Everythin345Archies™Ecowitt WH57 Wireless Lightning Detection Sensor with Solar Radiation Shield, Detects Lightning Bolts and Storms within 25 Miles

Ecowitt WH57 Wireless Lightning Detection Sensor with Solar Radiation Shield: A Comprehensive Guide

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the Ecowitt WH57 Wireless Lightning Detection Sensor with Solar Radiation Shield, detailing its features, functionalities, installation, usage, and troubleshooting, ensuring optimal performance and safety.

Product Overview

The Ecowitt WH57 Lightning Detection Sensor is designed for comprehensive lightning monitoring within a 25-mile radius. It leverages advanced technology to detect lightning strikes and storms, providing real-time data and historical records. This sensor complements Ecowitt's wider range of weather monitoring solutions, enhancing situational awareness and preparedness.

Key Features and Functionality

The sensor's critical feature lies in its capability to detect lightning strikes and associated storms within a 25-mile radius. This empowers users with timely information to take appropriate precautions. Furthermore, the sensor facilitates versatile configuration options:

• Adjustable Sensitivity: This sensor differentiates itself with selectable high, mid, or low sensitivity levels. This flexibility allows users to tailor the sensor's response to their specific needs, adjusting detection sensitivity to avoid false triggering or missed detections.
• Robust Wireless Communication: The sensor boasts an extended wireless range of 300 feet (100 meters) in optimal conditions, ensuring reliable connectivity.
• Regular Data Transmission: The sensor transmits readings at intervals of 79 seconds, providing continuous monitoring of atmospheric conditions, which includes lightning detection results.
• Intuitive Interface: It features a clear on-device indication through LED lights, providing a visual confirmation of activity. This allows users to instantly ascertain the status of the device.
• Data Accessibility: The sensor's capabilities extend to seamless data integration with compatible Ecowitt gateway/console devices (GW1100/GW2000, HP2550/HP3500/WN1900) for displaying real-time data, including lightning counts, timings, and distances.
• Remote Monitoring: Users can leverage online platforms such as the Ecowitt Weather Server (ecowitt.net) for comprehensive data visualization and historical analysis, providing a long-term view of lightning activity patterns.
• Email Alerts: The sensor incorporates email alert functionality, notifying users of detected lightning strikes via email alerts from the Ecowitt Weather Server. This provides a proactive warning system.
• Battery Power & Life: The device utilizes two 1.5V AA batteries, delivering substantial operational longevity (approximately one year) under typical usage conditions.

Installation and Setup

Careful installation procedures are crucial for reliable and accurate data collection.

1. Placement: Position the sensor in an open area, free from obstructions, to maximize its wireless coverage and to prevent interference.
2. Antenna Configuration: Leave the antenna configuration setting, determined by the internal antenna, unchanged.
3. Sensitivity Adjustment: Adjust the sensitivity settings through the dip switch options to maximize accuracy based on your environment and observed false detections/missed lightning events.
4. Dip Switch Configuration: The device features dip switches for customizing outdoor/indoor settings and adjusting detection sensitivity. The default setting (dip switch 1) is for outdoor use. Dip switch 2 is for the antenna, which should remain unchanged. Dip switches 3 and 4 are used to adjust detection sensitivity. Detailed instructions on handling the dip switch configuration are provided in the guide accompanying the sensor.
5. Gateway Connection: For real-time monitoring and data transmission, connect the sensor to an Ecowitt WIFI gateway or display console (GW1100/GW2000, HP2550/HP3500/WN1900) using a Wi-Fi network. Detailed instructions for connecting the device to the network will be included in the product manual.
6. Data Access: After successful network configuration, use the Ecowitt app or WS View Plus to access real-time lightning data, including recent strikes and graphical recordings, on the Ecowitt Weather Server.

