Omega RG-2501 manual Installation, Operation

In areas where heavy snowfall occurs, rain and snow gauges are mounted onto supports (tower) at a height well above the average snow level. A location with this type of exposure would be improved if the tower can be located within an area of trees of comparable height.

2.2 Installation

The RG-2501 rain gauge may be shipped from the factory with the three mounting legs attached upside down on the l/4-20 bolts. If this is the case, detach and replace the legs into the correct position with the legs pointing downward and the leg end facing outward, away from the gauge. (Refer to the assembly drawing.) Be sure the leg mounting bolts are tightly fastened. Carefully remove all packing material and any tape, foam pieces, or rubber bands used to keep the tipping bucket from moving during shipment. Operate the tipping bucket to verify that the bucket can now move freely.

Place the funnel into the top of the gauge. The gauge housing must be mounted as level as

possible on its platform. The holes in the mounting legs are sized for l/4” diameter mounting bolts. For correct measurement of precipitation, the open end edge of the rain gauge funnel must lie in a horizontal plane. This can be tested by laying a carpenter ’s level across the top edge of the gauge funnel using two 90 ” directions: one direction crossing the other at right angles. If the top is not level in both directions, the condition should be corrected. Washers can be used as leveling shims between the mounting legs on the gauge and the platform or tower mounting plate.

Place the bug and debris screens into place inside the funnel.

Upon completion of the rain gauge mounting, route the signal cable to the monitoring/recording equipment. Use the most direct route possible, avoiding sharp or jagged objects that may rub against the cable jacket during high winds causing exposure of the wires. Attach the cable to the structure or support using plastic wire ties or other appropriate devices. When using plastic wire ties, use only black, ultraviolet resistant, wire ties, placing them at a spacing of two to three feet along the cable length. for best results, whenever possible, the signal cable should be routed through conduit.

Chapter 3: Operation

Precipitation entering the collection orifice fills the calibrated tipping bucket assembly. When the calibrated amount has been collected, the bucket tips, causing a momentary closure of the reed switch, and sending an electrical signal to the event recorder or other data collection device. The precipitation sample is discharged out of the gauge at the same time.

3