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This is the <big>Cumulus 1 FAQ</big> (consult also the Help screens within Cumulus software, and learn more from the rest of this Wiki) | This is the | ||
<big>Cumulus 1 FAQ</big> | |||
(consult also the Help screens within Cumulus software, and learn more from the rest of this Wiki) | |||
Some references to other flavours of Cumulus are included here. There is also a separate FAQ specifically for [[Cumulus MX FAQ|Cumulus MX]]. | Some references to other flavours of Cumulus are included here. There is also a separate FAQ specifically for [[Cumulus MX FAQ|Cumulus MX]]. | ||
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Cumulus | == What operating systems does Cumulus run on? == | ||
Cumulus | Cumulus 1 - All versions of Windows from XP to Windows 10 inclusive (and the server versions). It works on 32 bit and 64 bit editions. It may also work on Windows 2000, but this is not supported. You will probably not be able to get it to work on Windows 2000 with a Fine Offset station. | ||
Cumulus 1 | == Where do I find the Cumulus 1 installer? == | ||
All available via the [[[[Downloads|Downloads page]]]] in this Wiki | |||
== What do I need to get right when first getting Cumulus 1? == | |||
The installation process for Cumulus 1 displays '''readme.txt''', that has many tips. See also [[Setup]]. Below are three key points. | The installation process for Cumulus 1 displays '''readme.txt''', that has many tips. See also [[Setup]]. Below are three key points. | ||
# Install Cumulus in its own directory directly under a drive root. | # Install Cumulus in its own directory directly under a drive root. | ||
# Connect your weather station before you start Cumulus | # Connect your weather station before you start Cumulus | ||
# When you first run Cumulus, it displays the '''Station settings''' screen. On this, make sure you pick the right sort of station (to ensure Cumulus communicates correctly with your weather station, and can identify all the observations) and choose your '''units''' wisely. (Changing units later means all stored Lowest and highest numbers up to that point have to be converted immediately manually). See the '''Help''' for information about the rest of the screen, but generally you can easily adjust the other options later. | # When you first run Cumulus 1, it displays the '''Station settings''' screen. On this, make sure you pick the right sort of station (to ensure Cumulus communicates correctly with your weather station, and can identify all the observations) and choose your '''units''' wisely. (Changing units later means all stored Lowest and highest numbers up to that point have to be converted immediately manually). See the '''Help''' for information about the rest of the screen, but generally you can easily adjust the other options later. | ||
== What weather stations does Cumulus work with? == | == What weather stations does Cumulus 1 work with? == | ||
{{Version badge 1}}Reminder, this FAQ answer is ONLY for Cumulus 1 | {{Version badge 1}}Reminder, this FAQ answer is ONLY for Cumulus 1 | ||
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*It can be useful to take copies of the Cumulus 'backup' sub-folder on key dates (e.g. at change of month or year), or if you think you might have some rogue figures. The '.ini' files in the backup sub-folder contain past extreme values that you might want to look up. | *It can be useful to take copies of the Cumulus 'backup' sub-folder on key dates (e.g. at change of month or year), or if you think you might have some rogue figures. The '.ini' files in the backup sub-folder contain past extreme values that you might want to look up. | ||
*You should also back up, at least once, your cumulus.ini file in the main Cumulus folder. This contains all the key settings and you need a record of those! | *You should also back up, at least once, your cumulus.ini file in the main Cumulus folder. This contains all the key settings and you need a record of those! | ||
== Moving Cumulus software to a different location on your PC? == | |||
== Moving Cumulus 1 software to a different location on your PC? == | |||
{{Version badge 1}}This article in the wiki gives more details above moving Cumulus: [[Moving cumulus]] | {{Version badge 1}}This article in the wiki gives more details above moving Cumulus: [[Moving cumulus]] | ||
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== I was away on the last day of last month/year - How do I see the final lowest and highest figures for last month/year? == | == I was away on the last day of last month/year - How do I see the final lowest and highest figures for last month/year? == | ||
{{Version badge 1}} | {{Version badge 1}} | ||
'''View''' menu, ''This month'' or ''This year'' screens show some figures for any month or year selected by you, but do not show all the figures shown on a standard web page or as shown on the ''Highs and Lows'' screen for the current month/year. | '''View''' menu, ''This month'' or ''This year'' screens show some figures for any month or year selected by you, but do not show all the figures shown on a standard web page or as shown on the ''Highs and Lows'' screen for the current month/year. | ||
