The RainVUE™️20 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 powder-coated aluminum funnel, the RainVUE™️20 is robust and minimizes the amount of liquid precipitation that is lost due to the effects of wind.
The RainVUE™️20 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, it tips when the first bucket fills to a fixed calibrated level, and 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™️20 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 RainVUE™️20 also includes a microprocessor that corrects for rainfall intensity and outputs an SDI-12 signal.
- Powder-coated aluminum bucket suitable for all environments
- Extremely robust and versatile for applications where data precision and accuracy are critical
- Unique aerodynamic shape to minimize wind effects and increase accuracy
- Measures precipitation intensity up to 1500 mm/h (60 in./h)
- Meets WMO recommendations for funnel area
- Digital processing corrects for high-intensity precipitation errors up to 1500 mm/h (60 in./h)
- Tilt measurement for remote diagnostics on the sensor
- Internal temperature measurement
- Easy leveling with external leveling bubble
- Adjustable mounting feet to simplify leveling
| Sensor Type | Tipping bucket with magnetic reed switch |
| Material |
2 mm-thick powder-coated aluminum (for main collector body) LM6 marine-grade aluminum (for base) |
| 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 |
0.8 mA or 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™20 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 | 6 kg (13 lb) |
| 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 500 mm/h intensity (0 to 19.7 in./h intensity) |
| Precipitation Intensity Range | 0 to 1200 mm/h (0 to 48 in./h) |
| Precipitation Intensity Measurement Uncertainty | 1% at 0 to 500 mm/hh intensity (0 to 19.7 in./h intensity) |
| Measurement Range | 0 to 600 mm/h (0 to 23.6 in./h) |
|
Precipitation Amount Resolution |
0.1 mm (0.004 in.) |
| Precipitation Amount Measurement Uncertainty |
3.08% at 0 to 20 mm/h intensity (0 to 0.88 in./h intensity) 3.6% at 20 to 600 mm/h intensity (0.8 to 23.6 in./h intensity) |
| Precipitation Intensity Range | 0.1 to 600 mm/h (0.004 to 23.6 in./h) |
| Precipitation Intensity Measurement Uncertainty | 3.58% at 0 to 600 mm/h (0 to 23.6 in./h intensity) |
| WMO Compliant | Yes |
| 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) |
