Davis Rain Gauge

[Aardvark]

I have had no problems with the strainer in the cone.   I did use the plastic grate  and had crap stuck it that would fill the bucket and eventually it seeped through the crap and tipped the pan.   However,  with the strainer above the grate it provides it is such a manner that the water does go into the pans.

One thing you really have to be very sure is that your station is level in  2 directions otherwise the water will go down the funnel and not hit the pans.

[Skywatch]

I use something like this:

I believe Oregon Scientific uses a simular strainer. My WMR100 came with one of those, but I don't like the fine mesh. I find that it delays the rain gauges reaction time. for a year I removed it because of that. But because the small gaps have a tendacy to trap some rain drops, those fine wires arn't verry good I geuss. There's not much that can be put over the rain gauge without effecting the accuracy. But I geuss it's not too much difference. My OS rain gauge worked better without the strainer. My VP2 seems to do fine without it's grate.

[Skywatch]

This design issue with the rain cone feeder is one issue that Davis needs to address sooner than latter. The plastic debris grate is totally useless. 

I agree, I lost mine a few months ago. Wind blows guilty. Even the small gusts made it move around. The conical structure of the rain gauge helped by producing little wind vortexes. No sence buying another. Now wishing I had glued it in the first place. Then again, how the accuracy would be effected.

What are those things for anyways? I mean the spacing in the grate to the smallish hole where the rain enters the tipping bucket chamber. What can't pass through the grate but can pass through the rain gauge hole? Common sence!

Don't really know how much more you can do to "protect" a tipping bucket gauge from getting debris inside it.  This is an issue even the NWS has to deal with at their ASOS gauges.
They have to clean out their automated gauges (and manual ones for that matter) all the time.  It's just the nature of the beast.

One thing to note, the conical structure of the gauge can also cause swirling water during high rainfall rates.  This swirling action, if not broken up by something like the debris grate, may cause some of the precip catch
to miss the buckets.  Again, mostly an issue at high rainfall rates but another issue that the grate reduces.

Myself?  I do the same thing as wxtech.  A little drop of hot glue goes a long way! 

Well there's not much I can do about it now. The strainer is long gone. I mean, I'm shure it's about 75 cents worth of plastic not counting shipping. However I'm also shure similar items can be found in the sprinkler section in the hardware store. I've seen items that are close.

[jerryg]

My Davis gauge grill does the same thing, i was just outside and it was upside down i guess from the gusty winds we have been having. That gauge is on my backup station but on my main vp2 i used a Rainwise 8 inch opening rain gauge and it has a grill that has two pieces of flexable metal wires attached that go down thru the opening and bend up along the inside of the cone to keep the grill in place and i have never had a grill problem with it. Seems to me Davis could do  the same thing, it looks simple and cheap to do.

[Ugly Duckling]

I went back to the beginning trying to follow this post. I believe everyone is referring to the Pro2 rain gauge.

Is the bottom of the rain cone of the Pro2 and the Vue the same. The Vue has what they call a "Rain Collector Debris Screen" which is nothing more than a plastic plug with slots in it. Is there a problem with losing this plug? Before I mount this on my roof on the top of a 10 ft pole I would like to know is there's anything I should do first to protect it.

Sorry for not knowing exactly what you are referring to.

Many Happy Weather Changes,

Marci Anna


[neondesert]

My Davis gauge grill does the same thing, i was just outside and it was upside down i guess from the gusty winds we have been having. That gauge is on my backup station but on my main vp2 i used a Rainwise 8 inch opening rain gauge and it has a grill that has two pieces of flexable metal wires attached that go down thru the opening and bend up along the inside of the cone to keep the grill in place and i have never had a grill problem with it. Seems to me Davis could do  the same thing, it looks simple and cheap to do.

I agree.  Sounds like something Davis could easily implement.  Only Davis could answer why they don't. 

For now, "a little dab'll do ya".... of hot glue that is.

[wxtech]

I went back to the beginning trying to follow this post. I believe everyone is referring to the Pro2 rain gauge.

Is the bottom of the rain cone of the Pro2 and the Vue the same. The Vue has what they call a "Rain Collector Debris Screen" which is nothing more than a plastic plug with slots in it. Is there a problem with losing this plug? Before I mount this on my roof on the top of a 10 ft pole I would like to know is there's anything I should do first to protect it.

Sorry for not knowing exactly what you are referring to.

