I think I'd start with
1a) How do you use your gauge? (Other answers may depend on this...)
I use mine as a check and backup to my Davis Tipping Bucket, and to calibrate it.
4" Manual Rain Gage Usage Questions.
1) How often do you read your gage?
Whenever it has water in it and I walk by. It's near the driveway, sothat's fairly often. Then I compare that to the Davis. I keep a spreadsheet to track the 2.
2) How frequently do you empty your gage?
It depends. Once a day, or after the storm. Not that I've had mine long enough, but if we ever have a storm where the inner tube would fill to the top, I'd probably take an intermediate reading and dump it.
3) Do you account for evaporation?
Around here, if it's raining, evaporation is nil. So, no. Because of how mine is made, I'd expect evaporation to be negligible, even in direct sun.
4) Do you have any other usage secrets?
Keep it clean. We get rain maybe 4 months out of the year. By late fall, I expect mine to be a little grubby.
Thanks for your input.
George
You're welcome.