Frequently Asked Questions

Our weather stations base forecast on rate of change of pressure. This does not display what is happening right now, but rather, if the weather will change in the next 24 to 48 hours due to changes in barometric pressure.

In general, if the rate of change of pressure increases, the weather is improving (sunny). If the rate of change of pressure decreases, the weather is degrading (cloudy or rainy). If the rate of change is relatively steady, it will read partly cloudy or partly sunny (depending on the type of weather station).

The reason the current conditions do not match the forecast icon is because it is a prediction 24-48 hours in advance. In most locations, this prediction is only 70% accurate and it is a good idea to consult the National Weather Service for more accurate weather forecasts. In some locations, this prediction may be less or more accurate.

The National Weather Service (and other weather services such as Accuweather and The Weather Channel) have many tools at their disposal to predict weather conditions, including weather radar, weather models, and detailed mapping of ground conditions.  Thus, these forecasts are significantly more accurate then forecasts based on rate of change of pressure.

You will need to give the weather station enough time to predict changes in weather. This can take up to 30 days, depending on where you live.

FAQs:

1. The icons on my weather station have not changed in the short time I have owned it. You will need to give the weather station enough time to predict changes in weather. This can take up to 30 days, depending on where you live.
2.  Can I change the set points that trigger changes in the forecast icon?  With some Ambient Weather Stations (not most), there is the option “Pressure Threshold Setting”. The pressure threshold (the negative or positive rate of change of pressure signifying a change in the weather) can be adjusted by the user from level 2 to level 4 (default level 2 mbar/hour). Check your User’s Manual for this feature.  The lower the level pressure threshold setting, the higher sensitivity for weather forecast changes. Locations that experience frequent changes in air pressure require a higher setting compared to locations where the air pressure is typically stagnant.

Temperature reads too high (or inaccurate) when placed in the sun or close to a radiant heat source, like a house, building or structure.

1. Place the sensor inside next to the indoor console sensor. Wait about 1 hour for stabilization. The sensors should agree within the accuracy specifications. Most RTD (resistive thermal device) sensors are accurate within +/- 2 degF. Thus, the sensors should agree within 4 degF.
2. Mercury or red spirit thermometers are very accurate. Inside your house, place a red spirit thermometer next to the digital thermometer. The thermometers should agree within 2 degF.
3. If the sensor is separate, place the sensor in a shaded area on the north side of the structure to avoid direct and radiant heat.
4. Temperature sensors that do not have radiation shields will absorb solar energy and read higher than the ambient temperature. To prevent this problem, purchase a solar radiation shield from Ambient Weather.
5. We have a one year warranty and a 30 day return policy. For details, please visit: www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html
6. While at the website, enter the part number of the transmitter in the Search by Keyword to locate the product.

What is the correct Timezone/Time Zone setting for my location:

Here is a list of Time Zones:

Note: There are no half settings. Example: If your time zone is 5.5 then you would select a whole number such as 5 or 6.

If the Radio Controlled Clock does not set on your clock or weather station:

• Make sure Daylight Savings Time (DST) is set properly. All states except Hawaii and Arizona observe Daylight Savings Time. If you observe DST, make sure this setting is turned ON. The default is OFF (except for the RC-8427)
• Be patient. Wait at least one week. The RCC is a shortwave signal originating near Fort Collins, Colorado, and travels thousands of miles by bouncing off the ionosphere. The signal is better at night due to solar interference during the daytime. The farther you are from Colorado, the weaker the signal. Urban environments can also effect the signal strength.
• Locate the console or clock at night near a window or outer wall, and away from other radiating sources, like wireless routers or TVs. This will insure the best reception possible.
• Test and replace the batteries in the console, if required. Low batteries are often the cause for weak reception.
• Check your Time Zone Setting. Make sure your time zone is set properly in the display console settings. All times zones in the USA are negative. It is very common for the customer to enter 6 instead of -6 for example.Here is a list of Time Zones:
  

  Hours from GMT	Time Zone	Cities
  -12	IDLW: International Date Line West	—
  -11	NT: Nome	Nome, AK
  -10	AHST: Alaska-Hawaii Standard CAT: Central Alaska HST: Hawaii Standard	Honolulu, HI
  -9	YST:  Yukon Standard	Yukon Territory
  -8	PST: Pacific Standard	Los Angeles, CA, USA
  -7	MST: Mountain Standard	Denver, CO, USA
  -6	CST: Central Standard	Chicago, IL, USA
  -5	EST: Eastern Standard	New York, NY, USA
  -4	AST: Atlantic Standard	Caracas
  -3	—	São Paulo, Brazil
  -2	AT: Azores	Azores, Cape Verde Islands
  -1	WAT: West Africa	—
  0	GMT: Greenwich Mean WET: Western European	London, England
  1	CET: Central European	Paris, France
  2	EET: Eastern European	Athens, Greece
  3	BT: Baghdad	Moscow, Russia
  4	—	Abu Dhabi, UAE
  5	—	Tashkent
  6	—	Astana
  7	—	Bangkok
  8	CCT: China Coast	Bejing
  9	JST: Japan Standard	Tokyo
  10	GST: Guam Standard	Sydney
  11	—	Magadan
  12	IDLE: International Date Line East NZST: New Zealand Standard	Wellington, New Zealand

To set the time mode, you must enter the Time Set Mode. To enter the time set mode, press and hold the TIME button for two seconds.

If your time is still off by one hour:

1. Make sure the Hour Offset is 0 for the USA.
2. Daylight Settings Time may take a day or two to adjust.

With the models listed below, the clock attempts to synchronize to the radio controlled time at the following times:

2:00 am,  8:00 am, 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

The Radio Controlled Clock (RCC) is a shortwave signal originating near Fort Collins, Colorado, and travels thousands of miles by bouncing off the ionosphere. The signal is better at night due to solar interference during the daytime. The farther you are from Colorado, the weaker the signal. Urban environments can also effect the signal strength.

