W85 UART mode: Temperature reported, wind values always 00

[werar]

Hi,

I’ve just modified my WS85 device to switch it into UART mode (bridging jumpers J2, J3, and opening J4, etc.). After these changes, I was able to establish communication with the unit. The device responds correctly to commands used by the WS90 MODBUS device (with a different ID, 85). It also identifies properly after a restart.

The following commands work:
fd fd fd 00 00 e9 88
returns:
fd fd fd 04 85 2a eb (04=115200 id:85)

The command from the code:
85 03 01 65 00 09 8a 6b
returns
85 03 12 ff ff ff ff 02 67 ff ff 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ff ff 0b 4d

Direct Modbus RTU query over UART also works, returns:
85 03 1c 00 85 00 04 00 85 00 00 2c 86 ff ff ff ff 02 68 ff ff 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ff ff 23 c5

Unfortunately, I never get any value other than 00 for the wind-related parameters (ff ff 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ff ff), even when I try to simulate wind.

My question is: in version 0.6, does UART mode actually work correctly and return non-zero wind values? Or is it possible that the issue is specific to my W85 unit?

[thezenox]

Hi,
The UART mode on WS85 requires a custom firmware developed by ecowitt for Breezedude. This features autosend of weather data in a low power mode.
The version I got for testing was called 1.1.5, I have seen they released an official 1.1.5 on their website, but it seems it is a different one.
Having tested the one from their website I find the same as you: All wind data zeros and about 1.3mA to much power consumption.
EDIT: removed inofficial firmware binariy. Resolved now with V1.1.6

[werar]

I conntacted the support, describing the issue, yesterday. They just today released new firmware version 1.1.6 and now it works!!!