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In a similar manner if you miss the last day of the year, for Cumulus builds 1041 to 1088 see the final 'this year' figures for last year by opening [[year.ini]] from the appropriate backup. | In a similar manner if you miss the last day of the year, for Cumulus builds 1041 to 1088 see the final 'this year' figures for last year by opening [[year.ini]] from the appropriate backup. | ||
== What do the various wind speeds in Cumulus correspond to, with Davis stations? == | == What do the various wind speeds in Cumulus 1 correspond to, with Davis stations? == | ||
Davis station firmware supplies two | Davis station firmware supplies two wind speeds, a 3-second average and a 10-minute average (later versions of the firmware also supply a 2-minute average, Cumulus currently doesn't use this). | ||
* The latest Davis 3-second average is treated by Cumulus as 'Latest' (available via <#wlatest>, matching direction is '<#currentwdir>' and '<#bearing>') | * The latest Davis 3-second average is treated by Cumulus as 'Latest' (available via <#wlatest>, matching direction is '<#currentwdir>' and '<#bearing>') | ||
* The highest of the station's 3-second readings over the previous 10 (configurable by adding ''AvgSpeedMinutes=N'' in [[Cumulus.ini#Section:_Station]] where 'N' is number of) minutes becomes the Cumulus 'Gust (available via <#wgust>, no matching direction web tag). Note that the WMO definition of a wind gust is the mean wind speed over a 2 to 3 second sample period (so Cumulus reports this within an extended 10, or as configured, minute period, not the 'latest' gust). | * The highest of the station's 3-second readings over the previous 10 (configurable by adding ''AvgSpeedMinutes=N'' in [[Cumulus.ini#Section:_Station]] where 'N' is number of) minutes becomes the Cumulus 'Gust (available via <#wgust>, no matching direction web tag). Note that the WMO definition of a wind gust is the mean wind speed over a 2 to 3 second sample period (so Cumulus reports this within an extended 10, or as configured, minute period, not the 'latest' gust). | ||
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If the Cumulus figure seems lower than the Davis figure see [[#My_Davis_station_shows_a_higher_maximum_wind_speed_than_Cumulus]]. | If the Cumulus figure seems lower than the Davis figure see [[#My_Davis_station_shows_a_higher_maximum_wind_speed_than_Cumulus]]. | ||
== What do the various wind speeds in Cumulus correspond to, with Fine Offset stations? == | == What do the various wind speeds in Cumulus 1 correspond to, with Fine Offset stations? == | ||
Fine Offset sensors measure wind over 48-second intervals, divided into 24 2-second intervals. At the end of each 48-second period, the outdoor unit (anemometer) transmits two values, the "Gust" is calculated from the number of revolutions of the anemometer in last two seconds and the "Average" from the number of revolutions adding all two second counts in the 48 seconds. The console keeps '''overwriting''' the newly received 'Gust' and 'Wind' values to the same area of console memory every 48 seconds, until the station logging interval time is reached, then it moves on to the next memory location, leaving the last values it wrote in the previous console memory location. | Fine Offset sensors measure wind over 48-second intervals, divided into 24 2-second intervals. At the end of each 48-second period, the outdoor unit (anemometer) transmits two values, the "Gust" is calculated from the number of revolutions of the anemometer in last two seconds and the "Average" from the number of revolutions adding all two second counts in the 48 seconds. The console keeps '''overwriting''' the newly received 'Gust' and 'Wind' values to the same area of console memory every 48 seconds, until the station logging interval time is reached, then it moves on to the next memory location, leaving the last values it wrote in the previous console memory location. | ||
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=== Summary with default selections === | === Summary with default selections === | ||
# '<#wgust>' contains "Calculated Wind Gust (highest value for any 2 seconds in last 10 minutes) Speed" reports highest console gust value in last 10 minutes (this is capturing WMO gust definition over a longer 10 minute reporting interval) | # '<#wgust>' contains "Calculated Wind Gust (highest value for any 2 seconds in last 10 minutes) Speed" reports highest console gust value in last 10 minutes (this is capturing WMO gust definition over a longer 10 minute reporting interval) | ||
# '<#wlatest>' contains "Latest Peak (the value for last 2 seconds in 48 seconds prior to storing) Wind Speed" taken from console gust value (this is capturing the latest WMO Gust) | # '<#wlatest>' contains "Latest Peak (the value for last 2 seconds in 48 seconds prior to storing) Wind Speed" taken from console gust value (this is capturing the latest WMO Gust) | ||
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=== In detail with all the configurations === | === In detail with all the configurations === | ||
