After double clicking you will get a selection like this:
(4).Click on the icon for “smv3.exe”. The program will load and run in the MS-DOS window. Follow on-screen instructions. If the program does not run, or does not run correctly under the MS-DOS window, then see below.
IMPORTANT NOTE!: You MUST uncheck two MS-DOS properties if you want the software to run in the background or run minimized. If your computer will be doing other tasks (such as automatic FTP of the data web page generated), or if you are running other weather software, or a web cam, you will need to uncheck the following two MS-DOS properties, to keep the software from pausing when minimized or when multi-tasking.
(1) RIGHT-CLICK with your MOUSE on the SMV3 icon, without causing the software to start up.
(2) Slide mouse down the choices and Left Click on "Properties".
(3) Click on the "Misc" file tab, to bring up a menu like shown above.
(4) Un-check "FOREGROUND: Allow screen saver". This prevents the screen saver from appearing while the software is loaded. Screen savers with heavy animated graphic use might slow down the counting speed.
(5) Un-check "BACKGROUND: Always suspend". This prevents MS-DOS from pausing the recording operation while you're doing other tasks.
(6) Click "OK".
A shortcut icon will pop up and be created. Click on this icon to run the program in the future. You may have to copy the software to a floppy disk or your hard drive to get this icon to generate. You can also drag the icon using your mouse to your desktop for easy access.
If your version of MS-DOS is different, you may have to un-check the items each time you load the software. Some MS-DOS versions have an easy "backbround" button on the tool bar. Just un-check it to allow correct operation.
The software works on Windows 95 version, and also on Windows XP Version, so compatibility should cover a number of versions inbetween.
To test to see if the software will run correctly when minimized or in the background, see instructions below for setting up recording to disk. Then when recording, minimize the software by pressing the "-" button in the upper right corner of the screen. Load your web browser and view the HTML web page the software is creating. Press refresh once per minute. Data should be added.
Another way to test it is to check to see that the index counter on the right-hand side of the screen keeps running after having minimized the program for about 20 seconds. The index timer should continue to advance, the software graphics should NOT speed up or slow down.
To QUIT the software after using it, see the main menu screen and press the "ESC" key twice as indicated. Do NOT press the "X" in the corner. This may not correctly close the software.
Plug the system parts together like shown in the above diagram. Use the included "Y" adapter. It does not matter which side of the "Y" adapter the cables are plugged into. The serial port connector has a 1 inch air gap for electrostatic isolation.
Plug the serial port connector into the 9-pin serial port labled "COM1" or COM2", usually located on the back or side of your computer.
See your lightning sensor instruction book. Generally the lightning sensor should be mounted between 4 feet to 8 feet above ground level. For best results, run a ground wire to a ground rod. Connect ground wire from the negative (black) terminal on the sensor directly to an earth ground rod directly below the sensor mounting location. Do not connect to house AC ground and do not ground near where wire enters a window, else this will throw the system's electrical phase off standard balance.
2 IMPORTANT NOTES! To test the system (when no storms are near): Unplug the sensor
from the back of the lightning detector box. Push the sensor plug into the lightning detector box’s
jack carefully. You should hear a single “CLICK” sound from the box. The computer should
indicate a detection. The data packets contain the number of flashes detected each second. The
packets can contain several flashes that may sound like only one single ‘click’ to the ear. This is
correct operation NOTE: The software does not allow working with file tree structures.
USING THE SOFTWARE: ! WARNING: Do not touch or use electronic equipment when lightning is near. The software is menu-driven by pressing the ‘F-Keys’ at the top of your computer keyboard. F1- Allows recording or monitoring of storms. Data files are recorded in HTM web page format. NOTE: You cannot record data files to the CD drive. Record to your hard disk or to a 3.5-inch
1.44 Meg diskette. If you don’t know how to create directories on your hard disk, then just
record to removable disk. If you record to your hard disk, it will record to the current directory. You may want to create a
directory or a new folder and copy and run software from that directory or new folder so files will
be stored in that directory or new folder only. WARNING!: You will need to press the "safely remove hardware" (just as you always do normally), before unplugging your removable storage device when finished using it. Data may be lost if you do not end the data connection.
