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ATMOS 41W Troubleshooting Guide

If your weather station is not working as expected, use this guide to diagnose and resolve common issues.

Travis Bates
Updated by Travis Bates

If your ATMOS41W All-in-One Weather Station is not working as expected, use this guide to diagnose and resolve common issues. If the steps provided here do not resolve your issue, contact support with your device serial number and a description of the problem.

Connecting to the ATMOS 41W
ZENTRA Utility Mobile does not list the ATMOS 41W Weather Station
  • Ensure location service is turned on when using the app.
  • Force close the app and relaunch.
  • Remove the rain funnel and press the TEST button on the weather station to reset it.
  • Drag down on the screen to refresh the list.
  • Check the batteries.
    • Replace alkaline batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Recharge NiMH batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Ensure all 6 batteries are correctly oriented.
  • Check the board for corrosion.
  • Check that the seals and gaskets are intact.
  • Connect to a second weather station or data logger. If the connection works, the problem is likely with the first device.
  • See Connect to the Data Logger for more information.
ZENTRA Utility Mobile reports it lost the connection
  • Force Close the app and relaunch.
  • Ensure location service is turned on when using the app.
  • Check the batteries.
    • Replace alkaline batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Recharge NiMH batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Ensure all 6 batteries are correctly oriented.
  • Press the TEST button to reset the weather station.
  • Connect to a second Bluetooth device. If the connection works, the problem is likely with the first device.
ZENTRA Utility cannot connect to the device
  • If using a Windows computer, reinstall the USB driver from https://meter.ly/ZL6-support.
  • Mac computers running ZENTRA Utility do not require a custom USB driver.
  • Check that the USB cable is securely plugged into the weather station and the computer.
  • Press the TEST button on the logger to reset it.
  • Check the batteries.
    • Replace alkaline batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Recharge NiMH batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Ensure all 6 batteries are correctly oriented.
  • Check the board for corrosion.
  • Connect to a second logger. If the connection works, the problem is likely with the first logger.
  • Try a different micro-USB cable. Ensure the cable is not intended for charging only.
  • See Connect to the Data Logger for more information.
ZENTRA Utility is not showing the weather station in the COM port picker
  • If using a Windows computer, reinstall the USB driver from https://meter.ly/ZL6-support.
  • Mac computers running ZENTRA Utility do not require a custom USB driver.
  • Press the TEST button on the logger to reset it.
  • Check that the USB cable is securely plugged into the logger and the computer.
  • Check the batteries.
    • Replace alkaline batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Recharge NiMH batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Ensure all 6 batteries are correctly oriented.
  • Connect to a second logger. If the connection works, the problem is likely with the first logger.
  • Try a different micro-USB cable. Ensure the cable is not intended for charging only.
  • See Connect to the Data Logger for more information.
ZENTRA Utility reports it lost the connection
  • Check or replace the USB cable.
  • Increase the number of times ZENTRA Utility tries sending commands to the weather station:
    • Go to the Manage Preferences menu. Edit>Preferences.
    • Select the Communication tab.
    • Increase the Direct Connect Retries.
Red ERROR light and/ or green OK light are always on
  • Press the TEST button to reset the weather station.
  • Check the batteries.
    • Replace alkaline batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Recharge NiMH batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Ensure all 6 batteries are correctly oriented.
  • If the problem persists, contact Customer Support.
  • For more information about status lights, see Test Button & Status Lights.
Red ERROR light is on after pressing the TEST button
  • Pressing the TEST button initiates the self-test sequence. The self-test can take 60 s or more if testing communications over the cellular network.
  • A solid red light indicates an error in the logger, which may indicate:
    • corrupt weather station firmware
    • low batteries
    • unsuccessful cellular communications
  • For more information about status lights, see Test Button & Status Lights.
The weather station does not seem to be working correctly or reliably
  • Press the TEST button on the weather station to reset it.
  • Check the batteries.
    • Replace alkaline batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Recharge NiMH batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Ensure all 6 batteries are correctly oriented.
  • Check for corrosion or water damage. Check that the seals and gaskets are intact.
  • If the problem persists, contact Customer Support.
Connectivity to the Cloud
Cellular uploads stopped working
  • Press the TEST button to reset the weather station.
  • Run a Communication Test in ZENTRA Utility to determine if there is a communication error.
  • For a cellular device, try the List Cellular Carriers tool in ZENTRA Utility to confirm that cellular carriers are visible in the area. To run navigate to "..." for More. Next, select Device Tools and from that menu select List Cellular Carriers.
  • If the problem persists, contact Customer Support.
No Data in ZENTRA Cloud
  • Press the TEST button on the weather station to reset it.
  • Run a Communication Test in ZENTRA Utility to determine if there is a communication error.
  • For a cellular device, try the List Cellular Carriers tool in ZENTRA Utility to confirm that cellular carriers are visible in the area. To run navigate to "..." for More. Next, select Device Tools and from that menu select List Cellular Carriers.
  • Make sure the device configuration has a Measurement Interval set. i.e., is not set to "off (not logging).
  • Make sure the device configuration has an Upload Frequency set.
Connecting to Wi-Fi