* The highest of the Fine Offset 'Gust' values over the previous 10 (number fixed and not configured to match any other interval set) minutes becomes what Cumulus reports as the 'Gust' speed ('<#wgust>'). Cumulus does not report a matching direction for this as a web tag, although it will be somewhere in array '<#wdirdata>'. | * The highest of the Fine Offset 'Gust' values over the previous 10 (number fixed and not configured to match any other interval set) minutes becomes what Cumulus reports as the 'Gust' speed ('<#wgust>'). Cumulus does not report a matching direction for this as a web tag, although it will be somewhere in array '<#wdirdata>'. | ||
* The value labelled 'Latest'('<#wlatest>', matching direction is '<#currentwdir>' and '<#bearing>') by Cumulus is Fine Offset console 'Gust' value. (Cumulus also adds each new latest value to the array <#wspddata> and moves the index of the array <#nextwindindex> onto the next position in the circular array. | * The value labelled 'Latest'('<#wlatest>', matching direction is '<#currentwdir>' and '<#bearing>') by Cumulus is Fine Offset console 'Gust' value. (Cumulus also adds each new latest value to the array <#wspddata> and moves the index of the array <#nextwindindex> onto the next position in the circular array. | ||
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Select value for 'N' using ''AvgSpeedMinutes=N'' in [[Cumulus.ini#Section:_Station]]. | Select value for 'N' using ''AvgSpeedMinutes=N'' in [[Cumulus.ini#Section:_Station]]. | ||
== How do I set up recording wind speeds in Cumulus, with Oregon Scientific and La Crosse stations == | == How do I set up recording wind speeds in Cumulus 1, with Oregon Scientific and La Crosse stations == | ||
La Crosse and some Oregon Scientific weather stations only output a single wind speed. To allow Cumulus to calculate 'gust' and 'wind speed' with different values, select the '''Station''' dialogue from the ''Configuration'' menu and set ''Calculate 10 min wind average'' in the 'Settings' frame, so in [[cumulus.ini]] this will produce the parameter 'Wind10MinAverage=1 when cumulus is next stopped. | La Crosse and some Oregon Scientific weather stations only output a single wind speed. To allow Cumulus to calculate 'gust' and 'wind speed' with different values, select the '''Station''' dialogue from the ''Configuration'' menu and set ''Calculate 10 min wind average'' in the 'Settings' frame, so in [[cumulus.ini]] this will produce the parameter 'Wind10MinAverage=1 when cumulus is next stopped. | ||
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See ''LCMaxWind=X'' parameter in [[Cumulus.ini#La_Crosse_specific:]] where X is the maximum (uncalibrated) wind speed in m/s that you want to allow. | See ''LCMaxWind=X'' parameter in [[Cumulus.ini#La_Crosse_specific:]] where X is the maximum (uncalibrated) wind speed in m/s that you want to allow. | ||
== How do I make Cumulus run automatically when Windows starts? == | == How do I make Cumulus 1 run automatically when Windows starts? == | ||
{{Version badge 1}}Reminder, this FAQ answer is ONLY for Cumulus 1 | {{Version badge 1}}Reminder, this FAQ answer is ONLY for Cumulus 1 | ||
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== How does Cumulus handle Daylight Saving Time? == | == How does Cumulus handle Daylight Saving Time? == | ||
Cumulus provides the option for you to use rollover at 9am winter time that is preserved throughout the year so all days are 24 hours long even when clock changes, simply click "Use 10am in summer" on the Station settings. | Cumulus provides the option for you to use rollover at 9am winter time that is preserved throughout the year so all days are 24 hours long even when clock changes, simply click "Use 10am in summer" on the Station settings. | ||
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*See Fine Offset forum discussions for further information. | *See Fine Offset forum discussions for further information. | ||
== What formula does Cumulus use for values derived from temperature? == | == What formula does Cumulus 1 use for values derived from temperature? == | ||
[[Temperature_(and_humidity)_measurement#Cumulus_Calculated_Parameters|see Cumulus_Calculated_Parameters]] | [[Temperature_(and_humidity)_measurement#Cumulus_Calculated_Parameters|see Cumulus_Calculated_Parameters]] | ||
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For stations which supply a rain rate, Cumulus uses that. For stations which don't supply a rain rate (e.g. Fine Offset and La Crosse), Cumulus simply takes the rain total from the last five minutes and calculates a rate based on that; e.g. a single tip of 0.3mm in 5 minutes is a rate of 3.6mm/hr. When data from the station's logger is used, a similar calculation is performed, but the interval used is the logger interval rather than five minutes. | For stations which supply a rain rate, Cumulus uses that. For stations which don't supply a rain rate (e.g. Fine Offset and La Crosse), Cumulus simply takes the rain total from the last five minutes and calculates a rate based on that; e.g. a single tip of 0.3mm in 5 minutes is a rate of 3.6mm/hr. When data from the station's logger is used, a similar calculation is performed, but the interval used is the logger interval rather than five minutes. | ||
