Author Topic: Rain gauge heater evaporation issue addressed  (Read 450 times)

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Offline ValentineWeather

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Rain gauge heater evaporation issue addressed
« on: November 20, 2019, 03:29:00 PM »
Anyone that uses a rain gauge heater in the winter has experienced some evaporation with light rain. I see it all the time around 30% loss when the snowmelt heater kicks on at 45f and off around 55f. I think I've found the solution for light rain and drizzle anyway.  This temperature-controlled  Digital Thermostat plug has a wide temperature range and precise within a tenth of a degree.
 
My first thought was set at 33.5f for heater turn on and off at 34f.
Thought I would share because this has been an ongoing issue for years for me using a rain gauge snowmelt heater. Nothing can be done for snowfall preventing evaporation but this will help with light rain and drizzle.
 
It needs to be installed in a waterproof container like a SOCKiTBOX the temperature thermocouple is waterproof.

 Digital Plug Thermostat: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V4TJR00/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Randy

Offline ValentineWeather

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Re: Rain gauge heater evaporation issue addressed
« Reply #1 on: November 23, 2019, 11:31:41 AM »
Installed the WILLHI WH1436A Temperature Controller and it works like a champ. Tested the temperature probe first for accuracy in an ice bath and it was close enough. 
I really wish I had known about this device a long time ago. Evaporation has been an ongoing issue with rain gauge heaters and light rain/mist. I previously tried other devices but all had a shut-off temperature around 50f which is way too high for this area where many rain events exception summer occur below 50f.
Randy