Thank you! Yes, they are pricey and good. ;-)
We only have a cheap one-wire now, which needs to be sealed before mounting. IIRC, the temperature sensor also needs to be shaded, etc. It will be connected through a small NetBSD system for data set collection and transmission to the Net. The weather here will probably beat it down pretty quickly. In the meantime, we'll shop for something nicer, including the bookmark for the Davis units.
We're building a small, shielded, passively cool (less pex tubing in the closet, adjustable high and low wall vents, north side) server closet into the place to facilitate low maintenance, durability and modifications (home-built racks for boards and RAID array).
In two or three years, if all else goes well enough, we'll mount some radio equipment, starting with components of most use for this area (high peaks and saddles between home and vehicles). ...either lower frequencies, or higher frequencies that will work well with local repeaters, or both.
We've begun overview study for ham radio, with only some background in basic electronics, computer electronics, construction (small towers for wind turbines and radio antennas, we like building the tilt type) and safety. And yes--welding. ...will begin study for tests after summer. ...might get a kit and build it before long (maybe through ebay or something). We've made some of the easier repairs to appliances a time or two before replacing the appliances (capacitors, output transistors, color circuits--mostly the obvious, easy stuff).
We do our own electrical installs to code. ...just hooked up the well pump, water system (gravity with cistern and regulator at bottom)--off-grid, w/ generator, outdoor inlet and switch on a heavy post next to the wellhead--and about to send the install report to the State. It's slick for a low-tech. install, with monster polyurethaned post, steel conduit between the boxes (using rainproof hub), sch. 80 plastic and UF cable in the ground and ground wire between all boxes to well casing. ...all rainproof.
That and travel trailer modifications (PV, heating, etc.) are the only electrical installations that we don't need to pull permits for, but the inspector will probably ogle power plant for water anyway, when he arrives for inspecting the temporary power plant. He's absolutely strict on code and safety but great with communication and brightly interested in new tech. Reminds me of some of my tech. instructors (engineers).
On gadgets, in case you haven't seen it,...
The MidNite Classic works with the
homebuilt wind turbine (derived from
Hugh Piggott's Axial Flux design)
http://www.midnitesolar.com/
First MPPT controller for small wind turbines. ...also great for PV electric systems.
The MidNite Clipper should be added to that for wind turbines (or maybe a homebuilt rectifier, diversion, etc.).