Document Outline

• Notes
• 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 Vu...
  • Components
    • The Rain Collector II includes the following components. Please make sure you have all listed components before continuing.
    • Rain Collector Internal Components
    • The illustration below shows the internal components of the rain collector, many of which are referenced in this manual.
    • Rain Collector Internal Components
      • Tools and Materials Needed
    • You may need some of the following tools and materials to install the rain collector.
      • Insert the Optional Metric Measurement Adapter
    • The rain collector tipping bucket mechanism contains a standard measurement weight magnet that takes measurements in .01” for every tip of the bucket. The Complete Weather Wizard III (7425CS) assembly contains a metric rain adpater that adjusts the...
      • 1. Find the metric measurement adapter included in the hardware.
      • 2. Locate the standard measurement weight magnet between the arms of the tipping mechanism.
      • 3. Open the arms slightly with one hand while pulling the magnet out with the other hand.
    • Open plastic tipping mechanism arms, pull out magnet
      • 4. Separate an end cap from one side of the magnet.
      • 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
    • Insert magnet with other end cap into metric measurement adapter
      • 6. 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
  • Rainfall Calibration Number
    • Each station uses a rainfall calibration number (CAL) to determine how much water each bucket tip (i.e., pulse) represents.
    • Calibrated Rainfall = Number of pulses x (1/CAL)
    • The default rainfall CAL of 100 works for the 0.01" rain collector. If you have a 0.01" rain collector you do not need to adjust CAL at all.
    • 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 a...
    • Note: Make sure you display rainfall in the appropriate units of measure before changing CAL; otherwise you will be setting the wrong calibration number. If, by mistake, you change CAL before switching to the appropriate units, you can rectify the er...
      • Once the console is calibrated for 0.01" (default) or 0.2 mm, you can switch the display units as often as you like; the console accurately converts rainfall amounts regardless of the type of rain collector you use.
        • Caution to Pre-1994 Station Owners
      • If you purchased a Monitor or Wizard station prior to 1994, it may be pre-calibrated for an earlier model rain collector. See “Calibration of Older Model Weather Stations” on page 10 for instructions.
    • Testing the Rain Collector II
      • Before installing the Rain Collector II, test the unit. If you are replacing a rain collector you previously installed, make a note of the total rainfall amount displayed. You may want to reenter this amount after you test 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
        • 2. Carefully cut and remove the plastic tie which holds the bucket in place during shipping.
        • 3. Attach the rain collector cable to the appropriate connector on the junction box.
        • 4. Consult your station manual or system installation manual.
        • 5. Press the appropriate key on your console as necessary to display rainfall.
        • 6. Press UNITS if necessary to display rainfall in the rain collector’s native unit of measure.
        • 7. 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.
  • Installing 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...
      • Follow the instructions in this section to install your rain collector. Make sure you read “Choosing a Location for the Rain Collector” on page 7 as it contains important information concerning placement of the rain collector.
        • Typical Weather Monitor II Installation
      • The illustration below shows a typical rain collector installation for the Weather Wizard III and Weather Monitor II.
      • Typical Installation
        • Choosing a Location for the Rain Collector
      • Keep the following in mind when choosing a location for your rain collector:
        • Installing the Rain Collector II
          • 1. If you have not already done so, separate the cone from the base.
          • 2. If necessary, disconnect the rain collector cable from the junction box.
          • 3. Locate a suitable mounting surface, using the guidelines above.
          • 4. 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.
          • 5. Make pilot holes using a 3/32" (2 mm) drill bit. You should make the pilot holes about 1/2" (12 mm) deep.
          • 6. Fasten the base to the mounting surface using the #8 x 3/4" screws provided.
      • Fasten Base to Mounting Surface
        • 7. Attach the rain collector cable to the appropriate connector on the junction box.
        • 8. To be certain the rain collector is functioning properly after installation, retest the unit as described “Testing the Rain Collector II” on page 5.
        • 9. Once you are sure the unit is functioning properly, 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.
        • 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.
    • Extending Cable Runs
      • If the cable length supplied with the rain collector is not long enough for your purposes, you may extend it. The maximum length of cable is 900 feet (270 m). Note that this length represents the total length from the rain collector to the console, i...
  • Adjusting the Rain Collector II
    • The Rain Collector II is calibrated at the factory so the bucket tips (and records rainfall) for each 0.01" (or 0.2 mm if the metric adapter has been fitted) of rain. To adjust the calibration slightly, use a 3/16" (or 5 mm) wrench to rotate the adju...
