Davis Vantage Vue Frequently Asked Question Guide

The Davis Vantage Vue is one of the world's most popular weather stations. Boasting an impressive range of features, the Vantage Vue is excellent quality, value-for-money, and suited to both home and professional applications.

Instrument Choice scientists have compiled this in-depth FAQ guide that includes tips on extending battery life, changing batteries, exchanging the transmitter ID, adjusting the contrast on the indoor console, and more.

How long do the batteries last in the Davis Vantage Vue Console?

Indoor Console

The Davis Vantage Vue console has two sources of power; AC power and batteries. While the unit can run solely off battery power, we recommend AC power with battery backup. This combination will protect against any power outages. Console batteries will generally last around nine months if used exclusively. The table below gives an indication of battery life based on usage and set up. The time scales generated assume premium alkaline batteries. Actual battery life will vary depending on station setup and usage.

Outdoor Console

Batteries in the outdoor console can be changed less frequently. They should last a minimum of eight months without sunlight and can illuminate for more than two years with adequate solar charging.

What is 'Low Battery Transmitter 1' error?

The outdoor console uses a 3V CR123 battery. When the battery becomes low, the indoor console will display a "Low battery on transmitter 1" error message. Change the battery as per the instructions below. Note: even after changing the battery, the error message warning will not reset until midnight, so don't panic! In other words, even after inserting a new battery, the warning message will remain for a time – and this is normal.

How to Change the Batteries in the indoor console and outdoor sensor suite

Indoor Console

The console takes three C-cell batteries.

1. Flip the console over and unclip the rear battery cover.

2. Remove the spent batteries and dispose of these correctly.

3. Insert three new C-Cell batteries while ensuring the correct polarity.

4. Once inserted correctly, all the LCD elements will light up on the console.

5. Press and hold 'DONE' to enter straight into the main screen.

6. Once you are satisfied that the batteries are working correctly, reinstall the rear battery cover by clicking into place.

7. The battery replacement in your weather station console is now complete.

Outdoor Sensor Suite

The outdoor sensor suite takes a single lithium 3V CR123 battery.

1. Locate the battery compartment of the outdoor sensor suite on the base under the transmitter ID button. Unscrew and remove the cover to reveal the battery.

2. Remove the spent battery and dispose of it correctly.

3. Insert the new lithium 3V CR123 battery, observing the polarity.

4. Replace the battery cover and screw it into place.

5. To verify power, wait 30 seconds, then press and release the transmitter ID button. A green LED will illuminate.

6. The battery replacement in the weather station outdoor sensor suite is now complete.

How to Change Transmitter ID on a Davis Vantage Vue

If you are having trouble getting data from your Vantage Vue sensor suite or your data seems incorrect, you may be getting interference from another weather station that is within the transmission range. The most straightforward remedy is to change the transmitter ID on your station and console. When changing the transmitter ID, you must remember to update it on both the outdoor sensor suite and the indoor console.

Outdoor Sensor Suite

1. To check the current ID press and release the transmitter ID button quickly. The LED will blink once. Then, after a short pause, it will blink any number of times between 1-8. The number of blinks corresponds with the transmitter ID channel.

2. To change the ID, push and hold the transmitter ID button until the LED light begins to flash quickly. This flashing indicates the device is in setup mode.

3. Release the button, and the LED will go dark.

4. Push the button the number of times equal to your desired new transmitter ID. For example: if you are after channel 4, press four times.

5. Wait until four seconds has elapsed with no further button pressing, the LED will blink the same number of times as the new transmitter ID. The outdoor sensor suite ID is now updated.

Indoor Console

1. To change the indoor console, you need to enter the setup mode. To do so, press the '2^nd' then setup buttons.

2. Press the done button a couple of times until you land on the STA (Current ID Number) VUE ISS Screen.

3. Press the + or – button to turn the reception of signals from the channel on or off. Press < or > to move between transmitter IDs. While on this screen, turn the old transmitter ID off and turn on STA # VUE ISS to match the updated outdoor sensor suite transmitter ID. In the example above, we adjusted the outdoor console to channel 4. So to match this, the indoor console should read STA 4 VUE ISS.

4. Once the ID you wish to use is on and all other IDs are off, return to the main screen by pressing and holding 'DONE.'

5. Give the outdoor sensor suite some time to sync up with the indoor console. Once outdoor weather data is being received, the change over is complete.

Why is wind direction showing incorrectly?

If your wind direction is showing a different value than the physical vane on the ISS, you can always recalibrate it to the correct position using the "set" command on your console when the console's display highlights "wind direction."

However, a common issue is wind vane that's incorrectly installed. To avoid this on initial installation, follow these steps:

1. Hold the sensor suite assembly on its side with the anemometer and radiation shields on your left, the wind vane shaft on your right, and the wind cups away from you.

2. When you position the sensor suite in this manner, the wind vane shaft will be horizontal and orient itself so that its flat side will be facing to the right.

3. Holding the sensor suite assembly with your left hand, grasp the wind vane with your right hand so that the "arrowhead" points down.

4. Gently slide the wind vane onto the wind vane shaft, twist the wind vane slightly left and right if necessary, until the end of the shaft is visible and protrudes slightly from the bottom of the wind vane.

5. Secure the wind vane to the shaft by firmly tightening the wind vane set screw with the included Allen key.

Trouble Seeing the Indoor Console Screen?

If you are having trouble reading the indoor console screen with the backlight on and off, you can simply adjust the contrast of the screen. To do so:

1. Press and release '2nd^.'

2. Press the '+' key to darken the segments on the console. Then press the '-'key to lighten the segments displaying on the console.

Other Unusual Readings?

Just like your car, your home, or your health, regular quality maintenance is critical for those things you rely on to work correctly. To ensure accuracy and consistency, you should clean your station semi-regularly. Cleaning your station is also a great place to start your troubleshooting when inconsistencies occur. The team at Instrument Choice has created a step-by-step guide called "How to Clean a Davis Vantage Vue Weather Station." Click here to view this guide.

Conclusion

The Davis Vantage Vue weather station is a powerful scientific instrument that's capable of providing you valuable local weather data – if you maintain it adequately! Therefore, feel free to contact an Instrument Choice scientist with any questions you may have. We know Davis Weather Stations inside out and are ready to answer all your questions! Call 1300 737 871 or email [email protected].