Cloud detector Lunático Astronomía AAG CloudWatcher

CloudWatcher, watching the sky since 2008.

Advantages of CloudWatcher:

Complete information on sky conditions

With sky quality meter

Very affordable price

Reliability of readings

Simple interpretation of readings

Connectable to the SOLO to improve your utilities

Software available for:

Windows (free)

INDILib (free) http://indilib.org/devices/weather-stations/CloudWatcher-cloud-watcher.html,

INDIGO (free)

MAC OSX (developed by Richard Francis, GerSpatial, and available from the AppStore at a very reasonable price).

And autonomously with the SOLO

Very easy maintenance

New version compatible with Hydreon rain sensor available (as of January 2.021) - This item, the CloudWatcher standard version does not
is ready to work with the Hydreon RG-9 rain sensor.

Manufactured since 2008 and under constant revision and improvement

Guarantee of Lunático Astronomía

New screens, better information.

The CloudWatcher detector includes:

A box with a special finish for outdoors that incorporates:

Cloud sensor

Rain sensor (with two possibilities: capacitive (this model*) and Hydreon RG-9 compatible)

Light sensor capable of measuring sky quality - New 2022/2023

UV/IR dichroic filter to cover the new light sensor with sky quality measurement - New 2022/2023

Temperature sensor

Relative humidity, atmospheric pressure and temperature sensor (RH and PA versions) - New April 2021

Anemometer (optional external accessory)

Outdoor resistant cable (different sizes) with IP68 connectors.

Relay, for remote opening/closing of the observatory.



More details:

The CloudWatcher box with the sensors. All data collected by the CloudWatcher's sensors and anemometer are displayed on the computer in the form of graphs. These allow a comprehensive and easily understandable measurement of the atmospheric conditions:

Cloud sensor

The CloudWatcher uses an infrared sensor to measure the sky temperature and an internal electronic thermometer to measure the ambient temperature. Both data are used to determine the existence of clouds. The result of the measurement can be read in a simple way on the "Cloud" graph.

Unlike other detectors, the CloudWatcher allows the user to set the measurement parameters to suit the specific circumstances of their environment.

Rain sensor

The variable capacitor of the CloudWatcher is what establishes the existence of rain. In addition, the capacitor incorporates an internal resistor for drying, which allows for a constant reliable reading.

* Since May 2.021 the capacitive rain sensor has been improved, with a larger reading surface and more sensitivity.

Light sensor

From 2022 and 2023 the CloudWatcher incorporates a new extremely sensitive light sensor capable not only of distinguishing day and night, but also of measuring the background sky brightness in "MPSA" (magnitudes per square arc second). Follow us in the forum for more information.

Temperature sensor

In charge of measuring the ambient temperature.

The CloudWatcher cable, if the unit is connected to the power supply and the control computer, connect the unit to the power supply and the control computer.

It is an outdoor resistant cable and is offered in 4 different lengths, 3, 5, 5, 7 or 10 m. (As of November 2018 the CloudWatcher is also available WIRELESS)

It has "weather-proof" IP68 connectors, which allow a simple and comfortable installation of the unit. The maximum width of the connector is 19mm, which allows it to be installed in gutters and conduits.

CW relay, however, since it is not a safety cable, it is recommended that the voltage that circulates through the cable is 12 to 24 volts and that it works as a switch of another low voltage device that takes care of everything.

CloudWatcher technical specifications:

12 or 15 vol. power supply and voltage

RS232 serial port (**)

Weight:

180gr. (version without humidity sensor)

205gr. (version with humidity sensor)

Measurements:

130*85*45 mm (version without humidity sensor)

130*85*60 mm (version with humidity sensor)

(**) USB to RS232 converter available here.

In addition, the CloudWatcher software incorporates advanced features, such as:

Multiple users on a local network (the program can operate as Master or Remote, with all the functionality available in each case).

Advanced sky temperature measurement correction model to eliminate the effects of excessive atmospheric longwave radiation during the summer.

Possibility to program the alarms sonorously (selecting a sound file for each case).

The relay can be disabled and managed by external programs.

The electrical constants can be modified by the user.

Complete set of properties and methods for communication with other programs.

Compatible with ACP, CCDCommander, CCDAutoPilot and Maxpilote.

Integration, through the AAG WeatherCentre program (***), with weather stations (with any weather station that can be connected to the PC using Virtual Weather Station or Weather Display software).

Thanks to the collaboration of several users, programs and applications for cell phones such as the one developed by Francisco Jesús Cortés to receive alarms, for example, on his cell phone.

(***) As of 2017 the AAG WeatherCentre program is no longer required as AAGCloudWatcher can measure wind speed and relative humidity. The AAG WeatherCentre program continues to be fully operational but is no longer updated.