NOTE! The system will not RECORD to CD-RW or CD-R even though there may be a drive on your system with the correct letter designation. These drives operate differently (FOR RECORDING) and are not supported by the software. You can PLAYBACK data from a CD-RW or CD-R however.
CAUTION! On some computers,. hard drive "D:" selection may be your computer's backup system restore drive, especially in Windows XP systems. If this is the case, do not the system restore drive to record data to.
F2 - Allows playback of recorded storm data. The software graphs the recorded data on screen. You can play back data from the disk drive you recorded to. You can also copy and re-name files between drives.
F3 - Allows viewing of the list of recorded data files. F6 - Allows automatic recording. File names are current dates. The system creates a new file each
new 24-hour day. The system will not begin recording on the day unless 10 or more detections
per minute are received. Once this occurs the software records until the end of the day and then
ends the recording. Then it creates a new file name (the system's DATE) and awaits for the next event. Use the Automatic Recording System to save disk space: It does not use disk space unless triggered to record, and recording will automatically end at midnight unless lightning is being detected. If lightning is being detected then it will continue to record until the lightning count = 0. Then it will create a new file name and wait for 10 detections. 3 The software allows recording lightning flashes as a yellow graph. This is the total flashes per minute. The scale is 0 to 233 flashes per minute. It is normal for the graph to go past 233 when severe storms approach.
The software allows recording the maximum lightning flashes per second in a minute's time period. This is a brown-orange graph. The scale is 0 to 233 flashes per second.
The solid yellow line in the graph is a severe storm detection. See below for details on these features.
(4) SEVERE WEATHER LIGHTNING FLASH PATTERN DETECTION: The software detects 3 different lightning signature patterns that can indicate approaching severe
weather. If the lightning sensor is mounted at 5 feet then the lightning pattern scanner’s range is
about 30 miles, average, though it can be greater if the storm is larger or producing intense
lightning. The screen will display the following when a lightning signature pattern is detected: SEVERE STORM SIGNATURE DETECTED AT (time).
A yellow line will be displayed.
This warning indicates that a local severe storm has been detected. It can also indicate that a
distant severe storm is producing large hail or a very strong tornado. HAIL SIGNATURE DETECTED AT (time). A light blue graph line will be displayed. This
warning indicates that a local storm is likely to begin producing hail of pea-size or greater. It can
also indicate a distant severe storm is producing very large hail or a strong tornado. SUPERCELL STORM SIGNATURE DETECTED AT (time). A red graph line will be displayed. This
warning indicates that a local storm is likely beginning to produce a tornado. It can also indicate
large hail. Not all storms produce the lightning signature patterns that trigger the alarms. Double solid lines may occur in strong severe storms.
Due to various weather conditions, not all storms produce the lightning signature patterns that
trigger the alarms. WARNING!: Do not touch or adjust equipment when lightning is nearby. The signature scanner
is very sensitive and if the controls are adjusted or if keys are pressed, it may cause delay errors
resulting in non-detection. When a storm is approaching, leave the system alone and let it work. (5) SEVERE STORM METERS, INDICATORS and SCREEN DISPLAY ITEMS The software features two meter indicators that relate to the lightning flash strength and storm
strength. The software also features a timer count (0 to 60 seconds, not shown in this photo). SIGNAL: The bottom right SIGNAL METER indicates for each lightning flash. The signal meter is a count level based
on lightning flash rate for one second. If lightning flashes 7 times in one second then the meter
reads 7. When lightning is very intense (having many tightly packed flashes) the meter reads into
the red. “+” is 99+ flashes/sec. 5 STORM POWER: The top right STORM POWER METER reads the storm’s potential power
level. If the storm reaches the “TORNADO” level at the top of this meter, it indicates the storm
has enough power to produce a tornado. It does not mean that a tornado is present, though it
might be. The meter will drop down to “SEVERE” when a hail detection occurs. This does NOT
mean that the storm has weakened, especially if the meter moves back up to “TORNADO”.
