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Maintenance and Troubleshooting
General Maintenance
You should keep the surfaces of the sensor suite clean, since the radiation shield and
solar panel are less effective when dirty. Remove dust from the solar panel and
radiation shield with a damp cloth.
Several times a year, inspect the rain collector and radiation shield and remove any
debris (such as twigs, leaves, webs and nests) obstructing water flow through the
rain collector or air flow through the radiation shield.
At least once a year, or more often in very dusty installations, dismantle and
thoroughly clean the radiation shield as described on the following pages.
Note:
Do not spray the sensor suite with insecticides of any kind. Some insecticides can
damage the sensors and even damage the radiation shield.
Maintaining the Solar Radiation Sensor
The solar radiation sensor has an outer shell or
shield, which protects the sensor body from
thermal radiation and provides a path for
convection cooling of the body, minimizing
heating of the sensor interior. It houses the
precision-shaped diffuser, exposed through
the top of the shield; a hermetically sealed
silicon photodiode; and an amplifier.
Try not to touch the small white diffuser on
top of the sensor. Oil from skin reduces its
sensitivity. If you are concerned that you have touched the diffuser at any time, clean
the diffuser with a soft damp cloth.
Due to the sensitivity of solar radiation sensors it is common practice for
manufacturers to recommend re-calibration after a period of time. Users demanding
high accuracy typically recalibrate their sensors annually. Here at Davis Instruments,
we have seen less than 2% drift per year on the readings from these sensors.
Contact Technical Support about returning your sensor for calibration. See
"Contacting Technical Support" on page 32.
Maintaining the Anemometer
The free movement of the wind vane and cups can be inhibited by dust, debris,
insects, and spider webs. With an Allen wrench, remove the cups and vane and clean
any dust or debris from the shafts and housing. Turn the shafts the cups and vane
rotate on. While the wind direction shaft should have more resistance than the wind
cup shaft, if either feels gritty or stiff, contact Davis Technical Support. Reattach the
cups and vane and tighten with the Allen wrench.
Note:
Do not lubricate the shaft or bearings in any way. When replacing the cups, make sure
they are not rubbing against any part of the anemometer head.
Shield
Diffuser
Bubble
Level
29
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