Topic: Hydreon totally missed rainfall

[miraculon]

After years of flawless operation, the Hydreon RG-11 completely missed a rainfall totalling 0.04" on the CoCoRaHS and TBR gauges. I rely on the Hydreon to record start/stop times for my CoCoRaHS report.

I saw that there is a "crazed" area in the optic dome "lens". It is not cracked or anything. I treated the dome with Plexus and tried sprinkling water and it seems to be working OK now. It picked up some rainfall overnight, so I am hoping that the Plexus treatment fixed it. I see that I can get a replacement lens for $20.

Esteemed colleagues, do I need to get a replacement lens? Has anyone else (especially in the Southwest) had the lens deteriorate to the point that it will no longer record drops. I am using the 0.001"/tip emulation mode.

Greg H.

[miraculon]

After years of flawless operation, the Hydreon RG-11 completely missed a rainfall totalling 0.04" on the CoCoRaHS and TBR gauges. I rely on the Hydreon to record start/stop times for my CoCoRaHS report.

I saw that there is a "crazed" area in the optic dome "lens". It is not cracked or anything. I treated the dome with Plexus and tried sprinkling water and it seems to be working OK now. It picked up some rainfall overnight, so I am hoping that the Plexus treatment fixed it. I see that I can get a replacement lens for $20.

Esteemed colleagues, do I need to get a replacement lens? Has anyone else (especially in the Southwest) had the lens deteriorate to the point that it will no longer record drops. I am using the 0.001"/tip emulation mode.

Greg H.

Plexus seems to have revived this as far as function goes, but there is still a "bad spot" that is crazed. I'll keep an eye on it for now.

Greg H.

[SLOweather]

It's probably polycarbonate. You could try any of a bunch of plastic polishing compounds. Even one of those kits sold for refinishing headlights.

Got a picture to share? I hope it's not as bad as my Stratus gauge.

Chris

[mcrossley]

For headlamps I have used a bit of metal polish in the past - works a treat, if it is only on the very top surface even toothpaste can work. No need to buy special polishing kits if you have any of that stuff lying around to try.

For longevity though, you need some sort of UV protective layer applying after polishing. Decent car waxes usually have a UV protection factor, but you have to keep reapplying them.

[miraculon]

It's probably polycarbonate. You could try any of a bunch of plastic polishing compounds. Even one of those kits sold for refinishing headlights.

Got a picture to share? I hope it's not as bad as my Stratus gauge.

Chris

I'll try to get one if we get a sunnier day. It is kind of gloomy here in NE Lower Michigan, overcast.

Greg H.

[miraculon]

By the time I thought to look at it, the Hydreon is in the shade.
I don't see anything that looks like what I saw before, I think that the Plexus must have filled the crazing and it is no longer visible.

Greg H.

[miraculon]

OK, I had a sunny day today and the sun was shining directly on the Hydreon. This is the condition where you can see the crazing issue. Note that this is much better than it was prior to the Plexus treatment. Hydreon3web.jpg is the best photo showing a circular hazy area.

Greg H.