RXW Leaf Wetness Sensor (RXW-LWA-xxx) Manual
1-800-LOGGERS
4
www.onsetcomp.com
7.
Press the Search button (the magnifying glass) on the
station to stop searching for motes.
If you added more than one more mote to the network, then
the total channel count on the station LCD for the manager
module will represent all measurement channels plus a battery
channel for each mote in the network.
Sensor measurements will be recorded at the logging interval
specified in HOBOlink, transmitted to the station, and uploaded
to HOBOlink at the next connection interval (readout). Use
HOBOlink to monitor mote status and health. If a mote is
temporarily offline, any logged data is saved until it is back
online. In addition, if a mote is offline for 30 minutes, the
station will automatically connect to HOBOlink and report the
mote as missing. Once the mote is back online, any logged data
will be uploaded the next time the station connects to
HOBOlink.
See the HOBOlink Help for details on how to change the logging
and connection intervals, view data, check mote status, add the
mote to a map, and more.
Deployment and Mounting
Mounting and Positioning the Mote
•
Mount the mote to a mast or pipe using cable ties or affix
the mote to a wooden post or flat surface with screws.
Insert the cable ties or screws through the holes on the
mounting tabs.
•
Consider using plastic poles such as PVC to mount the
mote as certain types of metal could decrease signal
strength.
•
Make sure the mote remains in a vertical position once it
is placed in its deployment location for optimal network
communications.
•
Make sure the mote door is closed, with both latches fully
locked to ensure a watertight seal.
•
Consider using a 3/16 inch padlock to restrict access to the
mote. With the mote door closed, hook a padlock through
the eyelet on the right side of the door and lock it.
•
Position the mote towards the sun, making sure the solar
panel is oriented so that it receives optimal sunlight
throughout each season. It may be necessary to
periodically adjust the mote position as the path of the
sunlight changes throughout the year or if tree and leaf
growth alters the amount of sunlight reaching the solar
panel.
•
Make sure the mote is mounted a minimum of 1.8 m (6 ft)
from the ground or vegetation to help maximize distance
and signal strength.
•
Place the mote so there is full line of sight with the next
mote. If there is an obstruction between two sensor
motes or between the sensor mote and the manager, then
use a repeater mounted on the obstruction. For example,
if there is a hill between the sensor mote and the
manager, place a repeater at the top of the hill between
the sensor mote and the manager.
•
There should not be more than five motes in any direction
at their maximum transmission range from the manager.
Data logged by a wireless sensor must travel or “hop”
across the wireless network from one mote to the next
until it ultimately reaches the manager connected to the
station. To make sure the data can successfully travel
across the network, the mote should not be more than
five hops away from the manager.
•
The HOBOnet Wireless Sensor Network can support a
maximum of 50 motes.
•
Use a #4-40 screw to attach a ground wire to the port on
the back of the mote if you are deploying the mote in a
location where lightning is a concern.
Sensor Mounting Guidelines
Important:
DO NOT PAINT OR COAT THE SENSOR. It is ready
to use and should not be coated. See
Sensor Operation
for
more details.
•
In most applications, the sensor should be mounted in
whichever direction will prolong wetness the longest. For
example, in the Northern hemisphere, orienting the
sensor to face northwest will minimize exposure to solar
radiation in the morning and maximize morning dew
exposure.
•
The leaf wetness sensor can be tilted to any angle. As the
angle becomes steeper, water will run off the sensor more
easily, reducing the amount of time the sensor stays wet.
The exact angle used is a function of the type of
vegetation of interest. Use an angle of more than 15
degrees from horizontal to prevent puddles from forming
on the sensor.
•
The leaf wetness bracket can also be mounted to the cross
arm (M-CAA or M-CAB).
•
Be sure to secure the sensor cable with cable ties to
protect the cable from damage. Wires should be bound
tightly to the mast to help protect them from getting
damaged in severe weather.
•
Do not mount the sensor within two feet of the station
case.
•
Refer to the station manual and Tripod Setup Guide at
www.onsetcomp.com/support/manuals for more
information regarding setting up stations.
Bracket Mounting
To mount the sensor using the included bracket:
1.
Use the U-bolt to secure the bracket to any 2.5 to 4 cm (1 to
1.6 inch) diameter mast.
Press this button again to
stop searching for motes
