Rainvue Series
Rainvue Series
2. Precautions 1
3. Initial inspection 1
4. QuickStart 2
5. Overview 4
6. Specifications 5
7. Installation 6
7.1 Wiring 6
7.2 Data logger programming 7
7.2.1 CRBasic programming 7
7.3 Siting 8
7.4 Mounting 8
8. Operation 13
8.1 SDI-12 measurements 13
8.2 SDI-12 extended commands 15
8.3 SDI-12 version 1.4 identify measurement commands and responses 17
8.4 Rainfall intensity correction 19
8.5 Device Configuration Utility 20
Table of Contents - i
Appendix A. Importing Short Cut code into CRBasic Editor 31
Table of Contents - ii
1. Introduction
The RainVUE-series rain sensors are an ideal solution for many hydrological or meteorological
applications such as weather stations and flood warning systems. The models differ in their body
material; the RainVUE™10 has a molded UV-stabilized plastic body and the RainVUE™20 has a
rugged aluminum body. A microprocessor corrects for rainfall intensity and outputs an SDI-12
signal to communicate with any SDI-12 recorder including Campbell Scientific data loggers.
NOTE:
The RainVUE-series rain sensors are compatible with all data loggers that support SDI-12
communications. This manual focuses on Campbell Scientific CRBasic data loggers.
2. Precautions
l READ AND UNDERSTAND the Safety section at the back of this manual.
l RainVUE-series is a precision instrument that must be handled with care.
l Remove the piece of foam from under the tipping mechanism. This foam may be saved
and used whenever the sensor is transported.
l Pull and remove the insulator tab used to prevent draining of the backup coin cell battery
during shipping and storage. The tab extends from the bottom of the RainVUE-series
interface inside the RainVUE-series.
3. Initial inspection
l Check the packaging and contents of the shipment. If damage occurred during transport,
immediately file a claim with the carrier. Contact Campbell Scientific to facilitate repair or
replacement.
l Check model information against the shipping documents to ensure the expected products
and the correct lengths of cable are received. Model numbers are found on each product.
On cables and cabled items, the model number is usually found at the connection end of
the cable. Report any shortages immediately to Campbell Scientific.
5. Repeat steps three and four for other sensors you want to measure. Click Next.
6. In Output Setup, type the scan rate, a Table Name, and Data Output Storage Interval. Click
Next.
8. Click Finish and save the program. Send the program to the data logger if the data logger
is connected to the computer.
9. If the sensor is connected to the data logger, check the output of the sensor in the data
display in LoggerNet, RTDAQ, or PC400 to make sure it is making reasonable
measurements.
5. Overview
The RainVUE-series funnels rainfall through a stainless-steel screen that traps debris, preventing
it from impeding the flow of precipitation. Rainfall flows through a nozzle into one of two bucket
halves. The internal tipping mechanism assembly rotates around a pivot point. The tipping
mechanism tips when the first bucket fills to a fixed calibrated level, then the tipping mechanism
moves the second bucket under the funnel. A magnet attached to the tipping mechanism
actuates a reed switch as the bucket tips. The outgoing water drains through outlets.
The aerodynamic design of the RainVUE-series reduces the amount of rain that wind carries away
from the collecting vessel. With traditional cylindrical tipping bucket rain sensors, wind can
reduce the rainfall catch by up to 20%. The RainVUE-series also includes a microprocessor that
corrects for rainfall intensity and outputs an SDI-12 signal. Refer to Rainfall intensity correction (p.
19) for more information.
6. Specifications
Sensor type: Tipping bucket with magnetic reed switch
Rainfall per tip: 0.01 in (0.254 mm) or 0.1 mm (0.004 in)
Output: SDI-12 version 1.4
Response time: 0 s for M0! command and 1 s for M1! command
Accuracy
Rainfall: ±1% at 0 to 500 mm/h (0 to 20 in/hr) intensity
NOTE:
Accuracy over the rain intensity range requires a mechanical
calibration that is within 1% at a 1 in/h intensity. RainVUE-series
sensors are calibrated at the factory to meet this specification but
should be verified prior to deployment.
Tilt: ±1 °
Temperature: ±0.25 °C (±0.45 °F)
Supply voltage: ±0.5 V
Operating temperature: 1 to 70 °C (34 to 158 °F)
Funnel diameter: 20.0 cm (7.87 in)
Height: 43.5 to 46.5 cm (17.1 to 18.3 in) with feet adjustment
Power: 6 to 18 VDC
7. Installation
If you are programming your data logger with Short Cut, skip Wiring (p. 6), and Data logger
programming (p. 7). Short Cut does this work for you. See QuickStart (p. 2), for a Short Cut
tutorial.
7.1 Wiring
Connect the wires in the order shown in the following table.
