4.1. 6357 Vue ISS

As an all-in-one design, all the sensor and SIM/transmitter components of the Vue ISS are contained within the one single ISS assembly. How the components interact is a little less obvious than with the VP2 model and so is outlined briefly here.

The general principles of troubleshooting sensor or transmitter issues are similar across all Davis wireless models and as described in the separate sensor-specific topics. But this section supplies some brief context where reference to the Vue ISS hardware is required.

Although the appearance of the Vue ISS is little changed since its introduction in 2009, there have actually been two major changes to the ISS internals since then, plus a number of minor revisions. The revision level is shown in the first letter of the Manufacturing Code.

Revisions A-F inclusive (also all referred to by Davis as v1.00) retained the main original design in which the sensor elements and main SIM board were all separate components which attached to the SIM board via a Pogo pin interface and could be replaced individually.

Revision G (v1.05) then saw a very significant change dispensing with the Pogo pin interface and moving to a fully hard-wired harness, with most components (other than the solar panel) permanently attached to the SIM board.

There was then a jump in numbering to Revision M (v1.10) which introduced a number of other enhancements (such as the replacement of reed switches in the rain and wind speed sensors by solid state components). Revision M also incorporated some significant improvements to the design of the lower half of the ISS case.

Some months after Rev M appeared a further change was made by including the solar panel as part of the hard-wired harness.As a result there are actually two types of Rev M harness – those that incorporate a new solar panel and those that don’t. Without inspecting the inside of a Rev M Vue ISS it’s impossible to know which type might have been fitted, though from 2017 on it’s certainly likely to be the type with new solar panel attached.

Note: Throughout all of these ISS revisions, the Vue wireless protocol has remained completely unchanged. So it’s perfectly OK to use one of the latest Vue ISS units with an original revision console/logger unit.

Practical consequences

As a result of these various changes in specification over recent years there are two important practical consequences:

• Individual electronic components can only be replaced on the original v1.00 layout (revisions A-F). But, in general, any significant electronic fault on rev G and later Vue units, whether in SIM board or sensors, requires replacement of the complete wiring harness; Regrettably, stocks of components for these original v1.00 Vue units are rapidly being exhausted and you may be lucky to find any source that has stock.

• Because of the multiple design changes, it is vital to quote the Manufacturing Code (or at least the revision letter) when requesting spare parts. An incorrect part will almost certainly not fit your Vue. And it may be necessary if, for example, you have a rev M ISS to open up the ISS case to check whether the solar panel is part of the harness or not; fortunately this is easy to do simply by undoing the four screws located in the ISS base (but be aware that these screws have quite long threads).

*The need to replace the complete wiring harness on rev G and later models applies only to electronic faults. Various mechanical parts such as replacement tipping-spoon assemblies, wind speed and direction cartridges, debris screens and various other casing parts are still readily available as spares.

!Davis have set the price of replacement wiring harnesses for Rev G and later models quite high and not too far below the cost of a complete new ISS. For this reason, it may often be simpler and quicker to replace the complete ISS if an electronic fault develops on one of these Vue models.

!Similarly, even if you do have a pre-G model, this will now have seen several years of service and may be nearing the end of its useful life. It is also becoming increasingly difficult for dealers to source electronic spares for pre-G revision ISS units. Overall, it may well be much quicker and more cost-effective overall to consider replacing the complete ISS for these older models also.

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