Campbell-Stokes Sunshine Recorder

[smorris]

As some of you know, I'm every bit as fascinated with the "old way" of doing things as much if not more that with modern technology. I've got digital cameras and 100 year old bellows camera, modern typography software, and very old typewriters and printing presses, power tools and 100+ year old woodworking tools, digital "books" and 200+ year old masterpieces. This applies to most of my hobbies.

I've put together another piece of equipment for measuring and observing meteorological data. In the 19th century, a new device called a Campbell-Stokes Sunshine Recorder was developed for observing the length of sunshine during a day. A glass sphere was suspended over a special chart designed to char when the sunlight focused on it. The total length of the charred sections was the length of sunshine for that particular day. If it was partly cloudy, the charred sections would be intermittent and need to be added together for the day's total.

Sunshine recorders have mostly fallen out of use in modern times, but they are still used a few places and still manufactured. They are just extraordinarily expensive! A new Casella Campbell-Stokes Sunshine Recorder list for $3500, and the very few used ones I've seen are $1500-$2000. Beautiful, but way out of reach for casual observations. Here's a nice description of them along with photos: http://www.kuriositas.com/2011/02/campbellstokes-sunshine-recorder.html

A very nice lady here on the WXforum had one for sale, but I decided I'd end up in the doghouse for the rest of my life if I spent that much on a shiny ball. She later contacted me letting me know that she had just the base for one that she'd sell. Lotta good that would do me! But I had her send photos anyway, and decided that I could probably come up with something to at least use it for experimenting and decoration. I decided to go for it. I asked if she'd include a couple of chart strips for testing, and when it arrived, I had probably six month's worth of charts!

I asked the UK guys over on the MacWeather forum if they know of anywhere that replacement spheres could be purchased. One guy, in jest, suggested I get a Crystal Ball. You know what? That was a great idea! I contacted the company he'd linked and bought a 4" crystal ball. The sunshine recorder has the "bowl" for more northern locations than mine, and I don't have the fancy cups to support the sphere. But for experimenting and appearance, I don't think I did too bad!










Obviously a temporary solution to suspending the sphere. I need to make something more apropos. Yes, that is a "crystal ball".
Total cost: A very small portion of a new or even used complete unit! Thanks Ashley!!

Steve

[smorris]

Bonehead... Could someone please move this to "Other Weather Hardware" instead of "Other Weather Software"? Sorry.
Steve

[smorris]

Here's a test strip. Note that nothing has been calibrated, leveled, optimal location or anything. Just seeing if it worked.

[ed2kayak]

That is really interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[Bushman]

What is the composition of the recording paper??

[smorris]

I don't know. It is specially treated so as to only char, not burn, and to not absorb moisture in case of rain.

[Bushman]

I'll bet replacement strips are cheap, eh? 

[graculus]

I'll bet replacement strips are cheap, eh? 

Only $150 

[smorris]

Yea, I knew they were expensive. But compared to the $3400 for a new sunshine recorder, they are a tiny fraction of the cost. For me, a year's worth is twice what I have into it!

[PaulMy]

But compared to the $3400 for a new sunshine recorder,

Not all sunshine recorders are $3400


http://www.komokaweather.com/weather/sunrecorder/Today.png

[graculus]

Yea, I knew they were expensive. But compared to the $3400 for a new sunshine recorder, they are a tiny fraction of the cost. For me, a year's worth is twice what I have into it!

It would be interesting to try some thermal printing paper, like UPS label stock.

[neondesert]

Yea, I knew they were expensive. But compared to the $3400 for a new sunshine recorder, they are a tiny fraction of the cost. For me, a year's worth is twice what I have into it!

It would be interesting to try some thermal printing paper, like UPS label stock.

I tested your theory using a crystal ball and a store receipt printed on thermal paper and it works quite well.   Chars marks into the the paper but does not burn through.
B&H Photo has 100 sheets of 8.5x11 thermal paper for $9.95 plus shipping. 

Perhaps you could create copies of the strip using this paper.  The only hurdle left would be making it water resistant. 
This site: http://www.ehow.com/how_6365796_make-labels-water-resistant.html has instructions on how to make labels water resistant.  Maybe it would work with the thermal paper?
You could always test it out on an old thermal paper receipt first.  Regardless, it would be an interesting side-project to your current one. 

[smorris]

But compared to the $3400 for a new sunshine recorder,

Not all sunshine recorders are $3400

I know, Paul. You may recall that I was trying to get in on the test units a couple of months ago on the thread on the Cumulus forum.


Interesting idea using thermal paper and making them water resistant. I'll have to give that a try and see if it works.

Thanks guy!
Steve

[PaulMy]

Steve,
Yes I recall.  You may want to check there again

Paul

[smorris]

Aw, you had my hopes up that it was back near the development unit prices. At $449.50, that's still way high for my wallet. Why, that's three years of C-S recorder strips!

Thanks,
Steve

[PaulMy]

Steve,
You've got the strips, I have the images

Kidding aside, glad you have something new to enjoy and experiment with.  Good luck,

Paul

[DanS]

The Thai Met. Dept., I visit here just around the corner, has a sensor field with one of those on a pedestal.



Don't know why NiceBill keeps coming to mind. RIP NB!