Many Happy Weather Changes,

Marci Anna


You should mount the rain collector where you can service it.  It will collect leaves, and birds will leave evidence of their roosting.  You'll have to clean out the spider webs from inside.

[dalecoy]

I went back to the beginning trying to follow this post. I believe everyone is referring to the Pro2 rain gauge.

Is the bottom of the rain cone of the Pro2 and the Vue the same. The Vue has what they call a "Rain Collector Debris Screen" which is nothing more than a plastic plug with slots in it. Is there a problem with losing this plug? Before I mount this on my roof on the top of a 10 ft pole I would like to know is there's anything I should do first to protect it.

Sorry for not knowing exactly what you are referring to.

Many Happy Weather Changes,

Marci Anna


You should mount the rain collector where you can service it.  It will collect leaves, and birds will leave evidence of their roosting.  You'll have to clean out the spider webs from inside.

...however, this is a Vue. 

Marci, the VP2 "rain screen" is a loose plastic piece about the size of a button, that (in theory) lies at the bottom of the cone and stays there.  In practice, it tends to blow out, get lost, etc. etc.

The screen for the Vue has some "tabs" that (in theory) hold it in place.

[Aardvark]

Davis sells the parts, 1 buck for the vue and 2 for the vp  I assume they anticipate it flying away.

I always have one cavet...  be sure you put your sensors in such a location, that you are able to maintain and service them without danger to life and limb and that getting to the sensor is not a problem as you get older

[Ugly Duckling]



You should mount the rain collector where you can service it.  It will collect leaves, and birds will leave evidence of their roosting.  You'll have to clean out the spider webs from inside.

I agree it would be nice having the ISS located where it can be easily serviced.

My choices are placing the ISS down low within easy reach but the ISS will record little wind.

My next choice is to place the ISS high where it can record the maximum wind but it will be not as easy to service. It will require going upon the roof and lowering the Vue from the roof tripod.

For me it's not a choice should I desire to use the Vue as it's designed. I place wind as my number one reason for having the Vue, not that other data is unimportant but I place wind first.

Not having a weather station before I don't know how often they require servicing but for me going on the roof is not a problem as long as the roof is not covered in ice or snow. I don't care for the though of slipping on ice and sliding off the roof. Should the Vue require my services then it will have to wait until the snow melts.

The Vantage Vue Manual states battery life as being 8 months to 2 years depending on sunlight. To avoid going on the roof in the winter I plan to replace the battery once a year, in the summer!

Maybe other weather station owners can tell me what to expect. How often will I need to lower the Vue from the roof?

Thanks!

Many Happy Weather Changes,

Marci Anna


[Ugly Duckling]

 

Marci, the VP2 "rain screen" is a loose plastic piece about the size of a button, that (in theory) lies at the bottom of the cone and stays there.  In practice, it tends to blow out, get lost, etc. etc.

The screen for the Vue has some "tabs" that (in theory) hold it in place.

Thanks for describing the Pro2 'rain screen'. I had no idea what it looked like.

The Vue's 'rain screen' snapped into place. I tried to pull it back out but it was in there so tight I left it alone. I thought should it need removing later I'll wait until then to try to remove it.

Many Happy Weather Changes,

Marci Anna

[dalecoy]

Unless you are unlucky (i.e., something breaks), or you have trees overhead the Vue (dropping leaves), a once-a-year battery change and general cleaning should be all it needs.

Re: "I place wind as my number one reason for having the Vue, not that other data is unimportant but I place wind first."  -- remember, in some other thread, when you were asking about mounting, I asked that exact question (what's most important).  Having made that decision, the rest is just implementation.

[Ugly Duckling]

Unless you are unlucky (i.e., something breaks), or you have trees overhead the Vue (dropping leaves), a once-a-year battery change and general cleaning should be all it needs.

Re: "I place wind as my number one reason for having the Vue, not that other data is unimportant but I place wind first."  -- remember, in some other thread, when you were asking about mounting, I asked that exact question (what's most important).  Having made that decision, the rest is just implementation.

Implementation... Ok

I don't have trees overhead but far in the back I do have a Maple tree and everyone knows about Maple trees. Yes in the spring they send into the air samaras. It wouldn't surprise me if one or more somehow drifted up into the rain gauge container.

Many Happy Weather Changes,

Marci Anna

[Aardvark]

in any case, be careful   when you mount the unit,  bring a compass with you up there to get the wind direction aimed in the correct direction and then go have fun  with it.

[Ugly Duckling]

in any case, be careful   when you mount the unit,  bring a compass with you up there to get the wind direction aimed in the correct direction and then go have fun  with it.

