How much do you know about rain gauge installation

Background:

There are many reasons why you might want to install a rain gauge to monitor rainfall in your backyard. Maybe you’re a gardener and you need to make sure your plants get enough water for optimal growth. If you have a sprinkler system, you can save money by preventing overwatering. Or, if you’re interested in monitoring the weather, a rain gauge is an essential instrument to have in your weather observing toolkit.

Rain gauges are for gardening and weather enthusiasts. They will give you an easy way to monitor weather conditions around your home or farm.

Types of rain gauges

There are two types of rain gauges.

Digital Rain Gauge:
Digital rain gauges don’t require you to take measurements at the rain gauge itself. The most common mechanism for digital rain gauges is the “tipping bucket” configuration. Once a specific weight of water has been obtained (usually equivalent to 0.01 inches), the gauge will drop the rainwater onto the small cup, which will tip back and forth.

You’ll get accurate readings, but as the rainfall rate increases, the tippers fill up quickly, and in some cases, they may not be able to keep up. Also, in light rain, they may fill too slowly and under-measure.

Analog Rain Gauge:
A pointer rain gauge is a traditional rain gauge that funnels water into a graduated and calibrated cylinder. Using an analog scale is the official method of measuring rainfall. You’ll need to take readings before the rain gauge, and in heavy rain you’ll need to take multiple measurements per day. They’re nowhere near as convenient — but far more accurate.

How much do you know about installation knowledge

The construction of a meter can affect the accuracy of the meter itself. You need the Rainfall sensor opening to be at least four inches in diameter—this is why you’ll see large funnels on top of many rain gauges.

How the gauge is marked can also affect your accuracy. Many cheap analog rain gauges are marked in tenths of an inch, while official measurements are accurate to hundredths of an inch. Learning to measure correctly with a particular rain gauge can also affect accuracy.

What you need to know about installation~
Even the best rain sensor can’t overcome a bad installation, which means that if you don’t place the unit in the best position, your readings will be inaccurate. For best results, use models with mounting brackets and mount the gauge on the side of a fence post or pole 2-5 feet from the ground. You also want the mouth of the gauge to be above the stem or have it mounted to it. Placing the opening above the post prevents rainwater from splashing back into the meter itself. Use a level to make sure the gauge port itself is level.

Be sure to place the device away from obstacles such as tall buildings and trees that can block precipitation. Ideally, place the meter in an area twice the height of the nearest obstacle (for example, set the meter 20 feet from a 10-foot-tall tree). If you can’t do that, don’t worry, just place it on the most open area on your property for the best results.

For more information on proper installation and measuring rainfall, read our article on how to use a rain gauge to measure rainfall at home.

Structure and Durability

Generally speaking, the cheaper the model, the shorter the lifespan. The gauges are made of plastic—cheaper plastics fade over time in sunlight and become brittle from extreme heat and cold. We strongly recommend that you purchase the best model you can afford for the most accurate results and longest life.

Measuring capacity
Analog rain gauges will vary in measuring capacity, but we recommend purchasing one with at least a four-inch capacity to prevent missing rainfall during extreme events. One of the benefits of digital models is unlimited measurement capabilities. From a usability standpoint, digital rain gauges are far more convenient. You never have to go out and take measurements, they are easy to read and easy to maintain.

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