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Weather Station

Weather Station Instruments

Air Temperature and Relative Humidity Probe:

The HMP50-ET is a temperature and relative humidity sensor manufactured by Vaisala. It measures air temperature with a 1000 ohm platinum resistance thermometer (PRT), and relative humidity with a capacitive chip. A radiation shield is used to cover the probe to protect it from sunlight.

Specifications:

Temperature

Relative Humidity

Solar Radiation Sensor:

The CS305-ETM is a pyranometer manufactured by Apogee Instruments. It measures shortwave radiation using a silicon photovoltaic detector. The range of the sensor is 300 to 1100 nanometers, which encompasses most of the shortwave radiation that reaches the Earth’s surface.

Specifications:

Rain Gage:

The TE525-ET tipping bucket rain gage is manufactured by Texas Electronics. It measures precipitation in 0.01 inch increments. The precipitation is funneled into a bucket that tips when filled to the calibrated level of 0.01 inches; the magnet connected to the tipping mechanism activates a switch as the bucket tips. This momentary switch closure is counted by the pulse-counting circuitry of the weather station’s data logger.

Specifications:

Anemometer and Vane:

The 034B-ETM Windset is an instrument that combines a 3-cup anemometer and a wind vane. It is made of aluminum and its purpose is to measure wind speed and direction. The wind speed is measured as the cups rotate- opening and closing a reed switch at a rate corresponding to wind speed. The vane position is conveyed by a 10K ohm potentiometer with the output voltage related to wind direction.

Specifications:

Anemometer

Vane

Solar Panel:

A 10-Watt solar panel powers the weather station, charging a 7-Ahr rechargeable battery.

Specifications:

Datalogger:

An environmental enclosure (the white case) protects a CR1000M module and the battery. The datalogger is designed to both control the functions of the weather station instruments and record measurements. A spectrum spread radio then transmits the information to a nearby modem and is connected to the campus system.

Specifications:

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