Weather Stations

[Grateful11]

I have an Accurite. Spider webs disabled the rain gauge and the circulating fan. It would show 112˚ when it was only 100˚. I got the webs off the tipper in the rain gauge but it now shows twice as much as my official cocorahs rain gauge. I need to find out how to adjust it. The wind and humidity seem to be OK, but as mentioned the update timing may miss a gust. When the sun does not shine it shows the right temp.
The color display is nice but there is no way to dim it or turn it off so it has to be unplugged at night and run on it's own battery then the backup light goes off. It's bright enough to light up a room if left plugged in.

The first time I opened up one of mine I was amazed at the amount gunk that was inside, cobwebs, etc. I think the main thing was bird poop from them pooping on the edge of the rain collector. For the first few months my first one, once O got one to work, the temperature was fairly close but over time like you said if the sun was out it was sky high.

There's a screw on the bottom that allows you to adjust the rainfall measurement. I think changes the rate of the tipper.

 

[txdon]

There's a screw on the bottom that allows you to adjust the rainfall measurement. I think changes the rate of the tipper.

Is there a certain amount of water to pour (i.e. 8oz) to how many tips the dipper makes?

 

[davesl708]

The first time I opened up one of mine I was amazed at the amount gunk that was inside, cobwebs, etc. I think the main thing was bird poop from them pooping on the edge of the rain collector. For the first few months my first one, once O got one to work, the temperature was fairly close but over time like you said if the sun was out it was sky high.

There's a screw on the bottom that allows you to adjust the rainfall measurement. I think changes the rate of the tipper.

I keep my rain gauge close to the ground and spray the inside with 12 month bug spray. No problems with it.

 

[bigtiller]

So...I may do nothing. Got a big round thermometer on the patio, and a Rural King rain gauge that I can't use in the winter because it will freeze and crack, but at a couple of bucks, well...got so many places I need to put my retirement dollars.

My insurance agent gave me a "shock proof," rain gauge. The plastic gauge is round and it tapers from the bottom up. I am on my second one in 17 years. I bring it in for the winter, but i have forgotten it a few times. If the water freezes, it expands up the side because of the tapered walls.

Shock-Proof Rain Gauge - Johnny's Selected Seeds

 

[MinnesotaEric]

I'm wanting to get a decent weather station...hopefully < $200. I recall reading about them here...I think....but searches are not finding anything.

The top rated ones are several hundreds to thousands, can't put that kind of money into it.

There seems to be several in the price range of < $200, and I suspect some I wouldn't be pleased with. I'd like one that can give decent rainfall measurements. What's everyone's experience with these.

I plan to purchase this weather station through Amazon and become the first weather underground reporting station in 10 miles of my lake home.

 

[5030]

For 289 bucks I can but a lot of Wally World plastic rain gages....

 

[reb]

Is there a certain amount of water to pour (i.e. 8oz) to how many tips the dipper makes?

The manual describes a calibration procedure. Something about poking a hole in a paper cup and let a cup of water drip into the bowl over about an hour. That should be equivalent to a certain reported rainfall. Adjust the screw and repeat until it is right. I haven't found time to try it out.

 

[txdon]

The manual describes a calibration procedure. Something about poking a hole in a paper cup and let a cup of water drip into the bowl over about an hour. That should be equivalent to a certain reported rainfall. Adjust the screw and repeat until it is right. I haven't found time to try it out.

Thanks for the tip, with it I was able to find the youtube that tells how to do it. 8oz of water =1.06 " and the adjustment screw is on the bottom, thanks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB9xFl7HYPg

 

[/pine]

Watch out for ants...my bil lost a station due to ants attracted to the heat/electronics...they destroyed the unit that was on a 6' post...possibly drawn by the resonance from the anemometer maybe?

 

[B7510HSD]

I plan to purchase this weather station through Amazon and become the first weather underground reporting station in 10 miles of my lake home.

Ouch that is more than the Davis Vantage Vue that looks identical...

 

[sodamo]

Just call me lazy
A plastic rain gauge may be low cost in terms of dollars, but expensive in labor unless you don't care about accuracy and good records.
No way would I record the results and empty every day at midnight,
Nor would I be disciplined enough to keep a meaningful log
Nor would I be motivated to record, empty, and restart in midst of a major rainfall.

Wunderground keeps a good historical record should I or someone else need a detailed record from a specific period. Had a neighbor use mine in a legal case against the state to disprove their assumptions.

BTW 213.30 inches ytd.

David Sent from my iPad Air using TractorByNet

 

[OldMcDonald]

I would ask the same question as Newbury at #18. I need to know rainfall and soil temperature mainly, plus max and min temps for more detail. For many years I have had a rain gauge in the open, a soil thermometer next to it and a max/min thermometer (0.1º accuracy) in a place that never receives direct sunlight. I record at about 9.30 am without fail. If I am not at home at the time (an extreme rarirty) I go for the nerest to that time I can. Record the data manually and maintain a spreadsheet for each year with a monthly synopsis for all years. Cheap and simple.

I commend those who are adding to the local, and therefore automatically, wider area data. Nobody else I have ever had as near neighbours or acquaintances has ever shown the same interest in knowing when, for example, the soil is warm enough to sow certain crops, nor in how much rain there has been - except EVERYBODY in rural Australia measures rainfall. I should have a soil moisture meter, but they are pricey and complicated to use.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

All up and running!

Hello winter, we missed you!

 

[B7510HSD]

All up and running!

Hello winter, we missed you!

Nice be interested to see how it holds up..Hooked to the PC?

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Nice be interested to see how it holds up..Hooked to the PC?

No parts are available so when it breaks, it is $300 down a hole.

 

[B7510HSD]

No parts are available so when it breaks, it is $300 down a hole.

I hate it when that happens..I need a new anemometer for mine $105 and it's 8 years old new setup for $400 tough decision.

 

[wngsprd]

Eric, that's a smart looking display (except the minus 16 degrees).

I've been tempted to purchase one of these, except there are 3 nearby WeatherUnderground stations that I view, and I measure rainfall for CoCoRahs, so feel that I have rainfall covered. David, we take measurements at 7am, not midnight, but since most days are zero, not as hard to participate as it would be for you since you seem to get rain everyday. But snow depth/melted precip is a little more cumbersome to report.

After reading this thread, I am more tempted to purchase a station...I'll keep researching.

 

[OldMcDonald]

I thought it was standard practice around the world that "official" stations record at 9 a.m. local time. I do mine half an hour later because it suits me and I am "unofficial".

 

[jcummins]

All up and running!

Hello winter, we missed you!

What is it?

 

[MinnesotaEric]

What is it?

It is an Ambient Weather WS-1001 WiFi that I purchased through Amazon.

I mounted the weather station atop a 1-1/4" by 48" tall pipe on the corner of the deck railing. The system works off of Wi-Fi and I had hoped to mount the weather station down on the stairs leading down to the lake, but I didn't have the signal strength to do so.