DAVIS Vantage Vue Wireless Console Manual - Manual (Page 17)

Setup Mode
13
Screen 14: Rain Season
Because rainy seasons begin and end at different times in different parts of the world, you
must specify the month you wish your yearly rain data to begin. January 1
st
is the default
setting.
The date the rain season begins affects yearly
rain rate highs and lows as well as the yearly
rain totals.
1. Press the + and - keys to select the month
for the start of the rainy season.
2. Press DONE to move to the next screen.
Note: This setting determines when the yearly rain total is reset to zero. Davis Instruments
recommends a January rain season setting (the default), unless you reside on the west
coast of the United States, the Mediterranean Coast, or experience dry winters in the
southern hemisphere. If so, change the rain season setting to July 1
st
. If you are performing
hydrology studies in any of these climates in the Northern Hemisphere, change the rain
season setting to October 1
st
.
Screens 15 and 16: Cooling and Heating Degree Day Base
The Cooling and Heating Degree Day Base screens let you determine the temperature base
that is used to calculate the number of cooling or heating degree days. A cooling degree day is
used to determine the amount of energy or fuel used to keep a structure like your home or
business cool. A heating degree day is used to determine the amount of energy or fuel used to
keep a structure like your home or business warm.
One cooling degree/day is the amount of cooling required to keep a structure cool when the
outside temperature remains 1°F above the 65°F threshold for 24 hours. One cooling degree/
day is also the amount of cooling required when the temperature remains 24°F above the 65°F
threshold for one hour.
One heating degree/day is the amount of heat required to keep a structure warm when the
outside temperature remains 1°F below the 65°F threshold for 24 hours. One heating degree/
day is also the amount of heat required when the temperature remains 24°F below the 65°F
threshold for one hour.
The cooling and heating degree days (similar to growing degree days and chilling requirement
in agriculture) are used for agricultural purposes, as well as for energy use analysis. Our
optional WeatherLink software (#6510USB, 6510SER, 6555) calculates degree day totals. Our
optional Agricultural/Turf Management Software Module (#6511) adds the special reporting
features to the WeatherLink software that include evapotranspiration and chilling requirement.
The Cooling and Heating Degree Day Bases are used to determine the Cooling Degree Day
Daily Total and Heating Degree Day Daily Total, which display as part of the Weather Center
when the outside temperature variable is selected. See “Inside and Outside Temperature” on
page 18 for more information.
A base setting for both the Cooling and Heating Degree Day temperature is not set at the
factory, allowing you to choose. A base of 65°F (15°C in Europe) is suitable for most
applications.