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Magellan MX Weather Station
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Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Set Up Instructions
Site Selection:
1. Upon arrival at the deployment site, determine a suitable location
where the Magellan mast may be set up away from physical
obstructions and heavy foot traffic. Because of the wireless
transceivers, the telescoping tripod and sensors may be located
as far as 1-mile (Line of Sight - LOS) away from where the
weather data is viewed.
2. Site location should be away from trees, buildings or other
obstructions that will alter accurate wind direction and speed-
readings.
3. Screw the grounding/tie-down auger into the ground at the
center of the placement until the auger portion is adequately
secured.
4. If the site selection is on blacktop/pavement, use a 6” nail spike
or Rebar driven into the surface at a 45° angle. This sufficiently
secures the mast during operations.
Mast Set Up and Sensor Alignment:
1. Remove tripod components from the bag. Stand the tripod up
(without legs) so the sensor head may be attached to the mast.
2. Attach the Sensor Head to the mast.
3. Attach sensor cable by connecting the 8-pin waterproof male
connector/sensor cable to the one-foot female sensor pig-tail
waterproof connector.
4. Holding the tripod vertical, place tripod legs in their respective
slots, one leg at a time. Once the first leg is in, balance the tripod
until the other legs are inserted and the tripod is free standing.
5. With all legs in place, insert the leg locking pins. The tripod may
now be picked up and moved over the grounding stake.
6. Secure the tripod to the grounding stake using the clamp strap.
Ensure the strap is tight enough to keep the tripod in-place
during high winds.
7. Extend the mast to its fullest height and insert the locking pin.
8. If the guy wire kit is used, remove the sensor and mounting
adapter prior to mast set up and slide the guy wire ring collar
onto the mast extension, then reinstall the sensor. Anchor the
end of each guy wire to the corresponding tripod foot using the
wing nuts. Extend the mast fully and adjust the guy wires using
the turnbuckles to tighten the guy wires evenly.