If multiple SDI-12 sensors are connected to a data logger, Campbell Scientific recommends using
separate terminals when possible. However, multiple SDI-12 sensors can connect to the same
data logger control or U terminal. Each must have a unique SDI-12 address. Valid addresses are 0
through 9, a through z, and A through Z.
NOTE:
Short Cut cannot edit programs after they are imported and edited in CRBasic Editor.
A Short Cut tutorial is available in QuickStart (p. 2). If you wish to import Short Cut code into
CRBasic Editor to create or add to a customized program, follow the procedure in Importing
Short Cut code into CRBasic Editor (p. 31). Programming basics for CRBasic data loggers are
provided in the following sections. Downloadable example program is available at
www.campbellsci.com/downloads/rainvue-example-program .
For the SDIAddress, alphabetical characters need to be enclosed in quotes (for example, “A”).
Also enclose the SDICommand in quotes as shown. The Destination parameter must be an
array. The required number of values in the array depends on the command (see Table 8-1 (p.
14)).
FillNAN and WaitonTimeout are optional parameters (refer to CRBasic Help for more
information).
7.4 Mounting
The RainVUE-series has three equally-spaced leveling feet. Next to each leveling foot is a hole for
securing the sensor to a flat surface. The CM241 mounting bracket offered by Campbell Scientific
allows the RainVUE-series to be mounted on a CM300-series mounting pole or to a user-
supplied 1.5 in. IPS (1.9 in. OD) unthreaded pipe.
Mounting poles are placed directly into a concrete foundation, attached to a concrete
foundation with the J-bolts, or are self-supporting with three legs (see FIGURE 7-1 (p. 9)).
1. Loosen and remove the three base thumb screws then lift the funnel upward.
3. Line up the RainVUE-series mounting holes over the CM241 mounting bolts and place the
sensor on the bracket.
4. Loosely secure the RainVUE-series to the CM241 using the washers and wing nuts.
5. Place the CM241 on the pole or pipe and secure it to the pole or pipe by tightening the
screws with a Philips screwdriver (see FIGURE 7-3 (p. 10) and FIGURE 7-7 (p. 12)).
7. Once level, tighten the wing nuts by hand until hand-tight and recheck the level.
8. Remove the piece of foam from under the tipping mechanism. This foam may be saved
and used whenever the sensor is transported.
9. Tip the tipping assembly several times to ensure the tipping mechanism is moving freely.
11. Replace the funnel and tighten the three base thumb screws to secure the funnel to the
base.
12. Mate the extension cable connector to the cable connector. Only hand tighten the
connectors.
NOTE:
SDI-12 sensor support (p. 34) describes the SDI-12 commands. Additional SDI-12 information
is available at www.sdi-12.org .
1. Loosen and remove the three base thumb screws then lift the funnel upward.
2. Use a Philips screwdriver to remove the four screws on the RainVUE-series interface.
6. If this is the first time connecting the RainVUE-series to the computer, click install USB
driver for the RainVUE before connecting the cable to the computer.
7. Use the supplied USB cable to connect the RainVUE-series USB port to a computer USB
port.
8. Select the Communication Port in the left panel. RAINVUE will appear in the selection
dialog.
NOTE:
It may take a few seconds for the Communication Port to become available for use after
physically connecting the RainVUE-series to the computer.
9. Click Connect.
11. Click the Status tab to view tip counts, accumulation, and intensity information.
12. Click the Clock Control tab to change the Reference Clock Setting. Click Set Clock to
manually initiate a clock check of the reference time and station time.
14. Click the Data Collection tab to manually collect data. Check the Destination Directory and
File Format to make sure the files are where you want them and in the right format. Select
the Collect Mode, tables, then click Start.
9. Maintenance and
troubleshooting
NOTE:
All factory repairs and recalibrations require a returned material authorization (RMA) and
completion of the “Statement of Product Cleanliness and Decontamination” form. Refer to
the Assistance page at the end of this manual for more information.
9.1 Maintenance 25
9.2 Troubleshooting 29
1. Check the integrity of the cable and data logger connections. Replace cable if damaged.
2. Inspect the funnel for any damage or blockage. To clear a blockage, remove the funnel
from the base and remove debris.
3. Check and clean the filters (see the following section).
4. Level the RainVUE-series if necessary (see aXWTILT! and aXRTILT! command in Table
8-2 (p. 16)). The RainVUE 10 has a bubble level next to a leveling foot. On the RainVUE 20,
the funnel needs to be removed to view the bubble level.
5. Clean dirt from the tipping bucket. Avoid tipping the bucket if the RainVUE-series is still
connected to the data logger.
6. If the data logger is disconnected, check the tipping mechanism for stiffness.
a. Try to balance the bucket in its center position. It should be extremely difficult or
impossible to balance.
b. If the bucket balances easily, closely examine the tipping bucket assembly for dirt or
wear on the pivot pin and bucket tubs.
