Chaney Instrument ACURITE WEATHER STATION User Manual

WEATHER STATIONS

As well as being an attractive addition to home or office decor, the Acu-rite weather station is very useful as a room comfort monitor and weather fore­caster. To fully understand and appreciate the instrument functions, we encourage you to read this information carefully as soon as you remove the
weather station from the display box.

CHOOSING THE CORRECT LOCATION FOR YOUR WEATHER STATION

Acu-rite weather stations are designed for indoor use only. they should be placed on inside walls and away from heat registers, air conditioners,
humidifiers, and out of direct sunlight as these locations may affect the accuracy of the thermometer and hygrometer instruments.

MOUNTING YOUR WEATHER STATION ON THE WALL

The Acu-rite weather station plaques have keyhole slots cut into the backside for hanging. Use a securely anchored screw, nail, or hook to support the
weight of the weather station. Make certain the screw/nail head is large enough to prevent the weather station from slipping off in the event it is jarred
or bumped.

CARE AND CLEANING OF YOUR WEATHER STATION

WOOD PLAQUE

The solid wood plaque is finished with a clear satin lacquer to protect and preserve the appearance. Although occasional use of a good furniture paste
wax is acceptable, we recommend that periodic cleaning with a very lightly dampened soft
cloth is best. Be sure to wipe the wood dry with a soft cloth after cleaning.

INSTRUMENTS

Avoid use of harsh household cleaners and course paper towels which would damage the lacquer coating on the bezel and scratch the lens.
Fingerprints and dirt may be removed from the lenses and bezels with a soft cloth lightly dampened with a mixture of water and mild dish washing liq­uid. Once again, be sure to dry the lens and bezel with a soft cloth after cleaning.

HOW YOUR WEATHER STATION INSTRUMENTS WORK

DIAL THERMOMETER

The dial thermometer is designed for indoor use only and will provide an accurate measurement of air temperature in the vicinity of the instrument.

Dial types thermometers are operated by sensitive bi-metal coil spring mechanisms that respond to air temperature changes. The thermometer instru­ment has been calibrated at the factory and should not need adjustment. As with all instruments that are placed in a new location, you should always
allow a period of several hours for stabilization before determining whether it is reading accurately. Should you determine that some adjustments of the
thermometer is needed, just remove the back cover and very carefully rotate the "U" bracket that holds the coil spring with your thumb and forefinger.
Be very careful not to touch the coil. Rotate the bracket clockwise until the indicator hand is pointing at the known temperature reading. The Acu-rite
thermometer shows both metric scale and the traditional scale used in the U.S.A. and some other countries. The metric scale is called out in centi­grade or celsius while the traditional scale is designated as fahrenheit.

HYGROMETER (Humidity Meter)

Hygrometers measure relative air moisture indoors. These instruments operate by a sensitive coil spring that is bonded with a moisture absorbent
material.

Hygrometers register the percentage of water vapor present compared to the maximum amount that could be present at that air temperature.
why the instruments are also referred to as Humidity Meters.

All air contains microscopic water particles that are invisible to the human eye. If enough water is vaporized into the air
This is considered to be 100% humidity

Remember that the coils in hygrometers respond slowly and when humidity levels change abruptly
an accurate reading. Remember also that the hygrometer is reading indoor humidity

It is not uncommon to have low humidity readings during cold weather when indoor air is heated. Humidity readings of 10% to 25% are typical where
humidifiers are not used to add water vapor into the air

The optimum humidity levels should be maintained between 45% and 50% during heating seasons. Low humidity levels can cause health problems
and can be hard on wood furnishings.

Acu-rite hygrometers are preset at the factory and typically should need no further adjustment. Remember to allow ample time for the instrument to
"stabilize" in its new location before determining whether accurate humidity levels are being indicated. If you do decide that the instrument needs re­adjustments, this can be done as follows:

.

, it can take an hour or more for the meter to reach

, not the outdoor humidity as reported by the weather service.

.

, the air will become "saturated".

This is

Soak a folded face cloth or dish cloth with water and place the cloth on a plate, saucer
from the weather station plaque by simply placing your hand against the back plate and pushing the instrument out of its mounting hole. Remove the
backplate and carefully lay the back edge of the hygrometer flat on the damp cloth.

. If this reading is not indicated, carefully rotate the "U" bracket (holding the coil between your thumb and forefinger) counter clockwise until the

humidity
indicator hand is reading 95%. Be very careful not to touch the coil itself.

Replace the backplate and remount the hygrometer into the wood plaque.
air moisture content.

IMPOR

ANT

T

Any other method than what has been described to adjust the hygrometer could damage the instrument.

