This is a tipping bucket rain gauge, based on rain gauges that are used by professional meteorologists. The device works by funneling rain water onto a tipping bucket which resembles a teeter-totter, with each end having a bucket that hold approx 2 ml of rainwater, When one side fills up, the bucket tips and rainwater begins collecting in opposite bucket. Each time bucket tips, a reed switch is temporarily turned on sending a signal to the Arduino hardware interrupt. The Arduino tracks each bucket 'tip', and converts the 'tips' to rainfall amount (inches of rain), based on volume of bucket and the surface area of the collection reservoir (16.605 sq. in.).
The indoor display unit has a menu select to show 'current hour', 'previous hour', 'current day', and 'previous day' totals.
For each bucket tip, a date stamped event is written to an SD card file. This file can later be imported to Excel for analysis and charting.
Although I do not have a video showing the actual 'bucket tip', this video shows gauge recording actual rainfall event.
Step 1
Print all components listed. I used PETG for all components as it is a material that is well suited to UV exposure and temp exposure for outdoor use. For the top filter, make sure to turn off all horizontal shells (top and bottom) to create the porous detail.
Step 2
Before beginning assembly of front panel circuit board, insert LCD onto PY-5*10CM board (without soldering) with pin 1 of LCD in the C-1 hole location on board. Drill through perf board at the locations of the four LCD board mounting holes. Now remove remove LCD for later assembly.
Step 3
Assemble front panel circuit board. Place 74HC595N Shift Register IC, switches, and resistors as shown. Route all necessary wires (refer to wiring diagram) to location points that will be attached to the LCD Display, as well as 6" length that will extend to be later connected to the second board.
Step 4
Mount LCD onto the front panel board, using the printed spacers to raise LCD to clear the IC. Attach using 3mm x15mm cap screws and nuts. (All fasteners are available through Fastenal and/or McMaster Carr)
Step 5
Assemble main circuit board by inserting Arduino with Pin D12 at the hole location R27 on circuit board. Add capacitor and resistors, and run all wiring to locations prior to inserting SD and RTC modules. Reference wiring schematic for all details.
Step 6
Assemble SD Reader at the hole locations A-3 through B-10. Assemble TinyRTC at hole locations C-24 through I-24. Solder all connections.
Step 7
On the Indoor Unit Control Enclosure, drill holes at whatever location best meets your needs for the two wires that will go to outdoor unit, as well as holes for wires coming from external power supply or wall wart. Run wires through into enclosure, and solder at appropriate locations. Slide main board into case and attach with two 3mm x 6mm longs screws. Insert push button for switch through front cover and attache the front circuit board to front panel with 3mm x 6mm long screws. Note: I used a small turned brass piece for the switch button instead of the printed part, as I liked the 'feel' of it better.
Step 8
Attach the front cover using M3-0.5 x 10mm long Flathead screw
.
Step 9
Plugin USB to PC and upload the RTC program to set time. After clock is set, upload main program. Insert SD card. Test unit by shorting out the leads that go to reed switch on outdoor unit. Rainfall totals should increment for each short circuit (contact closed) event.Verify SD card is reading date by reading with a text editor such as Notepad or WordPad on a computer. There should be a file called"Text.txt". File will have a date stamp for each 'tip'event.
Step 10
Attach reed switch to the Sub Base. Use wire ties to hold in place. Assemble a magnet to the buck, and mount the bucket with a short piece of 1/8"diameter brass tubing (about 2" long). Note before assembling,run a 1/8" drill through the holes in bucket to clean up. Bucket needs to tip easily with no friction. Use a small round file in bucket holes if needed. Add a small 1/8" washer on the outermost side of bucket to close up spacing slightly. Determine how you will mount the outdoor unit. I used 1" aluminum angle. Attach the base to the angle or bracket using 1/4-20 hex bolts installed from inside out. Attach sub base to Outside unit bottom using M3-0.5x 10mm screws.
Step 11
Insert funnel into top enclosure. Cut approx. 24 pieces of 2" length 18 gauge galvanized wire. Holding a piece of wire with pliers, heat with a torch or lighter and carefully press into plastic top. These wires will deter birds from perching on the unit. You want to measure amount of rain not bird poop. Attach top to main enclosure with (4)M3-0.5x 6mm screws. Install the filter into funnel top. This filter will keep out leaves and prevent clogging.. Remember to check occasionally and clean as needed.
Step 12
Mount Outdoor unit and run wires to indoor unit. Make sure outdoor unit top is level in both directions.
Step 13
Power up unit and add water to outdoor unit to verify operation.
Step 14 (Optional)
To verify accuracy, you can very SLOWLY add one cup of water and check to see that the unit measure 0.87" of rainfall. (One cup = 14,44 cubic inches. Area of collector is 16.605" [Rainfall=14.44 cu.in./16.605"=0.87"]. You can adjust correction factor in main program if your unit differs from mine.
Congratulations!! Enjoy being able to track your rainfall.
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