Remember that the meter does not need to indicate “TORNADO” before a tornado can
form. If the storm does not produce enough lightning then the meter will not indicate correctly.
Lightning flashes are NOT needed to have a tornado to occur. LAST MINUTE TREND ARROW: (at the bottom of screen). At the bottom center of the
screen is a trend arrow pointer that appears only when lightning has been detected. If the arrow is
pointing up and is RED this means that lightning flashes have increased since the last minute’s
reading. If the arrow is pointing down and is GREEN this means that lightning flashes have
decreased since the last minute’s reading. If the lightning level equals that of the last minute then a
BLUE sideways arrow is displayed. MAX STRIKES GRAPH: (at the bottom of screen). At the bottom of the
screen is a graph that shows the maximum lightning flash rate per second (maximum lightning flash frequency in Hertz) during the timed minute period. The graph is yellow when the max strikes are 9 Hertz or less. If the max strikes increases to 10 Hertz or above the graph turns red. There is no upper limit set for the graph, but absolute maximum hardware (lightning sensor, computer interface unit) throughput is around 600 Hertz. Lightning flashes rarely go above 200 flashes per second. It is normal for the graph to extend above the upper line (61 Hertz) into the bottom of the LIGHTNING GRAPH if storms are very strong. The burst graph will print on top of the LIGHTNING GRAPH, allowing the increase of storm strength to be seen when the LIGHTNING GRAPH goes above the upper screen limit. The MAX STRIKES GRAPH has a minimum reading of 2 Hertz, it will not indicate for single flash events (1 Hertz). These single lightning flashes indicate on the LIGHTNING GRAPH instead.
USING REMOVABLE MEDIA, such as Compact Flash Drives. Mass Storage Drives, etc.
The software allows data recording to removable media.
(1). Before starting the software, plug in your existing removable drive to one of the USB ports.
(2). Allow the computer a few moments to automatically recognize your drive as usual.
(3). In the software's RECORDING SELECTION MODE (F1), press the drive letter (usually g) of the removable drive. If unsure, you can usually see the letter of the drive in the window that pops up when you plugged in the USB drive.
(4). The system will work with your removable media drive. Follow on-screen instructions.
NOTE: You can click on the HTML data file even as it is being recorded, and view it with your web browser. You can refresh your browser each minute to see new data added.
NOTE: With your automatic FTP software, you can automatically upload and update the HTML data file to your web page..
NOTE: Allow one minute for the graph scale to appear. Graph scale slides from left to right as the system records.
NOTE: The BEEPING ALARM will sound for one minute then reset automatically, unless another severe detection occurs.
A short sample of the web page table data created by the software.
Typical size of a 24-hour data recording from a day of very active storms is around 0.16 Meg (160 KB). If a blank recording is made (no detections) then 0.125 Meg (125 KB) is used up for that day. Use the Automatic Recording System to save disk space: It does not use disk space unless triggered to record, and recording will automatically end at midnight, unless lightning is being detected. If lightning is being detected then it will record until the lightning count = 0.
| Lightning Strikes per Minute |
Maximum Strikes per Second |
24-Hour Local Time |
Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2 | 00:52 | 02-22-2008 |
| 7 | 3 | 00:53 | 02-22-2008 |
| 5 | 0 | 00:54 | 02-22-2008 |
| 12 | 5 | 00:55 | 02-22-2008 |
| 8 | 0 | 00:56 | 02-22-2008 |
| 7 | 2 | 00:57 | 02-22-2008 |
| 22 | 3 | 00:58 | 02-22-2008 |
| 40 | 9 | 00:59 | 02-22-2008 |
| 76 | 14 | 01:00 | 02-22-2008 |
| 59 | 9 | 01:01 | 02-22-2008 |
(6) LIGHTNING DATA FILES FROM ACROSS THE USA
Archived data files of storms across the USA are available for download online at:
http://www.stormwise.com/lightningpre.htm
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(7) DISCLAIMER
The lightning sensor and associated instructions and software other supplied parts are for informational and/or educational purposes only.
