Campbell Scientific TB4, TB4MM User Manual

TB4 and TB4MM Rain Gage

Revision: 10/10

Copyright © 1995-2010

Campbell Scientific, Inc.

Warranty and Assistance

The TB4 AND TB4MM RAIN GAGES are warranted by Campbell
Scientific, Inc. to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under
normal use and service for twelve (12) months from date of shipment unless
specified otherwise. Batteries have no warranty. Campbell Scientific, Inc.'s
obligation under this warranty is limited to repairing or replacing (at Campbell
Scientific, Inc.'s option) defective products. The customer shall assume all
costs of removing, reinstalling, and shipping defective products to Campbell
Scientific, Inc. Campbell Scientific, Inc. will return such products by surface
carrier prepaid. This warranty shall not apply to any Campbell Scientific, Inc.
products which have been subjected to modification, misuse, neglect, accidents
of nature, or shipping damage. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties,
expressed or implied, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose. Campbell Scientific, Inc. is not liable for special, indirect,
incidental, or consequential damages.

Products may not be returned without prior authorization. The following
contact information is for US and International customers residing in countries
served by Campbell Scientific, Inc. directly. Affiliate companies handle
repairs for customers within their territories. Please visit
www.campbellsci.com to determine which Campbell Scientific company
serves your country.

To obtain a Returned Materials Authorization (RMA), contact Campbell
Scientific, Inc., phone [phone]. After an applications engineer
determines the nature of the problem, an RMA number will be issued. Please
write this number clearly on the outside of the shipping container. Campbell
Scientific's shipping address is:

CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC.

RMA#_____
815 West 1800 North
Logan, Utah 84321-1784

For all returns, the customer must fill out a “Declaration of Hazardous Material
and Decontamination” form and comply with the requirements specified in it.
The form is available from our website at
completed form must be either emailed to [e-mail]
435-750-9579. Campbell Scientific will not process any returns until we
receive this form. If the form is not received within three days of product
receipt or is incomplete, the product will be returned to the customer at the
customer’s expense. Campbell Scientific reserves the right to refuse service on
products that were exposed to contaminants that may cause health or safety
concerns for our employees.

www.campbellsci.com/repair

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or faxed to

TB4 and TB4MM Table of Contents

PDF viewers note: These page numbers refer to the printed version of this document. Use
the Adobe Acrobat® bookmarks tab for links to specific sections.

1. General Description.....................................................1

2. Specifications ..............................................................1

3. Installation....................................................................2

3.1 Siting.........................................................................................................2

3.2 Mounting ..................................................................................................2

4. Wiring............................................................................4

5. Datalogger Programming............................................5

5.1 Pulse Channel Example Programs............................................................6

5.1.1 CR1000 Pulse Channel Example....................................................6

5.1.2 CR200(X) Series Pulse Channel Example......................................6

5.1.3 CR10(X) Pulse Channel Example...................................................7

5.2 Control Port Example Programs...............................................................8

5.2.1 CR1000 Control Port Example.......................................................8

5.2.2 CR200(X) Series Control Port Example.........................................8

5.2.3 CR10X Control Port Example ........................................................9

6. Troubleshooting ........................................................10

6.1 Precipitation............................................................................................10

7. Maintenance...............................................................10

7.1 Dismantling for Cleaning .......................................................................10

7.2 Reassembling the TB4............................................................................14

8. Calibration..................................................................15

Figures

3-1. Typical Rain Gage Installation................................................................3

3-2. Pedestal Base Options.............................................................................4

4-1. Rain Gage Schematic ..............................................................................5

7-1. Components of TB4 Base......................................................................11

7-2. Dismantling the Filter/Siphon Assembly ..............................................12

7-3. Filter/Siphon Assembly.........................................................................13

7-4. Reassembling the TB4...........................................................................14

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TB4 and TB4MM Table of Contents

Tables

4-1. Wiring for Pulse Channel Input.............................................................. 4

4-2. Wiring for Control Port Input................................................................. 5

5-1. Multipliers .............................................................................................. 5

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TB4 and TB4MM Rain Gage

1. General Description

The TB4 and TB4MM tipping bucket rain gages are manufactured by
Hydrological Services Pty. Ltd. (Model TB4) and modified for use with
Campbell Scientific dataloggers.

