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User Manual
The RG-10 User Manual is available in pdf
here.
Built in 2W Heater
The Rain Gage has a built-in heater that extends its operation to temperatures about freezing (32 F or 0 C). The heater will tend to prevent snow and ice build-up on the sensor. As temperatures get very cold the heater will not be able to keep the sensor clear, and ice may build up. The heater will usually drive this off with time. The heater is optimized for 24V operation. Supply voltages below 24V will not allow the heater to produce as much heat, but it will still work. The Rain Gage duty cycle modulates the heater for higher voltages, so higher voltages will not damage the resistive heating element.
With the heater enabled, the sensor will
typically be able to sense precipitation down to an ambient of about
30 F (-1 C). This will vary with conditions.
"Almost Free" Temperature Sensing
TEMPERATURE OUTPUT-- When the auxiliary output is configured as a temperature output, it produces a pulse width proportional to temperature. The AUX output stays on for 0.1 sec for every degree Fahrenheit. This pulse repeats every 15 seconds. This scheme is intended to be readily decoded by external equipment, with minimal processing. If you need to convert it to Centigrade, go right ahead.
The temperature output of the Rain Gage is compensated so that it is a very rough approximation of ambient temperature. The internal temperature sensor of the Rain Gage can accurately measure the temperature within the housing, which the Rain Gage uses for heater control. When the heater is on, this can be very far from the ambient temperature. So, the Rain Gage uses an algorithm based on internal temperature, heater duty cycle, and supply voltage to estimate the ambient temperature. Additionally, sunlight tends to warm the Rain Gage. The Rain Gage partially compensates for this effect as well, using the built-in light sensors. It will still tend to read high in bright sunlight. When first powered up with the heater enabled in cold weather, it will read low until the temperature stabilizes.
We intend the temperature
output to be used for qualitative applications and control that does
not require a precise measurement of temperature. Think of it as
'better than nothing." Applications include freeze sensing,
snow-melt control, skylight control, louver control, and
global-warming research. If you need precise temperature
measurement, use an external sensor properly shielded from the sun
and external heat sources.
Safety
The Rain Gage is a well tested, very high quality product. That said, understand these guidelines before designing the Rain Gage into any system:
It is the responsibility of the systems integrator and purchaser of the Rain Gage to insure a safe installation. Any mechanical system, including one that incorporates a Rain Gage, requires appropriate safety interlocks. Hydreon Coporation warrants only the actual cost of the sensor, and only that it is free from defects in workmanship.
The Rain Gage is warranted to be free from defects for a period of one year from date of purchase. Under no circumstances will Hydreon be liable for any consequential damages due to failure or any other mishap involving a Rain Gage. Hydreon's liability in the event of a failure, or inability to sense a condition, is limited to the actual cost of the particular sensor. Explicitly, if other objects are destroyed due to water damage, or if any object is destroyed because of a false indication of water, Hydreon Coporation is in no way whatsoever liable for anything other than the cost of the Rain Gage, and then only if the Rain Gage is shown to have some defect in materials or workmanship. Limitations and imperfections of the Rain Gage do not constitute a defect. Further, if some valuable data is not gathered because an erroneous indication of any sort due to the Rain Gage, Hydreon Coporation is liable only for the cost of the Rain Gage.
It is the responsibility of the system designer and purchasers of the Rain Gage to insure that a failure of the Rain Gage will not cause consequential damages. If a failure in Rain Gage would cause disaster, we recommend against deployment of the Rain Gage, or against the system in which the Rain Gage is deployed. If a failure of a Rain Gage would cause great expense, Hydreon recommends redundant Rain Gages, and even in that case do not assume any liability for consequential damages. It is the responsibility of the system designer and purchasers of the Rain Gage to be aware of performance limitations of the device. If a Rain Gage fails for any reason, Hydreon will not be responsible for the labor of servicing and or installing and/or removing the Rain Gage. Labor is NOT COVERED. Hydreon Coporation recommends that the system designer perform a Failure-Mode Effects Analysis that includes the possibility of Rain Gage failure. If a potential purchaser of the Rain Gage does not agree with these terms, we ask that the potential purchaser not buy the Rain Gage. Deployment of the Rain Gage implies understanding and agreeing to these limits of liability.
Apply engineering judgment:
Hydreon does not claim the RG-10 is a perfect
rain sensor. It is what it is, and senses what it senses.