looking for rain sensor

BraveSirRobbin said:
This is a bit off topic but if I had the money, THIS is the ultimate weather sensor that I would get!  No moving parts for rain measurement or wind speed sensing!  New technology has been incorporated for rain measurement that has moved away from the RGTB, which is great because they are prone to mechanical failure (after many many years) and need cleaned/debris removal occasionally.
 
 
That is very interesting.
The wind measurement technology has me intrigued.
 
BraveSirRobbin said:
FYI, there are wind speed sensors that will give you a contact closure when the wind exceeds an adjustable threshold for just this purpose.
 
The issue isn't the wind sensor type but the best mounting location for my lot is on the roof and living in TN there are many lightning storms all the time.  I would want the mast grounded and based on my research, that is a royal pain to do, especially if you don't want it run on the outside of your vinyl siding from the 30 ft up.
 
And cool sensor, pricey but cool.
 
Here the original weather stuff is all 1-WIre.  Its still up on the chimney above the second story.  One device is a lightning sensor and its still working fine.  I did utilize coaxial cable and lightning arrestor on the cable before going into the house.
 
The new Davis weather station is wireless and about 10 feet from the old weather station. 
 
I did have lightning damage occur to my automation stuff outside; a couple of years ago.
 
Not sure about it but it took out my two Rain8nets serially connected to a Digi Edgeport 8.  That said it was only the Rain8nets that quit working.  The Digi 8 port serial device continued to work fine afterwards.  This is one of my extended using catXX RS-232 connections. 
 
I do not like climbing on the roof though because of the pitch.  Its easy to get up by the Chimney but I have to slide down to the gutter on the second floor to get on the ladder; which I do not like to do.  One day the wind took down the rather heavy fiberglass and aluminum ladder.  I did have my phone with me that day and was stuck up there for a few hours until I could find a neighbor who would come over to the house to put the ladder back up. 
 
I used a longer J-Mount for the Davis Vantage Vue.  It makes it much easier to get to and work on as it pivots upside down for service.  That said though the mount is all metal. 
 
I realize it's been a while on this thread, but I'll try anyway. I recently installed a Rain8UPB Pro irrigation controller. We did not install a hardwired rain sensor. I have an HAI Ominpro IIe home automation system and a UPB network with lights and thermostats interfaced to the HAI. I am looking for a rain sensor that can be monitored by the HAI either directly or via my UPB network.
 
Any thoughts?
 
I have the old rainbird sponge still in place.  I never adjusted it.  That said I also have two Hydreon RG-11 rain guage devices.  One serves as a rain gauge and the other as an on and off rain sensor.
 
This is a very sensitive rain sensor and will work with a NC/NO methodology.
 
 
rg_wht_bgnd_sm.jpg

RG-11 Modes of Operation
  • Tipping Bucket Emulation-- Replace your tipping bucket with a low maintenance alternative.
  • "It's Raining"-- Close a skylight at the first sign of rain, and open it when it stops raining. 
  • Condensation / Frost Sensing
  • Wiper control
  • Irrigation Control-- No more watering during a downpour!
  • Drop Detection
Digital Rain Guage.jpg
 
Hydreon Optical Rain Sensor - Model RG-11
 
For measuring amount of rain; personal favorites are the original 1-wire Dallas Rain bucket (still in place) and the Davis Rain gauge.   
 
I use the Hyrdeon sensor with my Omni Pro II.
Works great.
You have to run the contact output of the Hydreon through a time delay relay like the Elk 960.

The relay output of the Hydreon is fixed at 50ms, the Omni input is fixed to respond at 300ms.
So the Hyrdeon trips the 960, the 960 extends the pulse length and trips the Omni zone.
 
I have the Hydreon setup for 0.01 sensitivity rain bucket mode.
 
I use 4 flags.
3 counters (inches, tenths and hundredths) and a rain flag (which comes on when the total count reaches greater than 0.5" and remains on for 24 hours).
I use the three individual counters because I'm displaying the results on a 5.7e. 
If you don't need to display the numbers, you can probably get away with a single counter flag.
In that case it would be hundredths, and 0.5" would equate to a count value of 50.
 
For the actually tipping bucket type rain gauges (as opposed to the Hydreon which simulates a tipping bucket) the contact closure time is typically 100-150ms.  This is still apparently below the Omni input threshold for detection.  However, another idea would be to use the Simply Automated UMI-32 I/O Module (detects pulses longer than 73ms) and convert the closure pulse to a UPB Link that the Omni console could catch.  
 
I got one of the tipping bucket type rain gauges and came up with a better solution. Normally for these gauges, the reed switch closes (or opens I don't remember) very briefly when the tipping bucket mechanism passes through horizontal after one of the buckets has been filled and it is now about to dump the water from that bucket and start filling up the other bucket.  I replaced the reed switch with a recessed switch that would go into a window or door frame (completely sealed).  Instead of having the switch in the bottom, I moved it over so that it is under the arm when the bucket is in one of the two resting positions.  I then swapped out the magnet on the arm under the tipping bucket mechanism to a ring, rare earth magnet.
 
Now, when the bucket is in one of the two positions, the sensor is closed, and when it moves to the other position it is open.  Problem solved.  Since the funnel that feeds the tipping bucket doesn't let enough water to pass so that the bucket tips no more than once a second or so, my pulse width is plenty wide enough for my OmniPro II to pick up and count.
 
Yes, I understand that I may have slightly thrown off the calibration of the rain gauge by swapping out the magnet on the bottom of the tipping bucket mechanism, but I don't really care about the difference between (e.g.) .95" of rain vs 1.00" of rain.
 
There is a bucket test you can do.  I also have a Dallas Tipping bucket here and did check once many many years ago.

 
Code:
I really don't understand why this is so complicated for calibrating a 
rain guage.  The diameter, radius, nor circumference have nothing what 
so ever to do with calibrating the rain guage.  It is mearly a funnel to 
guide the water (rain) to the tipping bucket.  As per the instructions 
quoted below:

"To measure rainfall accurately, you will need to calibrate the tipping 
bucket by making sure it is level and dripping water through the 
collector top. Adjust the calibration screws so that 16 oz at the 1 inch 
per hour rate produces 100 counts. This can be measured using the rain 
guage display in the weather station software. Use a paper cup with a 
pin hole in the bottom to supply the water at the proper rate."

So get 16 oz. of water and a paper cup or whatever prick a pin hole in 
it and start pouring water (this will take a long, long time) and 
calibrate the tipping bucket screws while monitoring with software. 
Once you have it calibrated, then hook it up to the T-238.

Now if you do not want to waste your time refilling a paper cup over and 
over.  Go to the local pet store (even Wal-Mart) buy some air hose a air 
value (plastic regulator), and your favorite 2 ltr. drink on sale. 
Drink the soda or pour it out, drill hole in cap for hose, seal it, fill 
bottle with 16 oz measuring cup.  Put cap w/hose back onto the bottle 
and adjust the regulator for the proper flow to produce 100 counts.

Hope this is of any help to anyone.  Else you're going to go bald or 
gray haired way before your time.  I know, I am already there!
 
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