Operational Considerations

Users are advised to follow these guidelines to ensure correct operation and sustained reliability:

• Installation Context: Install the sensor on a clear day, avoiding any potential disruptive weather conditions.
• Environmental Considerations: The sensor operates reliably within temperatures of -40°C (-40°F) to 50°C (122°F); however, ensure its operation is within the established parameters, as failure to respect that could lead to potential device or user injury.
• Battery Care: Employ only non-rechargeable Li-ion batteries. Non adherence to this will render the product inoperable.
• Maintenance Procedures: Periodically inspect the sensor for signs of damage and ensure the location remains unobstructed to maintain consistent, accurate readings.

Troubleshooting

Any difficulties faced during operation can be addressed by checking these points:

• Connectivity Issues: Ensure a stable, strong Wi-Fi signal and that the gateway/console is correctly configured. Researched and resolved any problematic Wi-Fi signal issues by contacting your Wi-Fi provider or network administrator.
• Data Errors: Review the sensor's sensitivity settings to ensure these match expected results in your location; use the sensitivity adjustment feature to fine-tune results. Reposition the sensor in a more open area.

Safety Precautions

The sensor's operating environment should prioritize safety.

• Lightning Proximity: The detection of lightning strikes in close proximity requires immediate precautions. Avoid locations that can increase risk of exposure to lightning.

Conclusion

The Ecowitt WH57 Wireless Lightning Detection Sensor offers comprehensive lightning monitoring capabilities. Its user-friendly design, adjustable sensitivity, and integration with the Ecowitt Weather Server provide a valuable solution for both individuals and professionals seeking real-time monitoring. By adhering to installation guidelines and operational considerations, users can maximize the sensor's accuracy and efficiency. Understanding the specific circumstances required for a correct install and operational conditions can help negate malfunction.

Setup Guide

Indoor/outdoor: Dip switch 1, default setting is for "outdoor", no matter the sensor is placed indoor or outdoor, set this dip switch to outdoor to avoid system picks up noise and triggering false lightning.

Antenna: Dip switch 2, default setting is for long antenna, as this is the antenna used inside.Please do not make any change with this dip switch setting.

Sensitivity: Dip switch 3,4. Default setting is for sensitivity between high and mid. If you think the sensor picked up a lot false lightning strikes, then please try with sensitivity Mid or Low. If sensor missed lightning detection, you may try with high sensitivity setting. If set to high sensitivity and still has missed lightning detection, then you may try with Dip switch 1 for "Indoor" setting to make the system even with higher gain and make the system most sensitive.

Live Data on APP & Graph & History Records on Ecowitt Weather Server

Requires a GW1100/GW2000 WIFI gateway or HP2550/HP3500/WN1900 display console(sold separately) to connect to WiFi, after the WIFI configuration, you can monitor number of strikes daily, and the time & distance of the last strike detected within a 25-mile radius of your location on the Live Data page of the WS View Plus or Ecowitt app (requires the gateway and your phone is using the same Wi-Fi network).

Supported to upload to our free Ecowitt Weather server(ecowitt.net) to view the lightning strikes graph and download the history records on the website; it's recommended to add a shortcut of the website on the home screen of your phone for quick access.

Lightning Detection Sensor

Detects lightning bolts and storms within 25 miles (40 kilometers) the data can be viewed on our free WS View Plus or Ecowitt App after the WiFi configuration(requires a GW1100/GW2000 gateway(sold separately) (Accessory Only, Can Not Be Used Alone)

Email Alerts

Receive Email Alerts from the Ecowitt Weather Server; Remote monitoring with smart phone, laptop, or computer by visiting the website. Battery power level display on the WS View Plus App & battery alert function on the Ecowitt Weather Server.

Specifications

Note

• Only install the sensor on a clear day when no rain or lightning will likely to happen. Fatal injury can be caused if avoid following this requirement.

• Once lightning strikes detected, the led light will flash once, and the ecowitt.net will push email alerts at the same time.

• NiMh rechargeable batteries are prohibited using on this device. Li-ion none rechargeable is recommended(batteries not included).

• 2 batteries could last for about one year(batteries not included).

Package List

1 X Lightning Detection Sensor
1 X Solar Radiation shield + 1 X Mounting arm

(The stainless steel rod in the picture is not included)