ACU-RITE Rain Gauge User manual

Instruction Manual
Rain Gauge
model 00899
CONTENTS
Unpacking Instructions ............. 2
Package Contents .................... 2
Product Registration ................. 2
Features & Benets: Display...... 3
Features & Benets: Collector ... 4
Setup ...................................... 5
Install or Replace Batteries........ 5
Set Time, Date & Units.............. 6
Placement Guidelines ............... 6
Rain Collector Installation ......... 7
Using the Rain Gauge .............. 8
Troubleshooting ..................... 10
Calibration .............................11
Care & Maintenance.............. 12
Specications......................... 12
FCC Information .................... 12
Customer Support .................. 13
Warranty............................... 13
Questions? Contact Customer Support at
[phone] or visit www.AcuRite.com
SAVE THIS MANUAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.

Archive~Products
Congratulations on your new AcuRite product. To ensure the best
possible product performance, please read this manual in its entirety
and retain it for future reference.
Unpacking Instructions
Remove the protective lm that is applied to the LCD screen prior to using this
product. Locate the tab and peel off to remove. Remove packing materials
from inside of the rain collector.
Package Contents
1. Display unit
2. Rain collector
3. Instruction Manual
IMPORTANT PRODUCT MUST BE REGISTERED
TO RECEIVE WARRANTY SERVICE
PRODUCT REGISTRATION
Register online
to receive 1 year
warranty protection
www.AcuRite.com
►
Register a Product
2

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Features & Benets
17
1
2
3
4567 8
DISPLAY UNIT
1. MODE Button
Toggle between rainfall readings
for EVENT, 1 DAY, WEEK, TOTAL
A or TOTAL B.
2 . CLEAR Button
Clears data being viewed for
current mode (#1).
3. HIST Button
Displays historical data.
4. FLOOD WATCH ALARM Indicator
Indicates conditions are present
that could lead to ooding.
5. RAIN ALARM Indicator
Indicates that a rain event has
begun.
6. Display Low Battery Indicator
7. HISTORY Icon
Indicates historical data is being
viewed.
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8. Time
9. Date
10. SET Button
For setup preferences.
11. ”+” Button
For setup preferences.
12. Rain Collector Signal Strength
13. RAIN ALARM Button
Activates/Deactivates rain alarm.
14. Rain Collector Low Battery Indicator
15. FLOOD WATCH Button
Activates/Deactivates ood watch alarm.
16. Rainfall Total
For current mode selected (#1).
17. Mode
Indicates mode displayed (#1).
3

Features & Benets
SQUEEZE
TABS
1
2
3
4
RAIN COLLECTOR
1. Rain Collector Cover
2. Rain Collector Tipping Cups
Collects and empties rain for
continuous rain measurement.
3. Battery & Electronics Box
4. Rain Collector Base
4

•
-
SETUP
Install or Replace Batteries
AcuRite recommends high quality alkaline batteries for the best product
performance. Heavy duty or rechargeable batteries are not recommended.
SQUEEZE
SQUEEZE
LARGE
TABS
SQUEEZE
LARGE
TABS
SQUEEZE
SQUEEZE
LARGE
TABS
SQUEEZE
LARGE
TABS
1
SQUEEZE
LARGE
TABS
SQUEEZE
LARGE
TABS
SQUEEZE
SQUEEZE
LARGE
TABS
SQUEEZE
LARGE
TABS
2
SQUEEZE
SQUEEZE
LARGE
TABS
SQUEEZE
LARGE
TABS
3 4
Rain Collector
1. Separate rain collector cover from the base by gently
squeezing tabs and pulling the cover upwards.
2. Remove battery box by squeezing the two tabs on
each end together.
3. Remove and discard cardboard rain gauge stabilizer.
4. Insert 2 x AA batteries into the battery compartment
as shown. Follow the polarity (+/-) diagram in the
battery compartment.
5. Securely place the battery box back into the rain
collector base.
6. Securely re-attach the rain collector cover onto rain
5
SQUEEZE
SQUEEZE
LARGE
TABS
SQUEEZE
LARGE
TABS
6
collector base.
Display Unit
1. Slide off the battery
compartment cover.
2. Insert 3 x AA batteries into
the battery compartment, as
shown. Follow the polarity
(+/-) diagram in the battery
compartment.
3. Replace the battery cover.
PLEASE DISPOSE OF OLD OR DEFECTIVE BATTERIES IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE
WAY AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
BATTERY SAFETY: Clean the battery contacts and also those of the device prior to battery installation. Remove batteries from equipment which is not to
be used for an extended period of time. Follow the polarity (+/-) diagram in the battery compartment. Promptly remove dead batteries from the device. Dispose of
used batteries properly. Only batteries of the same or equivalent type as recommended are to be used. DO NOT incinerate used batteries. DO NOT dispose of batteries
in re, as batteries may explode or leak. DO NOT mix old and new batteries or types of batteries (alkaline/standard). DO NOT use rechargeable batteries. DO NOT
recharge non-rechargeable batteries. DO NOT short-circuit the supply terminals.
5