== Where does Cumulus get its this month and this year rainfall totals from? == | == Where does Cumulus 1 get its this month and this year rainfall totals from? == | ||
* The rainfall totals (for this month, year, and season), are initialised when Cumulus is (re-)started by adding up the corresponding daily totals in [[dayfile.txt]] and storing those sums in memory. | * The rainfall totals (for this month, year, and season), are initialised when Cumulus is (re-)started by adding up the corresponding daily totals in [[dayfile.txt]] and storing those sums in memory. | ||
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== How do I reset all my data to start again from scratch? == | == How do I reset all my data to start again from scratch? == | ||
Stop Cumulus and delete all of the files in the data folder. You may also want to edit the 'StartDate=' line in [[cumulus.ini]] to set the date for the start of your data, if you are starting again on a different date. | Stop Cumulus 1 and delete all of the files in the data folder. You may also want to edit the 'StartDate=' line in [[cumulus.ini]] to set the date for the start of your data, if you are starting again on a different date, although Cumulus 1 does not make any decisions based on that date, it simply outputs it twice (!) on one standard web page. | ||
== How do I localise Cumulus to my own language? == | == How do I localise Cumulus 1 to my own language? == | ||
Cumulus does not directly support languages other than English. It was never intended for use in other languages, and it is not possible to add support for this now. However, the text used for: | Cumulus does not directly support languages other than English. It was never intended for use in other languages, and it is not possible to add support for this now. However, the text used for: | ||
*Forecasting | *Forecasting | ||
* | *Moon phases | ||
*Beaufort Scale | *Beaufort Scale | ||
*Trend descriptions | *Trend descriptions | ||
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*Graph titles | *Graph titles | ||
*Extra sensor channels | *Extra sensor channels | ||
can all be customised by using the [[strings.ini]] file | can all be customised by using the [[strings.ini]] file. | ||
'''This wiki page [[:Category:Other_Languages|Other Languages]] has some obsolete (valid in 2009-2010) information about customising what were the standard web pages in versions of Cumulus 1 up to 1.8.x. The translations there are NOT compatible with later (or final) Cumulus 1 version, nor will they work with Cumulus MX.''' | '''This wiki page [[:Category:Other_Languages|Other Languages]] has some obsolete (valid in 2009-2010) information about customising what were the standard web pages in versions of Cumulus 1 up to 1.8.x. The translations there are NOT compatible with later (or final) Cumulus 1 version, nor will they work with Cumulus MX.''' | ||
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On the downloads page you can find third-party alternative web pages, these typically include some language translation modules, but beware that these may not be maintained to work with latest versions of Cumulus. | On the downloads page you can find third-party alternative web pages, these typically include some language translation modules, but beware that these may not be maintained to work with latest versions of Cumulus. | ||
== Can I connect/disconnect my weather station while Cumulus is running? == | == Can I connect/disconnect my weather station while Cumulus 1 is running? == | ||
No. You must make sure your weather station is connected to your PC and switched on, before running Cumulus. Do not disconnect your station while Cumulus is running. | |||
No. You must make sure your weather station is connected to your PC and switched on, before running Cumulus 1. Do not disconnect your station while Cumulus 1 is running. | |||
== How does Cumulus deal with extra sensors? == | == How does Cumulus deal with extra sensors? == | ||
By default, Cumulus deals with weather stations incorporating solar sensors, if you have selected the relevant station 'Type' or 'Display solar/extra data' in configuration, but it has some capability to deal with extra sensors added including the Blake-Larsen Sun Recorder. | By default, Cumulus 1 deals with weather stations incorporating solar sensors, if you have selected the relevant station 'Type' or 'Display solar/extra data' in configuration, but it has some capability to deal with extra sensors added including the Blake-Larsen Sun Recorder. | ||
