Gill MaxiMet Weather Station X2 Integration Guide
The Gill MaxiMet weather stations measure temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind, and precipitation parameters to international standards. These weather stations are compatible with the X2 data logger using the RS-232 sensor interface and the internal data logger script. Below is information on the settings required for the integration of the GMX600 weather station with an X2 data logger.
Figure 1: Gill MaxiMet GMX600 Weather Station.
NexSens UW8 Connector Wiring & Pin Information
In nearly all applications involving NexSens integration, a connectorized UW8 plug will be added to the included cable that comes with purchasing a MaxiMet GMX600 weather station. In the event of connecting a NexSens UW8 connector into an external device that is not an X2 data logger, below is the pinout of the NexSens UW8 connector, along with the signal associated with the communication, ground and power pins from the sensor.
Figure 2: NexSens UW8 plug pinout.
| NexSens UW8 Pin Number | Signal |
| 1 | RS-232 Tx |
| 2 | COM Ground/Power Ground |
| 3 | RS-232 Rx |
| 5 | +12V |
Configure Communication
- Download the MetSet software from the Gill Instruments website
- Open the MetSet software and click Connect and Read.
- The software will begin searching through all available COM ports for a connection to the weather station.
- Once connected, a summary of the device settings should appear in a separate window. Close this window to begin adjusting the internal settings.
- Comms settings below are usually default and must be set as shown for proper communication with the X2 data logger:
- Protocol: GILL
- Interface: RS232
- Baud Rate: 19200
- Node ID: Q
- Output rate: 1Hz
- Message Mode: CONT
Figure 3: MaxiMet Comms settings.
Change Parameter Output and Internal Settings
- Once the Comms settings are confirmed, go to Reporting to set the parameter list below:
- Air Temperature (TEMP)
- Relative Barometric Pressure (PRESS)
- Absolute Humidity (AH)
- Relative Humidity (RH)
- Air Density (AIRDENS)
- Wind Speed (SPEED)
- Gust Speed (GSPEED)
- Wind Direction (CDIR)
- Rain Intensity (PRECIPI)
- Total Rain (PRECIPT)
Figure 4: MaxiMet parameter settings.
- Since atmospheric pressure varies with height above sea level, the altitude at the final deployment location must be set. The sensor will make a correction based on the set altitude to adjust the reading as if the station were at sea level.
- The example below shows a sensor that is 259 meters above sea level (elevation at ground level), while mounted 3 meters above the ground.
Figure 5: Station height set within pressure settings.
- If the coordinates for the final deployment location are known, it is best to set the magnetic declination within the Wind tab to correct for the Earth’s magnetic field offset from true North.
- A declination of +9.2° is set in the example below. A positive value indicates that magnetic North is East of true North and a negative value indicates a magnetic North that is West of true North.
- Magnetic declination can be calculated using the NOAA Geomagnetic Declination Calculator.
- A declination of +9.2° is set in the example below. A positive value indicates that magnetic North is East of true North and a negative value indicates a magnetic North that is West of true North.
Figure 6: Magnetic declination setting for wind direction parameter.
- After making all of the necessary changes, click Save Settings To Device and wait for the weather station to successfully update the internal settings.
- The weather station is now ready for a detection on an X2 data logger. Follow the X2 data logger quick start guide or refer to the X2 Sensor Detection article for more information.
X2 Script Information
The X2 data logger includes a pre-loaded MaxiMet GMX600 script. Use the CONNECT software to enable the script for sensor detection.
| X2 Script Number | Communication Protocol | Baud Rate | Power Type | Warmup Period (sec) | Frame |
| 3008 | RS-232 | 19200 | Continuous | 15 | N81 |
Script Parameters
The X2 reads the NMEA output string from the Gill MaxiMet that is continuously outputting the parameters below.
| NMEA 0183 Message | Description | Parameters | Units |
| $WIMWV | NMEA 0183 standard wind speed and direction. True wind direction measurement with internal compass. | Wind Direction | Degree |
| Wind Speed | m/s | ||
| Wind Gust | m/s | ||
| $WIXDR | NMEA 0183 Transducer Measurements. | Air Temperature | C |
| Relative Barometric Pressure | hPa | ||
| Absolute Humidity | g/m3 | ||
| Relative Humidity | % | ||
| Air Density | kg/m3 | ||
| Rain Intensity | mm/hr | ||
| Total Rain | mm |
Applicable Systems
Weather and atmospheric measurements are useful in various environmental monitoring applications.