Set the Time, Date & Units
This rain gauge is equipped with historical data and alarms that require
accurate time and date settings to function properly. It is important to set the
time, date and units before using the rain gauge.
Press and hold the “SET” button for 3 seconds to enter SET MODE. Once in set
mode, the preference you are currently setting will blink on the display.
To adjust the currently selected (ashing) item, press and release the “+” or “-”
button (press and HOLD to fast adjust).
To save your adjustments, press and release the “SET” button again to adjust
the next preference. The preference set order is as follows:
CLOCK HOUR (note AM/PM indicators)
CLOCK MINUTE
CALENDAR MONTH
CALENDAR DATE
CALENDAR YEAR
UNITS (INCH or MM)
You will automatically exit SET MODE if no buttons are pressed for 20
seconds. Enter SET MODE at any time by pressing and holding the “SET”
button for 3 seconds.
Placement for Maximum Accuracy
AcuRite sensors are sensitive to surrounding environmental conditions.
Proper placement of both the display unit and rain collector are critical
to the accuracy and performance of this product.
Display Unit Placement
Place the display unit in a dry area free of dirt and dust.
Display unit stands upright for tabletop use or is wall-mountable.
Important Placement Guidelines
•Display unit and rain collector must be within 100 ft (30 m) of each other.
•To maximize wireless range and communication, install the rain collector
at least 3 ft (.9 m) above ground. Place both the display and the collector
away from large metallic items, thick walls, metal surfaces, or other objects
that may limit wireless communication.
•To prevent wireless interference, place both units at least 3 ft (0.9 m) away
from electronic devices (TV, computer, microwave, radio, etc.)
6

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Rain Collector Installation
• To ensure accurate rain measurement, the rain collector MUST be placed on
a at, level surface.
• Ensure the rain collector is not placed in a low spot that could become
ooded or in an area where there are obstructions above it.
OK
1. Separate the rain collector cover from the rain collector base.
2. Locate the two holes on the rain collector base.
3. Fasten the rain collector base to a sturdy surface, like a deck railing or a
fence post, with screws (included) using hand tools. (Power tools may slip
during installation, causing damage to the rain collector.)
INSTALL 2 SCREWS USING
HAND TOOLS ONLY.
THEN RE-ATTACH UPPER CASING
SQUEEZE
SQUEEZE TABS TO OPEN
Setup is Complete
The rain collector will now synchronize with the display unit. It may take a few
minutes for synchronization to complete. Please refer to the troubleshooting
section of this manual if anything appears to be functioning improperly.
7

OPERATION
Using the Rain Gauge
Modes & Historical Data
Press the MODE button to view rainfall data for different modes. While a mode
is being viewed, press the CLEAR button to erase the reading being viewed or
press the HIST button to view historical readings. You will automatically exit
HIST mode if no buttons are pressed for 30 seconds. Enter HIST mode at any
time by pressing the HIST button.
EVENT Mode
When EVENT mode is selected, rainfall data is shown for the most recent rain-
fall. An event ends when no rainfall has been detected for 8 hours. An event
may be a brief drizzle, or a multi-day storm.
To display the last 7 rain event rainfall totals, press the HIST button. Each time
the HIST button is pressed, one rain event is displayed with the event’s time
and date. To clear an event from memory, press AND HOLD the CLEAR button
while the event is being viewed. Clearing data from EVENT mode does not
impact other modes.
1 DAY Mode
When 1 DAY mode is selected, rainfall data is shown for today.
To display the DAILY RAIN for the last 7 days, press the HIST button. Each time
the HIST button is pressed, the total rainfall recorded for the day will be shown
with the time rainfall started (if applicable) and date. To clear any DAY rainfall
total from memory, press AND HOLD the CLEAR button while the data for the
day is being viewed. Clearing a day’s rainfall data will subtract that rainfall
amount from the WEEK, TOTAL A and TOTAL B modes.
WEEK Mode
When WEEK mode is selected, rainfall data is shown for the past calendar
week (Sunday through Saturday).
To display the WEEKLY RAIN for the last 7 weeks, press the HIST button. Each
time the HIST button is pressed, the total rainfall recorded for the week will
be shown with the time rainfall started (if applicable) and date. To clear any
WEEK rainfall total from memory, press AND HOLD the CLEAR button while
the data for the week is being viewed. Clearing a week’s rainfall data will
subtract that rainfall amount from TOTAL A and TOTAL B modes.
TOTAL A/B Mode
TOTAL A and TOTAL B are total rainfall measured since the rain gauge was
powered on or since the last time the mode was cleared. To display the start
8

