La Crosse Technology, Ltd.
Page 9
Rain sensor drains batteries quickly
If
batteries
are good when first inserted, batteries should last 1 year or more. If the batteries in the
sensor are not lasting that long, please try these tasks:
Test a new set of alkaline batteries. Write down the date of installation and the voltage of the
batteries.
When the batteries fail, please note the date and voltage again. This is helpful in determining the
problem.
Complete the
restart
and confirm that everything is working after a battery change.
Battery leakage may cause a sensor to drain batteries quickly.
Rain area on the weather station shows blank (no numbers or dashes)
Check that other areas of the weather station read properly. There may be a problem with the
weather station.
Rain reads low
Low rain readings indicate the rain sensor and weather station are connected.
Check that the pin the rocker tips on is all the way to the back and that the rocker tips freely.
Check the funnel and the inside of the rain sensor for insect nests or debris that may cause loss of
rocker motion.
Check for proper battery installation.
Check the battery cover is on firmly.
Be sure to mount the rain sensor level and that the mounting screws are not too tight (most common
issue).
Complete a Manual Tip Test and a Water Tip Test and compare them:
Manual Tip test:
Write down the Total Rain reading or reset the Rain Total to 0.00. Use the
eraser end of a pencil to manually tip the rocker of the rain sensor 10 times (five each way). Wait
at least 2 minutes for all the rain to collect.
Water Tip Test:
Write down the Total Rain reading or reset the Rain Total to 0.00. With Rain
Sensor mounted slowly pour water into the funnel to tip the rocker of the rain sensor 10 times
(five each way). Wait at least 2 minutes for all the rain to collect.
Compare these tests. If they are the same, then the rain is reading correctly. If the rain readings are
different, repeat the test 3 times to avoid human error. Then look for causes such as mounting too
tight or debris clogging the funnel.
Check
batteries
in the rain sensor and the weather station. This is our primary warranty issue.
Rain reads high
Check for sources of RF (radio frequency)
interference
such as other wireless rain sensors, ham
radios or electric transformers.
Keep the weather station six feet from cordless phones or wireless routers etc.
Complete a Manual Tip Test and a Water Tip Test and compare them:
Manual Tip test:
Write down the Total Rain reading or reset the Rain Total to 0.00. Use the
eraser end of a pencil to manually tip the rocker of the rain sensor 10 times (five each way). Wait
at least 2 minutes for all the rain to collect.
Water Tip Test:
Write down the Total Rain reading or reset the Rain Total to 0.00. With Rain
Sensor mounted slowly pour water into the funnel to tip the rocker of the rain sensor 10 times
(five each way). Wait at least 2 minutes for all the rain to collect.
Compare these tests. If they still read high then contact support.
Rain alarm
Set 24-hour Rain Alarm
In the normal display mode, press and release the ALARM button until you see the
Rainfall
amount in
24-hour period alarm.