Stormwise or its officers or employees cannot be liable for any injuries, loss of life, or damages, accidental or incidental, arising out of or related to the use of or the inability to use the lightning sensor, software, instruction book, lightning sensors, or any other equipment, or any other instructions or parts supplied by Stormwise or its officers or employees.
Stormwise or its officers or employees cannot be liable for any damage to computer, recorders, radios, printers, or other electrical or electronic or mechanical equipment that the lightning sensor or any other product supplied by Stormwise, is connected to or used in conjunction with.
The lightning sensor and this software and interface is sold only as an educational or meteorological research instrument. It is in intended for educational purposes only. Stormwise or its officers or employees can not be liable for any injuries, loss of life, or damages, accidental or incidental, arising out of or related to the use of or the inability to use the lightning sensor, software, or other equipment or any instructions supplied by Stormwise assumes no responsibility for the suitability or unsuitability of the lightning sensor, or instructions for any application(s).
The software and/or lightning sensors are intended only for meteorological research, educational use, or personal hobby use; and are sold only as component parts. It is left solely up to the user / purchaser to determine the suitability of the software and/or lightning sensor for use in applications involving the protection of life and/or property.
(8) 90-DAY WARRANTY
Stormwise gives a 90-Day warranty from the date of purchase on customer’s receipt, should the unit fail from a factory defect. Warranty does not cover weather-related damages, misuse, abuse, tampering, broken wires or connectors, aging of product, or other non-factory defect, damage. If product is defective, return it to the store you purchased it from for a replacement. Please describe fully the reason you are returning the unit.
(9) SYSTEM ERROR MESSAGES and RECORDING FAILURE ALARM
This software has the capability to detect intermittant hard disk drive failures and floppy disk failure (Disk in drive but disk not ready for I/O for an unknown reason). If your computer is old and the hard disk or floppy disk drive begins to fail, the software will attempt to re-write the data to the disk to allow recording to continue without total failure (recording ending due to a brief disk error such as a scratch or dust), depending on condition of your hard disk or floppy disk drive. This does not guarantee accurate data playback however, as this version of software does not continue to look for missed data segments on a damaged disk while in playback mode.
The software will try to successfully record the data up to 30 times before the "Recording Failure Alarm" sounds from your computer's internal beeper. Pressing the ENTER key will reset the system back to the Main Menu and stop the alarm.
A "BEEP" tone will be heard from your computer's buzzer each time the software attempts to write to a failing disk drive or hard disk system. The beep tone will generally sound like the 1-second tone that normally sounds from your computer when you have a jammed keyboard key.
The software will miss approximately 1 second of possible lightning data for each record retry. If the hard disk failure message appears frequently, then it is time to replace your computer. The lightning pattern analyzer requires the full 60 second recording period to capture as much data as possible each minute for analysis. Recording to hard disk allows about 1 second more data capture time than a floppy.
If you remove the diskette before manually ending a recording, then you will get the disk error message when the system trys to record. Pressing the ENTER key will cancel recording process before the loud alarm sounds.
Do NOT insert or remove diskettes when the disk drive light is lit up or the disk drive motor is active. This could damage your disk drive or your diskette!
Playback Error Messages:
Your recording should be able to be played back up to the point where power failure or other failure occured.
If during playback there are error messages, this means that some control data was not written, perhaps due to power failure or removal of disk before ending recording, or dust on the floppy. You can fix this error by looking at a "good" file and copying or pasting the file codes (time date, totals, etc) in the correct order to the end part of the "bad" file by using an ASCII text editor such as "NOTEPAD" or any word processor. The software playback requires the file to be saved in HTML and not a word-processor type document. Do not "CONVERT" the file to HTML using the word processor because this will mess up the data protocol by adding extra HTML tags not found in the original recording. The software will not recognize extra HTML tags.
If there is no data in the recording, (file too short, less than 1 minute long) you may receive an error message upon playback.
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