Bring a compass... Ok

Last winter I went to Florida for a couple months.

As I was packing I packed two items I had no idea why I was packing them.

Items: Compass and Altimeter
       
Many Happy Weather Changes,

Marci Anna


[Aardvark]

you could bring a parachute, but do be careful up on the roof....you can slide.. I don't want to hear that you did fine after the third bounce...

[Ugly Duckling]

you could bring a parachute, but do be careful up on the roof....you can slide.. I don't want to hear that you did fine after the third bounce...

Hey Mister,

This morning a very large thunderstorm passed through Omaha giving me .32". I only caught the top corner of the storm.

I see on your thingy below it says it has been 5 days with no rain. This huge storm didn't make it to Des Moines?

When I saw the storm last it was headed east and we all know who's over there.

Many Happy Weather Changes,
 
Marci Anna


[Aardvark]

missed us.. It tracked south

[Flag]

How would you design it?

The feeder hole in the bottom of the cone could be threaded or have a threaded stainless part to take something like a threaded insert which in basic form would appear very little different to the current feeder hole. With the threaded fitting then a typical hi-rise gauze screen could be added etc

I could come up with a shetch of my thoughts if you wish?   

[chief-david]

you could bring a parachute, but do be careful up on the roof....you can slide.. I don't want to hear that you did fine after the third bounce...

I take a phone and the walkie radio on the roof too.

[dalecoy]

How would you design it?

The feeder hole in the bottom of the cone could be threaded or have a threaded stainless part to take something like a threaded insert which in basic form would appear very little different to the current feeder hole. With the threaded fitting then a typical hi-rise gauze screen could be added etc

That's a good idea.  It could even be retrofitted "at home".

[Aardvark]

you could bring a parachute, but do be careful up on the roof....you can slide.. I don't want to hear that you did fine after the third bounce...

I take a phone and the walkie radio on the roof too.

when we moved into this house, back in  1982, about 29 years ago, I'd go over to my neighbor Mr. Hayes and borrow his ladder. Then I  would prop it up and up I would go.  Frequently  in uniform.  I was looking for a teaching position back then, and was a part time paramedic for one of the hospitals here.  So we had a TV  antenna that sucked and I recall going up several  times to install a  new one, paint  the gables.  as I said often just got off work, smelly of the days work and felt the need to  go up and make a slight adjustment.  Now 29 years later, it is not an option.

Not as limber as I was back then, and the roof is very slick..  we had a steel roof installled,  it looks like shingle, but it is steel and hence slick.   They took a couple of week getting it installed right so no one would need to go up there.   I guess that if the house blows away, the roof stays intact.

anyway,  I used to have my wife stand at the base to make sure the ladder didn't fall over, then I got smart and realized that all I would need to do was drop down on the car port  and swing to the ground much like a monkey.     Didn't need for that to happen.

I went with the wireless  ISS   after the wife suggested not trying my luck  on the roof, although I still think that if  I had increased the length of the mast, the anenometer  would have made an attractive addition to the  property and confirmed with the neighbors back then thought of me... some nutty kid who thinks he can save lives at the risk of his own.

[moehoward4]

My WWIII has been out of service since 03/07...and while mowing the backyard about a month ago, I found the debris screen for it. The VP2's screen hasn't been in since maybe 07/07...gave up when I kept finding it in the front yard. I just throw the ladder up once a month and give everything the 'once-over'. Fortunately, my collector doesn't get much junk in it.    Jack

[Ugly Duckling]

you could bring a parachute, but do be careful up on the roof....you can slide.. I don't want to hear that you did fine after the third bounce...

I take a phone and the walkie radio on the roof too.

After readying your suggestion to take a Walkie Talkie with me when I go on the roof I realized how important that could be but after giving it much thought I decided I can do even better than that.

I'll be twice as safe and take both Walkie Talkies with me.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Many Happy Weather Changes,

Marci Anna

[Flag]

you could bring a parachute, but do be careful up on the roof....you can slide.. I don't want to hear that you did fine after the third bounce...

I take a phone and the walkie radio on the roof too.

After readying your suggestion to take a Walkie Talkie with me when I go on the roof I realized how important that could be but after giving it much thought I decided I can do even better than that.

I'll be twice as safe and take both Walkie Talkies with me.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Many Happy Weather Changes,

Marci Anna

  You will also require to have done Working at Heights, a safety harness, static line, certified anchor point, first aid and do a full risk assessment.