{"title":"Boltwood Cloud Sensors","description":"\u003cp\u003eBoltwood Cloud Sensors. Part of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/diffraction-limited\"\u003eDiffraction Limited\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"boltwood-cloud-sensor-iii","title":"Boltwood Cloud Sensor III","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePowerful Sensor Technology\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe primary sensors used for determining safe\/unsafe observing conditions are cloud detection, rain detection, wind speed limits, and daylight. The user can also set limits on other parameters, including humidity, temperature, etc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Boltwood Cloud Sensor III will trigger a contact closure (relay) output when it detects adverse conditions. When connected to an observatory roof controller such as the MaxDome II system, this will cause the observatory to close. Note that this will not park your telescope or other equipment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Perfect Software\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMany users use software to operate the observatory in response to the weather conditions. Diffraction Limited makes Cyanogen Imaging® MaxIm DLTM software, that includes a flexible observatory shutdown capability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConnect Anywhere\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Boltwood III can operate as a WiFi hotspot or connect directly to your wireless network. There are three different connectivity options available:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBoltwood III\u003c\/strong\u003e connects via standard WiFi connectivity for multiple clients.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBoltwood III-S\u003c\/strong\u003e includes WiFi connectivity and RS-232 serial ports, providing a dedicated hard-wired connection.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBoltwood III-SO\u003c\/strong\u003e connects only the RS-232 serial port, which is more appropriate for more secure environments or where 2.4GHz WiFi radio signals are not desirable. All RS-232 Serial versions include a 50-foot (~15m) serial cable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePowered. Always.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe sensor operates from a 10.5V to 24V DC power source, making it compatible with 12V solar-charged battery systems. A universal AC adapter and extension cable comes standard to connect with available central power locations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe sensor detects:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClouds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRain Drops\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWet snow\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWind Speed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHumidity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDew Point\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBarometric Pressure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDaylight\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInput Voltage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"resp-accordion resp-tab-active\" role=\"tab\" aria-controls=\"tab_item-1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"\u003eSPECIFICATIONS:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"tab-specifications\" class=\"tab-content resp-tab-content resp-tab-content-active\" aria-labelledby=\"tab_item-1\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate Dimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBody 7.5” tall x 4” diameter (190 mm x 100 mm)\u003cbr\u003eOptional Anti-Bird Wires add 1” (25 mm) Mounting Bracket 2.5” from center axis (65 mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDC Input Power:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e10.5VDC to 24VDC, 1A Maximum\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAC Adapter:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e100VAC to 250VAC, 50\/60 Hz\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePower Connector:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarrel style, 2.5 mm ID, 5.5 mm OD, unpolarized Example: DigiKey CP3-1001-ND\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoof Close Connector:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eBarrel style, 1.3 mm ID, 3.5 mm OD, unpolarized Example: DigiKey EP505B-ND\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRoof Close Circuit Rating:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e12V, 1A\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWiFi Communications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eIEEE802.11b\/g\/n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCenter Frequency Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e2412 ~ 2484 MHz\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry Policy:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAutomatic configuration based on network station\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Diffraction Limited","offers":[{"title":"WIFI+Serieal \/ US","offer_id":53799013974127,"sku":"BOLTWOOD-III-ES-US","price":3649.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"WIFI+Serieal \/ European","offer_id":53799014006895,"sku":"BOLTWOOD-III-ES-EU","price":3520.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"WIFI+Serieal \/ Australian","offer_id":53799014039663,"sku":"BOLTWOOD-III-ES-AU","price":3520.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Wifi Only \/ US","offer_id":53799014072431,"sku":"BOLTWOOD-III-US","price":3349.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Wifi Only \/ European","offer_id":53799014105199,"sku":"BOLTWOOD-III-EU","price":3520.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Wifi Only \/ Australian","offer_id":53799014137967,"sku":"BOLTWOOD-III-AU","price":3520.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Serial Only \/ US","offer_id":53799014170735,"sku":"BOLTWOOD-III-ESO-US","price":3649.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Serial Only \/ European","offer_id":53799014203503,"sku":"BOLTWOOD-III-ESO-EU","price":3520.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Serial Only \/ Australian","offer_id":53799014236271,"sku":"BOLTWOOD-III-ESO-AU","price":3520.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/Boltwood-II-PLus__66931.jpg?v=1766567351"},{"product_id":"portable-cloud-sensor","title":"Portable Cloud Sensor","description":"\u003cp\u003eA battery powered cloud sensor, perfect for those expeditions to dark-sky sites and star parties!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDetects cloud and daylight\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAudible alert\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBattery powered\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStandalone operation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNot intended for permanent installation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA beeping sound rouses you at 1 AM, and looking out of the tent you see it’s finally cleared off. You pop the tarp off your telescope, line up a shot, get the autoguider running, and start the exposure series going. You’re still pretty tired though, so you head back into the tent, comfortable in the knowledge that the Boltwood Portable Cloud Sensor will wake you up if the conditions deteriorate again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Portable Cloud Sensor is designed to alert you when the cloud conditions change. It consists of a sensor head and a control box, connected by a cable. The sensor head is placed outside, pointing up at an unobstructed sky. The control box can be conveniently located inside a tent or building, as needed. The control box includes batteries that will power the unit\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003efor over 100 hours\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, plus an alarm beeper, a headphone jack for “silent” alarms, and simple user controls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Portable Cloud Sensor measures the amount of cloud cover by comparing the temperature of the sky to the ambient ground level temperature. The sky temperature is determined by measuring the amount of radiation in the 8 to 14 micron infrared band. A large difference indicates clear skies, whereas a small difference indicates dense, low-level clouds. This allows the sensor to continuously monitor the clarity of the skies, and to alert the user when conditions change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA built-in daylight sensor is also included. When the sensor is set to detect\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Clear \u0026amp; Dark”\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003econditions, it will alarm for clear skies unless the sun comes up first, in which case it lets you sleep in. When the sensor is set to detect\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“Cloudy or Light”\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003econditions, it will alert you when clouds roll in or dawn approaches, so you can protect your telescope against the elements (including the sun!).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"size-medium wp-image-1187 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/pcs_faceplate-250x196_e2568be9-b0b5-4e8a-aed2-603f2cff78d8.jpg?v=1766567363\" alt=\"pcs_faceplate\"\u003eAlthough the Portable Cloud Sensor uses the same cloud detection technology as it’s big cousin, the Boltwood Cloud Sensor II, it is not designed for permanent installations. It does not detect rain\/moisture, wind, or humidity. The sensor is gently heated to prevent dew or frost, but it does not have the power to clear itself after a rain shower; it must be wiped off. It cannot connect to a computer or trigger an observatory dome closure. For permanent installations please use the Boltwood Cloud Sensor II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe control box, shown at left, can be conveniently located next to your pillow while you sleep. The simple user controls let you set the cloudy\/clear threshold, set it to alarm for clear or cloudy conditions, and turn it on\/off. On the side are two jacks; one for the sensor cable and one for optional headphones (not included).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncludes Sensor Head, Control Box, and Cable.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Diffraction Limited","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44013997228143,"sku":"PORTABLE CLOUD SENSOR","price":673.65,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/Img_5834__26657.jpg?v=1766567365"}],"url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/collections\/dl-boltwood.oembed","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}