C85845 Outdoor Temperature Sensor Use and Troubleshooting
Compatible Outdoor Sensors
Quick Connect
Outdoor Temperature Signal Strength
Dashes Showing for Outdoor Temperature
Power Requirement
Inaccurate Outdoor Temperature Reading
Intermittent Outdoor Temperature
Outdoor Temperature is stuck on HH.H, LL.L
Outdoor sensor drains batteries quickly
Outdoor Humidity goes to dashes when the temperature is cold
Outdoor sensor fell. The sensor no longer works
Replacement Outdoor Sensors
Compatible Outdoor Sensors
- The TX141TH-Bv3 outdoor sensor comes packaged with this weather station.
- The TX141TH-A, TX141TH-B (all versions) are compatible.
Quick Connect
Use the quick connect for a weather station and outdoor sensor that have been working but lost connection due to interference or low batteries. This is not the same as a thorough factory reset.
1. Bring the outdoor sensor and weather station together inside, and place the units 5- 10 feet apart with nothing between them.
2. Hold the TEMP button for 5 seconds. The outdoor temperature area will flash.
3. Remove battery cover from the outdoor sensor and press and release the TX button to send the signal.
4. Wait for 2 minutes for the outdoor temperature to appear on the weather station.
If the above procedure does not work, please try the factory restart
Outdoor Temperature Signal Strength
The weather station will search for the outdoor temperature/humidity sensor for 3 minutes after installing batteries or after holding the TEMP button for 3 seconds.
- Hold the TEMP button for 3 seconds to search for the outdoor temperature/humidity sensor.
- The strength signal icon will animate until the sensor signal is received, or for 3 minutes if no signal available.
Dashes Showing for Outdoor Temperature
Dashes mean the connection is lost between the weather station and the outdoor sensor.
- Batteries often resolve the connection.
- Distance/Resistance can cause loss of connection between the outdoor sensor and the weather station.
- Turn the weather station 90 degrees towards the outdoor sensor to provide better reception. This allows more antenna surface to face the outdoor sensor signal.
- Try the quick connect above or factory restart.
Power Requirements
- 2-AA batteries power the outdoor sensor.
- We recommend Alkaline batteries for the outdoor sensor.
- You may choose to use Lithium batteries for temperatures below -20°F/-28.8°C.
Inaccurate Outdoor Temperature Reading
High outdoor temperature readings are generally a location issue. Low outdoor temperature readings are power related or a sensors going bad.
- The outdoor sensor reads the environment where it is mounted. When mounted inside the home, it will read inside temperature/humidity.
- When the outdoor sensor reads high during the day, but not at night, it is a positioning problem.
- Look for heat sources such as sunlight, door or window frames or reflected heat.
Side-by-side test: Place the outdoor sensor right next to the weather station for 2 hours.
- Compare indoor and outdoor temperature. The temperatures should be within 4 degrees to be within tolerance.
- If the outdoor sensor reads correctly when next to the weather station, try a different location outside.
Intermittent Outdoor Temperature
Intermittent problems are the hardest to resolve. RF (radio frequency) communication may come and go occasionally. This can be normal in some environments (e.g. moister climates). If outdoor sensor signal is lost, please wait 2-4 hours for the signal to reconnect on its own.
- Move the outdoor sensor to a closer location.
- Distance/Resistance can cause loss of outdoor sensor signal.
- Check Batteries.
Freezer test: Confirm the weather station is reading the correct outdoor sensor (not a neighbor’s sensor). Place the outdoor sensor in the freezer for an hour and watch the temperature drop on the weather station.
Indoor distance test: Please complete the Restart with outdoor sensor and weather station 5-10 feet apart and inside to establish a strong connection.
- After 15 minutes, if there is a reading in the outdoor temperature area, move the outdoor sensor to another room with one wall between the outdoor sensor and the weather station.
- Observe to see if the temperature remains on consistently for 1 hour.
- If the temperature remains on while in the house, then it is likely a distance/resistance issue.
- Move the outdoor sensor to different locations outside to find a location where the temperature reading will hold.
Outdoor Temperature is stuck on HH.H, or LL.L.
These symbols are error messages indicating the outdoor sensor is outside of its readable range.
- Check Batteries. Overpowered or underpowered batteries can cause this reading.
- Replace outdoor sensor.
Note: The last outdoor reading may remain (not change) for 30 minutes when connection is lost. The outdoor temperature reading will flash when the connection is first lost or intermittent.
Outdoor Sensor Drains Batteries Quickly
- Test a new set of alkaline batteries. Write down the date of installation and the voltage of the batteries.
- When the batteries fail, please note the date and voltage again.
- Check the distance and resistance between the outdoor sensor and weather station. Outdoor sensors at the end of the range may work while batteries are fresh but not after they drain a bit.
- Check for leaking batteries, which may damage the outdoor sensor.
- Battery life is over 24 months when using reputable battery brands for both Alkaline and Lithium batteries.
Outdoor Humidity goes to dashes when temperature is cold
- The outdoor temperature/humidity sensor designed to work with this weather station may drop the outdoor humidity and dew point reading in cold temperatures.
- The humidity and dew point will return when the temperature rises. This is how the sensor came from the factory. The temperature itself will continue to read.
Outdoor sensor fell. The sensor no longer works
If there is no physical damage to the outdoor sensor, the fall may not have caused internal damage. A fall can shock the outdoor sensor or the batteries in the outdoor sensor. Batteries that have fallen on a hard surface may be damaged and unable to function properly.
- Complete a Restart with fresh batteries.
- Use Batteries dated at least six years in advance of the current year. Batteries dated earlier than six years from now may still work, but may be unstable in performance.
Note: An outdoor sensor that has fallen into puddle, snow, or other standing water, will likely have water damage and need replacement. Outdoor sensors are water resistant, not waterproof.
Replacement Outdoor Sensors
- Visit your local Retailer or La Crosse Technology® Store - http://store.lacrossetechnology.com/
Note: Be sure to order the correct model and frequency to avoid receiving the incorrect item.
- Call La Crosse Technology® Store at 608-785-7939 or e-mail from the store website if you are unsure about the correct item to order. Each item carries the original new product warranty and includes access to La Crosse Technology® technical support.