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Gill Instruments Ltd

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MetConnect One

The Gill Instruments MetConnect One is a professional, reference-grade, solid-state weather station built for comprehensive environmental monitoring. Merging the convenience of an all-in-one footprint with the structural adaptability of a master sensor hub, it features an integrated WindSonic ultrasonic anemometer head permanently mounted to a heavy-duty, marine-grade 316 Stainless Steel chassis. With four integrated core sensors and three open auxiliary ports, the MetConnect One delivers up to 10 time-synchronised meteorological parameters down a single consolidated data string.

Core Features & Technical Breakdown

  • Four Integrated Baseline Sensors: Measures four primary data vectors directly out of the box with zero additional configuration:
    • Wind Vectors: Ultrasonic speed 0 to 60 m/s, ±2% accuracy at 12 m/s and direction (0 to 359°, ±3° accuracy).
    • Thermodynamics: Air Temperature via an ultra-precise PT100 sensor (±0.2°C across -35°C to +70°C).
    • Humidity Matrix: Relative Humidity (±1.5%RH) with auto-derived Dew Point, Absolute Humidity, and Air Density.
    • Barometric Pressure: High-stability pressure cell (300 to 1100 hPa, ±0.5 hPa accuracy).
  • Triple-Louvered Radiation Shielding: The internal temperature and humidity components are protected by a 6-plate, naturally aspirated radiation shield. This design blocks direct and reflected solar radiation while optimising passive airflow for highly responsive ambient readings.
  • Three Open Auxiliary Input Expansion Ports: Features three rugged M12 connectors on the base of the hub box, allowing users to wire in external sensor loops and supply them with a regulated 5V power rail directly from the station.
  • Solid-State Reliability: Because it utilises acoustic transit time for wind and solid-state matrices for atmospheric data, there are no mechanical cups, bearings, or vanes to fail, seize from ice, or drift out of alignment over time.
  • Unified Digital Output: Standardises and syncs all base and auxiliary metrics into one unified serial output sentence. Selectable communication modes include RS232, RS422, RS485, Modbus (RTU/ASCII), SDI-12 v1.3, and NMEA 0183 at data rates up to 1Hz.

Base Sensor Input Capability (Available via M12 Connections)

  • Digital Input: 1 x Contact Closure channel designed for tipping-bucket precipitation gauges.
  • Resistance Input: 1 x 4-wire PT100 temperature probe path (conforming to IEC 60751).
  • Analogue Inputs: 2 x Configurable channels supporting 0-5 vDC voltage lines or 4-20 mA current loops.

Every MetConnect One includes access to Gill’s professional, license-free software suite to streamline field deployments and data virtualisation: Download link is provided with the equipment.

MetSet Configuration: Connect your PC or laptop directly to the station to easily configure communication protocols, adjust data output rates (up to 1Hz), and map your external auxiliary M12 ports. MetSet makes it simple to scale analogue inputs, calibrate pulse-count multipliers for tipping buckets, and save custom configuration profiles for fleet-wide deployment. The M12 to USB adaptor, SKU: 1733-PK-030, allows for easier bench set up prior to deployment.

MetView Data Visualisation: A plug-and-play digital dashboard application that turns raw serial strings into real-time, high-definition visual telemetry. MetView provides immediate on-screen wind roses, rolling barometric trend charts, and digital dials for all active parameters. It can also be used to log readings to the connected PC. NB. Automatic PC updates should be disabled to prevent any data loss.

MetSet and MetView are compatible with the following operating systems: Windows® 10; XP; Vista; and 7.

Applications

Feeds wind vector and ambient thermodynamic loops into Building Management Systems (BMS) to optimize climate control and emergency window damper vents.
Mounts on utility-scale solar farms, linking on-board ambient weather telemetry with an auxiliary back-of-panel PT100 probe and a current-loop pyranometer to track real-time panel performance ratios.
Deployed at construction zones, container seaports, and industrial centers to monitor safe operating thresholds and trigger automatic wind-speed crane or gantry alarms.
Monitored across crop rows to combine ambient humidity and wind tracking with external soil moisture probes and tipping buckets.

Frequently Asked Questions

▶ Q: Can the MetConnect One calculate Wet Bulb Temperature and Dew Point on board?
A: Yes. The internal processor handles all thermodynamic calculations automatically, outputting Wet Bulb Temperature, Dew Point, Absolute Humidity, and Air Density right inside the primary serial data string without requiring processing power from your PLC or SCADA system.
▶ Q: If the wind sensor head is integrated, can I still separate the wind measurement height?
A: No. Because the WindSonic head is structurally fixed to the main bracket, it will measure wind speed and direction at the exact same height as the temperature and pressure arrays. If your application strictly requires physical sensor separation (e.g., wind at 10 meters and temperature at 1.5 meters per WMO rules), you should select the MetConnect THP base model paired with a remote, cabled Windsonic anemometer instead.
▶ Q: Is the programming software required to change the auxiliary port types?
A: Yes, but it is entirely free. You can use Gill's downloadable MetSet software over a standard serial/USB interface to easily assign individual M12 port pins to match your external hardware requirements (such as switching an analogue channel between 0-5V and 4-20mA).
▶ Q: How does the system handle power surges or harsh grounding issues on steel masts?
A: The heavy-duty 316 Stainless Steel hub box and bracketry are electrically isolated from the sensor internals, and the system complies fully with EN61326:2013 EMC standards to ensure stable digital transmission over standard industrial grid panels.
▶ Q: Do I need to buy special M12 connector and cables to connect third-party sensors to the auxiliary ports?
A: No. While factory-moulded extension leads are available, the auxiliary ports utilise completely standardised, A-coded 8-way M12 connectors. Any standard industrial M12 8-pin patch cable or field-wireable connector plug can be used to run signals from your third-party sensors directly into the hub box.
▶ Q: Can individual sensor elements inside the integrated stack be replaced on-site if they get damaged?
A: Yes. Unlike conventional all-in-one stations that require replacing the entire unit if a single sensor fails, the MetConnect One is built modularly. The internal Temperature, Humidity, and Pressure sensor elements sit on accessible, plug-and-play internal boards. If an element suffers accidental field damage, a technician can simply swap out that specific sensor.
1733-PK-120

1733-PK-120

MetConnect One Compact Weather Station with integrated Wind Sensor. Parameters: Wind Speed 0-60m/s; Wind Direction 0-359°; Air Temperature: -35 to +70°C (Accuracy 0.2°C); Relative Humidity: 0-100%RH (Accuracy 1/5%RH); Dew Point; Barometric Pressure: 300-1100hPa (Accuracy ±0.5hPa. Additional Inputs via M12 8-pin connectors: Contact Closure for Tipping Rain Gauge; PT100 Temperature Probe; Two Analogue Inputs for 0-5V or 4.20mA Loop or Self-Powered, 5V Power Available). RS232, RS422 or RS485 Serial Comms using ASCII, SDI-12, Modbus RTU/ASCII or NMEA0183. Power Supply: 5-30vDC.

£2,768.00
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1733-PK-030

1733-PK-030

The M12 to USB adaptor provide power and data to be supplied to a MetConnect Compact Weather station for initial set-up or reconfiguration. Adaptor is not weatherproof and should not be used once units are left on site.

£181.00
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1733-PK-013

1733-PK-013

MetConnect 8-Pin M12 Connector with 10m of cable. Suitable for the MetConnect Power/Comms and additional sensors.

£99.00
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