Outdoor Weather Station Batteries
After 15 months my NETATMO outdoor module showed repeated signs of failure. Even though batteries were replaced at about the 9 month mark, it suggested that there were more battery problems. Following the NETATMO suggestions, the outdoor module was moved closer to the indoor module and appeared to solve the problem – only to fail again one month later.
These failures to transmit became more frequent and were often in the form of a false zero temperature reading being recorded.
Having found no further help from the retailer or distributor I searched the web for replacement outdoor module, only to find that no one would supply. I could buy one from the US but they declined to sell it to a customer in Australia.
Some months later, I had decided to scrap the whole system and was in the process of looking for an alternative when I was fiddling with the “failed” outdoor unit on my desk only to find that with a strong light I could detect some debris in the base of the battery compartments.
By using an old-fashioned pencil with an eraser on top, I was able to insert this in the battery compartment and use the eraser to clean the contacts.
Fitting brand-new Duracell AAA batteries, I was shocked to see the base of the unit blinking green. It then contacted to the indoor station.
The unit has now been transmitting for 24 hours and I am hopeful, that I have found a solution - although enteries in THIS forum suggest that the future is not looking great.
I mount the outdoor unit under a 100mm wide hand rail to shield it from the weather. It is mounted in ventilated plastic pipe with a cap on it. After the frequent failures I also put it in a resealable plastic bag. I now suspect that this was a mistake as it may have caused it to be subject to excessive humidity.
I wonder if putting it in a ventilated container inside a 2nd ventilated container may help.
My research to date has suggested that lithium AAA batteries could be more suitable for outdoor use, however there is also contradictory advice suggesting that in warm conditions they may become dangerously overheated.
I also note NETATMO advice that they do not support rechargeable batteries. Why not ?
I would be very interested in other users’ comments on both the mounting of the outdoor unit and the batteries they use (type and brand).
Comments
11 comments
My outdoor unit has just died after only 3 months, it appears the supplied Duracell batteries have leaked or corroded and the unit no longer powers on, I’ve tried cleaning the contacts and new batteries to no avail, going down the warranty road so will see how I get on.
Hi John, Thank you for the thorough comment/review. I also am in Australia and my outdoor unit has also commenced having issues. I received a number of false 0.3 temperature readings. It also has a low battery reading. I have replaced the batteries however I have not been able to have the system recognise it being there. Nor is there a flashing light on the unit. I have purchased new batteries and tried them, but still nothing. My unit was positioned in a very sheltered location, but there does seem to be a little corrosion in the base of the battery chamber. I will give the cleaning option you mentioned a go.
Hello,
My Netatmo Smart Rain Gauge has died .... Duracell AAA batteries leaked damaging the unit (unit lived less than a year) :(
The device went under warranty for non-conformity and I replaced the batteries in the other devices with Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries.
I believe that your best bet for batteries is the Lithium AA's. As far as I know, the only Lithium batteries you have to be careful with are Lithium Ion rechargeables, not the 1.5v non-rechargeable type like Energizer Ultimate. I have had them in some outdoor sensors for years without failure.
It is a good idea to clean your battery contacts periodically, and then use a contact enhancer like De-Oxit to coat the contacts very lightly to discourage corrosion.
Netatmo sells a nice outdoor enclosure for your outdoor unit which is ventilated and rain proof. I recommend it.
Finally, my best advice is to run away from Duracell batteries as fast as you can. They are infamous for leaking, and I have experienced that first hand. Kirkland batteries from Costco are Duracells, and they leak reliably, too. Almost any other brand is not as bad!
John in Knoxville, TN
Oh, as for your "no-rechargeables" question, most rechargeable AAA's are Ni-Mh types, which start out at 1.2v instead of the 1.5v of alkalines. It doesn't take very long for them to drop enough in voltage that your weather station can't work, or else it will throw you a replace battery message all the time.
Further, they usually don't have the capacity of alkalines, and perhaps not the climate tolerance that alkalines have. With regular batteries lasting over a year anyway (at least for me), Ni-MH batteries are not very cost effective for this type of application.
There are USB rechargeable batteries that put out 1.5v, but there is a whole other can of worms. Not great capacity, and internal electronics that may intefere with your outdoor unit's electronics. I don't know if they come in AAA or not.
Thank you jmblack42 - An excellent response. I would like to think Netatmo would add such a comment to their instructions or at least their Q&A.
Well done.
I bought the Outdoor shield to my Outdoor temperature unit for more accuracy.
Now its time to change battery, but it is impossible to unlock the unit from the outdoor shield. I have noticed the signs for lock and unlock under the outdoor shield, but if I use more force I will surely break the plastic.
Is there any other trick to unlock the bottom of the outdoor shield?
Hi danielsson.stephan
I recommend using a bit more strength to open the shield. If it is not enough and the shield seems blocked :
- if you purchased it on our eshop : please submit a request in our help center. Our support team will help you by email.
- if you purchased it from a reseller, contact them for a replacement, according to their warranty policy.
Regards.
After changing batteries on my approx. two months old outdoor module, the new batteries drains from 100% to 43% in 6 hours. I see there has been comments on this issue earlier, but not solution descibed.
Running out of batteries in such short time is not good, not only for Netatmoes reputation, but aslo in an economical and enviromental perspective.
When will Netatmo fix this issue?
Markussen,
The silence from Netatmo on these issues is 'deafening'.
Regardless,I would suspect that there may be debris or dampness in the outdoor module.
I would recommend, bring it indoors, dismantle it & let it dry for 48hrs then inspect the battery compartment with a very string light.
Clean clean and clean it ! See my comment re Pencil eraser. I have also used a 'contact cleaner. made by WD40 (but NOT regular WD 40 lubricant).
Since my post >12 months ago, I have also put it in a container with ventilation holes in it. I also cut some brass shim about 1-2mm wide and curled it so that the batteries contact the shim on its edge which also contacts the original battery contacts.
The theory being that the sharp edges of the shim and increased pressure improves connection.
Whatever it is - it is still working :=)
I am on my second Netatmo outdoor thermometer. It has been protected from the elements in a, three sided wood shelter. I use energizer lithium batteries.
I have brought the unit inside, cleaned the contacts as advised.
I would appreciate any advice. I see that there are quiet a few complaints about the same issue.
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