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MODEL 525  

TIPPING BUCKET RAIN GAUGE TRANSMITTER 

 
 
 

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 

A clear and unobstructed mounting location is necessary to obtain accurate rainfall readings. 

This transmitter has provisions for mounting two ways, surface mounting and mast mounting.  Surface mounting is 
recommended where possible.  The transmitter housing MUST be mounted in a LEVEL position and in a location free 
from vibration.  If mast mounted, make sure that the mast is properly guyed so that vibration in high winds is kept to a 
minimum. 

THE FOLLOWING IS VERY IMPORTANT: 

After the final transmitter installation has been made, remove the top gold funnel portion of the transmitter and observe 
the black tipping bucket.  It should NOT (repeat NOT) be held in a dead center position by the magnetic attraction of 
the bucket magnet and the hermetically sealed magnetic switch.  Press either end of the bucket down against the stop 
to be sure that it is not centered. 

The transmitter to indicator connecting cable may be either shortened or lengthened as required. 

The funnel and tipping bucket mechanism should be cleaned periodically.  An accumulation of dirt, bugs, etc. on the 
tipping bucket will adversely affect the calibration. 

 

FIELD CALIBRATION 

TR-525USW 
 

Absolutely accurate calibration can be obtained only with laboratory equipment, but an approximate field check can be 
easily made.  The tipping bucket mechanism is a simple and highly reliable device.  The transmitter must be located in 
a clear area, away from trees, buildings, etc.  It must also be mounted level.  Accurate readings will not be obtained 
unless the transmitter is mounted in a level position.  The mechanism must be clean.  Any accumulation of foreign 
material, dust, etc. will alter the calibration of this unit.  The transmitter must be calibrated with the rate of flow of 
water through the tipping bucket mechanism under control.  At least 36 seconds should be allowed to fill one side of 
the tipping bucket.  This represents a maximum flow rate of on inch of rain per hour.  If the flow rate is increased, then 
the instrument will read low (if properly calibrated).  Decreasing the rate of flow will not materially affect the 
calibration.  The reason for this is obvious if the tipping bucket assembly is observed when the weight if this water 
starts to tip the bucket.  Some time is required for the bucket to tip (a few milliseconds).  During the first 50% of this 
time, water flows into the empty bucket.  The amount of water flowing during the first 50% of the time is error, the 
faster the flow rate, the greater the error.  Now at flow rates of one inch per hour (100 bucket fillings) or less, the water 
actually drips into the bucket rather than flowing.  Under this condition, the bucket tips between drips, and no error 
water is added to a full moving bucket. 
 

TO CHECK CALIBRATION: 

 
A field calibration kit is available from Texas Electronics, Inc.  Model No. FC-525 is a kit that consists of a holding 
tank, pre-measured beaker, two orifices, cleaning tools and instructions. 

 

Summary of Contents for TR-525 Series

Page 1: ...exas Electronics Inc Dallas TX 75237 Fax 214 631 4218 4230 Shilling Way Tel 214 631 2490 www texaselectronics com Complete Weather Station User s Manual Relied on Worldwide in the Most Extreme Conditions ...

Page 2: ...ottom of the housing hence the sensor requires no attention or servicing of any sort It is completely automatic The aluminum sensor housing is finished with a white baked enamel paint to withstand years of exposure to the environment Specifications Resolution 0 01 or 0 1mm English 1 0 at 1 hr or less Average Switch Closure Time 135 ms Maximum Switch Rating 30 VDC 2A 115 VAC 1 A Humidity Limits 0 t...

Page 3: ...y for calibration of 0 2 mm tip TR 525USW Rain Gauge 8 00 collector English TR 525M Rain Gauge 25 mm collector Metric Optional Parts Accessories HOBO Datalogger and Software MB 525 Pole Mounting Base FC 500 Field Calibration Kit BB 525 Bird Repellant HT 525 Heater 120 VAC Cable Additional Cable ...

Page 4: ...a simple and highly reliable device The transmitter must be located in a clear area away from trees buildings etc It must also be mounted level Accurate readings will not be obtained unless the transmitter is mounted in a level position The mechanism must be clean Any accumulation of foreign material dust etc will alter the calibration of this unit The transmitter must be calibrated with the rate ...

Page 5: ...perly calibrated Decreasing the rate of flow will not materially affect the calibration The reason for this is obvious if the tipping bucket assembly is observed in operation with water falling into one side of the tipping bucket there comes a point when the weight of this water starts to tip the bucket Some time is required for the bucket to tip a few milliseconds During the first 50 of this tipp...

Page 6: ...sor and signal conditioning units in an overcurrent situation With DC voltage applied to the sensor the unit will return signal voltages that are linear to the range of the instrument Signal conditioning is applied to ensure proper voltages are returned and can be amplified or modified to a current output to connect to any analog signal processing unit Specifications Temperature Sensor RTD Pt100 O...

