Columbia Weather Systems Updates

Last Updated: 7:45 PM GMT on November 17, 2009 — Last Comment: 8:46 PM GMT on October 08, 2009

	Orion LX Weather Station Assists Third Place Win in Solar Decathlon

Posted by: CWS3175, 7:45 PM GMT on November 17, 2009

The Orion LX Weather Station from Columbia Weather Systems played a key role in Refract House winning third place in the 2009 Solar Decathlon. Refract House, a combined effort from Santa Clara University and California College of the Arts, utilizes data from the weather station to improve energy efficiency and control automated systems.

From Ross Rueker, graduate student in Mechanical Engineering at SCU:

We are using your weather station for general purpose weather monitoring, as well as to aid in some of the control of our house. Temperature and humidity is used to help aid the HVAC control system in the house. Outdoor temperature and humidity help provide the HVAC system with information to heat and cool the home most efficiently.

The wind sensor is used to help determine when our outdoor shades on our windows need to be retracted because of high winds. When the weather station senses wind over a certain threshold, our control system recognizes this and automatically powers the shades to the up position.

The rain sensor is used to determine if the clerestory windows in our house need to be closed. If the weather station senses rainfall, the control system will power the windows to the closed position.

One of the main reasons we chose the Orion Weather Station was because of the easy connectivity to the rest of our system, and because of its aesthetics. With no moving parts and its small design, we were able to provide our house with accurate weather data while still maintaining its sleek design.

For more info and photos click on this Link

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	Big Screen Weather Monitor

Posted by: CWS3175, 6:26 PM GMT on November 02, 2009

I added a photo of Grafton County (NH) Sheriff's Dept. mobile command trailer. Built by Nomad Global Communications out of Montana, the trailer's interoperable systems integrates a Capricorn 2000 Vehicle-Mount Weather Station and WeatherMaster Software. A cool feature is the huge monitoring screen on the side of the trailer where weather data and other important info can be displayed for incident participants to see.Check it out on my photos. (I wish I could figure ...

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	Gastronomical Weather Monitoring

Posted by: CWS3175, 8:43 PM GMT on October 08, 2009

In the event of a meatball shower, you won’t miss out on collecting the data with an Orion Weather Station from Columbia Weather Systems. The Orion’s impact rain sensor measures precipitation including water turned to food by Flint Lockwood’s brilliant invention in the new movie “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” So whether weathergirl Sam Sparks predicts an ice cream snowfall or a spaghetti tornado, you can feel confident that your meteorological parame...

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	Don't let frozen weather sensors happen to you!

Posted by: CWS3175, 8:27 PM GMT on September 21, 2009

Here are a few more options to help protect your weather technology investment.Heated SensorsTo prevent the possible disruption of weather data during an ice storm we offer a couple of options.For Capricorn 2000 Weather Stations, we recommend a heated rain gauge and the heavy-duty EX wind sensor with the heated option.Additionally, the Orion Weather Station is available with a heated all-in-one sensor head.Sensor Storage Case for Vehicle-Mount Weather StationsFor Or...

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Updated: 8:27 PM GMT on September 21, 2009

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	Orion Goes to Washington for Solar Decathlon

Posted by: CWS3175, 8:25 PM GMT on September 09, 2009

Two teams have elected to use Orion Weather Stations to monitor weather parameters for their houses submitted for the 2009 Solar Decathlon in Washington DC. With a goal of net-zero energy consumption, weather conditions will directly affect the homes' operational systems.Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Solar Decathlon brings together 20 teams from universities around the world to design and build zero-energy houses.Virginia Tech's entry is called "lu...

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