WARNING:

The Vantage Pro console requires less voltage than our prior stations. Do not put more than 6 volts DC into the Vantage display.

How is the cabled Vantage Pro powered?

 The cabled Vantage Pro console supplies power to the sensor array through a connecting cable and uses more current than the wireless console. Therefore, you must use the AC power adapter to supply primary power. These adapters have a 5 volt 200 mA output. The three C cell batteries on the cabled system provide back-up power and will only last four to six weeks if you use them as primary power. See warning above about power.

How is the wireless Vantage Pro powered?

Either an AC adapter or three C cell batteries power the Vantage Pro Display console. Although you may use the AC adapter if you wish, it is not required because the Wireless Vantage Pro console does not supply power to the sensor array and therefore uses much less current. The output of the AC adapter is 5V DC and 200 mA. Regarding battery use, under normal conditions the three C cell alkaline batteries should power your console for approximately one year. We recommend that you do not use NiCad batteries because the Vantage Pro will not charge them and they will not last as long.

See warning above about power.

How is the cabled Integrated Sensor Suite (ISS) powered?

The Cabled ISS receives power from the Vantage Pro Display Console via the 100 ft cable that runs between them. This cable may be extended up to 1000 feet.

How is the wireless Integrated Sensor Suite (ISS) powered?

The Wireless ISS receives power from the solar panel during the day. The solar power components store electricity in a "super capacitor" that powers the ISS at night. If, during the night, the energy in the "super capacitor" is depleted, the ISS uses power from a 3- volt lithium battery. The 3-volt Lithium battery will last one year in no sunlight.

My Vantage Pro display console batteries are only lasting about one month:

This is caused when the display console has a WeatherLink DataLogger connected to it and it is constantly communicating. Normally the Vantage Pro WeatherLink communication circuit goes to sleep and is awakened only by a command from the serial port. After receiving data from the serial port this communication line stays awake for two minutes after the last command received in the event more commands are coming. If, for instance, you are uploading data to the internet every five minutes the serial communications circuitry will be awake nearly 100 % of the time. This will drain the batteries at a very accelerated rate. The solution to this is if you are doing something such as uploading to the internet frequently use the AC power adapter instead of just the batteries for main power.

NOTE: The above scenario is exclusively for a frequent internet upload situation and does not happen when running the Bulletin or Strip Charts constantly. That has already been accounted for.