Frequently Asked Questions

Simply moving your display console (or receiver) to a different location may easily fix the communication issue.

We recommend the following best practices for trouble free wireless communication.

1. Fresh Batteries. If applicable, make sure there are fresh batteries in both the console and remote. Remember to power up the console last when changing batteries. Do not use rechargeable batteries. They have a lower voltage and lower range than non-rechargeable batteries.
2. Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI). Keep the console several feet away from computers, TVs and electronic cables.
3. Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). If you have other 433/915 MHz devices and communication is intermittent, try turning off these other devices for troubleshooting purposes. You may need to relocate the transmitters or receivers to avoid intermittent communication.
4. Cold Weather. If the temperature is below < 10 degF, use e2 energizer batteries (Lithium), available in most stores batteries are sold (blue in color). Alkaline and NMH (nickel metal hydride) batteries do not operate below 10 degF.
5. Sensor orientation.  To insure proper communication, mount the remote sensor on a vertical surface, such as a wall.  Do not lay the sensor flat if this is a small remote sensor.
6. Line of Sight Rating. This device is rated at 300 feet line of sight (no interference, barriers or walls) but typically you will get 100 feet maximum under most real-world installations, which include passing through barriers or walls.
7. Metal Barriers. Radio frequency will not pass through metal barriers such as aluminum siding. If you have metal siding, align the remote and console through a window to get a clear line of sight.
8. Defective Sensor. It is possible the remote sensor is defective. If you have not done so already, to replace under one year warranty, please visit AmbientWeather.com/rma.html

The following is a table of reception loss vs. the transmission medium. Each “wall” or obstruction decreases the transmission range by the factor shown below.

Temperature can read too low (or inaccurate) at night when placed close to a radiant heat source, like a house, building or structure.  It can also read lower then other stations in your area due to irrigation or sprinklers.

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. For colder temperature verification, place the sensor with the red spirit thermometer in the regrigerator or freezer.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. We have a one year warranty and a 30 day return policy. For details, please visit: www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html
7. While at the website, enter the part number of the transmitter in the Search by Keyword to locate the product.

The saturated salt solution test is an easy method for testing the accuracy of your humidity sensor. Most electronic sensors are accurate from +/- 3 to 5% humidity, and some weather stations or weather centers can be calibrated from the display console by applying a bias.

1. Mix common table salt with tap water until you have a completely saturated solution with no standing water.
2. Place about 1 inch of the saturated salt solution in an open container or bowl that is approximately 4 inches high. The 3 inches above the solution will contain air with a predictable humidity value. You can use a cut away container as shown in the figure below. One edge of the container is cut slightly lower to rest the sensor on the lip.
3. Place this container and the sensors in a waterproof zip lock plastic bag, as shown in the figure below. Leave one of the corners open and remove all of the remaining air with a straw. Close the air tight bag.
4. Leave the sensor in the bag for four days or 96 hours to completely stabilize.
5. The sensor should read 75% plus or minus the sensors rated margin of error. For example, if the sensor is rated at +/- 5%, the display should read between 70 and 80% relative humidity.
6. If the sensor is adjustable or calibrateable, set the humidity on the display to 75%.
7. Repeat this procedure once per year to account for electronic drift (sensor contamination).

   
   The images above show a table salt slurry of 1″ height mixed in a container about 3″ tall. This solution is then placed in a plastic bag with the sensor.

1. Place the sensor inside next to the indoor console sensor. Wait about 24 hours for stabilization. The sensors should agree within the accuracy specifications. Most digital capacitive hygrometer sensors are accurate within +/- 5%. Thus, the sensors should agree within 10% when considering full tolerance stack up.Note that humidity accuracy, like most other measurement parameters, are a percentage of full scale, and not a percentage of point.
2. Sling psychrometers are very accurate. Perform a formal calibration. The humidity should agree within 5% of the  rating. You can also make your own calibration kit. For details, visit:

Testing The Accuracy Of A Hygrometer - Saturated Salt Test?

3.   Place the sensor in a shaded area on the north side of the structure to avoid direct and radiant heat.

4.  Humidity is significantly impacted by external factors like location and water (grass, lakes, rivers, etc). Insure proper installation. You cannot use a source like the National Weather Service. There are several reasons:

• The NWS may update once per hour.
• The NWS has strict installation guidelines (no unnatural structures, bodies of water, or unnatural vegetation nearby).

5.  If the problem persists, we have a one year warranty. Visit: www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html

None of the Ambient Weather Stations support repeaters or boosters at this point in time.

If the sensor(s) have stopped communicating to your console,  it may be as simple as placing the remote(s) (powered up) about 10 feet away from the console, power down and up the console by removing one or more batteries, disconnecting from AC power (if applicable), wait 30 seconds, and put the batteries back in, then wait several minutes to resync.

DO NOT TOUCH ANY BUTTONS and look for the search icon. Wait until the search icon turns off before pressing any buttons.

If you have more than one sensor, make sure they are programmed to transmit on different channels.

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

The indoor temperature, indoor humidity, and outdoor temperature can be reset every 24 hours (based on when the batteries are inserted), or never.

Press the High / Low Record button (on the back, #4 below) to switch between reset 24 hours or never.

The Hi/Lo icon will appear on the display. Make sure this icon is on.

To reset the highs and lows, remove and reinsert the battery inside the console. If Reset 24 hour option is selected, the highs and lows will reset 24 hours after the battery is inserted.

Product Manual
https://ambientweather.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/507/

Product Page
https://www.ambientweather.com/amws0270.html

If the temperature sensor is stuck at the same temperature (examples, 14 degF, 77 degF, or 140 degF), the sensor is no longer working and the console will need replacing.

We have a one year warranty. For more information, please visit:

www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html

If out of warranty, the console can be replaced here:

https://www.ambientweather.com/amws0270c.html

Product Manual
https://ambientweather.com/mwdownloads/download/link/id/507/

Product Page
https://www.ambientweather.com/amws0270.html