Thus, you may only receive the signal once a night, or once every few days, which is sufficient for keeping accurate time.

If the RCC synchronization only occurs at night (say 2:00 am), you may not be aware, because the synchronization may fail at 2:00 pm due to solar and other interference.

One option is to be viewing the clock between 2:00 am and 8:00 am to see if the clock set at night.

If your clock is keeping accurate time but does not synchronize 100% of the time, this is normal.

To rotate or reverse the projection on your clock, press the Rotate button  on the top or back of your clock (depending on the model):

If you own an older Model RC-8427, there is an added step. You must press the SNOOZE/LIGHT key first, let go, and then press the REVERSE key.

1. Make sure the remote sensor is on channel 1. If you have more than one sensor, make sure the sensors are on different channels (#3 in the figure below, Transmitter channel (assign the transmitter to 1,2 or 3, default = 1).
2. Power down and up the remote sensor by removing and reinserting the batteries, or press the RESET button (#2 in the image above). The LED Light (#1) will blink about once per minute. If the LED does not blink immediately after pressing the reset button, there may be a problem with low batteries or the sensor.
3. If the LED does not blink once per minute, replace the batteries with fresh high quality non-rechargeable batteries. We recommend Energizer Lithium Ultimate because of the wide temperature range and the battery chemistry (see article below).  If the problem persists, the sensor will need replacing (last step, below).
4. Make sure that the clock or display console  is showing the appropriate channel. For example, if you have only one sensor (Channel 1), makes sure the console is displaying Channel 1.To change the Channel number on the console, reference the Figure below.    Press the +/CHANNEL button (#7)  to view wireless channels 1, 2 and 3.
5. Place the sensor(s) about 10 feet from the console.  Press the SENSOR button (#13 above). The console will begin searching for sensors. Do not touch any buttons for several minutes to allow for synchronization.
6. If the problem persists, press the RESET button (#15) to perform a factory reset.   The console will begin searching for sensors. Do not touch any buttons for several minutes to allow for synchronization.
7. If the problem persists, the sensor may need replacing. We have a one year warranty. To replace under warranty, please visit: www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html
8. For out of warranty replacements, the sensor is available, here:https://www.ambientweather.com/amtx8300.html

If the console reads Er for the remote sensor, the sensor may need synchronization.

1. Make sure the remote sensor is on channel 1. If you have more than one sensor, make sure the sensors are on different channels (#3 in the figure below, Transmitter channel (assign the transmitter to 1,2 or 3, default = 1).
2. Power down and up the remote sensor by removing and reinserting the batteries, or press the RESET button (#2 in the image above). The LED Light (#1) will blink about once per minute. If the LED does not blink immediately after pressing the reset button, there may be a problem with low batteries or the sensor.
3. If the LED does not blink once per minute, replace the batteries with fresh high quality non-rechargeable batteries. We recommend Energizer Lithium Ultimate because of the wide temperature range and the battery chemistry (see article below).  If the problem persists, the sensor will need replacing (last step, below).
4. Make sure that the clock or display console  is showing the appropriate channel. For example, if you have only one sensor (Channel 1), makes sure the console is displaying Channel 1.To change the Channel number on the console, reference the Figure below.    Press the +/CHANNEL button (#7)  to view wireless channels 1, 2 and 3.
5. Place the sensor(s) about 10 feet from the console.  Press the SENSOR button (#13 above). The console will begin searching for sensors. Do not touch any buttons for several minutes to allow for synchronization.
6. If the problem persists, press the RESET button (#15) to perform a factory reset.   The console will begin searching for sensors. Do not touch any buttons for several minutes to allow for synchronization.
7. If the problem persists, the sensor may need replacing. We have a one year warranty. To replace under warranty, please visit: www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html
8. For out of warranty replacements, the sensor is available, here:https://www.ambientweather.com/amtx8300.html

This weather station clock receives a signal from the Radio Controlled Clock (RCC) in Colorado.

The display color can interfere with this reception. Thus, a primary color is displayed when the RCC clock in searching for the signal, which occurs about once every 4 hours.

With the RC-8401, the search color was green. However, this was too bright at night for many users.

With the RC-8401A, the search color was changed to red. This color is much softer and will not disturb users.

To restore the console to factory default, press the RESET button (#15) to perform a factory reset.   The console will begin searching for sensors. Do not touch any buttons for several minutes to allow for synchronization.

The projection brightness or size cannot be adjusted.

The farther away the projection is from the wall or ceiling, the larger and dimmer the projection gets.

1. Make sure the clock is plugged into AC power.  The projector is on momentarily if disconnected from AC Power.
2. Make sure the AC adapter is not plugged into a switched outlet.
3. On the back of the models WS-8400 and RC-8401 is a PROJECTION On/Off Switch. Make sure this switch is in the ON position (#17 in the image below):

   

4. If the problem persists, we have a one year warranty. To replace under warranty, please visit: www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html

No, this feature cannot be modified or controlled. This includes masking one character, or controlling the timing.

If the clock backlight is dim, it is possible the backlight control is set to L (Low).

Reference the figure below, #18 and #19 below:

Make sure switch #18 LIGHT is switched to ON.

Make sure switch #19 is set to H (High)

If the backlight is off, make sure the clock is plugged into AC power, and if on a switchable outlet, the switch is turned on.

The center pin is positive.

The dimensions are:

3.5 mm OD

1.35 mm ID

There is a short circuit in the sensor, and needs to be replaced. We have a one year warranty. Please visit: www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html

For out of warranty replacement, please visit:

https://www.ambientweather.com/amtx8300.html