Weather Direct – Website FAQ Page

1. Do I have to connect my Weather Direct display unit to a computer?
   a. No.
   The Weather Direct display units connect to the Gateway via RF radio transmission. They are never connected physically to the Gateway or your computer.
   
   
2. Will Weather Direct work with my dial-up internet connection?
   a. No.
   Weather Direct requires a high speed (broadband) internet connection.
   
   
3. Do I have to create a profile to setup my Weather Direct unit?
   a. Yes.
   In order to register your Weather Direct product, you must first create a profile and provide some basic information, like a user name, password, email address, etc.
   
   
4. Do I have to provide an e-mail address to setup my profile?
   a. Yes.
   When setting up your profile, you are asked for an e-mail address. This enables the Weather Direct system to automatically direct alerts to this address, if you choose to enable them.
   
   
5. Do I have to buy a new Gateway each time I get another Weather Direct display unit?
   a. No.
   One Gateway device is all that is needed for a single location. Each Gateway can support over 100 Weather Direct displays or other devices.
   
   
6. Can I use more than one Weather Direct display device with one Gateway?
   a. Yes.
   Each Gateway can support over 100 Weather Direct displays or other devices.
   
   
7. Do I have to connect the Gateway to my computer to configure it?
   a. No.
   A direct connection is not needed between the computer and the Weather Direct products for configuration. Configuration is completed using the Weather Direct website, found at www.weatherdirect.com.
   
   
8. Do I have to connect my Weather Direct display unit to my computer to configure it?
   a. No.
   A direct connection is not needed between the computer and the Weather Direct products for configuration. Configuration is completed using the Weather Direct website, found at www.weatherdirect.com.
   
   
9. Do I need to have my Weather Direct Gateway connected to the internet at all times?
   a. Yes.
   Weather Direct works by regularly requesting and receiving data from our Weather Direct servers via the internet. This requires the Gateway device to be connected to the internet at all times.
   
   
10. If I lose my internet connection, will I lose my weather data on the display?
    a. No.
    The Weather Direct displays are updated at regular intervals (depending on the version and upgrades selected) and retain their data until new data is received. If the Gateway loses its connection to the internet, the data will be updated again when the connection is restored.
    
    
11. How long do the batteries last in my Weather Direct display unit?
    a. Estimated battery life for an average Weather Direct display device is 2 years.
    
    
12. Are there any batteries in the Weather Direct Gateway device?
    a. No.
    The Gateway has its own power supply, and does not require batteries.
    
    
13. How often does the forecast data get updated on my Weather Direct display unit?
    a. Forecast data is updated every six hours.
    
    
14. How often does alert data get updated on my Weather Direct display unit?
    a. Weather Alerts are updated much more frequently, approximately every two minutes.
    
    
15. What is the maximum distance my Weather Direct display can be away from the Gateway?
    a. 300ft
    
    
16. How far away can the outdoor temp sensor be from the Weather Direct display?
    a. Maximum 330ft
    
    
17. Will severe Weather Alerts work if my internet connection is interrupted?
    a. No.
    The Gateway needs to have a live connection to the internet to receive weather alerts.
    
    
18. If the power goes out, will my Weather Direct device still receive updates?
    a. As long as the internet connection is live, and you have power to both the internet modem/router and the Weather Direct Gateway, the updates will continue (An example would be having your internet router/modem and Weather Direct Gateway plugged into a battery backup device).
    
    
19. How will Weather Direct affect the speed of my internet connection?
    a. Weather Direct uses very small network data packets and should have no noticeable effect on your internet connection.
    
    
20. Do I need a wireless router?
    a. No.
    You don't need a wireless router. The Gateway simply needs to be connected to your local area network router or your dsl-router by using the network cable included in the box with your Weather Direct display. The Weather Direct display units communicate wireless with the Gateway and not through your local area network.