Related Manuals for RainMaster Rain Sensor
Summary of Contents for RainMaster Rain Sensor
-
Page 1: Weather Station
Weather Station User Manual ET Tracker Rain Sensor Wind Sensor March 2001Document Number 500009 Rev. C... - Page 3 Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Station Weather Station...
-
Page 5: Table Of Contents
3.0 Weather Station Instrumentation ................. 17 3.1 ET Tracker ......................17 3.1.1 Features and Benefits ................17 3.1.2 ET Tracker Theory of Operation ..............18 3.1.3 ET Tracker Specifications................19 3.1.4 Reading ET Values At The DX2 Controller..........20 3.2 Rain Sensor ...................... 20 3.2.1 Features and Benefits ................ - Page 6 5.2.2 Symptom: No ET Reading ................. 29 5.2.3 Symptom: No Rain Reading ..............31 5.2.4 Symptom: No Wind Reading ..............33 5.3 Verification of ET Tracker Electronics ............... 35 5.4 Rain Sensor Reading Checkout Procedure ............36 5.5 Verification of Rain Gauge Electronics.............. 36 5.6 Wind Sensor Checkout Procedure..............
-
Page 7: Introduction
Each of the measuring devices are permanently mounted onto a vandal-resistant tower with all connections made within the tower’s terminal block. Power for the ET Tracker is supplied via the controller to which the Weather Station is connected. Figure 1: Weather... -
Page 8: Figure 1: Weather Station Configuration
Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Station Manual Figure 1: Weather Station Configuration Page 3... -
Page 9: Determining Weather Station Location
Power Supply, 6V DC Reg. ET-610 Hand Tool, 610 OW Remove 020-0104 Tower, ET/Wethr, 10 foot 020-0106 Cap, PVC, Round 460-0001 Batteries AA for the ET Tracker 500009-C Manual, Weather Station Table 2: Required Equipment/Tools Part Number Description Quantity Evolution DX2 Controller equipped with... -
Page 10: General
Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Station Manual 8 foot step ladder PVC Conduit 1 inch, for tower base wiring. 4 feet PVC 1 inch elbow Water container, for Top cup assembly immersion Table 3: Required Materials Part Number Description Quantity Concrete and masonary Sand Standard masonary tools Gallon of Distilled Water... -
Page 11: Figure 2: Weather Station Tower Base
Weather Station Manual Rain Master Irrigation Systems Figure 2: Weather Station Tower Base Page 6... -
Page 12: Figure 3: Tower Base Mounting
Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Station Manual Step 3 Attach the tower to the Weather Station mounting bracket using the 3/8 inch cross-bolts (see Figure 3: Tower Base Mounting). Figure 3: Tower Base Mounting Step 4 Using a 7/16 inch socket wrench, remove the four Rain Gauge and Anemometer mounting bolts from the tower mast. -
Page 13: Figure 4: Sensor Mounting Configuration
Weather Station Manual Rain Master Irrigation Systems Figure 4: Sensor Mounting Configuration Step 5 Attach the wind cup assembly to the anemometer and secure the assembly to the spin shaft using the supplied allen wrench. Step 6 Attach the Anemometer to the tower and insert the signal cable, with connector, through the 5/8 inch hole in the side of tower. -
Page 14: Figure 5: Tower Terminal Block
Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Station Manual Figure 5: Tower Terminal Block Step 7 Remove the lower access plate using the supplied hand tool (ET-610). Drop the cable all the way down the tower mast until it is accessible through the lower access panel. Mate the connectors to the Weather Station terminal bracket connectors (See Figure 5: Tower Terminal Block and Figure 6: Weather Station to Controller Connections Page 9... -
Page 15: Figure 6: Weather Station To Controller Connections
Weather Station Manual Rain Master Irrigation Systems Figure 6: Weather Station to Controller Connections Page 10... -
Page 16: Figure 7: Et Tracker Components
Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Station Manual Evaporation Plate Top Cup Assembly Stopper Rubber Tube Pinch Clamp Reservoir PVC Pipe Distilled Water ET Tracker Electronics Bd. Lower Enclosure Cover Figure 7: ET Tracker Components Page 11... -
Page 17: Et Tracker Batteries
Figure 8: Assemblying the Top Cup 2.1 ET Tracker Batteries Step 1 Refer to Figure 7: ET Tracker Components. Locate the ET Tracker assembly. Release the two bottom retaining clips and remove the lower enclosure cover to expose the Tracker electronics. Install the four provided alkaline batteries (size AA) in the battery holder with the positive (+) end pointing towards the red side of the holder. -
Page 18: Figure 9: Top Cup Assemby
Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Station Manual Evaporation Canvas Plate Glass Stopper Tube Figure 9: Top Cup Assemby Step 4 Remove the rubber stopper from the top cup assembly. Pour distilled water to completely fill the cup. Next, place the filled cup into a suitable container and completely immerse the top cup assembly in distilled water. -
Page 19: Figure 11: Et Electronics Circuit Board
Figure 11: ET Electronics Circuit Board Step 6 Priming Process Refer to Figure 7: ET Tracker Components. Release the two bottom retaining clips and remove the lower enclosure to expose the tracker’s electronic board assembly. Refer to Figure 11: ET Electronics Circuit Board. Hold the assembly upright and press the push-button switch at the lower left corner of the circuit board to activate the valve. -
Page 20: Figure 12: Filling The Syringe
Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Station Manual Syringe Pinch Clamp Figure 12: Filling the Syringe Step 8 Remove the syringe from the rubber tube. Step 9 With the rubber tube disconnected from the stopper, push and twist the rubber stopper tightly into the cup. Note: Ensure that the ceramic cup assembly is completely full of water before insertion of the rubber stopper. -
Page 21: Et Tracker Mounting
Install the PVC round cap on the top of the tower with the evaporating plate extending through the hole. Route the cable from the ET Tracker and mate the cable with the 4 pin connector wired to the terminal block. Remove the access plate to route the cable as necessary. -
Page 22: Weather Station Instrumentation
3.1.1 Features and Benefits The ET Tracker is a patented, precision electronic instrument that measures the Evapotranspiration (ET). The ET Tracker evaporating surface is a physical model of the vapor diffusion transport process which simulates the amount of water that may be used by normal turfgrass. -
Page 23: Et Tracker Theory Of Operation
Weather Station Manual Rain Master Irrigation Systems The simplicity of the ET Tracker has given it a major advantage in cost and effectiveness. The ET Tracker will directly model the ET (evapotranspiration) on any given site. The factors below are accounted for by the ET Tracker: •... -
Page 24: Et Tracker Specifications
3.1.3 ET Tracker Specifications The ET Tracker is capable of measuring the evapotranspiration for any given microclimate. It produces a single pulse for every 0.01” of ET and is capable of communicating the occurance of the pulse to the Rain Master Evolution DX2 controller equipped with the necessary sensor board (DX-FLOW or DX-MOIST). -
Page 25: Reading Et Values At The Dx2 Controller
Weather Station Manual Rain Master Irrigation Systems 3.1.4 Reading ET Values At The DX2 Controller The ET values can be read from the screen of the Evolution DX2 controller by following the steps listed below. Advance to the ET Sensor screen through the following menu sequences: F1 = Main Menu F3 = Status... -
Page 26: Rain Sensor Theory Of Operation
Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Station Manual 3.2.2 Rain Sensor Theory of Operation The tipping bucket rain guage is an internal component comprised of two reservoirs configured on a balanced see-saw type mechanism. As rainfall enters the outer collecting funnel-shaped container, one of the two reservoirs will fill up to a capacity of .01”... -
Page 27: Reading Rain Sensor Values At The Evolution Dx2 Controller
Weather Station Manual Rain Master Irrigation Systems 3.2.6 Reading Rain Sensor Values at the Evolution DX2 Controller To insure that all cables are properly connected, the Rain Sensor reading should be checked at the Evolution DX2 Controller. Proceed to the Rain/Wind display through the following menu sequences: F1 = Main Menu F3 = Status... -
Page 28: Evolution Dx2 Controller Wind Sensor Interfacing
3.3.5 Reading Wind Values at the DX2 Controller Refer to Reading Rain Sensor Values at the Evolution DX2 Controller. 4.0 Maintenance 4.1 ET Tracker Maintenance 4.1.1 Adding Distilled Water Distilled water may be added at any time by removing the top cup assembly of the ET Tracker (release the spring retaining clips) and then pouring water down the tube. -
Page 29: Sanding The Top Surface Of The Cup
Weather Station Manual Rain Master Irrigation Systems 4.1.5 Sanding the Top Surface of the Cup Soak cup for 5 minutes in distilled water. The top flat surface of the ceramic plate should then be wet sanded with 240 grit, very fine sandpaper. Under running water, lightly and evenly sand the flat top surface to restore and recondition it to a uniform white color. -
Page 30: Bird Wires
