18
Calibrate the Rain Gauge
The rain gauge on the 5-in-1 sensor can be calibrated to improve accuracy.
Items Needed
: 5-in-1 sensor, display, plastic cup, pin, screw driver
1. First, ensure 5-in-1 sensor is perfectly level using built-in bubble level.
2. Place display close so you can monitor it during calibration.
3. Make a pin hole in the bottom of a plastic cup. Hold the cup over the rain gauge and
fill it with exactly 1 cup (8oz) of water, allowing the water to drip into the rain gauge.
You should hear the internal buckets tip and see water drain through the rain gauge.
4. A few seconds after each bucket tip, the display displays rainfall in approximately
0.01” or more increments.
5. The cup of water should take more than 20 minutes to empty; a quicker period will
result in inaccurate calibration. Try to simulate a normal steady rainfall. When cup is
empty of water, display should register 1.06”
Tips
• There should be nearly an equal number of water drops (about 25 water drops)
between bucket tips. If not, adjust the calibration screws on the bottom of the 5-in-1
sensor until an equal number of water drops are tipping the buckets. Then, restart
the calibration procedure.
• If you don’t hear the buckets tipping and see water dripping alternately out of
each drain, there may be an issue with the rain gauge or it’s adjustment. See
Troubleshooting on page 16.
Adjustment
If the rain gauge doesn’t register close to 1.06”, make an EQUAL adjustment to the two
calibration screws on the bottom of the 5-in-1 sensor. Turning screws clockwise increases
rainfall; counter clockwise decreases rainfall.
• To adjust the rainfall reading by 2% turn both screws 1/8 of a turn.
• To adjust the rainfall reading by 4% turn both screws 1/4 of a turn.
• To adjust the rainfall reading by 8% turn both screws 1/2 of a turn.
Watch the video at: www.acurite.com/5in1
