New in version 2.1.1 is support for a hall sensor and auto calibration to north. Don't update to 2.1.1 if you don't have the hardware with the magnet and the hall sensor.
Older WindFlags should use firmware version 2.0.8
You can update the firmware via the
"Update firmware" tab in the web interface. Just download the
firmware file to your computer first.
Please wait 2 minutes before you reboot your WindFlag
after a firmware upgrade via the webinterface.
WindFlag is an indoor
wind indicator that always turns to the correct wind
direction. The new version also got an OLED display for wind speed. The product is made out of a 3D-printed box,
a microcontroller and a stepper motor that turns the
lid of the box to the correct heading.
WindFlag supports different data
sources. Holfuy (Holfuy
needs a password, but it is free of charge), METAR
(airport weather) and the Swedish VIVA stations. The
microcontroller connects to the data source via wifi (2.4 GHz)
and check the wind every two minutes. (METAR is updated
every 30 minutes)
The product is only made
in limited numbers. I do everything myself from
3D-printing, soldering and maintaining the software. Contact me on facebook
for the delivery time. I usually have a few in stock. The version I produce at the moment is the one with the arrow as a wind indicator (like a Windex on a sailboat). It is the best looking unit I have made, and is is much easier for me to produce than the windsock version that I sold before.
The price is 70 EUR + shipping (approx 10
EUR) for the new version with OLED display. Included in the price is: The box with the
electronics, the wind indicator and a
USB-cable. You need a USB charger which is NOT
included. Use an old mobile phone charger or similar.
1. Plug in an USB wall charger and connect the included cable to the box. Place the box in the position you want it on display. Make sure you have wifi coverage in the area.
2. Use your phone or PC and go to WIFI-settings. Connect to the new accesspoint named WindFlag
3. If you don't reach the captive portal directly, start a web browser and go to http://192.168.4.1 Scan for your home wifi and connect the unit to your network with your own private wifi password (It needs to be a 2.4Ghz network with WPA2 security. Most wifi networks have this configuration)
4. Go back to wifi settings and make sure your phone is connected to the same wifi. A new accesspoint is created with an IP-adress. DON't CONNECT to this IP, but write the IP-address down.
5. REBOOT the WidFlag by removing the USB wall plug from the socket and put it back in again.
6. Start a web browser and go to http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx where xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx iis the IP-address you wrote down in the previous step. You will reach the WindFlag web interface.
7. Calibrate the flag so you have north wind. Look at the installation video on how to do this with the new version that have a sensor and a magnet.
8. Choose data source and wind unit in the web interface. You need a password for Holfuy, but it is free of charge. Instructions in the web iterface how to obtain one.
The brain of the operation is a small microcontroller with wifi that runs custom Arduino code with the job of collecting wind data from the Internet.
A small motor with high precision that turns to the correct heading after it gets the data from the microcontroller. Goes to sleep between updates to keep it cold and save energy.
You can put anything on the lid as a wind indicator. The original version has a swedish wooden flag