time and date for TOTAL A or TOTAL B, press the HIST button. To clear
TOTAL A or TOTAL B mode, press AND HOLD the CLEAR button while the
mode is being viewed.
Alarms
Flood Watch Alarm
Press the FLOOD WATCH button to activate or deactivate the FLOOD WATCH
ALARM. When the alarm is ON and ood and saturation conditions are
present, an alarm will sound and the FLOOD WATCH indicator will highlight
on the display. Flood conditions include:
> 3” (76.2 mm) in the last 7 days, and then >0.7” (17.78 mm) in the last 2 hours or
>1” (25.4 mm) in the last 24 hours
> 2.3” (58.4 mm) in the last 4 days, and then >0.7” (17.78 mm) in the last 2 hours or
>1” (25.4 mm) in the last 24 hours
> 1.5” (38.1 mm) in the last 2 days, and then >0.7” (17.78 mm) in the last 2 hours or
>1” (25.4 mm) in the last 24 hours
> 1.4” (35.6 mm) in the last 2 hours
> 1.6” (40.6 mm) in the last 8 hours
> 1.8” (45.7 mm) in the last 24 hours
If ood or saturation conditions occur, the alarm sounds for 1 minute or until
any button is pressed. If no buttons are pressed, the FLOOD WATCH indicator
will ash on the display, and the alarm will sound three times on the hour for
the next 8 hours.
NOTE: The rain gauge measures rainfall even while the ood alarm is off.
Rain Alarm
Press the RAIN ALARM button to activate or deactivate the RAIN ALARM.
When the alarm is ON and any rainfall is detected an alarm will sound and
the RAIN ALARM indicator will highlight on the display. The alarm sounds for
1 minute or until any button is pressed. If no buttons are pressed, the alarm will
stop and the RAIN ALARM icon will ash for up to 30 minutes.
NOTE: The FLOOD WATCH ALARM and RAIN ALARM are NOT intended to
be a safety device or warning system.
9

Troubleshooting
No rainfall:
Display shows
dashes
Dashes indicate that the display unit and rainfall
collector are not synchronized.
• Relocate the display unit and/or the rainfall collector.
The units must be within 100 ft (30 m) of each other.
•
Make sure both units are placed at least 3 feet (0.9 m)
away from electronics that may interfere with the
wireless communication (such as TVs, microwaves,
computers, etc).
• Use standard alkaline batteries. Do not use heavy
duty or rechargeable batteries. NOTE: It may take up
to 20 minutes for display unit and rainfall collector to
synchronize after batteries are replaced.
• Try resetting the units:
1. Bring both the display unit and rainfall collector
indoors and position side by side.
2. Remove the batteries from both units.
3. Reinstall batteries in the rain collector rst.
4. Reinstall batteries in the display unit last.
5. Let the units sit within a couple feet of each other
for 20 minutes to gain a strong connection.
No rainfall:
Display shows
zeroes
Remove rain collector cover. Does the tipping lever ip
back and forth easily? Try tipping it manually to see
if it will register this as rain. If not try the reset steps
listed above.
Rainfall registering
when there’s
no rain
• Make sure the rain collector is mounted securely so
that it cannot move or sway in the wind. The rain
collector should be mounted on a solid and level
surface in a clear area away from any overhead
obstructions that may block rainfall.
• Make sure you are using standard alkaline batteries
(not heavy duty, max or rechargeable).
Can the rainfall collector
remain outdoors in
freezing temperatures?
No, the rainfall collector should be brought indoors when
there is a possibility of freezing temperatures. Water
expands when it freezes. If any water is left within the
collector during a freeze, it can crack the plastic and
cause permanent damage.
Display screen
not working
• Check that the batteries are installed correctly.
Batteries may need to be replaced.
If your AcuRite product does not operate properly after trying
the troubleshooting steps, visit www.AcuRite.com or call
[phone] for assistance.
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