Cumulus has the ability to input, log, and display Current Values/Outputs from the [[Rain_measurement#Optical_Rain_Gauges|Hydreon Optical Rain Sensor - Model RG-11]] and from either Oregon Scientific or Davis [[Extra_Sensor_Files|extra sensors]]. Only today's and yesterday's total rainfall from a Hydreon sensor are available in [[today.ini]] and [[yesterday.ini]] respectively. For some Oregon Scientific models, the temperature from an extra sensor can replace the temperature from the main sensor for processing by Cumulus, but all extra sensor values are stored in a series of [[Extra_Sensor_Files| monthly log]] files. No other processing is performed for Davis extra sensors, but past values are retained in a series of [[Extra_Sensor_Files| monthly log]] files. The file [[strings.ini]] is used to customise the description associated with extra sensors. | |||
Cumulus 1 has the ability to input, log, and display Current Values/Outputs from the [[Rain_measurement#Optical_Rain_Gauges|Hydreon Optical Rain Sensor - Model RG-11]] and from either Oregon Scientific or Davis [[Extra_Sensor_Files|extra sensors]]. Only today's and yesterday's total rainfall from a Hydreon sensor are available in [[today.ini]] and [[yesterday.ini]] respectively. | |||
For some Oregon Scientific models, the temperature from an extra sensor can replace the temperature from the main sensor for processing by Cumulus 1, but all extra sensor values are stored in a series of [[Extra_Sensor_Files| monthly log]] files. | |||
No other processing is performed for Davis extra sensors, but past values are retained in a series of [[Extra_Sensor_Files| monthly log]] files. The file [[strings.ini]] is used to customise the description associated with extra sensors. | |||
== What is this "Solar Max" value which Cumulus is displaying? == | == What is this "Solar Max" value which Cumulus is displaying? == | ||
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You don't need to, and it's much safer if you don't; clearing the memory could lead to a loss of data. The memory indicator on the console has no effect on the logging of data; the console will automatically start re-using the oldest memory locations. As long as you are running Cumulus (at least occasionally), Cumulus will have downloaded the data it needs from the console, so the console is free to overwrite the oldest data when it needs to. | You don't need to, and it's much safer if you don't; clearing the memory could lead to a loss of data. The memory indicator on the console has no effect on the logging of data; the console will automatically start re-using the oldest memory locations. As long as you are running Cumulus (at least occasionally), Cumulus will have downloaded the data it needs from the console, so the console is free to overwrite the oldest data when it needs to. | ||
== How do I get my Davis station with USB working with Cumulus? == | == How do I get my Davis station with USB working with Cumulus 1? == | ||
{{Version badge 1}}Reminder, this FAQ answer is ONLY for Cumulus 1 | {{Version badge 1}}Reminder, this FAQ answer is ONLY for Cumulus 1 | ||
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this utility, select Convert USB to Virtual Serial in your WeatherLink program group on the Start menu of your computer (Start>AllPrograms>WeatherLink>Convert USB to Virtual Serial) and run the utility to convert your data logger. Please contact Davis Technical Support (“Contacting Davis Technical Support” on page 26) for more information." | this utility, select Convert USB to Virtual Serial in your WeatherLink program group on the Start menu of your computer (Start>AllPrograms>WeatherLink>Convert USB to Virtual Serial) and run the utility to convert your data logger. Please contact Davis Technical Support (“Contacting Davis Technical Support” on page 26) for more information." | ||
== Why does Cumulus do some things the way it does, when there are better ways? == | == Why does Cumulus 1 do some things the way it does, when there are better ways? == | ||
{{Version badge 1}}Reminder, this FAQ answer is ONLY for Cumulus 1 | {{Version badge 1}}Reminder, this FAQ answer is ONLY for Cumulus 1 | ||
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So yes, I am aware that some of things that Cumulus does may seem strange, but it is simply not possible for me to start again from scratch, knowing what I know now. And it is not possible for me to effectively produce separate versions of Cumulus specifically for each type of weather station. If you don't like the way Cumulus does certain things, do what I did and write your own software! | So yes, I am aware that some of things that Cumulus does may seem strange, but it is simply not possible for me to start again from scratch, knowing what I know now. And it is not possible for me to effectively produce separate versions of Cumulus specifically for each type of weather station. If you don't like the way Cumulus does certain things, do what I did and write your own software! | ||
== Can I run 2 copies of Cumulus? == | == Can I run 2 copies of Cumulus 1? == | ||
3 options: | 3 options: | ||