Precipitation Sensors Rain gages and snowfall adapter

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1. Is there any way to keep birds from landing, sitting, or nesting on tipping bucket rain gages?

   Nixalite offers a variety of bird control products, including an architectural bird control wire that consists of stainless-steel needles coming out of a flexible metal band. Strap a strip of this wire around the funnel using a pipe clamp so that the needles extend up beyond the funnel.

2. What can cause a tipping bucket rain gage to be out of calibration?

   When a rain gage is out of calibration, it is usually because of the buildup of dirt and grime on the internal surfaces of the tipping bucket mechanism. Cleaning the internal surfaces usually brings the rain gage back into calibration. It is also possible that a rain gage is out of calibration because it is no longer level.

   To minimize the possible occurrence of calibration errors, perform routine cleaning and maintenance of the rain gage at least once every three months. The environmental conditions at a particular site may require a facility to perform cleaning, leveling, and maintenance on a much more frequent schedule.

3. What are the most common errors with a tipping bucket rain gage?

   The most common errors are either that the rain gage appears to have drifted out of calibration or that the tips are not being correctly recorded by the data logger. 

4. Does every sensor come with a calibration sheet?

   Not every sensor comes with a calibration sheet. If a calibration sheet is included, it is listed in the “Ships With” section of the sensor’s product web page or it is specified when ordered.

5. Can a sensor cable be shortened?

   Sometimes, an old cable can be replaced with a new, shorter cable.

   Sometimes, an existing cable can be shortened by cutting the ends off. However, there are a few issues that could be encountered when doing this:

   • Some sensors have bridge completion resistors at the pigtail end.
   • Some sensors are calibrated to length.
   • Sometimes the color in the insulation may not be the same as that visible at the pigtail end.

   Because of the potential issues, do not cut the ends off any sensor cable without first contacting Campbell Scientific to discuss the sensor in detail.

6. If the cable attached to a sensor is too short, can more cable be spliced to the existing cable to make it longer?

   Whenever possible, purchase a sensor with the desired cable length. Some sensors have a user-specified cable length, whereas other sensors have a set cable length.

   Sometimes, an old cable can be replaced with a new, longer cable.

   Generally, additional cable cannot be spliced onto the existing cable because:  

   • Some sensor cables have bridge completion resistors at the pigtail end
   • Some sensors are calibrated based on cable length
   • Sometimes the color in the insulation is not the same as that visible at the pigtail end
   • It is possible to introduce errors or malfunctions depending on the integrity of the splice

   Splicing cable together increases the likelihood that water may enter the cable and cause shorting, corrosion, and some other potential issues, which in turn can cause measurement issues.

   Because of the potential issues, do not splice any sensor cable without first contacting Campbell Scientific to discuss the sensor in detail.

7. What are the different cable length choices available for Campbell Scientific sensors?

   Most Campbell Scientific sensors are available as an –L, which indicates a user-specified cable length. If a sensor is listed as an –LX model (where “X” is some other character), that sensor’s cable has a user-specified length, but it terminates with a specific connector for a unique system:

   • An –LC model has a user-specified cable length for connection to an ET107, CS110, or retired Metdata1.
   • An –LQ model has a user-specified cable length for connection to a RAWS-P weather station.

   If a sensor does not have an –L or other –LX designation after the main model number, the sensor has a set cable length. The cable length is listed at the end of the Description field in the product’s Ordering information. For example, the 034B-ET model has a description of “Met One Wind Set for ET Station, 67 inch Cable.” Products with a set cable length terminate, as a default, with pigtails.

   If a cable terminates with a special connector for a unique system, the end of the model number designates which system. For example, the 034B-ET model designates the sensor as a 034B for an ET107 system.

   • –ET models terminate with the connector for an ET107 weather station.
   • –ETM models terminate with the connector for an ET107 weather station, but they also include a special system mounting, which is often convenient when purchasing a replacement part.
   • –QD models terminate with the connector for a RAWS-F Quick Deployment Station.
   • –PW models terminate with the connector for a PWENC or pre-wired system.
8. Where are the available cable termination options listed for a particular sensor?

   Not every sensor has different cable termination options. The options available for a particular sensor can be checked by looking in two places in the Ordering information area of the sensor product page:

   • Model number
   • Cable Termination Options list

   If a sensor is offered in an –ET, –ETM, –LC, –LQ, or –QD version, that option’s availability is reflected in the sensor model number. For example, the 034B is offered as the 034B-ET, 034B-ETM, 034B-LC, 034B-LQ, and 034B-QD.

   All of the other cable termination options, if available, are listed on the Ordering information area of the sensor product page under “Cable Termination Options.” For example, the 034B-L Wind Set is offered with the –CWS, –PT, and –PW options, as shown in the Ordering information area of the 034B-L product page.

   Note: As newer products are added to our inventory, typically, we will list multiple cable termination options under a single sensor model rather than creating multiple model numbers. For example, the HC2S3-L has a –C cable termination option for connecting it to a CS110 instead of offering an HC2S3-LC model. 

9. What type of wind screen can be used for a tipping bucket rain gage?

   The 260-953 Alter-type rain gage wind screen consists of 32 heavy metal leaves that hang freely and swing as the wind moves past them. The swinging leaves act as a wind damper and help minimize the effect of wind on the rain measurements without adding additional turbulence.

10. Can a sensor cable be replaced?

    Many times, but not always, a sensor’s cable can be replaced with a new cable. This is helpful if the original cable was damaged or if its length needs to be changed.

    If the cable is attached to the sensor using a connector, Campbell Scientific will sell a replacement cable. For example, a 05106CBL-L is a replacement cable for a 05106-L. Replacement cables are listed in the “Replacement Parts” section of the Ordering information area of the product page.

    If the cable is attached to a sensor through a user-accessible terminal block, a raw cable can be purchased to replace it. For example, to replace the cable on a 05103-L Wind Monitor, order the desired length of pn 9721, 24 AWG 3 Twisted Pair Shielded Santoprene Cable. As another example, the raw cable for a TE525-L Rain Gage is pn 9661, 22 AWG 1 Twisted Pair Shielded Santoprene Cable.

    If the cable is an integral part of the sensor, the cable cannot be user replaced, and the sensor must be returned to Campbell Scientific. Some examples of sensors that fall into this category include the 107-L, 109SS-L, 229-L, CS547A-L, and CS650-L. For the process of returning equipment to Campbell Scientific, refer to the Repair and Calibration page.