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.

If the weather station is showing the wrong day of the week:

1. Make sure the year is correct.
2. Make sure the month-day format is MM-DD and DD-MM (day/month vs month/day).
3. Make sure the time zone is set correctly if the console time is radio controlled or obtained over the Internet.
4. Make sure AM/PM is correct. If the clock is 12 hours ahead or behind, it can show the wrong day half of time.

To set the dip switches in an 8 channel sensor, there are three dip switches with 8 different combinations.

After you set the dip switches, you must always power down and up the remote sensor by removing and reinserting the batteries for the change to take effect.

Why do we do it this way instead of an 8 position switch? The reason is 8 position switches are much more difficult to implement, less reliable and takes up more space.

If the temperature or humidity does not match between what is displayed on the remote sensor and what is displayed on the console:

1. If you own more than one remote sensor:
   The sensor has a channel number displayed on it, next to the temperature. Make sure that that Channel Number displayed on sensor matches the channel number shown on the display. If they do not match, refer to your User Manual on how to switch the channel display.
2. It is possible the temperature or humidity were adjusted or calibrated unintentionally. Refer to your individual User Manual on how to remove or correct the adjustment from the console.

   Here is an example:

• Remote sensor reads 70.0
• Console for the same sensor channel reads 71.2
• Adjust the console down 1.2 degrees to match 70.0.

1. The sensor receives the radio controlled time and sends it to the console. For the radio controlled clock to work, you must have one or more sensors communicating to the console.
2. Check the remote sensor for the Radio Controlled Clock (RCC) icon:
   
3. If the sensor is receiving the signal (icon is on), try moving the sensor closer to the console.
4. If the sensor is not receiving the signal (icon is off):
5. Make sure the sensor is not near or surrounded by metal.
6. Try moving the sensor to a new location to receive a clear line of sight to the WWVB clock in Colorado.
7. If the problem persists, please reference:Clock Never Synchronizes To The Atomic Clock, Is Off By Increments Of An Hour, Or Does Not Adjust To Daylight Savings Time (DST)
   
8. If the problem persists after reading the Help Article above, the issue is likely with the remote sensor.We have a one year warranty. To replace under warranty, please visit: www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html.
9. If out of warranty, a replacement sensor is available here:https://www.ambientweather.com/amwh32m.html

You will want to calculate your barometric pressure to an official reporting station in your area.  Since barometric pressure does not drastically change in a 50 mile radius (unless the weather is rapidly changing), this method of calibration is acceptable.

To determine the relative pressure for your location, locate an official reporting station near you using Ambientweather.net/baro , and set your weather station to match the official reporting station.

To calibrate the relative pressure, you must be in the SET Mode. To enter the SET mode, press and hold the SET button for two seconds. Refer to the table below.

Note that it is the second of the pressure settings. The first changes the pressure units of measure, the second is the relative pressure calibration. It is a common mistake to confuse the two settings.

When the relative pressure is flashing, press the TEMP/+ button to increase the barometer value and BARO/- to decrease the barometer value from the official source.

If you have multiple wireless sensors, while in normal mode, press the SET/CH key to the different channels. Temperature, humidity, and MAX/MIN records will be displayed for each channel.

To scroll automatically, press the channel button again, and the scroll icon   will be displayed next to the channel number, and will scroll every 5 seconds.

To turn off the scroll feature, press the channel button when the scroll icon is on . It will turn off and display channel 1.

Temperature errors can occur when a sensor is placed too close to a heat source (such as a building structure, the ground or trees).

To calibrate temperature, we recommend a mercury or red spirit (fluid) thermometer. Here is an example:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00551N8Q2

Bi-metal (dial) and digital thermometers (from other weather stations) are not a good source and have their own margin of error. Using a local weather station in your area is a poor source, due to changes in location, timing (airport weather stations are only updated once per hour) and possible calibration errors (many official weather stations are not properly installed and calibrated).

1. Place the sensor in a shaded, controlled environment next to the red spirit thermometer, and allow the sensor to stabilize for 3 hours. We recommend bringing both sensors inside.  Compare this temperature to the red spirit thermometer and adjust the console to match the fluid thermometer.
2. Adjust the temperature from the console.  Note that the sensor will always read the non-calibrated or measured value.
3. While in the normal node, press and hold the SET/CH and BARO/- keys for five seconds to enter calibration mode (note: the SET/CH mode will appear after three seconds. Continue pressing the two keys until you see the CAL icon appear in the upper right hand corner of the display).
4. Enter the calibration offset to match the calibration source. Here is a detailed guide for all of the settings:

   

   Example:
   The calibrated temperature from a red spirit thermometer, or actual temperature is 60.0 °F.
   The uncalibrated or measured temperature is 58.7 °F.
   Offset = Calibrated Temperature – Uncalibrated Temperature = 60.0 – 58.7 = 1.3 °F.
   Enter the temperature offset +1.3 °F.