ZENTRA Utility Mobile is not listing the desired Wi-Fi network
  • The Wi-Fi hardware in the ATMOS 41W is compatible with Wi-Fi networks using the 2.4 GHz bands. The ATMOS 41W doesn’t work with networks using 5 GHz bands.
  • The Wi-Fi radio connection between the ZL6 and the access point may be too weak.
  • The ATMOS 41W is only able to report information for up to 12 Wi-Fi networks during a scan. Try refreshing the scan. Alternatively use the process for connecting to a hidden network to configure the ATMOS 41W to your network. See the user manual Section 3.3.5 for more details.
  • The access point is using Wi-Fi channel 12 or 13 in a location where the Wi-Fi hardware determines these channels are navailable. Change the access point to use a channel number in the range 1 to 11.
The Wi-Fi network at a university/government agency does not seem to be working with the ATMOS 41W
  • Wi-Fi networks using enterprise security can offer additional challenges for devices like the ATMOS 41W. Consider asking your IT professional to deploy a Wi-Fi access point for the ATMOS 41W that uses a compatible form of network security. Contact customer support or METER sales partner to discuss alternative ways for your ATMOS 41W to upload data to ZENTRA Cloud.
ATMOS 41W uploads to ZENTRA Cloud appears to have stopped working
  • Try rebooting the Wi-Fi access point/router. The ATMOS 41W caches all unsent data to send when the connection is restored.
  • Use the communication test to evaluate the connection to the Wi-Fi Access Point and ZENTRA Cloud.
  • Use ZENTRA Utility Mobile to re-configure the ATMOS 41W for your network. This step is necessary if the name of your Wi-Fi network changed or if the network passphrase changed.
ATMOS 41W won't communicate directly with user over Wi-Fi
  • The ATMOS 41W is not available on the Wi-Fi network for interactive communications. The ATMOS 41W only powers the Wi-Fi module long enough to send sensor measurement data and status updates to ZENTRA Cloud after each measurement interval.
Data Storage
ZENTRA Utility states there is no new data for download
  • Wait for at least the length of the measurement interval to ensure the weather station has had enough time to record data.
  • Ensure the weather station is configured to measure data, i.e., make sure the measurement interval is not set to Off (not logging).
  • Check the batteries. The ATMOS 41W will stop making sensor measurements when the batteries are extremely low.
    • Replace alkaline batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Recharge NiMH batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Ensure all 6 batteries are correctly oriented.
  • Press the TEST button to reset the weather station.
The ATMOS 41W stopped making measurements
  • Wait for at least the length of the measurement interval to ensure the weather station has had enough time to record data.
  • Ensure the weather station is configured to measure data, i.e., make sure the measurement interval is not set to Off (not logging).
  • Check the batteries. The ATMOS 41W will stop making sensor measurements when the batteries are extremely low.
    • Replace alkaline batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Recharge NiMH batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Ensure all 6 batteries are correctly oriented.
  • Press the TEST button to reset the weather station.
Measurements
Sensor measurement data does not seem to be correct
  • Verify that the measurement units selected in ZENTRA Utility or ZENTRA Cloud match the units you expect (e.g., %RH vs. vapor pressure). If the softare is set to a different unit type, the data may appear incorrect even though the sensor is functioning properly.
  • Contact Support.
Water is not flowing through the rain gauge
  • Check the spring, downspout screen, and the outflow to ensure there is no debris.
  • If bird droppings are an issue a bird deterrent kit made for the ATMOS 41W can be added to the unit. Contact Sales for more information.
Not reading any precipitation or not measuring precipitation accurately.
  • Remove any debris from the rain funnel. The ATMOS 41W must be within approximately ±2 degrees of dead level (0, 0) in both the X and Y directions to accurately measure rainfall. If not within this range, drops from the flared hole can miss the gold electrodes entirely. Use the internal level measurements that are available in the ATMOS 41W data stream to confirm that the ATMOS 41W is level.
  • Gently twist the rain funnel and remove. See Section 3.2.2.1 in the user manual. NOTE: BE CAREFUL TO UNPLUG THE PYRANOMETER CONNECTOR INSIDE THE FUNNEL BEFORE DETACHING THE FUNNEL COMPLETELY.
  • Check to make sure that there are no obvious problems and that the gold electrodes are aligned correctly.
  • Check the tipping spoon is free of debris and swings easily under light pressure.
  • The accuracy of the rain gauge measurement can be checked using the procedure described in How to check the drip counter calibration. (https://meter.ly/41w-drip-count).
No wind speed
  • Check the anemometer pathway to make sure there is no debris blocking the path of the sonic transducer measurement (between transducers and convex base plate).
  • Check the sonic transducers for water build-up; if there is moisture, take a dry cloth and dab it away.
  • Check to see that the convex base plate is not dirty. Clean by flushing with water and dry with a cloth.
  • Check that the ATMOS 41W is level.
No solar radiation reading
  • Carefully remove the funnel and check that the pyranometer cable is plugged in. See Section 3.2.2.1 in the user manual for additional details.
Measurement shows No response in the Scan Window or Downloaded data shows #N/A
  • The raw data measured by the weather station is out of the expected range for the measurement. This could be caused by a damaged sensor.
  • If the problem persists, contact Customer Support.
There is no new data for download
  • Ensure the weather station is configured to measure data, i.e., make sure the measurement interval is not set to Off (not logging).
  • Check the batteries. The ATMOS 41W will stop making sensor measurements when the batteries are extremely low.
    • Replace alkaline batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Recharge NiMH batteries if they are close to 0%.
    • Ensure all 6 batteries are correctly oriented.

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