How to wire up the Wind Direction guage

Sensors Environmental
1

Hi, I’ve just received by Weather Station - Weather Meter Kit SEN-15901. Rain and Wind speed are working fine - but having issues with the wind direction. I’ve tried powering directly from my Raspberry PI 3.3v as well as PI 3.3v and then a 10K resistor. And read the return value through a MCP3008. I know the MCP3008 is working properly as I use it for 2 other sensors.

With the wind direction I seem to be getting good values for about 270 degrees of direction, but there is a “dead” zone when I always receive the same value from the MSP3008 through approximately an 90 range.

Is this the appropriate wiring method - should I be using 3.3 or 5 volts? Should I be using a resistor on the voltage, and is so what size. I am assuming it is correct to be measuring the voltage thru the MSP3008, but again tell me if this is wrong.

Thanks and appreciate any suggestions.

2

Think of the wind vane as one resistor in a 2 resistor voltage divider. The wind vane changes resistance as it rotates and that changes the output voltage from your voltage divider and that’s what you sense.

Voltage doesn’t really matter, just use whatever is compatible with the rest of your system. (probably 3.3 volts if you’re connecting an ADC to a Pi.)

If you’re getting the same value for a 90 degree range, it sounds like one of the switches inside the wind vane isn’t working.

If you purchased this directly off our website, just [fill in the form on this page with your order number and the URL to this forum post and we can replace it for you.

If you purchased from a distributor or Amazon you will need to let them know you have a defective product and arrange with them for an exchange.](Return Policy - SparkFun Electronics)