I have an Ambient Weather temperature probe stuck inside the Davis rain gauge housing. During the recent cold snap, it was struggling to maintain temperatures in the 40°F range (~5°C) when it was windy with single digits ambient.
During milder weather, I can see the temperature cycling due to the thermostat. The bi-metal is close to the power resistor and runs hotter than the interior sensor temp.
I used to have a 60°F bi-metal before I bought the 104°F one. I don't recall exactly what the issue was, but I deemed it as giving unsatisfactory results.
The heater has its "pros and cons". It tends to completely evaporate light fluffy snow and will not record anything even if there is a few inches.
It does solve my pet peeve of indicated precip counts when it has been dry and sunny for days and the snow starts melting out...
There is a plot generated by meteobridge PRO from this probe on my
rain page.
Greg H.
Greg H.