Campbell Scientific TE525-LC User Manual

TE525-LC TIPPING BUCKET RAIN GAGE

FOR

METDATA1

4/97

COPYRIGHT (c) 1990-1997 CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC.

WARRANTY AND ASSISTANCE

The

TE525-LC TIPPING BUCKET RAIN GAGE FOR METDATA1

is 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. 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
CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC, INC. does not accept collect calls.
Non-warranty products returned for repair should be accompanied by a purchase order to cover the repair.

815 W. 1800 N.
Logan, UT 84321-1784
USA
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
www.campbellsci.com

Campbell Scientific Canada Corp.
11564 -149th Street
Edmonton, Alberta T5M 1W7
CANADA
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

Campbell Scientific Ltd.
Campbell Park
80 Hathern Road
Shepshed, Leics. LE12 9RP
ENGLAND
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]

TE525-LC TIPPING BUCKET RAIN GAGE

FOR METDATA1

1. FUNCTION

The TE525 is a smaller adaptation of the
standard Weather Bureau tipping bucket rain
gage. It measures rainfall at rates up to 2 in.
per hour with an accuracy of ±1%. Output is a
switch closure for each bucket tip. A tip occurs
with each 0.01 inch of rainfall. The metric
TE525, available on special request, tips with
each 0.1 millimeter of rainfall.

2. SPECIFICATIONS

Range of Indication

Infinite in increments of 0.01 in. (least
count) of rainfall. (Metric version: in
increments of 0.1 mm.)

Accuracy

Signal Output:

Calibration/Cleaning Frequency:

:

1.0% at 2 inch/hr. or less.

Momentary switch closure activated by
tipping bucket mechanism. Switch closure
is approximately 135 ms.

Sensor is factory calibrated and should not
require field calibration. Debris filters, funnel
orifices, and bucket reservoirs should be
kept clean. Section 4 describes field
calibration check and factory recalibration.

:

Environmental Limits:

Temperature: 0
Humidity: 0 to 100%

Physical Data:

Diameter: 6.25 in. overall
Height: 9.5 in. (metric version 12 in.)
Weight: 2.5 pounds
Receiving Orifice: Gold anodized spun

aluminum knife edge collector ring and
funnel assembly.

Ring Diameter: 6.064 in. (metric version

9.664 in.)
Resolution: 0.01 in. (metric version 0.1 mm)
Calibration: 16.00 fluid oz. (100 bucket tips)
Mounting: Side bracket with clamps for

pole or mast mounting
Material: Aluminum
Cable: 2-conductor, shielded cable, 25 ft.

standard length.
NOTE: The black outer jacket of the cable

is Santoprene® rubber. This 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.

o

to +50oC

FIGURE 1. TE525 Tipping Bucket Rain Gage

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TE525-LC TIPPING BUCKET RAIN GAGE FOR METDATA1

3. INSTALLATION

3.1 LOCATION

The rain gage should be mounted in a relatively
level spot which is representative of the
surrounding area. The lip of the funnel should
be horizontal and at least 30 cm. above the
ground. It should be high enough to be above
the average snow depth. The ground surface
around the rain gage should be natural
vegetation or gravel. It should not be paved.

The rain gage should be placed away from
objects that obstruct the wind. The distance
should be 2 to 4 times the height of the
obstruction.

When leveling, be sure that the funnel is properly
seated in the body of the gage and that:

• the orifice is level

• the body of the sensor is vertical (plumb).

3.2 MOUNTING

The TE525 rain gage mounts to a 2 inch post or
pipe. Set the post or drive the pipe as nearly
vertical as possible. Use the enclosed hose
clamps to mount the gage as shown in Fig. 1.
The lip of the gage should be at least 2 inches
above the post or pipe. Level the rain gage
after mounting it.

NOTE

: Before final leveling, press either
end of the bucket down against its stop to
make sure the bucket is NOT hung up in
the center.

3.3 CONNECTION

The TE525 cable is attached to the MetData1
connector labeled #5.

4. DATALOGGER PROGRAMMING

NOTE: Information in this section is not

necessary when programming the
MetData1 with the Short Cut Program
Builder software.

The TE525 is measured using Instruction 3 with
the switch closure configuration code. A
multiplier of 0.01 converts the output to inches.
A multiplier of 0.254 converts the output to
millimeters.

The metric TE525 uses a multiplier of 0.1 to
convert the output to millimeters. A multiplier of

0.00394 converts the output to inches.

MetData1 Datalogger Instruction:

01: P3 Pulse

01: 1 Rep
02: 2 Pulse Input Channel
03: 2 Switch Closure
04: 1* Loc [:Rain (mm)]
05: 0.1 Mult
06: 00 Offset

* Proper entry will vary with input location assignment.

4. MAINTENANCE

The funnel and bucket mechanism must be
kept clean. Routinely check for and remove any
foreign material, dust, insects, etc. The
following calibration check is advised every 12
months.

Field Calibration Check:

(1) Secure a metal can that will hold at

least one quart of water.

(2) Punch a very small hole in the bottom

of the can.

(3) Place the can in the top funnel of the

rain gage and pour 16 fluid ounces (1
pint) of water into the can. (A 16 oz.
soft drink bottle filled to within 2.5
inches of the top may be used for a
rough field calibration. An exact volume
will allow for a more precise calibration).

(4) If it takes less than 45 minutes for this

water to run out, the hole in the can is
too large.

(5) One hundred tips plus or minus three

tips should occur.

(6) Adjusting screws are located on the

bottom adjacent to the large center
drain hole. Adjust both screws the
same number of turns. Rotation
clockwise increases the number of tips
per 16 oz. of water; counter clockwise
rotation decreases the number of tips
per 16 oz. of water. One half turn of
both screws causes a 2% to 3%
change.

(7) Check and re-level the rain gage lid.

Factory Calibration:
If factory calibration is required, send the TE525

to:

Texas Electronics
P.O. Box 7225, Inwood-Station
Dallas, Texas 75209
Phone: [phone]

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