Hobo RX, RXW Davis, RXW-RGE-868, RXW-RGF-868, RXW-RGF-868 Europe User Manual

HOBO® RX Wireless Sensor Network

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RXW Davis® 0.01" or 0.2 mm Rain Gauge Sensor (RXW-RGx-xxx) Manual

This sensor measures rainfall and is designed to work with the HOBO RX Wireless Sensor
Network in which data is transmitted wirelessly from the sensor mote across the network to
the RX3000 station and then uploaded to HOBOlink® web-based software. With HOBOlink, you
can monitor sensor readings, view graphs, set up alarms, download data, and more.

Specifications

Sensor

Measurement Range 0 to 10.2 cm (0 to 4 in.) per hour, maximum 4,000 tips per logging interval

RXW Davis 0.01" or

0.2 mm Rain Gauge
Sensor

Models:

• RXW-RGE-900 and
RXW-RGF-900 (US)

• RXW-RGE-868 and
RXW-RGF-868 (Europe)

• RXW-RGE-922 and
RXW-RGF-922
(Australia/NZ)

Items Included:

• Cable ties

Items required:

• Electrical tape or weather-
resistant cable ties

If mounting on pole or mast:

• 7/16 inch combination
wrench

If mounting on flat surface:

• Drill with 5 mm (3/16 inch)
drill bit

• Adjustable wrench

Accessories:

• Guy wire kit (M-GWA)

• 1.5 meter mast (M-MPB)

• Mast level (M-MLA)

Accuracy ±4.0%, ±1 rainfall count between 0.2 and 50.0 mm (0.01 and 2.0 in.) per

Resolution 0.01 in. (RXW-RGE-xxx) or 0.2 mm (RXW-RGF-xxx)

Calibration Requires annual calibration; can be field calibrated

ireless Mote

perating Temperature

Range

Radio Power 12.6 mW (+11 dBm) non-adjustable

Transmission Range At least 304.8 m (1,000 ft) line of sight at 1.8 m (6 ft) from the ground,

Wireless Data Standard IEEE 802.15.4

Radio Operating
Frequencies

Modulation Employed OQPSK (Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying)

Data Rate Up to 250 kbps, non-adjustable

Duty Cycle <1%

Maximum Number of
Motes

Battery Type/
Power Source

Battery Life With NiMH batteries: Typical 3–5 years when operated in the temperature

Dimensions Sensor: 16.5 cm opening diameter (6.5 in.) x 24 cm (9.5 in.) high; 214 cm2

Weight Sensor and cable: 1.2 kg (2.7 lbs)

Materials Sensor: UV-stabilized ABS plastic housing; tipping bucket mechanism with

Environmental Rating Sensor: Weatherproof

ompliance Marks RXW-RGE-900 and RXW-RGF-900: See last page

hour; ±5.0%, ±1 rainfall count between 50.0 and 100.0 mm (2.0 and 4.0 in.)
per hour

Mote: -25° to 60°C (-13° to 140°F) with rechargeable batteries

-40 to 70°C (-40 to 158°F) with lithium batteries

457.2 m (1,500 ft) typical

RXW-RGE-900 and RXW-RGF-900: 904–924 MHz
RXW-RGE-868 and RXW-RGF-868: 866.5 MHz
RXW-RGE-922 and RXW-RGF-922: 916–924 MHz

50 motes per one RX Wireless Sensor Network

Two AA 1.2V rechargeable NiMH batteries, powered by built-in solar panel or
two AA 1.5 V lithium batteries for operating conditions of -40 to 70°C (-40 to
158°F)

range -20° to 40°C (-4°F to 104°F) and positioned toward the sun (see
Deployment and Mounting), operation outside this range will reduce the
battery service life

With lithium batteries: 1 year, typical use

2

(33.2 in.

) collection area
Cable length: 2 m (6.6 ft)
Mote: 16.2 x 8.59 x 4.14 cm (6.38 x 3.38 x 1.63 inches)

Mote: 223 g (7.87 oz)

magnetic reed switch pivots on metal shaft
Mote: PCPBT, silicone rubber seal

Mote: IP67

RXW-RGE-868 and RXW-RGF-868: The CE Marking identifies this
product as complying with all relevant directives in the European
Union (EU).

RXW-RGE-922 and RXW-RGF-922: See last page

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Rain Gauge Smart Sensor (S-RGC-M002 & S-RGD-M002) Manual

Mote Components and Operation

Mounting
Tab

Solar Panel Latch

Eyelet

Ground Wire
Port

Sensor Cable

Sensor Mote Closed, Front Sensor Mote Closed, Back

Solar Panel Cable

Mounting Tab: Use the tabs at the top and bottom of the mote
to mount it (see Deploying and Mounting).

Solar Panel: Position the solar panel towards the sun to charge
the mote batteries (see Deploying and Mounting).

Sensor Cable: This is the cable that connects the mote to the
sensor.

Eyelet: Use this eyelet to attach a 3/16 inch padlock to the
mote for security.

Latch: Use the two latches to open and close the mote door.

Ground Wire Port: Use this port to connect a ground wire (see

Deploying and Mounting).

Antenna: This is the built-in antenna for the radio
communications across the RX Wireless Sensor Network.

