Onset RXW-RGF-900 Operating 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 HOBOnet 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)

Included Items:

• Cable ties

• Screws

Required Items:

• 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 Reliable connection to 457.2 m (1,500 ft) line of sight at 1.8 m (6 ft) high

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

Memory 16 MB

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

Reliable connection to 609.6 m (2,000 ft) line of sight at 3 m (10 ft) high

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)

temperature 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

) collection area

(33.2 in.
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, NEMA 6

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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RXW Davis 0.01" or 0.2 mm Rain Gauge Sensor (RXW-RGx-xxx) 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: There are two LEDs to the left of the LCD screen. The
green LED blinks during the process of joining a network,
blinking quickly while the mote searches for a network and
then slowly as the mote registers with the network. Once the
network registration process is complete, the blue LED blinks at
4 seconds to indicate normal operation. If the mote is not
currently part of a network, the blue LED will be off. If the blue
LED is on and not blinking, there is a problem with the mote.
Contact Onset Technical Support.

LEDs

Antenna

Button

USB Port

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. If there is no x
icon next to the signal strength indicator, then the
mote is part of an RX Wireless Sensor Network.

An empty signal strength icon plus the x icon
indicates that the mote is not currently 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.

When the mote is in the process of joining a
network, the signal strength icon will blink and then
the bars in the icon will cycle from left to right. The x
icon will blink during the last step in the network
registration process (see Adding the Mote to the RX
Wireless Sensor Network for details).

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.

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

1-800-LOGGERS 2 www.onsetcomp.com

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

These are the internal components on the base.

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.

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 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.

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.

a.

This signal strength icon
blinks while searching for
a network.

c.

This network connection
“x” icon blinks while the
mote completes the
registration process,
which may take up to
five minutes.

b.

Once a network is found,
the icon will stop flashing
and the bars will cycle from
left to right.

d.

Once the mote has finished joining
the network, the “x” icon is
removed and the channel count
on the station LCD increases by
two (one for rainfall and one for
the mote battery).

This process may take up to five minutes. The green LED
blinks quickly while the mote searches for a network to join
and then blinks slowly while it completes the network
registration. Once the mote has finished joining the
network, the green LED turns off and the blue LED then
blinks indefinitely while the mote is part of the network.

Note: If the mote cannot find the network or has trouble
remaining connected during this process, make sure the
mote is in a vertical, upright position and within range of
the station.

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

Press this button again to
stop searching for motes

If you added more than one more mote to the network, then

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

the total channel count on the RX3000 station LCD for the RXW
Manager module will represent all measurement channels plus
a battery channel for each mote in the RX Wireless Sensor
Network.

already done so.

1-800-LOGGERS 3 www.onsetcomp.com