Weather Station Manual 4.1.8 Bird Wires Two stainless steel "bird wires" are included with the ET Tracker Assembly. They should be mounted under the silicone rubber ring that holds the cover on the ceramic cup (See Figure 15: Bird Wire Installation). The 6" long wires are held vertically by inserting their bottom ends in the small holes located on the surface of the gray plastic top. -
Page 31: Seasonal Draining
(freezing) for extended periods of time and/or irrigation stops during the winter months. It is important to drain all of the water out of the ET Tracker cup during the winter months. If exposed to freezing temperatures the ceramic cup can be damaged. When... -
Page 32: Troubleshooting
• No Wind Sensor readings 5.1 Unusually High or Low ET Readings The ET Tracker will not provide proper measurements if the ceramic evaporating cup goes dry. If the cup goes dry, repeat the Priming Procedure, as outlined in this manual. -
Page 33: Symptom: Low Et Reading
Weather Station located in proper Location. See Page 4. environment? Refer to Chapter 4, Is the ceramic cup page 23, ET Tracker free of debris? Maintenance Refer to Chapter 4, Is the plumbing page 23, ET Tracker tubing free of... -
Page 34: Symptom: No Et Reading
If voltage reads 0, contact the Inputs 2(+) and 2(-) of factory. If voltage reads +8 VDC, the Sensor Terminal problem lies in wiring or ET Tracker. board? If voltage reads +8 VDC, reconnect the two wires to the Sensor Terminal Reconnect the two wires board Inputs 2(+) and 2(-). - Page 35 Can +8 Volts DC Check and repair cable be measured at the continuity from terminal Terminal block of block to ET Tracker the ET Tracker connecting plug? Can +6 Volts DC Check 6 Volt transformer be measured at the and connections.
-
Page 36: Symptom: No Rain Reading
Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Station Manual 5.2.3 Symptom: No Rain Reading Start Is there any Remove and clean accumulation of leaves screen as described in or debris on the top maintenance section. inside screen of the (Refer to Page 26.) tipping bucket? Refer to Installation Is the rain gauge... - Page 37 Weather Station Manual Rain Master Irrigation Systems +8 VDC be Check cable continuity measured at the rain from terminal block to terminals of the weather Sensor Terminal board. station terminal block? +8 Volts DC Check and repair cable be measured at the continuity from terminal terminal block rain block to rain gauge.
-
Page 38: Symptom: No Wind Reading
Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Station Manual 5.2.4 Symptom: No Wind Reading Start Does the wind Check bearings and cup assembly cup assembly spin freely? mounting. Is the Ref. Installation wind sensor from instructions Check wiring Weather Station and verify polarity. Figure wired correctly to the 6, page 10. - Page 39 Weather Station Manual Rain Master Irrigation Systems +8 Volts DC Check cable continuity be measured at the wind from terminal block to terminals of the Weather Sensor Terminal board. Station terminal block? +8 Volts DC Check and repair cable be measured at the continuity from terminal terminal block wind block to rain gauge.
-
Page 40: Verification Of Et Tracker Electronics
This procedure provides the necessary steps to check and verify the operation of the Evolution DX2 Controller ET Tracker input. This process simulates the incoming pulses (+ 8 volts) from an ET Tracker, displaying the results on the Evolution DX2 controller ET display screen. -
Page 41: Rain Sensor Reading Checkout Procedure
Weather Station Manual Rain Master Irrigation Systems 5.4 Rain Sensor Reading Checkout Procedure To insure that all cables are properly connected and that the rain bucket is operational, the Rain Sensor reading can be checked at the Evolution DX2 Controller. Proceed to the Rain/Wind display using the following menu sequences: F1 = Main Menu F3 = Status... -
Page 42: Wind Sensor Checkout Procedure
Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Station Manual Step 1 Disconnect the two wires from the Sensor Terminal board at terminals Input 3 ( + ) and Input 3 ( - ). Connect a short wire (14 - 12 AWG) in each of the Input 3 terminals. - Page 43 Weather Station Manual Rain Master Irrigation Systems Step 2 If no wind conditions exist, the anemometer cup assembly must be operated manually. This may require two people. Operate the cup assembly for at least one minute and observe the wind reading. If a reading is still not displayed, the problem is in the anemometer or its associated wiring.
- Page 44 Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Station Manual 1825 – 103 Surveyor Avenue Simi Valley, California 93063 Telephone: (805) 527-4498 Fax: (805) 527-2813 WWW. RAINMASTER.COM Page 39...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the Rain Sensor and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers