new W-8681 not working

Hi,

I recently received a W-8681 but there is an issue with data reception. The manual and advice on the web and this forum say that when the batteries are fitted to the remote unit the LED should light for 4 seconds, followed by a sequence of flashes, then one flash every 50 secs.

Mine flashes for about a second only, followed by a short flash a second or less later, then a flash after about 26 secs, then one every 10 seconds-ish. No data is being received on the indoor unit.

I've positioned the outdoor unit facing the right way and tried this a few times, with and without the other sensors connected, but it's always the same.

Any ideas, or does it all have to go back?

Ta.

Sorry, yes, it's all inside at present, seemed sensible as a test. All the bits are no more than 2 feet apart.

Oh that's just typical. I found the reviews now too. I only got this one as it is one of those supported by (forgot the name) a Linux package ad doesn't cost bags.

I'd take it back

I too am surprised that this w.s. has had a lot of bad reviews.
I have had mine since October 2007 and have found it generally reliable.
The only real fault is that I found out after about 1 year that it wasn't recording wind correctly in a couple of directions.
I could replace that part of the w.s. if I wanted, as replacement parts do seem to be readily available.
Never any real problems with reception of data.
Only replaced the batteries once and I probably didn't really need to do that.
I suppose that this one could be a dud, but I wouldn't let that put you off the model as such.
Is it possible that negative reviews may be more likely as people who are satisfied don't generally mention it?

As Thunderstorm said don't give up with it or be put off by a teething problem, I also have a variation of this station and have been getting great results from it since november last year
and a friend of mine has also been using the same station for the past 3 years with no problems at all.
i'm sure that if you go back and get a working replacement you'll be more than happy with it, A lot of people use this station (and variations of) and i read some great reviews on it before purchasing mine
with no regrets what so ever.

Good Luck !

Just to add another satisfied voice re this bit of kit. I did find that the rain gauge device was a spider magnet but that can be beaten by spider web destruction and a course grating over the discharge slots below the collector.The spiders holed up by the tipping bucket fulcrum and were evicted .My unit has been running for some 18 months and works well over 70 foot separation between transducers and receiver panel ( and through 1970 s built house walls - one external and two interior walls).
I did find that I was happier running Cumulus for my reporting rather than the original supplied software after a month or two. Less work for me when reporting . I reckon the station is good value for money ( I'm a tight Yorkshire tyke ) . Mine was even cheaper as a Christmas Box from my youngest son .

Oh yes, I forgot about the spider problem, and I haven't got round to spider-proofing mine yet!

Well hopefully the supplier has one in stock so I can swap - they are a bit far away but it's easier to drive than post / wait. Fingers crossed. I'll be taking some batteries along to make sure the new one works!