Davis data logger ethernet

post by JoeSchmo on Dec 29, 2021

I have a David Vantage Pro2 with a ethernet connection to my network. I would like my Rachio2 controller to connect directly with this PWS without using the cloud. Both devices are on the same personal network. Is there anyway to do this or is the cloud my only option? I like to keep things connected localy and not depend on the WWW. This seems like a no brainer unless they absolutely want you to use a web service of some kind.

post by tmcgahey on Dec 30, 2021

No, it has to go via the web. In fact, you’d have to have the unit connected to WeatherUnderground in order to access via Rachio, and I don’t know enough about weather stations to know if that one is compatible with WI.

post by JoeSchmo on Dec 30, 2021

I was afraid that would be the answer. I like wired ethernet and not WiFi. Especially don’t like the fact you have to use the web just to use a product. I would love it if Rachio added a rj45 ethernet jack and not require WiFi for personal network connection. Everybody seems to love WiFi until it doesn’t connect. I never have any problems with my wired devices. I may have to see if any other smart controllers use wired ethernet. I do like how it’s working but resent them making me use the web, which I can only see as an absolute control issue.

post by JoeSchmo on Dec 30, 2021

My other problem with this setup is why do I need to sign up for some other service so I can send them my data and then turn around and ask for my information back again so Rachio can use it? Why can’t I just connect and use my data locally? To me, this is overly complicated and subject to the whims of the web. I should just be able to use my data locally and not share it with the world. Ranting? I guess.

post by tmcgahey on Dec 30, 2021

I think you are talking about the weather station and WI here… Rachio uses the PWS network from WI to manage the weather information that the controller uses. It’s just an easy way for them to aggregate a ton of weather station data for their use in the controller. To my knowledge all “smart” controllers are going to use WI or similar systems.

post by JoeSchmo on Dec 30, 2021

Yes, you can select the Weather network with WI OR you can select an INDIVIDUAL PWS in the app. So I ask again why can’t I just use my PWS without signing up for Weather Underground? They are on the same network, no need to go to the cloud and back. I compare this to the soil moisture meter that Rachio just asked about. You won’t have to send that information to the cloud (I don’t think) to use the data at your location, it will just plug into the Rachio controller. Would Rachio use an aggregate of nearby data to compute soil moisture or just use yours? I believe they will directly use yours. So why not my PWS? I really don’t think the cloud is all that reliable, being a former IT tech. Does anybody else feel this way or am I all alone in the wilderness.

post by Eric33432 on Jan 2, 2022

Not only do you have to connect your Davis Vantage Vue to WU, you need another piece of equipment to do that called a Meteobridge. The Meteobridge polls the weather information on your Davis and formats it to what is required for services like PWS Weather, Weather Underground, Ambient Weather, and others, and then uploads the data to those sites. The Meteobridge can use WiFi or wired Ethernet so you should at least be happy with that.

post by JoeSchmo on Jan 2, 2022

Holy BLEEP. Another wifi device costing more money just so I can get data from the PWS 35 feet to the Rachio after the data goes all around the world.

post by tlight on Jan 5, 2022

It sounds like the Rachio is not for you. When you buy one of these devices, a major part of that purchase is their weather intelligence network. The hardware and cloud service work hand in hand and are integral to each other. There are great benefits to this, as long as you have good weather stations in your area.

post by JoeSchmo on Jan 5, 2022

Hello Tlight, to late I already have one and it is using the weather intelligence. But I was hoping to get hyper-local data (my data) and not an average of whatever is out there close to me.

post by synfinatic on Jan 5, 2022

I don’t work for Rachio, but I can make a good educated guess why Rachio doesn’t support this:

1. When it doesn’t work, there will be lots of finger-pointing between vendors. Users will have a very poor experience.
2. Getting this to work with various home networking gear is a total pain.
3. There aren’t actually that many people who own both, so adding the feature isn’t a high priority compared to other features that more people will use.
4. There are multiple weather station vendors with their own APIs, so supporting one means leaving out others.
5. Using a cloud service solves all of these issues.

post by JoeSchmo on Jan 5, 2022

Hmmmmm Well now we have a great business opportunity for Rachio, making a PWS that will fully integrate with the Rachio and use ALL of the local data. That seems like the perfect solution for everyone. They could still use the Weather intelligence but get super local data too.

post by tmcgahey on Jan 7, 2022

As for what is currently available with Rachio, when selecting a local PWS from the network, you can review the historical data. I don’t understand your aversion to the web. Your Rachio is already a cloud-based device.

post by JoeSchmo on Jan 7, 2022

Quote “How “former” are you in IT?” I see what you did there and I’m not a dinosaur (well maybe a little) even if I used to think 9.6 baud was fast. I retired 4 years ago from the largest utility in California. My problem with this is now they depend on somebody else for getting ALL the data back and forth.

post by Linn on Jan 8, 2022

This is a problem with probably all the technology in my house. If Rachio goes belly up, I will go out and get a controller from another company.

post by Eric33432 on Feb 13, 2022

Agree with all the comments here, especially if one of the companies that I got my IoT devices from goes out of business.

My Rachio uses my weather station’s exact rainfall and wind data, and I assume it uses my temperature data as well. But it also uses forecast data too. It does a pretty good job of not watering unless needed.

Hope this helps.