Outdoor Temperature Sensor

[wjmst]

I have one of those outdoor temperature sensors that uses 2 AA batteries to wirelessly transmit the outdoor temperature to my indoor base unit. The problem I have is it eats through 2 AA batteries in about a month, rechargables about 3 weeks. I would like to convert this to AC. Is there some type of transformer I can purchase or make that I could connect up to it?

Or is there some other wireless temperature station that works better?

Thanks
Wes

 

[turnkey4099]

Odd, I have two of them. Haven't changed the batteries in one in two years (it is showing it needs it now). The other is a new 'weather station' - it has been cooking along on the same batteries for over 6 months now.

Harry K

 

[Dutch445]

I have an oregon unit, and my outdoor transmitter is fine, but the indoor receiver/display will eat up 2 batteries in less than a month,
i think i need a new one. they used to last over a year. i think once an item starts eating batteries it's time to discard them

 

[sodamo]

I have a Davis station that has solar power. Any way to convert your regular AA to something solar? I know some of my cheapo yard lights are AA size, seems it might easy to convert from powering light to powering your temp unit.

David Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[deerseeker001]

i have a LA Crosse unit and only change batteries twice a year,even in sub zero weather.

 

[dave1949]

I have a Radio Shack indoor-outdoor unit, about 5 years old and the batteries at either end last over a year. Time for a new unit I think. Some of these support multiple remote units, you might be able to replace your outdoor sensor or switch to a the unused channel to see if that makes any difference.

 

[RobertBrown]

I use one made by Sky Scan. I bought it a few years back. It is also an atomic clock. The batteries in the receiver last a year or more and the batteries in the the outdoor thermometer/transmitter last about 10 months.
I'm really happy with it.
When the batteries do go out the re install is kind of complicated because the two devices have to synced, but other than that, it's a big asset around here. I can't imagine not having one now
Both units use 2 AA batteries.
Seems to me I paid around 25$ for it. The replacement transmitter is only 12$, although I've never replaced it.
Check their website

 

[ustmd]

I have a Davis station that has solar power. Any way to convert your regular AA to something solar? I know some of my cheapo yard lights are AA size, seems it might easy to convert from powering light to powering your temp unit.

David Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

Another one for the Davis. I had a series of cheapo units that ate batteries. Finally sucked up and bought a Vantage Vue station. Love it.

 

[skipmarcy]

I too have had the Sky Scan Atomic clock w/temp for about 15 years now - batteries have lasted as much as 2 years at a time but normally I change them about every 15 months - each unit uses 2 AA batteries. Yea, you have to let the receiver pick up the outdoor transmitter (temp) signal before you do any settings of the clock or it won't pick up the temp signal. That's why I always replace all the batteries at the same time and then just forget it. Usually takes just a minute or so for this. Then of course you can set the clock anyway you want and it will set itself that nite from the transmitter in Colorado to atomic clock time.

 

[Pete Judd]

I bought a cheap unit at the hardware store a couple of months ago under 20 bucks. It now is in the trash can, as it ate batts, and was not at all accurate. Will find a better one someday.

 

[turnkey4099]

I got my first one at Wal Mart. Under $20. It is still working and batteries last about 2 years.

Harry K

 

[Jim Shooz]

I have had a La Crosse unit for probably 10 years now and the batteries last at least 2 years. It has a couple of minor annoyances. The date display is set to Month, Day, Year, and can't be changed to the Day, Month, Year format which we use. When the batteries fail you've forgotten the resetting sequence so it's RTFM. The atomic clock signals from Colorado only occasionally reach here which is OK in winter but when we go to Daylight Saving Time. (or Summer Time) like we are now, there in no provision to set the time zone to +13 hours GMT. I have tried GMT-1 but the Date gets fouled up.

But apart from all that, it's all good.

 

[jinman]

I purchased two 3M brand AC100MB-AH models at Sam's several years ago. I have one in my 2nd floor office and one in my walkout basement game room. I only use one wireless transmitter mounted outside and set both the indoor units to read from the same wireless outdoor transmitter. About every 3 months, I have to replace the 3-AA batteries in each indoor unit, but the outdoor unit's batteries will last two years or more. I can always tell when I need to replace the indoor batteries because I'll see "- - . -" displayed for outdoor temperature. Here's a link to Sam's site with the clock/thermometer.

 

[unbidden]

Are you using Lithium Batteries? Not only do they last much longer but are also not as negitively affected by temperture changes.

 

[cobb71]

We have an acurite from lowes that gives 24 hr high and low temps plus atomic clock that sets its self also gives forcast, they are a little pricey but we love it. In the three years we hav had it never has needed batts. It also displays battery level, just checked it and batterys are still half full.

 

[wjmst]

My unit is a la crosse and according to their website the battery in the outdoor unit should last about a year. So I suspect their is something wrong with the unit. I was tempted to try Lithium batteries which would be better, but didn't want to throw money away if that wasn't the problem.

I have another outdoor unit that I am not using, so maybe I will test it out to see if the batteries last longer.

I have a couple of solar yard lights and will have to check into it to see if I can get it to work with my outdoor unit.

If not, I think I will look at some of the recommendations here for a new unit.

Thanks
Wes

 

[unbidden]

My unit is a la crosse and according to their website the battery in the outdoor unit should last about a year. So I suspect their is something wrong with the unit. I was tempted to try Lithium batteries which would be better, but didn't want to throw money away if that wasn't the problem.

I have another outdoor unit that I am not using, so maybe I will test it out to see if the batteries last longer.

I have a couple of solar yard lights and will have to check into it to see if I can get it to work with my outdoor unit.

If not, I think I will look at some of the recommendations here for a new unit.

Thanks
Wes

Assuming your batteries are AA or AAA, a set of Lithiums will run you under $10.00. If you go to any weather station forum the advice is always go with lithium.

 

[Gary Fowler]

i have a LA Crosse unit and only change batteries twice a year,even in sub zero weather.

I also have a Lacrosse unit and I just changed batteries last week. It been up on the porch for over 2 years. I had a WeatherChannel brand in Canada and a set of batteries would last at least a year even in the -40C temps up there. I dont think mine transmit continuously but about every 10 minutes it sends a signal because it took that long or longer for the house unit to pick up the signal when I changed the batteries. Yours must be sending constantly to burn batteries like you describe.

 

[thatguy]

Are you using Lithium Batteries? Not only do they last much longer but are also not as negitively affected by temperture changes.

View attachment 291953

this is what I found to help.. lithium last much longer in the outdoor pieces

b

 

[bigtiller]

I gave up on the battery operated ones and use the old fashion stick on window thermometer. I got this one from Northern Tools. It needs no batteries and it is easy to read. just peal it off the package and place it on a clean window. This is a poor picture from the manufacturer but it is see-through.


Electrostatic Cling Outdoor Window Thermometer | Weather Instruments| Northern Tool + Equipment