These rain gages catch rainfall in the 7.87” (200 mm) diameter collection
funnel. When a full bucket of rainfall is collected, the tipping bucket assembly
tips and activates a reed switch. The switch closure is recorded by the
datalogger pulse channel. When the bucket tips, the water drains out the
screened fittings in the base of the gage.

Two models are available:
TB4 0.01 in. tip

TB4MM 0.2 mm tip

NOTE

Throughout this manual, both models are referred to as the TB4
unless specified otherwise.

The “-L” after the model TB4 Rain Gage indicates that the cable length is
specified when ordering.

The TB4 ships with:
(1) Allen Wrench from Original Mfg.

(1) Resource CD

The 260-953 Alter-Type Wind Screen can be used with the TB4 and TB4MM
to minimize the effects of strong winds.

2. Specifications

Funnel: 7.87 in (200 mm)
Drain Fittings: Accept 12 mm ID tubing
Measurement Range: 0 to 19.7 in/hr

(0 to 500 mm/hr)
Accuracy: Better than +2% @ 19.7in/hr (500 mm/hr)
Resolution: 0.01 in (0.254 mm) TB4

0.2 mm (0.008 in) TB4MM
Environmental Conditions:

Temperature: 0° to +70°C
Humidity: 0 to 100%

Temperature Specifications: -20 to +70°C
Siphon Capacity: 0.012 in (0.3mm)
Contact: Dual Reed Switch

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TB4 and TB4MM Rain Gage

NOTE

3. Installation

Capacity: 12 VA (0.5 amp max.)
Dimensions:

Weight: 4.41 pounds (2 kg)
Height: 13 in (330 mm)
Diameter: 7.9 in (200 mm)

®

The black outer jacket of the cable is Santoprene
compound was chosen for its resistance to temperature extremes,
moisture, and UV degradation. However, this jacket will
support combustion in air. It is rated as slow burning when
tested according to U.L. 94 H.B. and will pass FMVSS302.
Local fire codes may preclude its use inside buildings.

rubber. This

NOTE

3.1 Siting

3.2 Mounting

The 260-953 Alter-Type Wind Screen’s siting information and
installation procedure are provided in our 260-953 manual.

The rain gage should be mounted in a relatively level spot which is
representative of the surrounding area. The ground surface around the rain
gage should be natural vegetation or gravel. It should not be paved or
concrete.

For accurate measurements, the rain gage must be placed away from objects
that obstruct wind. The minimum distance should be 2 to 4 times the height of
the obstruction.

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TB4 and TB4MM Rain Gage

24”

8”

The rain gage is designed to mount on a flat surface. Three equally spaced
mounting pads are provided. The mounting pads are pre-drilled for three 3/8”
(M8) bolts on a 9.21” (234 mm) diameter bolt circle. The CM240 mounting
bracket is available from Campbell Scientific for installing the TB4. The
CM240 base helps level the rain gage, ensuring a more accurate measurement.
The base may be attached to a CM300-Series Mounting Pole or to a user­supplied 1.5 IPS (1.9” OD, unthreaded) pipe. The pipe should be long enough
to place the gage's orifice at a one-meter height. The rain gage should be high
enough to be above the average snow depth. The pole or pipe can be placed
directly into a concrete foundation, or attached to a concrete foundation using
J-bolts, or self-supporting with legs (see Figure 3-2). A concrete pad is
recommended. A typical rain gage installation is illustrated in Figure 3-1.

Remove the TB4 funnel from the base by removing the three screws and lifting
upward. Adjust the three nuts on the CM240 bracket to level the rain gage. A
bubble level is mounted on the TB4 base to facilitate leveling.

Remove the rubber shipping band and cardboard packing securing the tipping
bucket assembly. Tip the bucket several times to insure the tipping mechanism
is moving freely. Replace the housing assembly and tighten the three screws
to secure the housing to the base. Level the rain gage after mounting it.

FIGURE 3-1. Typical Rain Gage Installation

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