    • Adjustment Guide
    • Note: Modify both adjustment screws by the same amount.
      • To check the accuracy of the rain collector, compare the Davis Rain Collector with a tube type rain gauge. Use a rain gauge with an aperture of at least 4 inches. Any smaller and the readings obtained may not be accurate. Place the tube type rain gau...
    • Note: Do not compare rainfall readings to reading obtained from television, radio, newspapers, or neighbors readings. Such readings are not located in your specific environment and therefore are not an accurate measurement of the weather readings tak...
  • 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. 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 junction box.
  • Using the Rainfall Function
    • The instructions below explain how to display rainfall on the Weather Wizard III and Weather Monitor II.
      • To Display Rainfall
        • 1. To display rainfall, press RAIN. The rainfall and the word RAIN display.
    • Daily Rainfall
      • 2. To display total rainfall, press RAIN again. The total rainfall and the words RAIN and TOTAL appear on the display.
      • Total Rainfall
        • To Change the Unit of Measure
          • 1. Press RAIN once or twice to select rain or total rain, as desired.
          • 2. Press UNITS. The amount shown changes from inches to millimeters (or vice versa) and the symbol in the display changes from IN to MM (or vice versa).
          • 3. To return to the original unit of measure, press UNITS again.
• 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.
  • Daily Rainfall Cleared
  • Note: Performing a “total clear” on the weather station does not clear rainfall.
    • To Set Total Rainfall
    • You may enter a total rainfall amount to represent any rainfall which accumulated before you obtained the Rain Collector II:
      • 1. Press RAIN once or twice to select total rainfall.
      • 2. Use ENTER to set the total rainfall amount. See “Using the Enter Key” in the weather station manual.
  • Calibration of Older Model Weather Stations
    • This information applies only to users of the Weather Wizard II-S, Weather Wizard III, and Weather Monitor II manufactured prior to April, 1993. To check if your station meets this criterion, press the RAIN button on the console. If, when set to inch...
      • Standard Setting
    • When using the 0.01” setting of the Rain Collector II with an older model station, note that the station is pre-calibrated for an earlier model 0.1" rain collector. To re-calibrate your station, first set the display to inches, then change CAL to 0...
      • Metric Setting
    • When using the 0.2 mm setting of the Rain Collector II with an older model station, note that the station stores rainfall amounts in 0.2 mm increments but displays amounts rounded to the nearest whole millimeter.
    • Note: Keep in mind when testing the rain collector with older weather stations that the display adds 1 mm for each 5 tips of the bucket. Because the display rounds, however, the first change occurs after the bucket tips 3 times (0.6 mm rounded to 1 mm).
      • 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 ...
      • If you want your station to display rainfall in tenths of a millimeter, you can “trick” it into displaying in 0.2 mm increments. To “trick” the station, first display rainfall in INCHES and then enter a CAL value of 0005. To display rainfall ...
  • Troubleshooting Guide
    • Before calling Technical Support (1-510-732-7814), carefully check the following troubleshooting guide. You may be able to solve the problem yourself.
      • 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.
    • [email protected] — E-mail to Technical Support.
    • [email protected] — General e-mail.
    • www.davisnet.com — Davis Instruments web site. See the Weather Support section for copies of user manuals, product specifications, application notes, and information on software updates. Watch for FAQs and other updates.
  • 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 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)
    • Console Data
    • These specifications apply to sensor output as converted by Davis Instruments weather station consoles.
      • Range
        • Daily Rainfall 0.00” to 99.99” (0.0 mm to 999.8 mm)
        • Total Rainfall 0.00” to 99.99” (0.0 mm to 9999 mm)
      • Accuracy
        • Rainfall ±3%, ±1 rainfall count between 0.01" and 2.00" per hour (0.2 mm and 50.0 mm per hour); ±5%, ±1 rainfall count between 2.00" and 4.00" per hour (50.0 mm and 100.0 mm per hour)
        • Resolution 0.01” (0.2 mm)
        • Sample and Display Update Interval 16 seconds (max)
      • WeatherLink® Data
    • These specifications apply to sensor output as logged and displayed by the WeatherLink.
      • Daily Rainfall Total during archive interval
      • Total Rainfall Total during archive interval
      • Rate of Rainfall Maximum value during archive interval (For Vantage Pro and Pro2 models only)
      • Input/Output Connections
        • Red Switch terminal
        • Green & Yellow Switch terminal
  • Notes
  • Notes