Boltwood Cloud Sensor III

Make the most of clear skies.

The newly-designed Boltwood Cloud Sensor III is the must-have observing conditions monitoring device for astronomical observatories. The Boltwood Cloud Sensor III can you alert you to clear conditions, so you can start your observing session.  It also helps protect against observatory equipment damage with warning of clouds, rain, winds, and other unsafe conditions – and can even trigger automatic observatory shutdown.  Coupled with your favorite observatory control application software, the Boltwood Cloud Sensor III enables automated observation scheduling.

Boltwood Cloud Sensor III utilizes Wi-Fi technology for wireless conditions monitoring from up to five computers.  It supports both ASCOM Alpaca interfaces and browser-based monitoring, providing compatibility with any operating system.  Both network operation and Wi-Fi hotspot modes are available.  For Windows users our Clarity III software is also available, providing extra setup and data logging features.

Optional Wired Version

The Boltwood Cloud Sensor III is also available with an optional wired interface version (BOLTWOOD-III-S), which has an RS-232 serial interface and also supports Wi-Fi operation.  A 100′ (30 m) serial cable is included.

For situations where radio-quiet operation is required, a serial-only version is available (BOLTWOOD-III-SO).  This version uses the same hardware but has the Wi-Fi transmitter permanently disabled. A 100′ (30 m) serial cable is included.

For serial interface operation, an ASCOM driver is available for operating the sensor under Microsoft Windows. The serial protocol is also documented in the user manual to facilitate custom software solutions.  Note that this ASCOM driver is not compatible with Wi-Fi operation, which does not require a driver as it uses a direct Alpaca network connection to the sensor.

Download product Data Sheet

Boltwood Cloud Sensor III from Diffraction Limited on Vimeo.

Powerful Sensor Technology
The primary sensors used for determining safe/unsafe observing conditions are cloud detection, rain detection, wind speed limits, and daylight. The user can also set limits on other parameters, including humidity, temperature, etc.

The Boltwood Cloud Sensor III will trigger a contact closure (relay) output when it detects adverse conditions. When connected to an observatory roof controller such as the MaxDome II system, this will cause the observatory to close. Note that this will not park your telescope or other equipment.

The Perfect Software
Many users use software to operate the observatory in response to the weather conditions. Diffraction Limited makes Cyanogen Imaging® MaxIm DLTM software, that includes a flexible observatory shutdown capability.

Connect Anywhere

The Boltwood III can operate as a WiFi hotspot or connect directly to your wireless network. There are three different connectivity options available:

• The Boltwood III connects via standard WiFi connectivity for multiple clients.
• The Boltwood III-S includes WiFi connectivity and RS-232 serial ports, providing a dedicated hard-wired connection.
• The Boltwood III-SO connects only the RS-232 serial port, which is more appropriate for more secure environments or where 2.4GHz WiFi radio signals are not desirable. All RS-232 Serial versions include a 50-foot (~15m) serial cable.

Powered. Always.
The sensor operates from a 10.5V to 24V DC power source, making it compatible with 12V solar-charged battery systems. A universal AC adapter and extension cable comes standard to connect with available central power locations.

Documentation

User Manual

User’s manual for installing and operating the Boltwood Cloud Sensor III

Download

Software

Clarity III for Windows (x86/x64)

Utility for managing your Boltwood Cloud Sensor III and logging data – Production Release 1.0

Download (64-bit) Download (32-bit)

Firmware Update

Firmware version 12 for Boltwood Cloud Sensor III

Click here for release notes.

Download

ASCOM Drivers for Boltwood CSIII Serial Models

Note: This installer is for BCSIII units with a serial port only. WiFi only units make use of the onboard Alpaca REST server to interact via ASCOM.

Download (Win)

Comparative Charts

All the reasons to upgrade to the new and improved Boltwood III Cloud Sensor