1. Loosen and remove the three base thumb screws then lift the funnel upward.
2. Use a Philips screwdriver to remove the four screws on the RainVUE-series interface.
5. Place the interface cover on the interface and secure with the four screws.
6. Replace the funnel and tighten the three base thumb screws to secure the funnel to the
base.
5. Click Start
6. Select the file. It will have an .a43 extension.
7. Click OK.
9.2 Troubleshooting
Symptom:
On a CRBasic data logger, data values report NAN, or on a non-Campbell Scientific data logger,
data values do not change when the tipping mechanism is activated and new measurement
commands are issued.
Solution:
NOTE:
Connect the power wire to the data logger 12V terminal and not the SW12 terminal.
1. Ensure that the filter is clean and allows water to flow through it.
2. Check that the tipping mechanism can move freely.
3. Use a voltmeter on the switch to verify the switch is activated as expected while
transitioning from one side to the other. While the tipping mechanism is in its resting
positions, the volt meter should read 3 to 5 V. When at the mid- point as it transitions from
one side to the other side, the volt meter should read 0 V.
4. Ensure that the RainVUE-series is level. The RainVUE 10 has a bubble level next to a leveling
foot. On the RainVUE 20, the funnel needs to be removed to view the bubble level.
5. Check the wires and connections between the switch and the interface are secure.
6. Verify no obstacles are preventing rain from entering the funnel.
Symptom:
Reported data values are higher than expected.
Solution:
1. Verify the tipping mechanism is not stuck near the center of its movement from one side to
the other.
2. Verify that the wires and connections between the switch and the interface are secure.
3. Verify that the RainVUE-series is not under a structure that will drip into it.
1. Create the Short Cut program. After saving the Short Cut program, click the Advanced tab
then the CRBasic Editor button. A program file with a generic name will open in CRBasic.
Provide a meaningful name and save the CRBasic program. This program can now be
edited for additional refinement.
NOTE:
Once the file is edited with CRBasic Editor, Short Cut can no longer be used to edit the
program it created.
2. To add the Short Cut wiring information into the new CRBasic program, open the .DEF file
located in the C:\campbellsci\SCWin folder, and copy the wiring information, which is at
the beginning of the .DEF file.
3. Go into the CRBasic program and paste the wiring information into it.
4. In the CRBasic program, highlight the wiring information, right-click, and select Comment
Block. This adds an apostrophe (') to the beginning of each of the highlighted lines, which
instructs the data logger compiler to ignore those lines when compiling. The Comment
Block feature is demonstrated at about 5:10 in the CRBasic | Features video .
For each second or each tip detected, the command displays a new line of data, such as the
following.
Eventually, the numbers should start changing and the latest data should give an indication of
how close the gauge is to calibration.
The corrected rain fall and total rain fall values include intensity correction. When the simulated
rain is ran through the gauge at a fast rate, the number of tips may be lower than expected, but
the corrected rain fall should be close to the actual amount of simulated rain.
The balance value represents how balanced the tipping mechanism is as it tips from one side to
the other. If the gauge needs to be adjusted, it is best to try to keep the balance as close to 50%
as possible. The balance value is only valid if the simulated rain is being applied at a constant rate.
It is best to look at this value after the test has been running for consistently for a few tips.
An active sensor responds to each command. Responses have several standard forms and always
terminate with <CR><LF> (carriage return and line feed). Standard SDI-12 commands are listed
in Table C-1 (p. 34).
Table C-1: Campbell Scientific sensor SDI-12 command and response set
Name Command Response1
aI! allccccccccmmmmmmvvvxxx...xx<CR><LF>
a Sensor SDI-12 address
ll SDI-12 version number (indicates compatibility)
NOTE:
Only one sensor should be connected to a particular terminal at a time when changing
addresses.
8. At the Select SDI12 Port prompt, type the number corresponding to the control port where
the sensor is connected and press Enter. The response Entering SDI12 Terminal indicates
that the sensor is ready to accept SDI-12 commands.
9. To query the sensor for its current SDI-12 address, type ?! and press Enter. The sensor
responds with its SDI-12 address. If no characters are typed within 60 seconds, the mode is
exited. In that case, simply type SDI12 again, press Enter, and type the correct control port
number when prompted.
10. To change the SDI-12 address, type aAb!, where a is the current address from the previous
step and b is the new address. Press Enter. The sensor changes its address and responds
with the new address. In the following example, the sensor address is changed from 0 to B.
C.3 References
SDI-12 Support Group. SDI-12: A Serial-Digital Interface Standard for Microprocessor-Based
Sensors – Version 1.4. River Heights, UT: SDI-12 Support Group, 2017. http://www.sdi-
12.org/current_specification/SDI-12_version-1_4-Dec-1-2017.pdf .
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