eQ_WthProc: Convert EnergyPlus EPW Files into eQUEST and 
DOE-2 BIN Files 

eQ_WthProc can convert EnergyPlus (epw) files into eQUEST/DOE-2 (bin) files.

Once you have downloaded the program archive into your eQUEST/Weather 
subdirectory (this can be done by right clicking on the above link and selecting “save 
target as” then navigating to your eQUEST installation directory and its Weather sub-
directory and selecting save) unzip the program archive into your eQUEST weather 
directory retaining its directory structure.

If your eQUEST directory is not in the \Program Files\eQUEST 3-5 directory, or you 
install the program in an alternate location, you have two alternatives for correct 
program operation:
1.	You can delete the the eQ_WthProc.INI (found in the EPW/Processor 
subdirectory) so that the program will create a new one upon startup.  If you 
select this option the program will use the local directory for the location of 
ALL files, so you will need to visit the “EPW Weather File Conversion” and 
“Setup” tabs to change all program paths to the desired location(s) for proper 
operation.
2.	You can edit the eQ_WthProc.INI (found in the EPW/Processor subdirectory) 
and change the four path names (two towards the top and two towards the 
bottom) by replacing the “\Program Files\eQUEST 3-5\Weather\” segment of 
the path to the correct value where you have installed the program.

Sample epw source and bin/ft converted files are included to illustrate program 
operation.  epw files are placed into the EPW/SourceFiles directory, then processed 
on the “EPW Weather Files Conversion” tab by pressing the “Convert” button after 
selecting the file in the “EnergyPlus weather file” control. After conversion the 
resultant bin files can be found in the EPW directory for convenient access by 
eQUEST.

The processor includes the ability to graphically review the processed weather 
data. This is an important step in assuring the quality of the weather data and should 
be done each time a weather file is converted.  
 
After file conversion, the hourly weather data is graphically viewed on the “Review 
Converted Data” tab.  If multiple files have been converted during a program 
session, press the “List All Results” button to populate the pick list with 
all converted weather sites.  The "View Detailed Chart" button brings up a more 
detailed chart that allows for a thorough examination of the data, including 
comparison of original and final data. Missing or out-of-range data in the original file 
will be replaced with interpolated or previous-day data.  Use the left and right mouse 
buttons and drag the cursor to zoom in and out of the hourly data.
 
The temporary data used for the graphics are deleted when the program is closed, 
so only those sites converted during the current session are available. If you want to 
save the graph data click on the "Save CSV files" checkbox.  You will find two files, 
one with the original data used from the EPW file and one with the final data used to 
create the BIN file.  Be sure to copy or move these files to another directory if you 
want to save them.

The processor includes the ability to have direct normal solar data re-calculated. 
Some epw files contain questionable direct normal solar values while having 
seemingly good horizontal solar values; this problem can be diagnosed using the 
“Review Converted Data” tab (described above) and noting direct normal values that 
often or significantly exceed 1000. To correct problematic direct normal values just 
check the “Calculate Solar Direct-Normal based on Global Horizontal” check box on 
the “EPW Weather Files Conversion” tab and re-convert the data.