Solar Panel Cable: This cable connects the built-in solar panel
to the mote circuitry.

LEDs: The blue LED to the left of the LCD screen blinks at 4
seconds during normal operation. It blinks more frequently
when initially joining a network. If the mote is not currently
part of a network, the blue LED will be off. If the LED is on and
not blinking, there is a problem with the mote. Contact
Technical Support at www.onsetcomp.com/support/contact.
The yellow-green LED to the upper right of the batteries only
blinks during the process of joining a network.

Battery Holder: The location where the rechargeable AA
batteries are installed as shown (see Battery Information).

LED

Antenna

Button

USB Port

LED

Battery Holder

Sensor Mote Opened

LCD Screen

USB Port: Use this port to connect to the mote to a computer
via USB cable if you need to update the firmware (see Updating

Mote Firmware).

Button: Push this button for 1 second to illuminate the LCD or 3

seconds for the mote to search for an RX Wireless Sensor
Network to join (see Adding the Mote to the RX Wireless Sensor
Network).

LCD Screen: The mote is equipped with an LCD screen that
displays details about the current status. This example shows all
symbols illuminated on the LCD screen followed by definitions
of each symbol in the table.

LCD Symbol Description

The battery indicator shows the approximate
battery charge remaining.

This is a signal strength indicator. The more bars,
the stronger the signal between motes. This icon
will blink when you press the button on the mote
to search for a network to join (see Adding the

Mote to the RX Wireless Sensor Network for
details).

This indicates that the mote is not part of a
network. See Adding the Mote to the RX Wireless
Sensor Network for details on how to add a mote
to the network.

Sensor Components and Operation

Rain enters the collector cone, passes through a debris-filtering
screen, and collects in one chamber of the tipping mechanism.
The tipping spoon tips when it has collected an amount of
water equal to the increment in which the sensor measures
(0.2 mm or 0.01 inch). As the spoon tips, it causes a switch
closure and brings the second tipping spoon chamber into
position. The rain water drains out through the screened drains
in the base of the collector.

The sensor includes the components shown on the following
diagrams. The sensor includes a hardware kit with the items
most commonly needed for installation. The items you use
from the kit depend on where you install the sensor. You may
need to adapt or purchase additional hardware to fit your
individual requirements.

These are the internal components on the base.

1-800-LOGGERS 2 www.onsetcomp.com

Rain Gauge Smart Sensor (S-RGC-M002 & S-RGD-M002) Manual

5. Press the button on the mote for 3 seconds. The signal
strength icon will flash and then cycle.

Press this button for 3
seconds for the mote to
join the network

6. Watch the LCD on the mote. The signal strength icon and
the LEDs will quickly blink while the mote searches for the
wireless network. Once it has found the network, the icon
will stop blinking and the signal strength bars will slowly

Adding the Mote to the RX Wireless Sensor
Network

The mote must join an RX Wireless Sensor Network before it
can begin measuring rainfall and transmitting data. This
requires accessing the RX3000 Station and the mote at the
same time so it is recommended that you complete these steps
before deploying the mote.

Important: If you have not configured the RX3000 Station with
the RXW Manager, follow the instructions in the RX3000 Quick
Start before continuing.

cycle from left to right. As the mote completes its
registration process with the network, the “x” icon to the
right of the signal strength icon will flash and the yellow­green LED will stop blinking. Once the registration is
complete, the signal strength bars will stop cycling and
remain solid and the channel count on the RX3000 LCD will
be updated. This process may take up to five minutes. Note:
The channel count on the LCD will increase by 2: one for
rainfall and one for the mote battery.

7. Press the Search button (the magnifying glass) on the
RX3000 Station to stop searching for motes.

To add a mote to the RX Wireless Sensor Network:

1. If the LCD is blank on the RX3000 station, press any button
to wake it up.

2. Press the Select button once (which shows the number of
smart sensors installed) and then press it again once if the
HOBO RXW Manager is installed in the left slot (module 1)
or twice if it is installed on the right slot (module 2).

Press this button again to
stop searching for motes

Press this button to view the module
where the RXW Manager is installed

3. Press the Search button (the magnifying glass). The
magnifying glass icon will blink while the RX3000 is in search
mode.

Press this button so the station is ready
to have motes join the network

4. Open the mote door and install the batteries if you have not
already done so.

1-800-LOGGERS 3 www.onsetcomp.com

Measurements will be recorded at the logging interval specified
in HOBOlink, transmitted to the RX3000 Station, and uploaded
to HOBOlink at the next connection interval (readout). Use
HOBOlink to monitor mote status and health. If a mote is
temporarily offline, any logged data is saved until it is back
online. In addition, if a mote is offline for 30 minutes, the
RX3000 Station will automatically connect to HOBOlink and
report the mote as missing. Once the mote is back online, any
logged data will be uploaded the next time the RX3000 station
connects to HOBOlink.

See the HOBOlink Help for details on how to change the logging
and connection intervals, view data, check mote status, add the
mote to a map, and more.

Deployment and Mounting

Mounting and Positioning the Mote

• Use cable ties to mount the mote via the holes on the
mounting tabs.

• Avoid mounting the mote near metal, which can cause
interference with the signal.