To perform a factory reset of the console, press and hold the SET button while the console is powering up.
After the power up sequence is completed, let go of the SET button:

1. Remove the batteries
2. Disconnect from AC Power.
3. Press and hold the SET button.
4. Reconnect AC Power.
5. Wait for power up sequence to complete (about 10 seconds)
6. Let go of the SET button.

1. The backlight has three settings – high, medium and low. Press the LIGHT/SNOOZE button to toggle the screen brightness between HIGH, MEDIUM and
   LOW. If the backlight does not stay on,
2. Check the AC adapter is working. Remove the batteries but leave the console plugged into AC power. Make sure the console is not on a switched AC outlet. If the console completely powers off, there is a problem with the AC adapter, or the connection to the console.
3. Unplug and re-plug the AC adapter to make sure it is firmly plugged into the clock.
4. If you have a volt meter, check for that the AC adapter is working. It should measure about 5 Volts. If the AC adapter measures zero volts, it must be replaced. We have a one year warranty. Please visit: www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html
   If out of warranty, the AC adapter can be replaced here:https://www.ambientweather.com/amws2800ac.html
5. If the problem persists, try a factory reset.  To perform a factory reset of the console, press and hold the SET button while the console is
   powering up. After the power up sequence is completed, let go of the SET button.
6. If the problem persists, the console must be replaced.
   We have a one year warranty. Please visit: www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html
   If out of warranty, the console can be replaced here:https://www.ambientweather.com/amwewsadwico.html

If the console flashes or resets randomly and repeatedly:

1. Check the connector in the back of the console for a lose connection.
2. Check the AC adapter for a lose connection.
3. Remove the batteries and plug back in. If the problem persists:
4. We have a one year warranty. To replace under warranty, please visit: www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html.
5. If out of warranty, a replacement sensor is available here:https://www.ambientweather.com/amwh32m.html

If the time is incorrect by multiples of an hour, you likely set the incorrect time zone. The most common issue for users in the USA is to set a positive time zone instead of a negative time zone (example, +5 instead of -5).

The following table summarizes time zones around the world.

Make sure your time zone agrees with the time zone programmed into the console SET MODE:

The Models WS-1171B, WS-1172,  and WS-1173 were discontinued. Replacement sensors are no longer available.

We recommend the following similar replacements:

WS-2801A (requires an AC adapter):

https://www.ambientweather.com/amws2800.html

WS-2700 (optional AC adapter):

https://ambientweather.com/amws2700.html

To change the daily high and low reset settings, you must enter the SET Mode.

To enter the SET Mode, press and hold the SET/CH button for two seconds.  Beep ON/OFF will flash.

Press the SET/CH button again (do not hold) and RST will flash.

Press TEMP/+ or BARO/- to toggle OFF and ON.

OFF resets manually.
ON resets at midnight.

Here is a review of the settings in the User Manual:

The Ambient Weather WS-2800 only supported one outdoor sensor.

The WS-2801 added three channel sensor support.

The WS-2801A added scroll mode to the WS-2801.

The WS-2700 Removed AC power requirement for console.

To turn the beep off, you must be is SET Mode. To enter the SET mode, press and hold the SET button for 2 seconds, and the function BEEP will flash. Press the TEMP/+ button to toggle on or off.

The WS-2800 only supported one remote wireless sensor. The WS-2801 supports up to three wireless remote sensors.

The WS-2801A adds scroll mode, which allows you to view all three channels without pressing any buttons.

To switch between relative and absolute pressure on the display, press and hold the BARO/- button for two seconds.

If the indoor temperature sensor is not changing or reads 14 or 140 degF all of the time, the console must be replaced.

We have a one year warranty. To replace the console under warranty, please visit:

www.AmbientWeather.com/rma.html

For out of warranty replacement, visit:

https://www.ambientweather.com/amwewsadwico2.html

While in normal mode, Press (do not hold) the TEMP/+ key to view the Dew Point in the outdoor temperature field. If key idle 30 seconds, the display will return to normal mode.

To exit the Dew Point display mode, press the SNOOZE/LIGHT key (on the top of the display console), or wait 30 seconds for the timeout to take effect.