7 Performing maintenance operations
To ensure smooth operation of the precipitation gauge, we recommend to perform
the following maintenance operations at the intervals given:
䊳
Emptying: bucket level ≥ 80 %
䊳
Add anti-freeze: ambient temperature < 0 °C
䊳
Visual inspection: once a year
䊳
Check measurement: once a year
7.1 Emptying the collecting bucket
You may empty the bucket contents at any time, irrespective of the level. Any col-
lecting bucket overflow will result in incorrect measurements, but will not damage
the precipitation gauge.
– When to empty?
When the collecting bucket level is 80 % or more (=
^
320 mm of precipitation);
refer to Bucket RT/Bucket NRT values; Status information includes warning “+1”;
response (value 9) to SDI-12 command “
aD2!
” after “
aM!
”, “
aMC!
”, “
aC!
”
oder “
aCC!
”.
– Interval
Typically once or twice a year;
(more frequently in regions with heavy amount of precipitation).
CAUTION Risk of injury by falling collecting bucket!
A completely filled collecting bucket has a weight of approx. 8.5 kg!
䊳
Be careful when emptying the collecting bucket.
䊳
As applicable, ask another person to assist.
How to empty the collecting bucket:
䡵
Loosen three knurled screws.
䡵
Remove the pipe housing upwards.
䡵
Remove both spring-loaded terminals and carefully remove the collecting bucket.
Please note:
Proceeding carelessly, e.g. roughly placing the filled collecting
bucket on the bucket support, may damage the weighing mechanism.
䡵
Empty the collecting bucket.
䡵
Place the collecting bucket on the bucket support (note the anti-rotation protec-
tion) and secure it using the two spring-loaded terminals, refer to Fig. 17.
䡵
Align the pipe housing and install it, refer to Fig. 20.
䡵
Tighten three knurled screws.
7.2 Adding anti-freeze agent for winter operation
For temperatures below 0 °C*, we recommend anti-freeze agent be added to the
collecting bucket. This anti-freeze causes the collected solid precipitation to
gradually thaw in the collecting bucket.
Moreover, it prevents the unit from getting damaged when the
collecting bucket is filled for more than 80 % and the content
is frozen.
Please use the anti-freeze POWERCOOL DC 924-PXL in an aqueous
solution, refer to Appendix E (manufacturer: Thermochema GmbH, A-4460
Losenstein; Phone +43 7255 4244-0; www.thermochema.at.)
* temperatures all over the day of continuously < approx. –5 °C. When temperatures of above 0 °C
occur for a longer period during the day, adding anti-freeze is not necessary.
36
