Author Topic: Looking for 5in1 Maintenance Tips  (Read 2115 times)

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Offline Jim_S

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Re: Looking for 5in1 Maintenance Tips
« Reply #25 on: April 15, 2019, 01:56:44 PM »
So here are some other maintenance related questions.

What kind of batteries do you use? How long do they last? When I changed mine I discovered that they were Duracell alkalines (not lithium as I thought). They had been in two years, survived temperature around 0 deg F this last winter and still had some life left in them. This time I did install Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries and I would expect them to last a very long time. We'll see.

Cleaning the rain bucket is difficult with the debris screen in place. Is it removable (I couldn't get it out)? If so how?

I was surprised at how much the white plastic had yellowed. I know from experience that even a slightly off white surface will heat up a LOT more than a pure white one. Any ideas on preventing this?

Offline nincehelser

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Re: Looking for 5in1 Maintenance Tips
« Reply #26 on: April 15, 2019, 11:26:30 PM »
In general you should expect 18 to 24 months of battery life if all is working well.  A degraded temp/humidity sensor seems to drain batteries quickly.

Personally I use Energizer lithiums.  Acurite support prefers you use alkaline unless cold weather conditions demand lithium.  Why isn’t clear.

The rain grating is removable.  I believe it just snaps out, though you might need to squeeze it just right.

In my testing of yellowed and non-yellowed 5n1s,  the temp difference was negligible.  Proper fan operation is far more critical.

Some apply a car wax with a UV inhibitor to help prevent yellowing.  The Atlas seems to have plastics much less prone to yellowing than the 5n1.


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Online DoctorKnow

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Re: Looking for 5in1 Maintenance Tips
« Reply #27 on: April 16, 2019, 08:19:33 AM »
A long time ago, I started a topic about painting the 5n1 glossy white. It worked very well... If your 5 n 1 is yellow, I would consider trying it. A caution though is to be sure you do not get paint in the vents, on the solor panel, or under the anemometer.

Offline Glenn

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Re: Looking for 5in1 Maintenance Tips
« Reply #28 on: April 16, 2019, 08:02:14 PM »
Some really good info here. I'll have to keep the tips in mind next time I take my stations down for a cleaning.
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Connecticut

Offline Jim_S

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Re: Looking for 5in1 Maintenance Tips
« Reply #29 on: April 17, 2019, 11:15:50 PM »
I find myself having to, again, confess to a senior moment  :oops: . I was checking my WU profile and noticed that I joined in January of 2016 and not 2017 as I'd thought. That means my 5in1 had been running for a little over 3 years, without maintenance or new batteries (time flies when you're having fun when you're old). My embarrassment aside I think that's pretty impressive performance from a low cost station. While the fan was a little noisy the anemometer was was working smoothly with no signs of binding at all. The wind direction vane is, if anything, too sensitive.

I am confident about not changing batteries or doing any maintenance on the 5in1 since it was installed. I'd remember that and I checked the batteries and they're dated 2015/07.


Personally I use Energizer lithiums.  Acurite support prefers you use alkaline unless cold weather conditions demand lithium.  Why isn’t clear.
Other than cost I can't imagine a reason to use alkaline batteries over lithium...ever.

The rain grating is removable.  I believe it just snaps out, though you might need to squeeze it just right.

Thanks. If anyone knows exactly where/how to squeeze it just right I'd like more details.

Some apply a car wax with a UV inhibitor to help prevent yellowing.  The Atlas seems to have plastics much less prone to yellowing than the 5n1.

I like that. It might help and it certainly won't do any harm.

A long time ago, I started a topic about painting the 5n1 glossy white. It worked very well... If your 5 n 1 is yellow, I would consider trying it. A caution though is to be sure you do not get paint in the vents, on the solor panel, or under the anemometer.
Thanks for sharing your experience and the results!

Some really good info here. I'll have to keep the tips in mind next time I take my stations down for a cleaning.

I'm glad you found it helpful. I'm hoping folks will continue to share their experiences, what worked, what didn't.


Offline daman

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Re: Looking for 5in1 Maintenance Tips
« Reply #30 on: April 19, 2019, 11:46:56 AM »
My battery's lasted well OVER 2 years I was impressed!! 
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AcuRite Iris/AcuRite Access