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If rain collector is not reading correctly (or at all)
1. 1. Launch the logger or weather station so you can see the rain
measurements on the LCD (this step is not necessary if the rain collec-
tor is attached to a WatchDog 2000 Series Mini or Weather Station).
2. Check the inside of the rain bucket for debris such as leaves that
may be blocking the grid at the bottom of the bucket. Remove the rain
bucket from the base and check for any obstacles (spider webs, debris,
etc.) that may be preventing the tipping spoon from moving freely. If
the hole beneath the grid gets clogged with dirt, the cotter key can be
removed to allow it to be cleared.
3. Manually move the tipping spoon back and forth several times.
Check the LCD after it has updated to see if these tips have been rec-
orded. Do this several times.
4. If the tips are being counted, skip to step 5.
If the LCD is not showing any or all of the manual tips of the spoon, it
may be that the magnetic sensor on the tipping spoon is too far from
the read switch or that the sensor cable is bad. There are 2 cams on
the base of the rain collector that can be rotated to move the tipping
spoon closer to or further away from the read switch. Make this adjust-
ment and check if the LCD shows that the logger can detect manual
tips of the spoon. If so, proceed to step 5. If not, the sensor may need
to be sent in for service.
5. If all the tips are being counted, replace the rain bucket and trickle a
known amount of water into the bucket. 84 ml of water should register
0.1 inches of water (2.5 mm). This is equivalent to 10 tips of the tipping
spoon. The best results are attained when the water is added slowly. It
is recommended that the water be put in a ziplock bag which is then
punctured with a pin to allow the water to slowly enter the rain bucket.
If the reading on the LCD is slightly high or slightly low, the sensor can
be calibrated. When the spoon tips, it lands on screws on either side. If
sensor is reading high, lower the screws. If it is reading low, raise the
screws. It is recommended to adjust the screws a quarter turn and
again run a known amount of water through the bucket to determine if
additional adjustment is necessary.
Rain Collector
Adjustment
