Ambient Weather WM-5 Manual v 1.00
Company: Ambient Weather
Address: 6845 W. Frye Road, Chandler, AZ 85226 USA
Phone: (480) 346-3380
Website: www.ambientweather.com
Getting Started
Your WM-5 package contains one 400-Hr Lithium CR2032 battery, a lanyard, and voltage input numbers for humidity calibration. It is very important that you keep the calibration numbers for future calibration needs. Each instrument has unique voltage input numbers.
To install the lanyard, feed one end through the hole at the bottom of the handle and tie it to the other end. Open case and click into fully opened position or, if using a tripod, click to the 90-degree position.
Your WM-5 sensors are extremely sensitive. Hold the WM-5 at the bottom of the handle, away from your face and body, to avoid getting false readings. It is also important that you do not touch the sensors.
Device Diagram Description: The device features a replaceable impeller at the top, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure history display, a value screen, and a tripod mount at the bottom. Buttons are located on the right side.
Operating Modes
Turn the unit on using the ON/OFF button on the left. Use the MODE button on the right to scroll to the desired function. To turn off the unit, press and hold the ON/OFF button for 3 seconds, until the display is blank, then release.
Changing the Units of Measure
With the WM-5 on, change the units of measure by selecting the mode you wish to change (i.e., Wind speed). Next, press and hold the ON/OFF button and, while holding, press the MODE button to change the units of measure.
General Indicators
The device displays various indicators:
- Bar Graph: Represents a 16-hour history of barometric pressure. The column labeled "0" indicates current pressure. Each horizontal bar represents +/-2 mb/hpa. The graph only displays after barometric history has accumulated.
- Low Battery Indicator: Indicates the battery is running dry. (Visualized as 'BAT' on display diagrams).
- Data Screen: Indicates the value of data being collected by the WM-5. (Visualized on display diagrams).
- Hour Indicator: Shows time progression for historical data.
- Barometric Pressure History: Visual representation of past pressure readings.
Modes
Wind Speed
The WM-5 measures wind speed in six different units: Knots, Beaufort, Feet Per Minute, Miles Per Hour, Meters Per Second, and Kilometers Per Hour.
- Current Wind speed: Displays the current wind speed with its unit of measure.
- Maximum Wind speed: Displays the maximum speed recorded since the unit was turned on.
- Average Wind speed: Displays a running average over ten seconds.
- Wind-Chill: Displays the effect of air temperature combined with wind speed on human skin.
Display Diagram Description (Wind Speed): Shows a numerical value (e.g., 18.2) with units like KNT, BF, FPM, MPH, MS, KMH. It also shows indicators for MAX and AVG wind speeds, and Wind-chill (WCL).
Temperature
General Temperature: Displays the temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius.
Heat Index: Measures how humidity affects the body's ability to cool itself at high temperatures. Often lower than the actual temperature.
Dew point: Displays the temperature at which the air becomes saturated with moisture, potentially forming fog.
Display Diagram Description (Temperature): Shows a numerical value (e.g., 75.8) with units like °F or °C. Indicators include Heat Index (HI) and Dewpoint Indicator (DP).
Relative Humidity
General Relative Humidity: Displays the current relative humidity, which is the amount of water vapor in the air. The WM-5 comes factory calibrated but can be manually calibrated for specific field requirements. Refer to the Humidity Calibration section for details.
Display Diagram Description (Relative Humidity): Shows a numerical value (e.g., 56.1) with the unit RH%.
Barometric Pressure
Unit of Measure: The WM-5 can display barometric pressure in inches of mercury (inHg) or in millibars / hectopascals (hpa mbar).
Barometer Indicator: Indicates the unit is in barometer mode (visualized as 'BAR').
Pressure History Bar Graph: Displays barometric pressure history for the past 16 hours. The unit must be on for 16 hours for the complete graph to display.
Display Diagram Description (Barometric Pressure): Shows a numerical value (e.g., 29.64) with units like inHg or mbar. It includes a BAR indicator and a pressure history bar graph.
