DAVIS Vantage Pro2 Rain Collector II User Manual
Rain collector ii, Installation manual, Components
Davis Instruments, 3465 Diablo Avenue, Hayward, CA 94545-2778 U.S.A. • 510-732-9229 • www.davisnet.com
®
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’ Vantage Pro2 weather stations, including
the Anemometer/Sensor Transmitter Kit.
Note:
If you are installing the Rain Collector II in a Weather Wizard or Weather Monitor, please refer
to the Rain Collector II for GroWeather, EnviroMonitor, Weather Monitor and Wizard manual
which can be found in the support section of the Davis web site. (Go to www.davisnet.com,
click Support, Weather Support, Instruction Manuals. Choose your station from the pull down
menu and scroll down to find the manual.)
Components
The Rain Collector II includes the following components. Please make sure you have
all listed components before continuing.
•Rain Collector with Cable — The rain collector comes with the cone attached to the
base and has a 40’ (12m) cable.
•Four #8 x 3/4" Screws
•Debris Screen — This screen is placed into the rain collector cone to help prevent
debris from clogging the funnel hole.
•Metric Rain Adapter — This adapter adds weight to the tipping mechanism, adjusting
it to tip for every 0.2 mm of rainfall instead of every 0.01”.
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 mount-
ing
•Bubble level
Document Outline
- 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’ Vantage Pro2 weather stations, including the Anemometer/Sensor Transmitte...
- Note: If you are installing the Rain Collector II in a Weather Wizard or Weather Monitor, please refer to the Rain Collector II for GroWeather, EnviroMonitor, Weather Monitor and Wizard manual which can be found in the support section of the Davis we...
- Components
- Prepare the Rain Collector
- 1. Turn the rain collector upside down and remove the cone from the base by rotating the base until the latches on the cone line up with the latch openings in the base then lifting the base away from the cone.
- Remove the Cone from the Base
- Note: The metric version, product number 7852M, comes factory calibrated to take measurements in 0.2 mm. There is no need to install the metric measurement adapter.
- 1. Locate the standard measurement weight magnet between the arms of the tipping mechanism.
- 2. Open the arms slightly with one hand while pulling the magnet out with the other hand.
- Open plastic tipping mechanism arms, pull out magnet
- 3. Separate an end cap from one side of the magnet.
- 4. Slide the magnet, with the exposed end of the magnet first, into the open slot of the metric measurement adapter.
- 5. Insert the metric measurement adapter between the arms of the tipping bucket, with solid side of the metric measurement facing up.
- Open plastic arms to insert metric measurement adapter, with adapter in “V” position
- Installation manual
- Although the rain collector is now ready to take accurate metric measurements, the console does not register the rain collector measurement weight has changed. The rain measurement type must be changed on the console.
- Test the Rain Collector II
- 1. Open the SIM housing on the ISS. Remove the foam insert and feed the rain collector cable up through the opening. Plug the cable to the appropriate connector. (See illustration on page 6.)
- 2. Press the RAINDAY button on your console to display rainfall.
- 3. While watching the display on your console to see if it changes, slowly tip the bucket until it drops to the opposite side. If the display does not change, you may be tipping the bucket too quickly. Try again, more slowly this time.If the rainfall...
- Install the Rain Collector II
- Note: Climbing on your roof may be hazardous. If you are uneasy about installing your unit please have a qualified professional complete the installation. Davis specifically disclaims any liability for injury or loss resulting from the installation o...
- Tip: When choosing a mounting surface, you may want to consider the Davis Rain Collector Mounting Shelf, product number 7704.
- Tip: Manuals are available online at www.davisnet.com in the Weather Support section.
- 1. If you have not already done so, separate the cone from the base.
- 2. If necessary, disconnect the rain collector cable from the Sensor Interface Module (SIM).
- 3. Place the base on the mounting surface and mark the location of the four holes (the base has eight to choose from) you will use to secure the base.
- 4. Make pilot holes using a 3/32" (2 mm) drill bit. You should make the pilot holes about 1/2" (12 mm) deep.
- 5. Fasten the base to the mounting surface using the #8 x 3/4” screws provided.
- 6. Open the SIM housing on the ISS. Remove the foam insert and feed the rain collector cable up through the opening. Plug the cable to the appropriate connector. Replace the foam and close the SIM housing.
- 7. To be certain the rain collector is functioning properly after installation, retest the unit See “Test the Rain Collector II” on page 4.
- 8. Place the cone back onto the base by putting the latches on the cone into the latch openings in the base and rotating the cone clockwise until the latches “lock” into place. As you reattach the cone, make sure to run the cable to the cable slo...
- 9. Place the debris screen, points down, into the cone. The screen prevents large bits of debris from blocking the funnel hole.
- 10. 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.
- Test the Rain Collector II
- Use cable clips or weather resistant cable ties to secure the cable. Place clips or ties approximately every 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.6 m). Do not use metal staples or a staple gun to secure cables. Metal staples—especially when installed with a staple ...
- Extending Cable Runs
- Adjusting the Rain Collector II
- Adjustment Guide
- Note: Modify both adjustment screws by the same amount.
- Note: Avoid comparison to rainfall readings obtained from television, radio, newspapers, or neighbors readings. Such readings are not an accurate measurement of the weather conditions in your specific surrounding. The rain collector is carefully test...
- Maintaining the Rain Collector II
- 1. Disconnect the rain collector cable from the SIM.
- 2. Separate the cone from the base.
- 3. Use a soft damp 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. When all parts are clean, rinse with clear water.
- 5. Reattach the cone and replace the screen.
- 6. Reconnect the rain collector cable to the SIM.
- Troubleshooting Guide
- Specifications
- 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 Max.Cable Length 900’ (270 m)
- Housing Material UV-stabilized ABS plastic
- Dimensions
- Rain Collector 8.75" diameter x 9.5" high (16.5 cm diameter x 24 cm high)
- Collection Area 33.2 in2 (214 cm2)
- Weight 2 lbs. 3 oz. (1 kg)
- Daily Rainfall 0.00” to 99.99” (0.0 mm to 999.8 mm)
- Total Rainfall 0.00” to 199.99” (0.0 mm to 6553 mm)
- Update Interval 20-24 seconds
- Input/Output Connections