Precipitation Sensors / RainVUE10
RainVUE10 SDI-12 Precipitation Sensor with Plastic Funnel
Simple and Economical with Digital Output
weather applications supported water applications supported energy applications supported gas flux and turbulence applications supported infrastructure applications supported soil applications supported

Overview

The RainVUE™️10 is ideal for many hydrological or meteorological applications such as weather stations and flood warning systems. The RainVUE™️10 is an SDI-12 tipping bucket rain gage in the RainVUE™️ family of products. Advanced algorithms and digital processing within the sensor compensate for errors caused by high-intensity rain and provide accurate precipitation and intensity measurements. Constructed of an aerodynamic plastic funnel, the RainVUE™️10 is cost effective and minimizes the amount of liquid precipitation that is lost due to the effects of wind. This rain gage offers the user flexibility with the option to select from a series of set cable lengths or a user-defined cable length.

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Benefits and Features

  • Durable ASA plastic construction providing UV stability and exceptional strength for all environments
  • Digital processing to correct for high-intensity precipitation errors up to 500 mm/h (20 in./h)
  • Precipitation intensity measurements up to 1000 mm/h
  • Meets WMO recommendations for funnel area
  • Tilt, internal temperature, and voltage measurement for remote diagnostics on the sensor
  • Built-in bubble level for easy leveling
  • Adjustable mounting feet to simplify leveling
  • Unique aerodynamic shape increases accuracy by minimizing effects of wind
  • Built-in data recording and battery backup to prevent data loss from power or communication disruptions

Images

Detailed Description

The RainVUE™️10 funnels rainfall through a stainless-steel gauze filter that traps and removes debris. The rainfall flows through a nozzle into one of the two halves of the tipping bucket. The internal tipping bucket assembly rotates around precision rolling pivot bearings and tips when the first bucket fills to a fixed calibrated level. Then the balance arm moves the second bucket under the funnel. A magnet attached to the balance arm actuates a reed switch as the bucket tips.

The aerodynamic design of the RainVUE™️10 prevents wind from carrying the rainfall away from the collecting vessel. With traditional cylindrical rain gages, wind can reduce the rainfall catch by up to 20%. The deep funnel catch also minimizes splashing out and loss due to high winds and heavy rainfall. The RainVUE™️10 also includes a microprocessor that corrects for rainfall intensity and outputs an SDI-12 signal.

Specifications

Sensor Type Tipping bucket with magnetic reed switch
Material Injection-molded, highly robust, UV-stabilized plastic (ASA LI-911)
Output SDI-12 version 1.4
Sensor Configuration SDI-12 or USB
Operating Temperature Range
  • 1 to 70°C (liquid precipitation only)
  • -40 to +70°C (including melting snow)
Power Requirements 6 to 18 Vdc
Current Drain
  • 1 mA (active)
  • 0.07 mA (quiescent)
Internal Battery 240 mAh lithium battery (provides up to 15 days of continual operation after power loss; battery will last longer under ideal conditions)
Response Time
  • 0 s (for M0! command)
  • 1 s (for M1! command)
Measurement Uncertainty
  • Note: Accuracy over the rain intensity range requires a mechanical calibration that is within 1% at a 1 in./h intensity.

    RainVUE™10 sensors are calibrated at the factory to meet this specification but should be verified prior to deployment.
  • 1° (tilt)
  • 0.25°C (temperature)
  • 0.5 V (supply voltage)
Orifice Diameter 20.0 cm (7.87 in.)
Collecting Area 314.16 cm2 (48.67 in.2)
Height 43.5 to 46.5 cm (17.1 to 18.3 in.) with feet adjustment
Weight 2 kg (4.5 lb)

0.01 Inch Option
Measurement Range 0 to 1200 mm/h (0 to 48 in./h)
Precipitation Amount Resolution 0.254 mm (0.01 in.)
Precipitation Amount Measurement Uncertainty 1% at 0 to 1200 mm/h intensity (0 to 48 in./h intensity)
Precipitation Intensity Range 0 to 1200 mm/h (0 to 48 in./h)
WMO Compliant No

0.1 Millimeter Option
Measurement Range 0 to 500 mm/h (0 to 19.7 in./h)
Precipitation Amount Resolution 0.1 mm (0.004 in.)
Precipitation Amount Measurement Uncertainty The larger of 0.1 mm or 4% error at 0 to 500 mm/h intensity (0 to 19.7 in./h intensity)
Precipitation Intensity Range 0 to 500 mm/h (0 to 19.7 in./h)
Precipitation Intensity Measurement Uncertainty
  • ≤ 3.5% at 0 to 300 mm/h (7.9 to 11.8 in./h)
  • ≤ 5% at 0 to 500 mm/h (11.8 to 19.7 in./h)
WMO Compliant Yes

0.2 Millimeter Option
Measurement Range 0 to 1000 mm/h (0 to 39.4 in./h)
Precipitation Amount Resolution 0.2 mm (0.008 in.)
Precipitation Amount Measurement Uncertainty < 4% at 0 to 1000 mm/h intensity (0 to 39.4 in./h intensity)
Precipitation Intensity Range 0 to 500 mm/h (0 to 19.7 in./h)
Precipitation Intensity Measurement Uncertainty 4% at 0 to 1000 mm/h (0 to 39.4 in./h)
WMO Compliant No

Compatibility

Please note: The following shows notable compatibility information. It is not a comprehensive list of all compatible products.

Data Loggers

Compatible Note
Aspen10
CR1000X
CR300
CR3000 (retired)
CR310
CR350
CR6
CR800 (retired)
CR850 (retired)

Additional Compatibility Information

The RainVUE™️10 is compatible with all current data loggers and retired data loggers that support SDI-12 sensors.