Altitude
Unit of Measure: The WM-5 can display altitude in feet (FT) or meters (M).
General Altitude Mode: The WM-5 can register altitudes between -600 to 7000 meters (or feet). In altitude mode, the storm alarm is deactivated to prevent false alarms due to pressure changes. Altitude changes automatically with air pressure changes, making recalibration useful.
Altitude Mode Icon: Indicates the unit is in altitude mode (visualized as 'ALT').
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The WM-5 altimeter calculates altitude based on changing air pressure. Changes in air pressure will cause the altitude reading to rise or fall. Your altitude should always be calibrated right before use as an altimeter. Re-calibration is recommended if ascent or descent takes a long time, or if significant weather pattern changes occur.
Display Diagram Description (Altitude): Shows a numerical value (e.g., 300) with units like FT or M. It includes an ALT indicator and an altitude mode icon.
Calibration
The WM-5 comes factory pre-calibrated. However, manual calibration is possible for specific needs.
Barometric Pressure Calibration
Procedure: With the unit off, press and hold the ON/OFF button for 2 seconds. The display will show current pressure with a flashing "BAR" indicator. Release ON/OFF when the indicator flashes. Press ON/OFF to increase units, MODE to decrease. After calibrating barometric pressure, wait 5 seconds for automatic transition to altitude calibration. If altitude calibration is not desired, the unit will return to normal mode.
Altitude Calibration
Procedure: With the unit off, press and hold the ON/OFF button for 2 seconds. After the "BAR" indicator flashes for 5 seconds, it automatically switches to altitude calibration mode, showing current altitude and a flashing "ALT" indicator. Press ON/OFF to increase units, MODE to decrease. Calibration is saved automatically upon completion.
Humidity Calibration
Procedure: Locate the calibration sticker with two numbers. With the unit on, press and hold ON/OFF for 10 seconds. The display will show 700 (Figure A). Enter the first voltage input number using the MODE button to scroll up (omit decimals). Press ON/OFF. The display will show 3000 (Figure B). Enter the second voltage input number using the same procedure. Press ON/OFF to save changes. The unit will shut off, storing the new values.
Note: In humidity calibration mode, the MODE button only scrolls up.
Impeller Replacement
Use a small Phillips screwdriver to loosen the set-screw on the back of the monitor. Remove the impeller by twisting it clockwise until it reaches the "O" position marked on the rear.
Battery
To replace the battery, turn the compartment cover counter-clockwise. Observe the battery's orientation and insert a new CR2032 lithium battery in the same position. CR2032 batteries are widely available.
Battery Life Preservation
When not in use, leave the unit in barometer mode to conserve battery life. Different modes have different power consumption. In barometer mode, the battery can last 4-6 months. Wind speed and humidity modes consume the most battery power.
Severe Weather Alarm
The alarm sounds for significant barometric pressure changes (6 millibars up or down within 3 hours). The alarm sounds once for five seconds, then hourly if pressure continues to change. The storm alarm feature is disabled when the WM-5 is in Altitude mode to prevent false alarms from altitude changes.
Technical Specifications
Accuracy: +/- 3% Windspeed; +/- 2 F° Temp/Windchill; +/-3% rH, Dew Point, & Heat Index; +/- .09 inHg Barometric Pressure
Ranges: Wind .4-89 MPH; Temp 32° to +122°F; Windchill -22° to +158°F; Dew Point -31.2° to +155.8°F; Heat Index +69.8 to +155.8°F; rH 0-99%; Barometer 11.8~32.5inHg; Altitude -900 to 9000 meters
Optional Units: Knots, MPH, KPH, M/Sec, Ft/Min, Beaufort Scale - F or C; hpa/mb or inHg
Response Times: Current Windspeed; Ave. over 2 sec; Ave. Wind 5 sec; Max Wind 2 sec gust; Temp/windchill/rH/dew point 1 min; 15 min sampling Barometer
Power: CR2032 Lithium battery
