Topic: The Gauge

[ocala]

If the inner tube is full and overflowing into the outer tube check the reading on the inner tube before emptying.
I noticed the other day when this happens that the inner tube actually has 1.02 inches. Here I've been cheating my self out of .02 all this time.

[wxtech]

If the inner tube is full and overflowing into the outer tube check the reading on the inner tube before emptying.
I noticed the other day when this happens that the inner tube actually has 1.02 inches. Here I've been cheating my self out of .02 all this time.

CoCoRaHS put out the word last year that there are some gauges that actually hold more than exactly 1.00 inch.  The manufacturer made a new master mold and the first runs were wrong.  Later measuring cylinders are correct.
Looks like you can trim the notch down to make it contain less water. 

[LarsWX]

I noticed that on mine also, just give it a little shake while its in the outer cylinder to bring the level below 1 inch, write that down and dump, then add what remains. One of these days I will get my dremel tool out and fix mine.

[port1]

I noticed that on mine also, just give it a little shake while its in the outer cylinder to bring the level below 1 inch, write that down and dump, then add what remains. One of these days I will get my dremel tool out and fix mine.

My gauge and inner tube are accurate.  When I remove the funnel from the tube the meniscus sits exactly at one inch.  I suppose I was lucky to receive an accurate mold.

[Anthony]

My instructions for reading the quage when the inner tube has over flowed into the outter guage is as follows.

1 pour the water in the inner tube into the outter tube.

2 then pour the water from the outter tube into the smaller tube until it reads 1".

3 repeat until no water remains in the outter tube.

Be sure to place the funnel cap on top of the small tube. This will make pouring the water from the lage tube into the smaller tube easier.

[wxtech]

You'll need to put the inner cylinder in a bowl to catch any overflow.  Any spillage is lost forever.  You won't know how much is lost.

Or

Just fill the inner cylinder part full each time to prevent spillage, and add the amounts.

[ocala]

You know it's always a pain to empty the large gauge into the small  one after heavy rain events.
I think I'm going to mark the large gauge so I can just look at  and see the total.
I wonder why they didn't mark the outer gauge to begin with?
I know, they are probably looking for accuracy but I pretty sure it can be done accurately if I take my time.

[d_l]

I wonder why they didn't mark the outer gauge to begin with?

Over a period of time, say 5-10 years, the outer gauge crazes from UV which would make it virtually impossible to accurately read any measurment markings. Heck, I can't even read the inner tube rain levels through the crazing, it has gotten so bad after over a decade.

[ocala]

You have been using it for a decade
Maybe time for a new one?

[wxtech]

You know it's always a pain to empty the large gauge into the small  one after heavy rain events.
I think I'm going to mark the large gauge so I can just look at  and see the total.
I wonder why they didn't mark the outer gauge to begin with?
I know, they are probably looking for accuracy but I pretty sure it can be done accurately if I take my time.

You should then specify in the precipitation report form comments that you are not using CoCoRaHS rules for measuring.  Run your ideas past your local and regional coordinators.

[tomcj2]

You know it's always a pain to empty the large gauge into the small  one after heavy rain events.

How many days a year do you get more that 1 inch of rain?

[ocala]

You know it's always a pain to empty the large gauge into the small  one after heavy rain events.

How many days a year do you get more that 1 inch of rain?

It averages about 10.

[floodcaster]

You know it's always a pain to empty the large gauge into the small  one after heavy rain events.
I think I'm going to mark the large gauge so I can just look at  and see the total.
I wonder why they didn't mark the outer gauge to begin with?
I know, they are probably looking for accuracy but I pretty sure it can be done accurately if I take my time.

The funnel and inside tube combination help to magnify the amount to facilitate reading to the nearest hundredth of an inch. It would be difficult reading the outer gauge to this precision.

Bill
CoCoRaHS observer and regional coordinator.

[Pick]

We get quite a few rain events over 1". I am excited to have a decent, accurate gauge, when mine gets here.

Back in Ohio, where I grew up, anything over an inch could sometimes have disastrous results.

[JOE]

Do these gauges break or crack if they freeze?

[wxtech]

Do these gauges break or crack if they freeze?

Most definitely.  They are polycarbonate.  Usually the bottom of the inner cylinder cracks and leaks.
Tomcj2 says that Weld-On #16 will repair them.  Weld-On epoxies #55, 58 are supposed to work also.

[d_l]

Do these gauges break or crack if they freeze?

Yes they do!  My tube gauge that predates CoCoRaHS, has a cracked outer tube base which leaks the inner tube over flow.  Heavy sun crazing over the past decade may have weakened the plastic there and helped the freeze cracking get started though.

[port1]

Do these gauges break or crack if they freeze?

CoCoRaHS strongly recommends that the inner tube be remove from the outer cylinder if snow or freezing temps are expected.
Besides, you need to melt the snow to provide an equivalent precipitation measurement.  Which reminds me...I have to brush up on that stuff. 

Henry

[JOE]

I don't have a gauge.  Yet.

Thinking about getting one and joining up.

[port1]

I don't have a gauge.  Yet.

Thinking about getting one and joining up.

You will find being a member is rewarding.
I speak the truth! 

Henry

[92merc]

Do these gauges break or crack if they freeze?

Yes, definitely.  One of mine did.  Storm came quicker than I thought and I forgot it out.  Inner tube busted.

[Pick]

Finally got some good rain here, got tired of sending the blank reports. Good news is my Vantage Vue is within 1% of the CoCoRahs gauge!!!!

[port1]

  I've been noticing that my OS WMR 968 has been spot on with the CoCoRaHS gauge lately.
That's been a real surprise to me.  I must have installed that tipping gauge very level originally.
 

Henry