DAVIS Leaf Wetness Sensor for Vantage Pro2 User Manual

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LEAF WETNESS SENSOR

INSTALLATION MANUAL

The leaf wetness sensor enables the Vantage Pro2™ Wireless Leaf & Soil Mois­ture /Temperature Station (#6345) to detect the presence of surface moisture on
foliage and calculate the duration of wetness. When moisture is present, the
sensor detects an electrical resistance change between the gold-plated ele­ments of the grid. This is displayed by the Vantage Pro2 console as a value
between 0 (dry) and 15 (wet). With WeatherLink
tural/Turf Management Module (#6511), you may select your own wetness
threshold; the software will then calculate leaf-wet hours.

COMPONENTS

The leaf wetness sensor includes the following components. Please make sure
you have all listed components before continuing.

• Leaf Wetness Sensor with attached
mounting bracket

Includes an attached 40’ (12 m) cable.

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software and the Agricul-

• Installation Hardware Kit

One 1-1/2" U-Bolt
Two 1/4" Flat Washers
Two 1/4" Hex Nuts
Two #8 Wood Screws
Two #8 x 3/4" Machine Screws
Four # 8 Flat Washers
Two # 8 Lock Washers
Two # 8 Hex Nuts

TOOLS AND MATERIALS NEEDED

Medium Phillips Screwdriver
Wrench

INSTALLING THE SENSOR

Connecting Leaf Wetness Sensors

1. Run the sensor cables up through the grommets on the bottom of the station housing.

2. Insert the sensor cable modular plug into the Leaf 1 or Leaf 2 modular con­nector.

Grommets

Leaf Wetness Sensor Cables Run

Through Grommets

Finishing the Sensor Connections

1. Secure sensor cables to the cable tie mounts located next to the grommets.

2. To prevent fraying or cutting of cables,
secure them so they will not whip about in
the wind. Secure a cable to a metal pole by
wrapping electrical tape around them both.
Make sure cables are secure by placing
clips or ties approximately every 3 – 5' (1 –

1.6 m)

Connecting Leaf Wetness Sensors

When tightening
cable tie, make sure
cables are on top of
cable tie mount.

Securing Sensor Cables in the Station

Cable Clip

Securing Cables with Clips and Ties

Cable Tie

Cable Tie
Mount

Cable Tie

Note: Do not use metal staples or a staple gun to secure cables. Metal staples — especially

when installed with a staple gun — have a tendency to cut the cables.

2

TESTING THE SENSOR

You may test the sensor before or after you mount it.

1. Connect the sensor.

2. Make sure you are getting a leaf wetness reading on the console.

Consult the Vantage Pro2 Console manual for instructions.

3. Drop or spray water onto the sensor and make sure the reading changes.

MOUNTING THE SENSOR

Mounting the Sensor On a Wooden Surface

Use the #8 wood screws to mount the sensor on a wooden surface as shown.

Mounting the Sensor on a Pipe

To mount the sensor on a pipe, stake, or pole with outside diameter between
1" and 1-1/4" (25 mm and 31 mm), secure the sensor to the pipe using the 1-1/2"
U-bolts, 1/4" flat washers, and 1/4" hex nuts as shown below. Use a 7/16"
wrench or adjustable wrench to tighten the hex nuts.

Solar Panel

3

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Before calling Technical Support (1-510-732-7814), carefully check all cable con­nections from the sensor to the console. Cable connections account for a large
portion of the potential problems. Connections should be firmly seated in the
jacks and plugged in straight. If you think a connection may be faulty, try jig
gling the cable while looking at the display. If a reading appears intermittently
on the display as you jiggle the cable, the connection is faulty.

Contacting Davis Technical Support

If you have questions about your leaf wetness sensor, or encounter problems
installing or operating the station, please contact Davis Technical Support.

Note: Please do not return items to the factory for repair without prior authorization.

(510) 732-7814 – Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

[e-mail] – E-mail to Technical Support.

[phone] – For callers outside the USA or Canada.

[phone] – Fax.

www.davisnet.com – Copies of User Manuals are available on the “Support”

page. Watch for FAQs and other updates. Subscribe to the e-newsletter.

[e-mail] – General e-mail.

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Product Numbers: 6420

Davis Instruments Part Number: 7395.110
Leaf Wetness Sensor Installation Manual
Rev. E Manual (2/26/10)

This product complies with the essential protection requirements of the EC EMC Directive 2006/95/EC.

Davis Instruments Quality Management System is ISO 9001 certified.

© Davis Instruments Corp. 2010. All rights reserved.

3465 Diablo Avenue, Hayward, CA 94545-2778 U.S.A.

510-732-9229 • Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail] • www.davisnet.com