Rain Collector II Installation manual This instruction manual takes you step-by-step through the procedures required to install the Rain Collector II. The Rain Collector II is designed for use with any of Davis’ weather stations (with the exception of the Perception II® and Vantage Vue® stations). Each station can display rainfall in either inches or millimeters. Instructions for displaying rainfall on the Weather Wizard III® and Weather Monitor II® are also included in this manual.
Components Rain Collector Internal Components The illustration below shows the internal components of the rain collector, many of which are referenced in this manual.
Components Tools and Materials Needed You may need some of the following tools and materials to install the rain collector. •Drill with 3/32" (2 mm) drill bit •Medium Phillips screwdriver •3/16" (or 5 mm) wrench •Cable clips or weather-resistant cable ties with screw holes or other means for mounting •Bubble level Insert the Optional Metric Measurement Adapter The rain collector tipping bucket mechanism contains a standard measurement weight magnet that takes measurements in .
Rainfall Calibration Number 5. Slide the magnet, with the exposed end of the magnet first, into the open slot of the metric measurement adapter. Separate magnet from one end cap Insertmagnetwithotherendcapintometricmeasurement adapter 6. Insert the metric measurement adapter between the arms of the tipping bucket, with solid side of the metric measurement facing up.
Rainfall Calibration Number If you install the metric adapter to your rain collector, first adjust the console to display rainfall in millimeters (press RAIN then UNITS until it displays mm) and then change CAL to 0005. (To change CAL, press and hold the RAIN button until CAL appears on the display. Consult the station manual, if necessary, for further instructions.) Be aware that the console will revert to its default calibration (i.e., inches) if it loses power.
Installing the Rain Collector II If the rainfall amount displayed on the console increases by the expected increment (either 0.01" or 0.2 mm) each time you tip the bucket, your rain collector is working properly. If the display changes only after you tip the bucket several times, the rain collector may be functioning correctly but you may have an older version of the station console. See “Calibration of Older Model Weather Stations” on page 10 for details.
Installing the Rain Collector II Choosing a Location for the Rain Collector Keep the following in mind when choosing a location for your rain collector: •You must mount the Rain Collector II on a level surface. To make sure the surface is level use a bubble level, or pour water into the T-shaped leveling trough in the collector base and observe the surface of the water to ensure that the collector is level. Newer models come with a built-in bubble level attached to the base to simplify this process.
Adjusting the Rain Collector II As you reattach the cone, make sure to run the cable to the cable slot in the base, or the cone will not fit snugly against the base. 10.Place the debris screen, points down, into the cone. The screen prevents large bits of debris from blocking the funnel hole. 11.To prevent fraying or cutting of the cable where it is exposed to weather, it is important that you secure it so it doesn’t whip about in the wind.
Maintaining the Rain Collector II Maintaining the Rain Collector II For greatest accuracy, you should thoroughly clean the Rain Collector II at least once or twice a year. 1. Disconnect the rain collector cable from the junction box. 2. Separate the cone from the base. 3. Use warm soapy water and a soft cloth to clean pollen, dirt, and other debris from the cone, cone screens, and bucket. 4. Use a pipe cleaner to clear the funnel hole in the cone and the drain screens in the base.
Calibration of Older Model Weather Stations To Clear Rainfall Rain and total rain are independent of each other. You must clear each register separately. 1. Press RAIN once or twice to select rain or total rain, as desired. 2. Press CLEAR and hold it down. The display will flash several times and then the weather station clears rainfall. Daily Rainfall Cleared Note: Performing a “total clear” on the weather station does not clear rainfall.
Troubleshooting Guide To calibrate your station for rounded millimeters, set the console to display rainfall in millimeters and then change CAL to 0005. (See “Rainfall Calibration Number” on page 4 and/or your station user’s manual for instructions on how to change CAL.) Be aware that the console will revert to its default calibration (i.e., 0.1") if it loses power. If you want your station to display rainfall in tenths of a millimeter, you can “trick” it into displaying in 0.2 mm increments.
Troubleshooting Guide Contacting Davis Technical Support If you have any questions, or encounter problems installing or operating your Vantage Pro2 weather station, please contact Davis Technical Support. We’ll be glad to help. (510) 732-7814 — Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Sorry, we are unable to accept collect calls. (510) 670-0589 (fax)— Technical Support. support@davisnet.com — E-mail to Technical Support. info@davisnet.com — General e-mail. www.davisnet.
Specifications Specifications General Sensor Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tipping bucket with magnetic reed switch Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contact closure Attached Cable Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40’ (12 m) Cable Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-conductor, 26 AWG Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Modular connector (RJ-11) Recommended Maximum Cable Length . .
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Notes Product Number: 7852 Part Number: 07395.224 Rain Collector II Rev C Manual (4/13/09) This product complies with the essential protection requirements of the EC EMC Directive 89/336/EC. Copyright © 2009 Davis Instruments Corp. All rights reserved. 3465 Diablo Avenue, Hayward, CA 94545-2778 U.S.A. 510-732-9229 • Fax: 510-732-9188 E-mail: info@davisnet.com • www.davisnet.
