Frequently Asked 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

... Permalink

Why 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?

... Permalink

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)

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.

... Permalink

Can 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.

... Permalink

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:

... Permalink

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)

... Permalink

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

... Permalink

The PM2.5 works with the following weather stations:

WS-0800-IP

WS-0900-IP (discontinued)

WS-1201-IP

WS-1401-IP

WS-1550-IP

WS-2000

Product Manual
https://ambientweather.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/478/

Product Page
https://www.ambientweather.com/ampm25.html

... Permalink

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

... Permalink

AmbientWeather.net not only features a mobile friendly and responsive dashboard that works well on any platform (desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile device) but also features apps for iOS and Android Devices as well as third party apps.  You can bookmark your dashboard here:

https://ambientweather.net/dashboard

or download apps here:

Community

For programmers:

We developed an Application Programming Interface (API) that will allow you and others to write applications and integrate with other products (above and beyond the current features like text alerts, email alerts, IFTTT, Google Home and Amazon Alexa).

You can learn more here:

API

To view apps developed using the AmbientWeather.net APIs and Wunderground.com, visit our Community Page:

Community

You can keep track of what is happening at our Ambient Weather Network User’s Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ambientweathernetwork/

Product Page
https://www.ambientweather.net

... Permalink

Ambient Weather Manuals

---

1-9

 

1436R-12 | PDF

1436RS-22 | PDF

15-01 | PDF

1535-06 | PDF

1694R-22 | PDF

6152-AIRBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

6152C-WEATHERBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

6152-WEATHERBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

6153-AIRBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

6153-WEATHERBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

6162-AIRBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

6162C-WEATHERBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

6162-WEATHERBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

6163-AIRBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

6163-WEATHERBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

6250-AIRBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

6250-WEATHERBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

6251-AIRBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

6322-AIRBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

6357-AIRBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

A

 

AIRBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

AIRBRIDGE-RECEIVER-KIT | PDF

AMBIENTCAM | PDF

AMBIENTCAMHD | PDF

AMBIENTCAMHD3 | PDF

AW-YG637M | PDF

AW-YG737S-RD | PDF

B

 

BA212 | PDF

BA30806 | PDF

BAROMETER-26-M | PDF

BASWAN | PDF

BC-2000 | PDF

D

 

DHR70B-STAINLESS | PDF

E

 

EZ2-35W2MC | PDF

EZ-29-24 | PDF

EZ-30-12 | PDF

EZ-48-3AB-125-35 | PDF

EZ-GWA | PDF

EZ-HD-PTP | PDF

EZ-HD-PTP-100 | PDF

EZ-NPP | PDF

F

 

F007PF | PDF

F007T | PDF

F007TH | PDF

F007TP | PDF

G

 

GL164-M | PDF

H

 

HP816A | PDF

K

 

KTA-249-LCD | PDF

KTA-TEMP-50 | PDF

KTL-250-AL | PDF

M

 

MOBILEMOUNT | PDF

O

 

OBSERVERIP | PDF

P

 

PM25 | PDF

PM25IN | PDF

R

 

RAINSPIKE | PDF

RC-12112BS | PDF

RC-12116SB | PDF

RC-12118BW | PDF

RC-1800WSTH | PDF

RC-8300 | PDF

RC-8320 | PDF

RC-8365 | PDF

RC-8370 | PDF

RC-8401 | PDF

RC-8401A | PDF

RC-8427 | PDF

RC-8473 | PDF

RG100-B | PDF

S

 

SRS100LX | PDF

T

 

TIDECLOCK-21 | PDF

TIDECLOCK-22 | PDF

TIDECLOCK-23 | PDF

TIDECLOCK-25 | PDF

TM-206 | PDF

TransformaFence | PDF

TX-3102 | PDF

TX-3107 | PDF

W

 

WEATHERBRIDGE | PDF

WEATHERBRIDGE Nano | PDF

WEATHERBRIDGEPRO | PDF

WEATHERHUB2 | PDF

WEATHERMOUNT | PDF

WEATHERMOUNT2 | PDF

WEATHERMOUNT-STAINLESS | PDF

WH2C | None, see console Item Number

WH31 / WH31E | None, see console Item Number

WH31B | None, see console Item Number

WH31L | PDF

WH31LA | PDF

WH3C | None, see console Item Number

WH5 | None, see console Item Number

WH6 | None, see console Item Number

WM-2 | PDF

WM-3 | PDF

WM-35 | PDF

WM-4 | PDF

WM-5 | PDF

WR-089 | PDF

WR-090 | PDF

WR-091 | PDF

WR-099 | PDF

WR-111, WR-111A, WR-111B | PDF

WR-112 | PDF

WR-299 | PDF

WR-335 | PDF

WR-336 | PDF

WR-77 | PDF

WR-SOLAR-BAG | PDF

WS-01 | PDF

WS-01T | PDF

WS-01T-C | PDF

WS-0100 | PDF

WS-0101 | PDF

WS-0211 | PDF

WS-02, WS-02A | PDF

WS-0262 | PDF

WS-0262A | PDF

WS-0265 | PDF

WS-0270 | PDF

WS-03 | PDF

WS-04 | PDF

WS-05 | PDF

WS-06 | PDF

WS-07 | PDF

WS-08 | PDF

WS-0800-IP | PDF

WS-09 | PDF

WS-10 | PDF

WS-1000-WiFi | PDF

WS-1001-WiFi | PDF

WS-1002-WiFi | PDF

WS-1050 | PDF

WS-1070 | PDF

WS-1075 | PDF

WS-108 | PDF

WS-1080 | PDF

WS-1090 | PDF

WS-11 | PDF

WS-110 | PDF

WS-1170 | PDF

WS-1171 | PDF

WS-1171A | PDF

WS-1171B | PDF

WS-1172 | PDF

WS-1173 | PDF

WS-1173A | PDF

WS-1173B | PDF

WS-1175 | PDF

WS-12 | PDF

WS-1200 | PDF

WS-1201 | PDF

WS-1200-AIRBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

WS-1201-AIRBRIDGE-KIT | PDF

WS-1201-IP | PDF

WS-1280 | PDF

WS-1285 | PDF

WS-1400-IP | PDF

WS-1401-IP | PDF

WS-14 | PDF

WS-15 | PDF

WS-152B | PDF

WS-152BN | PDF

WS-152T | PDF

WS-1550-IP | PDF

WS-16 | PDF

WS-1900 | PDF

WS-2000 | PDF

WS-2063 Series | PDF

WS-2080 | PDF

WS-2080A | PDF

WS-208T | PDF

WS-208TBH | PDF

WS-2090 | PDF

WS-2095 | PDF

WS-21 | PDF

WS-228TBH | PDF

WS-23 | PDF

WS-23-C | PDF

WS-24 | PDF

WS-24-C | PDF

WS-25 | PDF

WS-26 | PDF

WS-2800 | PDF

WS-2801 | PDF

WS-2801A | PDF

WS-2902 | PDF

WS-2902-RAINSPIKE | PDF

WS-2902A | PDF

WS-2902B | PDF

WS-2902C | PDF

WS-3000-X3 | PDF

WS-3000-X5 | PDF

WS-3000-X8 | PDF

WS-40 Series | PDF

WS-50 Series | PDF

WS-5000 | PDF

WS-5000-RAINSPIKE | PDF

WS-5300 | PDF

WS-5305 | PDF

WS-70 | PDF

WS-7078 | PDF

WS-7079 | PDF

WS-8365 | PDF

WS-8400 | PDF

WS-8460 | PDF

WS-8482 | PDF

WS-8478A | PDF

WS-8480 | PDF

WS-8482 | PDF

WS-8600 | PDF

WS-B1025C | PDF

WS-G3303THB | PDF

WS-GA1141305 | PDF

WS-GA1141710 | PDF

WS-GA1142010 | PDF

WS-GL025 | PDF

WS-GL025-CM | PDF

WS-GL026 | PDF

WS-GL032 | PDF

WS-GL032-CM | PDF

WS-G3303THB | PDF

WS-HE01 | PDF

WS-HT12 | PDF

WS-HT350 | PDF

WS-L0801TBH | PDF

WS-L3303THB | PDF

WS-M0921THB | PDF

WS-MOF0831-CTH | PDF

WS-M2021301TB | PDF

WS-M201301THB | PDF

WS-MDF0705THB | PDF

WS-TB1071305 | PDF

WS-YG302A-G | PDF

WS-YG302A-Y | PDF

WS-YG313-G | PDF

WS-YG313-Y | PDF

WS-YG315 | PDF

WS-YG332 | PDF

WS-YG357 | PDF

WS-YG501 | PDF

WS-YG633 | PDF

WS-YG634 | PDF

WS-YG709 | PDF

WS-YG710-6 | PDF

WS-YG710S-G | PDF

WS-YG710S-Y | PDF

WS-YG720 | PDF

WS-YG901 | PDF

... Permalink

To share or unshare the indoor sensors and channel sensors, tap the Make Public button.  See image below to share:

To unshare, see the image below:

Product Page
https://www.ambientweather.net

... Permalink