Author Topic: Rain gauge not detecting  (Read 744 times)

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Offline Iguanaman

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Rain gauge not detecting
« on: December 18, 2021, 09:37:10 AM »
I noticed that my rain gauge (Davis Vantage Pro 2) seems to not register rain.  If I dump a bucket of water into the the cone, then I see results but when it is clearly raining outside I see no activity.  I cleaned the connection going into the unit but it did not help.  Do I need to replace the rain gauge/tipping bucket? The unit is seven years old. 

Offline davidmc36

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Re: Rain gauge not detecting
« Reply #1 on: December 18, 2021, 12:42:19 PM »
Take the cone off. Is the axle bent for the tipper? It seems to register if water is pouring in but not if going in gentle. Is the axle bent making it hard to move?

Offline Iguanaman

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Re: Rain gauge not detecting
« Reply #2 on: December 18, 2021, 12:55:03 PM »
Took the cone off and checked the axle.  It wasn't bent and moved easily.   I then poured some water (about 1 quart) into the cone and could tell the tipper was going however I see no indication on the monitor at all. I wonder if I need to replace the tipper and cone.

Offline davidmc36

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Re: Rain gauge not detecting
« Reply #3 on: December 18, 2021, 01:29:29 PM »
Maybe it was a fluke that it registered when you tested before pouring water in. Maybe the solder connection to the reed switch is corroded or the switch itself is.

Some new parts are probably in order. Reed switch is cheap and not complicated solder job.

Offline havtrail

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Re: Rain gauge not detecting
« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2021, 03:08:13 PM »
Yes, if its audibly tipping, but not registering, it sounds like the reed switch (or its circuit) isn't detecting the movement.

Rich K.
Onset HOBO RX2102 Cellular
https://www.havtrail.com/weather/
NEWA https://newa.cornell.edu Haverford, PA

Offline Iguanaman

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Re: Rain gauge not detecting
« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2021, 03:23:21 PM »
Ordering a new reed switch. Hopefully that will resolve it.

Offline CW2274

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Re: Rain gauge not detecting
« Reply #6 on: December 18, 2021, 05:17:43 PM »
Ordering a new reed switch. Hopefully that will resolve it.
Since you intend to replace it, you might as well remove the wires and touch them together to see if indeed it is the switch. Completing the circuit will result in a tip being displayed and then you'll know for sure if it's bad or not or something else.

Offline davidmc36

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Re: Rain gauge not detecting
« Reply #7 on: December 18, 2021, 05:35:08 PM »
Good idea. Take a jumper wire and touch the two ends admit sits to check for action.

Offline CW2274

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Re: Rain gauge not detecting
« Reply #8 on: December 18, 2021, 05:53:01 PM »
Duh. Of course. I amaze the crap outta me sometimes... :roll:

Offline Iguanaman

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Re: Rain gauge not detecting
« Reply #9 on: December 19, 2021, 11:19:34 AM »
Jumpered several times and it did register rain.  I'm not sure how to access the reed switch. It seems to be in some plastic box?

Are there instructions I can find to show how to replace?

Offline bchwdlks

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Re: Rain gauge not detecting
« Reply #10 on: December 19, 2021, 12:30:05 PM »
Scaled Instruments :
Replacement reed switch for rain collector tipping bucket in all wireless and cabled Vantage Pro2, Vantage Pro, Weather Wizard II, and Weather Monitor II stations.  $2.70

Davis 7120.031 – Reed Switch for Tipping Bucket

Instructions for Replacing the Rain Reed Switch

Offline Iguanaman

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Re: Rain gauge not detecting
« Reply #11 on: December 19, 2021, 04:04:19 PM »
Thank you!

Offline davidmc36

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Re: Rain gauge not detecting
« Reply #12 on: December 19, 2021, 06:36:09 PM »
Just be careful with the leads on the reed switch. Stressing them near the glass can crack it.

Offline Iguanaman

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Re: Rain gauge not detecting
« Reply #13 on: January 13, 2022, 04:30:10 PM »
Took forever for the part to arrive but got installed and registering "rain."  Thanks for all the help!

 

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