Another Waikato Lightning Detector

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Tornado Tim
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Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by Tornado Tim »

Hi Guys,

Another Lightning Detector will soon be added to the Waikato/NZ region :)

I will be using L2k (Lightning 2000) as the software to process the Lightning Data.
This means I wont be able to join the Nexstorm/Stormvue NZ regional correlation :(

I have spent a bit of time working on a PHP Lightning Page/Script for anyone using l2k in to view the data online :)
This is a demo of the script: http://wx-matangi.dyndns.org/Weather/wxl2kdemo.php (using real data just not live and operational at this time)
Download and install instructions: http://wx-matangi.dyndns.org/Weather/wxl2kdisplay.php

So I have just placed the order for l2k and a Boltek PCI storm tracker :)

So it should be operational within two weeks, of course testing will need to be done for sometime after.

Anyway have a look at the Page and tell me what you think of it.
As you can see L2k has heaps of data that you can output :D
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by kaimaikid »

Looking good Tim, better than the software by that Twit from Ozzie....

Well done.
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by Tornado Tim »

kaimaikid wrote:Looking good Tim, better than the software by that Twit from Ozzie....
I think he's from Sweden ;)

Thanks for the feedback :)
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by David »

Looks great! =D>
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by NZstorm »

Looks good, will be interesting when its up and running.
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by Tornado Tim »

Thanks for your guys comments.

Of Note:
1) L2k will automatically zoom up or out of the map when storms pop up :)

2) Lightning data and Map will automatically update every 1 min on the page ;)
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by GreggWard »

Good on you Tim. I'm also really interested to see it once it's up and going.
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by Tornado Tim »

OK the map is up and going :)

Here is a screenshot of the Map for the Waikato/BOP area.
Screen shot 2010-11-26 at 9.57.50 AM.png
Since l2k operates a bit differently to nexstorm I might as well fill you in.
There are 2 zones that l2k will warn about:
Yellow alert for storms that are in your regional area. (marked with a yellow range ring)
Red alert for storms that are approaching or in the immediate area (marked with a red range ring).

Storms will be colour coordinated according to the strength they have:
If a storm has a sudden increase in +ve strokes/flashes the storm will be filled in with colour.

If strokes or flashes have been detected nearby a circular storm will be displayed meaning that there is a very high chance of another lightning strike occurring in that area again.

Storm severity will be scaled from: Thundershower, Thunderstorm, Strong Thunderstorm, Severe Thunderstorm:

Here are some screeshots about what I am talking about (using US storm data overlaid onto NZ Map)

If you have any Questions feel free to ask them :)

More info here: http://wx-matangi.dyndns.org/Weather/lightinfo.php
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by Tornado Tim »

Me being the person I am, I had to get some more U.S lightning data and overlay it on NZ.

It really puts NZ storms on a small scale doesn't it!
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by Tornado Tim »

Hey Guys,
If you have a boltek can you give me the size of the nylon screws you used to mount your antenna on.
I went to Jaycar and they did nylon screws but they were too short or not thick enough.

Thanks
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by ricky »

I think I used 25mm M3s on Foggy's which was in a 65mm pipe..
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by tgsnoopy »

Contact EDL Fasteners :)
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by Tornado Tim »

Thanks Guys,
I shall investigate this week coming :)
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by jamie »

ricky wrote:I think I used 25mm M3s on Foggy's which was in a 65mm pipe..
sounds correct. come have a look at my set up if you want tim
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by Tornado Tim »

jamie.h wrote: sounds correct. come have a look at my set up if you want tim
Thanks for the offer Jamie, I may take you up on it :)

Just Incase anyone downloaded my script an update is now available for it :D
http://wx-matangi.dyndns.org/Weather/wxl2kdisplay.php

It will now show Flash Rate, Stroke Rate, Noise Rate and will future proof the script for a new sister script I am finalizing atm ;)

Enjoy......
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by Manukau heads obs »

you just need the hardware and then some storms ah!
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by Tornado Tim »

Manukau heads obs wrote:you just need the hardware and then some storms ah!
Yea LOL, The Storm tracker has now got to NZ and is in the process of being custom cleared......

May get it tomorrow if it processed overnight from Auckland :D

Although it probably wont be fully up until Sunday.

I had a look at the website of company snoopsta recommended and who they sell to, none of them sell Nylon Screws!

Turns out Nylon Screws are hard to find in the Tron, hahahaha LOL (really i dont know why I am laughing at that as it isnt funny)
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by Skywatcher »

I eventually found the spare plastic nuts and bolts from when I installed my detector 6 (!!!) years ago. They seem to be 15mm x 2BA but I used a bigger diameter pipe (110mm ?) which has a shallower curve so they might be too short.

Let me know if you want me to send you some.
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by Tornado Tim »

Skywatcher wrote:I eventually found the spare plastic nuts and bolts from when I installed my detector 6 (!!!) years ago. They seem to be 15mm x 2BA but I used a bigger diameter pipe (110mm ?) which has a shallower curve so they might be too short.

Let me know if you want me to send you some.
Thanks very much for the offer, my pipe is 80mm.
So I think I may need to get a 20-30mm screw. Best thing I can do is once I have the antenna infront of me I can see how long it needs to be.
Do you know if any of screws listed here: http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productResults. ... SUBMIT.y=0 will fit well?
It seems long enough but too skinny but then again I dont know the mounting hole size......
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by tgsnoopy »

Tornado Tim wrote:I had a look at the website of company snoopsta recommended and who they sell to, none of them sell Nylon Screws!

Turns out Nylon Screws are hard to find in the Tron, hahahaha LOL (really i dont know why I am laughing at that as it isnt funny)
#-o

Last time I needed some EDL Fasteners at Mount Maunganui had what I needed in stock.
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by Skywatcher »

Tornado Tim wrote:Do you know if any of screws listed here: http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productResults. ... SUBMIT.y=0 will fit well?
It seems long enough but too skinny but then again I dont know the mounting hole size......
The ones I have are 3.6mm diameter (4BA not 2BA #-o) so the 3mm screws (i.e. M3) should be fine. In fact, they'd give you a bit more wiggle room if the holes aren't lined up exactly.
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by ricky »

Tornado Tim wrote: Do you know if any of screws listed here: http://www.jaycar.co.nz/productResults. ... SUBMIT.y=0 will fit well?
It seems long enough but too skinny but then again I dont know the mounting hole size......
They're the ones we used, I still have some in my toolbox, should've left some there!
The 3mm size was fine.. Grab some of the washers too.
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by tgsnoopy »

When I get back I'll have a look. I'm pretty sure I still have 3 & 4mm nylon stuff in stock, only small quantities though, but hopefully sufficent to help out.
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by Tornado Tim »

Dont worry guys, I got some from Jaycar, M3 25mm and some washers and nuts, it should be long enough.

I have got nabbed by customs so I had to fork out an extra $112.92 for them to release the boltek.

Boltek sent it with the description of "Meteorological Instrument" so of course they were going to nab me, LOL

I will let you guys know when its up.

Thanks so much guys for the support!
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Re: Another Waikato Lightning Detector

Unread post by Tornado Tim »

OK got the detector now, its installed in the server, so now I just need to mount it........
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