[Equest-users] Editing eQuest Weather Files

[Varkie C Thomas]

Jonathan,
Thanks for the information.  I am going to try again to convert the �jeddah08.bin� file to �jeddah08.ft�, make revisions, and convert it back to �jeddah08.bin� using UltraEdit.  Send me the �edit to the current guide on your website� and I will put it in. Or, I could give you administrative privileges (you must have a Yahoo account) and you can add it.  
It would be more convenient if someone were to write a program that converts the Excel file back to �weather.bin�.  It is easier to make changes in Excel.  In the case of Jeddah weather, the AP, DB, WB, WS, etc., was changed for 8760 hours (for a higher elevation near Jeddah) with Excel programming.  There are other uses such checking the DOE2 model with actual energy performance data.
Thanks for your interest in the website.
Varkie
----- Original Message -----
From: Jonathan Chew <jchew at twfp.com>
Date: Thursday, March 31, 2011 9:15 am
Subject: RE: [Equest-users] Editing eQuest Weather Files
Hi Varkie, all

I have found a work around to the PKAFT issue. Varkie, as previously mentioned, I have been referring to Jeff Hirsch's eQuest weather guide, and more importantly, the elusive excel sheet that supposedly prepared the data in a much more user friendly method than all previously discussed methods. 

Anyways, after turning a 'template' .bin file to a .ft file, I suggest it is opened with a word processing program called 'UltraEdit', instead of either notepad or Excel. In this program, you can edit columns effectively, while preserving the format of the original .bin file, unlike Excel. I have confirmed that the edited .ft file can be converted back to a (.bin) file using PKAFT, and used in eQuest without a 'End of Weather file' error. 

As I am currently working through this myself, I can provide an edit to the current guide on your website Varkie, if you like. We can discuss further if you are interested.

Thank you again for all the help everyone. I'm glad this can finally move forward. 
Jonathan Chew
Mechanical Engineering Services
The Walter Fedy Partnership

Phone: 519-576-2150 x236
Fax: 519-576-5499
Web: www.twfp.com
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From: Varkie C Thomas [mailto:thomasv at iit.edu] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 2:31 PM
To: Jonathan Chew
Cc: R B; eQUEST Users List
Subject: Re: [Equest-users] Editing eQuest Weather Files


Someone (like Joe Huang, Jeff Hirsch) should write a program to read the Excel file and write it into a text file using the NCDC 80-column format and then convert it back to "weather.bin". It would be very useful. 
You can order NCDC weather file (they will send you any 10 consecutive years) for about $200 and use PKAFT to convert to "weather.bin". The webpage http://bepan.info/weather shows how to convert NCDC packed 80-column TEXT DATA to "weather.bin" and back to TEXT TABLE which can then read into EXCEL See 9 - Weather _NCDC.tpe to DOE2.bin to Tables-Charts
The excel file can be saved as text file but I don't think PKAFT can convert it back to "weather.bin". The NCDC format has been changed. Example: the DP column in NCDC is now missing and other calculated results have been added and all the columns have been rearranged.
I have just added a zipped file CONVERT EDITED EXCEL FILE "Weather.xls" BACK TO "Weather.bin" to the website http://bepan.info/weather showing my crazy attempt at converting the Excel file back to "weather.bin". It is 9 MB. Double click on it. It produced a "weather.bin" that was 145 KB instead of 146 KB and I get a "end of file" message. I decided not to figure out what was missing and gave up. It would be quicker and easier to write a program that does the conversion. 
Under http://bepan.info/engg-calcs you will find Excel psychrometric programs. 
Varkie
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