Page 7: ...e radiation shield with sensing element can be pole or mast mounted Whenever possible sensors should be installed at a height of 4 ft 1 2 meters or greater over earth or sod at least 100 ft 30 48 meters away from any concrete or other hard surfaced area and not closer to any other object than four times the height of the object above the instrument shelter or remote sensors Avoid roof installation...

Page 8: ...nce proportionally to the direction of wind SPECIFICATIONS Signal Presentation 5000 ohm potentiometer Analog 4 20 Ma 3 VDC excitation minimum 3 VDC excitation minimum 10 30 VDC Accuracy 3 0 Resolution 1 Environmental Temperature 40 to 160 F 40 to 70 C Physical Overall Height 6 75 17 2 cm Weight 0 5 lbs 0 23 kg less cable Mounting Base Screw attachment 10 32 machine screw Operating Range 0 360 mech...

Page 9: ... factory and due to the nature of its operation should not require field calibration Calibration is a matter of proper orientation during installation A magnetic compass is recommended for proper orientation Field maintenance should include occasional cleaning of the vane assembly and inspection of the internal mechanism to make sure it is free from insects and debris In some applications users ma...

Page 10: ...racy is needed and continuous power is not a problem The AC frequency output is used in situations where power consumption is critical And finally the conditioned analog signal is used to easily and quickly communicate with virtually all digital control systems such as PLC s or SCADA systems SPECIFICATIONS Signal Presentation Pulsed DC output light chopper Please specify 1 MPH 520 pulses min Other...

Page 11: ... suitable beam If a crossarm is used the entire unit can be bolted to a mast or attached via U bolts The sensor is dynamically calibrated at the factory and due to the nature of its operation should not require field calibration Field maintenance should include occasional cleaning of the cup assembly and inspection of the internal mechanism to make sure it is free from insects and debris In some a...

Page 12: ... such a way that it has a field of view of 180 degrees and that its angular characteristics fulfill the Cosine Response The nominal output resistance of the pyranometer is 50 Watts This implies that the input impedance of the readout equipment should be at least 5000 Ohms in order to make an error of less than 0 1 Cable can be extended without problems to a length of 328 ft or 100 meters provided ...

Page 13: ...ssible If practicable instrument should be located so that 1 a shadow will not be cast on it at any time e g by radio masts etc 2 it is not close to light colored walls or other objects likely to reflect sunlight onto it and 3 it is not exposed to artificial radiation sources A flat roof provides the best location or a rigid stand with a horizontal upper surface some distance from building structu...

Page 14: ...tions up to 1800 feet or 548 64 meters above sea level The unit is temperature compensated from 18 to 50 C if elevations above 1800 feet or 548 64 meters are required contact the factory for higher elevation calibration SPECIFICATIONS Supply Voltage 12 to 15 VDC Accuracy 1 3 Calibrated Temperature Range 18 to 50 C Optional Output 4 20 mA Dimensions 6 H x 5 W x 3 D 15 24 cm x 12 7 cm x 7 62 cm Warr...

Page 15: ...e instrument will not be subject to rapid fluctuations of temperature or to jarring and continuous vibration Avoid exposing the instrument to direct sunlight or radiant heaters and to direct drafts such as open windows and doors A mounting bracket with hardware is attached to the Nema enclosure of the sensor ORDERING INFORMATION Model Description TB 2012M Barometric Pressure Sensor TB 2012M A Baro...

Page 16: ...ureau Branch Office Indicator readings for a true north sensor orientation will then be in terms of true geographic compass points All U S Weather Bureau surface wind data used for observational network reporting purposes and general public use is given in reference to this true north format Indicator readings for a magnetic north sensor orientation will be in terms of actual readings as would be ...

Page 17: ...nd doors Reference 1 U S Department of Commerce National Weather Service Bulletin LS 5927 Revised 0 4 12 January 1963 SOLAR RADIATION SENSORS The Solar Radiation Sensor is normally mounted on a level surface totally remote from trees poles or power lines that might cast a shadow on the sensor at any time of the day However there may be occasions because of extreme latitudes when it is desired to m...

Page 18: ...of the U arm be careful not to damage the wires inside the U arm Replace the tube reinforcing plate on the U bolt and replace the U bolt nuts Step 5 Slip the U bolts over the mast and tighten Make certain that the anemometer cups do not hit the mast Step 6 Attach guy wire clamp just below the U tube assembly Step 7 Attach base mount to the roof or side wall Note that the base mount U bolt will rot...

Page 19: ...tion is achieved this technique is usually easier because of the heights involved but will usually necessitate repositioning rotating of the guy wire clamp If winds are creating rapid fluctuations in the vane making calibration difficult the vane can be temporarily secured in a fixed position by carefully wedging a thickly folded piece of paper or cardboard into the gap between the upper and lower...

Page 20: ...ntain defective material or workmanship and will return said equipment to purchaser F O B TEI Texas Electronics shall not be obligated however to repair or replace equipment which has been repaired by others abused improperly installed altered or otherwise misused or damaged in any way TEI will not be responsible for any dismantling re assembly or reinstallation charges This warranty is in lieu of...

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