line of sight wireless sensor array RF transmission (in open air): 330 feet, 100 feet under most conditions
- Update Rate: Outdoor Sensor: 79 seconds
- RF Frequency: 915 MHz
- Lightning detection range: 0 - 25 miles (0 – 40 km)
- Working temperature: 0 – 50 C (32 - 122F)
Power
- 2 x AA batteries (included)
Product Support Questions
How to re-register a sensor through the Sensor ID screen.
Enter Setup mode as shown below.
Return to the Home Screen to view the WH31L Lightning Sensor Data or whatever sensor you re-registerd
To edit the label name on the console, select the Settings button 
, and then the down arrow 
9 times until Multi Channel Sensor Setup is highlighted and press plus 
to view the channel settings.
To edit the channel name, Press or key to select the channel name. The name field will turn green.
Press the 
key to view the keyboard, and enter the sensor name. Press 
to scroll to the character and press 
to select the character. Press ‘OK’ to save your newly labeled Sensor. Press 
to return to the setup page.
If the lightning sensor has a weak signal, please check the following:
- Make sure both the console firmware: How Do I Update The WiFi Firmware, WS-2000 And WS-5000? are up to date.
- Make sure all the dip switches in the Lightning sensor are in the down position. Power down and up the sensor after changing the dip switch positions for changes to take effect.
- Power down the WS-2000 console then power it back up.
- Re-register the Lightning sensor through the Sensor ID screen.
- Ensure that the sensor is within 300 ft line of sight with your indoor console.
- We recommend the WH31-SRS as an enclosure for the lightning detector. https://ambientweather.com/wh31-srs-solar-radiation-shield
Lightning sensors detect a specific radio frequency wave form generated by lightning strikes.
However, electronic devices like motors starting (HVAC units, lawn equipment), and fluorescent lighting can emit noisy electromagnetic field (EMF) signature that can generate a false positive lightning strike.
To avoid false lightning strikes, move the detector away from any electrical noise-generating devices.
Although electrical noise can be random in nature, another way to determine installation location is by using a portable AM radio set in between stations where you can hear white noise only, and hold the radio close to the installation location. Any crackling heard on the radio may be detected by the WH31L lightning detector.
If the display console only displays km, make sure your firmware is up to date. This issue was resolved in Version 1.6.3:
Ambient Weather WS-2000 And WS-5000 Firmware Download Center
Q: 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 lightning sensor show low battery on Ambientweather.net even after replacing batteries.
- Ensure the console hardware firmware is update to date using this
Guide - Ensure the console WIFI firmware is update to using this Guide
- Ambient Weather suggests the use of fresh lithium batteries in the WH31L. Batteries available here
Product Manual
https://ambientweather.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/587/
Product Page
https://www.ambientweather.com/amwh31l.html
What is a Lightning Detector?
A lightning detector is a device that detects lightning produced by thunderstorms.
Personal lightning detectors are popular among golfers, campers, law enforcement, sports officials, and other persons who work or recreate outdoors.
Personal lightning detectors function by detecting the electromagnetic pulse (EMP) emitted by a lightning strike. By measuring the strength of the detected EMP, the device can then estimate how far away the detected strike was. When exposed to multiple detected strikes, some personal lightning detectors can even calculate and extrapolate the direction of the storm's movement relative to its position (approaching, departing, or stationary).
How does a Personal Lightning Detector Work?
Have you ever heard the crackling of a lightning strike on your AM radio? A lightning strike has a distinct waveform that can be processed and analyzed by detector hardware and software.
Through the application of electronics and software, personal lightning detectors identify and track storm activity within 40 to 75 miles of your location.
The antenna detects electromagnetic field emissions from lightning activity within a storm cell. It then converts this data into digital signals and feeds them to its microprocessor for analysis.
In addition to identifying the waveforms characteristic of storm activity, personal lightning detectors perform continuous analysis of background electromagnetic interference (EMI) at your location.
Personal Lightning Detector Limitations
Although personal lightning detectors do function well in regards to their ability to detect nearby lightning, they are quite basic in functionality when compared to professional lightning detectors.
For example, they cannot tell where a lightning strike was located or from which direction the lightning is approaching, only that lightning is in the area. Also, since a personal lightning detector is triggered by EMPs, interference from other EMP-emitting devices (such as electronic equipment, appliances, nuclear weapons, fluorescent lights, and even car engines) can sometimes result in either false alarms or missed strikes.
This interference often has the additional effect of preventing personal lightning detectors from functioning properly while indoors. Despite these limitations, personal lightning detectors continue to increase in popularity among individuals and professionals.
PC Based Lightning Detectors
Similar to portable lighting detectors, PC lightning detectors connect directly to your PC and provide detailed strike data on your PC. An example and popular PC lightning detector is manufactured by Boltek.
Networked Lightning Detectors:
By networking lightning detectors through the power of the internet, an accurate strike location can be determined through triangulation (a geometric process determing the exact coordinates from three or more sources). On AmbientWeather.net, when one of our WH31L sensors registers a lightning strike it appears on the maps as a grayish circle. Darker circles are more recent and the radius of the circle shows the estimate of where the strike took place. The more Ambient Weather WH31L sensors in an area allows users to triangulate locations of local lightning strikes by comparing the overlapping grayish circles.
Siting your Lightning Detector
Lightning sensors detect a specific radio frequency wave form generated by lightning strikes. However, electronic devices like motors starting (HVAC units, lawn equipment), and fluorescent lighting can emit noisy electromagnetic field (EMF) signature that can generate a false positive lightning strike. To avoid false lightning strikes, move the detector away from any electrical noise-generating devices. Although electrical noise can be random in nature, another way to determine installation location is by using a portable AM radio set in between stations where you can hear white noise only and hold the radio close to the installation location. Any crackling heard on the radio may be detected by the WH31L lightning detector.
Ambient offers the WH31-SRS (https://ambientweather.com/wh31-srs-solar-radiation-shield) Solar Radiation Shield and Mounting Bracket to help users mount their WH31L sensor in the ideal location. The WH31-SRS includes hardware for pole mounting (up to 1.25" OD), vertical mounting to a horizontal surface (deck, top of a post/wall) or horizontal mounting to a vertical surface (fence post, wall).
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