The installation process consists of two phases:
Initial Setup & Testing – Assemble the unit and confirm that it operates correctly for at least 24 hours.
On-Site Installation – Mount the weather station and solar panel at the deployment location (Click here for On-Site Installation)
This guide covers Phase 1: Setup and testing before mounting the unit.
Required Tools
Before starting the setup process, gather the following tools:
Electric drill (for self-tapping screws)
Screwdrivers
1/2 inch wrench (or similar)
7/16 inch wrench (or similar)
Optional: Voltmeter for troubleshooting power issues
Components Included in the Box
A typical Mini-Arvis Weather Station kit includes:
Mounting Hardware
5 mounting straps
5 mounting brackets with nuts
Strap hex bit
Camera mount
Brackets
2 T-brackets
4 large self-tapping screws (for mounting brackets)
Additional smaller self-tapping screws
Lock washers, nuts, and bolts
Equipment
Weather station PVC box
Camera head
Solar panel
Solar panel mounting brackets:
Base bracket
Back support bracket
Top support bracket
Solar Panel Assembly
Attach the base mounting bracket to the solar panel.
Use the small self-tapping screws to secure the panel:
Two screws at the top
Two screws at the bottom
One screw on the side
An electric drill can be used for this step.
Top Support Bracket
Attach the top support bracket to secure the panel from above.
Back Support Bracket
The back bracket provides additional stability and allows for small adjustments if the mounting surface is uneven.
⚠️ Important Notes
Do not remove self-tapping screws once installed.
If repositioning is necessary, shift the bracket slightly and reinstall.
Ensure the junction box remains accessible after mounting.
Mounting the T-Brackets to the Weather Station Box
Attach the two T-brackets to the back of the weather station box.
Important:
Use a screwdriver only.
Do not use a drill to avoid damaging threads.
Both brackets are identical.
Once installed, the brackets should not be removed.
Connecting Sensors and Components
Before powering the unit, connect all sensors and cables.
Ports on the Weather Station
Port | Function |
Camera 1 | Primary camera connection |
Camera 2 | Secondary camera (dual-head systems) |
Auxiliary | Pavement temperature puck |
Solar Charger | Solar panel connection |
⚠️ Important
For single-head units, the camera must be connected to Camera 1.
Sensor Installation
Air Temperature & Humidity Sensor
Loosen the adjustment screw and extend the sensor so that the metal mesh is fully exposed.
This ensures accurate environmental readings.
Infrared Pavement Temperature Sensor
This sensor measures pavement surface temperature using infrared technology.
Calibration is covered in a separate guide.
Inspecting Internal Components
Open the weather station box and verify the following:
Inside the enclosure you will find:
Circuit board
Cellular antennas
Battery
Solar charge controller
Wiring harness
Important Checks
Ensure all connectors are securely attached.
Confirm the battery is properly seated in the foam padding.
Verify wiring connections between:
Battery
Solar controller
Circuit board
⚠️ Avoid pinching wires when closing the enclosure.
Pinched wires may cause permanent damage.
Powering the Unit
To power the system:
Connect the battery harness.
Turn the unit ON.
You should see status lights blinking, indicating the system has started.
Connecting to the Weather Station
Use a smartphone or computer.
Step 1 – Connect to Device WiFi
Open Wi-Fi settings and connect to the hotspot named:
Cameo-XXXX
or
Arvis-XXXX
(The serial number will follow the name.)
If prompted that the network has no internet, select Connect anyway.
Step 2 – Open Diagnostic Page
Open a browser and navigate to:
192.168.4.1
This opens the system diagnostics interface.
Running Diagnostics
After connecting, run the following tests.
1. Network Test
Select Test Network.
Expected results:
Takes 30–45 seconds
Displays Success
This confirms:
SIM card is active
Cellular connection is working
2. Camera Test
Select Snapshot.
The system will capture a test image from the camera.
Expected time:
30–45 seconds.
3. Sensor Test
Click Update Sensor and Pressure Data.
This verifies readings from:
Air temperature
Pavement temperature
Atmospheric sensors
4. De-Ice Heater Test
The De-Ice button activates the camera lens heater.
This helps clear frost or snow buildup.
This test is optional but useful for troubleshooting.
5. Solar Panel Test
Connect the solar panel and check:
Method 1 – Voltage Monitoring
Observe battery voltage on the diagnostic page.
Example:
12.8 V
When the solar panel receives sunlight, the voltage should increase slightly.
Method 2 – Charge Controller LED
A small LED on the solar charge controller will blink when charging is active.
This indicates the solar panel is working properly.
⚠️ Solar testing must be done outdoors in sunlight.
Restarting the System
Once diagnostics are complete:
Press Restart in the diagnostics interface.
This disables the temporary Wi-Fi hotspot and returns the unit to normal operation.
To enable diagnostics again:
Turn the power OFF
Turn the power ON
Reconnect to the Wi-Fi hotspot
Portal Verification
After restarting:
Log in to the Viaesys portal.
Verify the system is uploading:
Images
Sensor data
If you do not have portal access, contact Viaesys support and provide the device serial number.
24-Hour Testing Period
Before installing the system permanently:
Place the weather station outside for at least 24 hours with the solar panel connected.
Ensure:
The unit consistently uploads images
Sensor readings update
The solar panel charges the battery
Solar Placement Guidelines
The panel should:
Receive direct sunlight
Not be under trees
Not be shaded
At least several hours of direct sunlight per day is recommended.
After the 24-Hour Test
If the system operates correctly for a full day:
The unit is ready for final installation.
Mounting the weather station on a pole or structure is covered in the installation guide.
Troubleshooting
If issues occur during testing:
Power cycle the device
Reconnect to the diagnostics interface
Run the tests again
If problems persist, contact Viaesys support for assistance.