UPBV2 using external environment sensor request

Feature requests / 3rd party software development
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cwoodhou
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2021 9:27 pm

UPBV2 using external environment sensor request

Post by cwoodhou »

The sensor on the UPBV2 is not the best, and I'm on my second one. All my others sensors agree closely but are different to the one supplied with the UPBV2.
Please would you consider permitting an ASCOM connection to a 3rd party environmental sensor as an option? It might be something you want to also consider, since you have your own sensor unit now and may want to have environmental input into the mount too at some point.

thanks
cwoodhou
Posts: 30
Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2021 9:27 pm

Re: UPBV2 using external environment sensor request

Post by cwoodhou »

bumping this request, I do not want a third replacement - the external sensor used for the UPBV2 is its weakest link - there are so many other devices that share their data through ASCOMObservingConditions that it would be preferable to discard this sensor altogether. What are your thoughts?
ArieDome29
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2022 5:38 pm

Re: UPBV2 using external environment sensor request

Post by ArieDome29 »

I am on my 2nd sensor as well.
Still the humidity is too often way off.
Most of the time it sits at 99%
Whereas other sensors in my dome show values @ 80%
I have also checked this using a well calibrated hair-type humidity gauge.

This humidity measurement cannot be realistically used for the offered auto-dew function.
Temperature indication is alright.

I ordered a bunch of these sensors from China. They are not too expensive. Haven't tried them yet.
What I also did get was this gimmick. It allows me over my wifi to quickly check temp and humid in my observatory. It even has 2 switches for a air dryer and a fan heater, if I want to connect these.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003 ... Uj2G7neZg9
Moes sensor.jpg
Moes sensor.jpg (49.25 KiB) Viewed 1496 times
It uses the same sensor as the UPBV2 does.
But this device does somehow show realistic values.
I think he discrepancy is caused by the UPBV2 software not the sensor itself.
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Evans
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Re: UPBV2 using external environment sensor request

Post by Evans »

Hello
It is not going to work as the pinout is custom and the model is different.
There is also a high risk of damaging the device if you short wire the wrong pins.

A 99% indicates a wrong sensor placement. Sensor should not get a direct hit of high moisture (water droplets).
It is better to be placed under the telescope's dovetail
ArieDome29
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2022 5:38 pm

Re: UPBV2 using external environment sensor request

Post by ArieDome29 »

I have the sensor on the side of my telescope at the center of the dome.
The telescope stands in a watertight dome. Scopedome
There is no condensation. I usually have a air dryer running to keep humidity @75%
Other sensors from my dome control, my mount (Astromi box) and 2 independent ones all agree.
Apart from the UPBV2 which insists on showing >90% most of the time.

It is not a problem for me, because I do not use the auto-dew function and I get my measurements from other devices.
But I notice that more users are experiencing this discrepancy.

Thanks for the warning Evans. I do not intent to fry my valued UPBV2.
It is to dear to me.
ArieDome29
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2022 5:38 pm

Re: UPBV2 using external environment sensor request

Post by ArieDome29 »

I opened up the sensors that I mentioned above.
Despite what is written on them, they are NOT identical to the chip used on the UPB V2
Thank you once more Evans for warning.

Still the issue remains that it appears to be not easy to do a reliable measurement of the humidity.
bandicam 2022-12-18 17-46-27-901.jpg
bandicam 2022-12-18 17-46-27-901.jpg (439.63 KiB) Viewed 1465 times
The analogue (calibrated) hygrometer (not pictured here) showed 63%
The white display on the right is the app from the gimmick I showed above.
Its sensor was 10cm away from the UPB V2 sensor.
The Astromi MGP weather box is a device used by 10Micron users.
The Scopedome also has its own sensor box mounted higher up in the dome

The UPB V2 doesn't indicate 99%, but still is remarkably higher than the other indications.

Coming back to the topic starters' request: which value to believe to be accurate?
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