SECTION 1. WEATHER STATION DESCRIPTION AND INSTALLATION
1-6
1.4. MAST INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTIONS
The tower mounts on a cement foundation as
shown in figure 1.4-1. Provided with the tower is
a tilt base (figure 1.4-2), anchor bolts, and nuts.
The tilt base will also be used as a template.
Step 1
Dig a 24" square hole that is 24"
deep. These estimates are for heavy soils only;
light, shifting, or sandy soils require a deeper
base (and more cement).
Step 2
Approximately 0.3 cubic yards of
cement is required to fill the hole. While the
cement is setting, assemble the template (tilt
base) and anchor bolts (figure 1.4-1). Set the
anchor bolts in the cement leaving the threaded
end of the bolts a minimum of 2" above the
cement (Figure 1.4-1). This will allow the tower
base to rest on the double nuts about 1 1/4"
above the cement surface. Be sure to level the
base! Allow time for the cement to setup
before mounting the tower.
NOTE: For light, sandy, or shifting soils, the
size of the concrete block should be
increased.
1.4.1 WEATHER STATION ASSEMBLY
To complete the installation of the weather
station, the following tools will be needed.
•
screw drivers (regular and Phillips)
•
open end wrenches (7/16, 1/2, 9/16)
•
level
•
pipe wrench
•
tape measure
•
step ladder (the crossarm is over 10 feet
high requiring a ladder to level sensors)
•
compass (recommended for orienting wind
direction sensor)
Step 1
Remove the crossarm cover and
assemble the sensors on the ends of the
crossarm (Figure 1.3-2). Note: For proper
crossarm orientation refer to (Figure 1.4-3).
Step 2
Place the crossarm in front of you
with the 1 5/8" hole on the left (Channel up).
Step 3
Mount the wind set on the left side.
Mount the wind set so that the wind speed is on
the side closest to you.
Step 4
Mount the solar radiation and rain
gage sensors on the opposite side of the
crossarm. Note: Insert the sensor cables
through the grommet slots to the center of the
crossarm and out the 1 1/2" center hole before
mounting the sensors.
Step 5
Mount the radiation shield into the 1
5/8" diameter hole on the underside of the
crossarm. Insert the temperature and Relative
Humidity (RH) sensor into the radiation shield.
Make sure that the temperature and RH sensor
is properly seated into the radiation shield.
Step 6
Apply Teflon pipe dope to the 54" X 1
1/2" mast pipe. Thread the sensor cable
through the mast. Screw the pipe onto the
crossarm and allow pipe to rotate around
sensor cables.
Step 7
Place mast into the tower and secure
the mast with the set screw. Replace the
crossarm cover using the six screws.
Step 8
After the cement has setup, mount
the tower onto the base.
NOTE: align the crossarm on the ground
east-west. The radiation shield and the
wind set should be mounted on the west
side. The wind direction sensor mounts on
the north side and the wind speed on the
south (figures 1.3-2 and 1.4-3). Use a
compass for accurate alignment.
Step 9
Vertical plumb the mast using the
adjustment nuts on the tilt base and the level.
Getting the bottom tower section plumb is very
important. As concrete is poured into the hole,
periodically check the tower for plumb using a
carpenters level and make adjustments as
necessary (Figure 1.4-4).
Step 10
Level the solar radiation and rain
gage sensors. Attach the lightning rod to the 1
1/2" pipe just below the crossarm.
Step 11
Mount the enclosure on the tower
approximately 36 inches below the crossarm
(Figure 1.3-2).
Summary of Contents for NW8002
Page 12: ...1 7 FIGURE 1 4 1 NW8002 Cement Base FIGURE 1 4 2 NW8002 Tower with Tilt Base...
Page 34: ...A 1 APPENDIX A SENSOR SCHEMATICS...
Page 35: ...APPENDIX A SENSOR SCHEMATICS A 2...
Page 36: ...APPENDIX A SENSOR SCHEMATICS A 3...
Page 37: ...APPENDIX A SENSOR SCHEMATICS A 4...