:

The hygrometer will gradually return to indicate the actual condition of the

, or another relatively flat container

Allow 30-45 minutes for the hygrometer to read approximately 95%

. Remove the hygrometer

DIAL BAROMETER

Acu-rite barometers measure atmospheric pressure by means of changes of shape of a small chamber with a partial vacuum. As atmospheric pres­sure varies on the chamber and changes shape, it moves a small drive linkage connected to the indicator hand. This linkage movement rotates the
hand to register changes in pressure.

Unlike the thermometer and hygrometer instruments, the barometer is not affected by location. Because all buildings have some air leakage, the
atmospheric pressure is the same indoors as it is outdoors.

The barometer has been regulated at the factory to function accurately at 950 ft. above sea level. If the altitude in your location is different, the barom­eter must be re-adjusted or reset using either of the following methods:

1. Contact your local radio/TV weather service to get the correct barometric pressure reading for your location. Now set your barometer to that reading
by using a blade screwdriver to turn the small adjustment screw located in the back of the barometer instrument case. Turn the screw to the left or
right until the indicator hand moves in the direction you want. Continue to turn the screw until the indicator hand is registering the correct pressure. Tap
the lens "set Knob" lightly to ensure that friction from the linkage is not affecting a correct reading by the indicator.
CAUTION: Be careful not to force the adjustment screw. If the screw becomes tight in either direction, the end of the adjustment range has been reached

2. Use an existing barometer at your location which is known to be accurate and set the new Acu-rite barometer to the same reading using the same pro­cedure as outlined in step one.

The Acu-rite barometer shows metric scale (millibars) and the traditional scale (inches) as used in the U.S.A. and some other countries.

The capability of a barometer to indicate changes in atmospheric pressure makes it a valuable instrument in weather forecasting. You should take read­ings at least once daily, and always adjust the lens "set knob pointer" at the exact location of the indicator hand at the time of your reading. The "set knob
pointer" will allow you to tell what changes in pressure have occurred since your last reading. Remember that the rate of pressure change is just as impor­tant as the amount of change. This is why multiple readings each day are best for accurate weather forecasting.

For the most accurate atmospheric pressure reading, it is a good idea to first lightly tap the lens before checking the exact position of the indicator hand on
the dial.

The following meteorological "Rules of Thumb" will help you interpret your Acu-rite barometer readings.

1. A fast rise in barometric pressure typically indicates good weather of short duration can be expected. 2. A rapid drop in barometric pressure typically
indicates that weather disturbances are nearby and could result in showers of short duration. 3. Regular elevation of barometric pressure typically indi­cates that clear dry weather (cold and dry in winter) can be anticipated. 4. A slow but continuous drop in barometric pressure typically indicates that per­sistent bad weather can be expected. 5. Slow atmospheric pressure drops of 2 to 3 tenths of an inch per 24 hours typically indicates a depression of
some distance away. 6. Pressure drops of 1 to 2 tenths of an inch per hour typically means weather disturbances nearby of short duration. 7. Steep pres­sure drops of 6 tenths of an inch or more within a 4 to 5 hour period typically indicates approaching rain and storms with strong winds.

Remember that many factors determine actual weather conditions, Geographic location, temperature, humidity, wind direction, and even the season must
be considered when your barometer indicates a rising or falling atmospheric pressure.

The following "Weather Forecasting Guide" should prove to be an interesting and useful reference in your efforts to track and record the barometric
changes and resulting weather patterns in your location.

RISING RAPIDL

Unsettled, increasing winds and
warmer

If westerly wind,then fair, followed
within two days by warmer and rain

If winds south to west, then clearing
and colder within 12 hours

If winds going to west, then clearing
and colder

Y

RISING

Southeast rains with high winds Continued cool, warmer and cloudy tomorrow

Clear tonight, continued cool with variable winds Fair and warmer, followed by wind and rain

Generally fair, probably cool with variable winds Storm brewing in the direction of the wind

Fair with brisk winds which will diminish Cloudy and warmer followed by unsettled

Fair with fresh winds tonight and tomorrow Unsettled, increasing winds and warmer

High winds with cool wave preceded by squalls Clearing, slight squalls fair and cooler tomorrow

Clearing with high winds and cool wave Falling below 29.00 indicates a severe storm, in

Clearing and colder

ALLING RAPIDL

31.00
If winds south to east, then warmer, rain within 36 hrs. if winds west to north, then cold and clear, quickly

to

followed by warmer & rain

30.20
If winds south to east - then warmer and rain within 24 hours

to

30.00
If winds southeast to northeast, then rain with high wind followed within two days by clearing and colder

to

29.80
If winds southeast to northeast then severe storm of wind and rain imminent. In winter

or

wave within 24 hours

Below

If wind east to north then severe northeast gales and heavy rain/snow followed in winter by cold wave

F

31.00
to

30.80
to

30,50

to

30.20
to

29.90
to

29.60
to

29.30
to

winter snow or cold wave in 24 hrs.

29.00
or

Below

Y

FALLING

, snow or cold