Campbell RainVUE Series User manual

Revision: 11/2022
Copyright © 2020 – 2022
Campbell Scientific, Inc.

Table of contents
1. Introduction 1
2. Precautions 1
3. Initial inspection 1
4. QuickStart 2
5. Overview 4
6. Specifications 5
7. Installation 7
7.1 Wiring 8
7.2 Data logger programming 8
7.2.1 CRBasic programming 9
7.3 Siting 9
7.4 Mounting 9
8. Operation 15
8.1 SDI-12 measurements 15
8.2 SDI-12 extended commands 18
8.3 SDI-12 version 1.4 identify measurement commands and responses 20
8.4 Calculations 21
8.5 Device Configuration Utility 23
9. Maintenance and troubleshooting 27
9.1 Maintenance 28
9.1.1 Cleaning and replacing filters 28
9.1.2 Internal lithium battery 30
9.1.3 Updating the operating system 31
9.2 Troubleshooting 32
Table of Contents - i

Appendix A. Importing Short Cut code into CRBasic Editor 34
Appendix B. Calibration validation 35
Appendix C. SDI-12 sensor support 37
C.1 SDI-12 command basics 37
C.1.1 Acknowledge active command (a!) 38
C.1.2 Send identification command (al!) 38
C.1.3 Start verification command (aV!) 39
C.1.4 Address query command (?!) 39
C.1.5 Change address command (aAb!) 39
C.1.6 Start measurement commands (aM!) 40
C.1.7 Start concurrent measurement commands (aC!) 40
C.1.8 Start measurement commands with cyclic redundancy check (aMC! and aCC!) 42
C.1.9 Stopping a measurement command 42
C.1.10 Send data command (aD0! … aD9!) 42
C.1.11 Continuous measurement command (aR0! … aR9!) 43
C.1.12 Extended commands 43
C.2 SDI-12 transparent mode 44
C.2.1 Changing an SDI-12 address 44
C.3 References 46
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. In both models, 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
lREAD AND UNDERSTAND the Safety section at the back of this manual.
lRainVUE-series is a precision instrument that must be handled with care.
lDuring installation, remove the piece of foam from under the tipping mechanism. This
foam should be saved and used whenever the sensor is transported.
lPull 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 to inside the RainVUE-series.
3. Initial inspection
lCheck 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.
lCheck 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.
RainVUE-Series SDI-12 Precipitation Sensors 1

On cables and cabled items, the model number is usually found at the connection end of
the cable. Report any discrepancies immediately to Campbell Scientific.
4. QuickStart
A video that describes data logger programming using Short Cut is available at:
www.campbellsci.com/videos/cr1000x-data logger-getting-started-program-part-3 .Short
Cut is an easy way to program your data logger to measure the sensor and assign data logger
wiring terminals. Short Cut is available as a download on www.campbellsci.com . It is included
in installations of LoggerNet,RTDAQ, and PC400.
The following procedure shows how to use Short Cut to program the RainVUE-series:
1. Open Short Cut and click Create New Program.
2. Double-click the data logger model.
3. In the Available Sensors and Devices box, type RainVUE or find it in the Sensors >
Meteorological >Precipitation folder, and double-click RainVUE10/RainVUE20 Rain Gauge.
Enter the correct SDI-12 address for the sensor if it has been changed from the factory-set
default value. Type the numeric month and day for resetting the total accumulation, if you
want to do this. Otherwise, uncheck the Reset total intensity corrected accumulation once a
year box.
RainVUE-Series SDI-12 Precipitation Sensors 2

4. Click the Wiring tab, wire the sensor, then click OK.
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.
RainVUE-Series SDI-12 Precipitation Sensors 3

7. Select the output options.
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 percent. The RainVUE-series also includes a microprocessor
that corrects for rainfall intensity and outputs an SDI-12 signal.
During intense rainfall, extra water can accumulate in the bucket before the tipping mechanism
tips. The following graph shows the relationship between bucket volume and rainfall rate. The
RainVUE-series microprocessor corrects for the intensity sensitivity of the bucket mechanism.
RainVUE-Series SDI-12 Precipitation Sensors 4

This correction adjusts the rainfall rate based on the time between bucket tips. An electronic
timer precisely measures the time between tips.
Features:
lSuitable for nonfreezing precipitation and high intensity rain events
lDigital processing to correct for high intensity precipitation errors (see Specifications [p. 5])
lUnique aerodynamic shape increases measurement accuracy in windy conditions
lCompliance with WMO recommendations for accuracy and funnel area
lAdjustable mounting feet to simplify leveling
lTilt, internal temperature, and voltage measurements for remote diagnostics on the sensor
lCompatible with CRBasic data loggers: GRANITE-series, CR6, CR1000X, CR800-series,
CR350-series, CR300-series, CR3000, CR1000
6. Specifications
Sensor type: Tipping bucket with magnetic reed switch
Output: SDI-12 version 1.4
Response time: 0 s for M0! command and 1 s for M1! command
Tilt uncertainty: ±1 °
RainVUE-Series SDI-12 Precipitation Sensors 5

Temperature uncertainty: ±0.25 °C (±0.45 °F)
Supplyvoltageuncertainty: ±0.5 V
Operating temperature: 1 to 70 °C (34 to 158 °F); –40 to 70°C (–40 to 158°F) including
melting snow
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
Compliance: WMO compliant: 0.1 mm option only
View compliance documents at:
www.campbellsci.com/rainvue10
www.campbellsci.com/rainvue20
Table 6-1: RainVUE-series comparison
Specification RainVUE 10 RainVUE 20
Measurement range
0.01 inch option: 0 to
1200mm/hr (0 to 48in/hr)
0.1 mm option: 0 to 500mm/hr
(0 to 19.7in/hr)
0.2 mm option: 0 to
1000mm/hr (0 to 39.4in/hr)
0.01 inch option: 0 to
1200mm/hr (0 to 48in/hr)
0.1 mm option: 0 to 600mm/hr
(0 to 23.6in/hr
Precipitation amount
resolution
0.01 inch option: 0.254mm
(0.01in)
0.1 mm option: 0.1mm
(0.004in)
0.2 mm option: 0.2mm
(0.008in)
0.01 inch option: 0.254mm
(0.01in)
0.1 mm option: 0.1mm
(0.004in)
RainVUE-Series SDI-12 Precipitation Sensors 6

Table 6-1: RainVUE-series comparison
Specification RainVUE 10 RainVUE 20
Precipitation amount
measurement uncertainty
(mm/tip or in/tip)
0.01 inch option: ±1% at 0 to
1200mm/hr (0 to 48in/hr)
intensity
0.1 mm option: The larger of
0.1mm or 4% error at 0 to
500mm/h intensity (0 to
19.7in/h intensity)
0.2 mm option: < 4% at 0 to
1000mm/h intensity (0 to
39.4in/h intensity)
0.01 inch option: ±1% at 0 to
500mm/hr (0 to 20in/hr)
intensity
0.1 mm option: ±3.08% at 0 to
20mm/hr (0 to 0.8in/hr);
±3.6% at 20 to 600mm/hr (0.8
to 24in/hr) intensity
Precipitation intensity
measurement uncertainty
(mm/hr or in/hr)1
0.1 mm option: ≤3.5% at 0 to
300mm/h (7.9 to 11.8in/hr);
≤5% at 0 to 500mm/h (11.8 to
19.7in/hr)
0.2 mm option: ±4% at 200 to
1,000mm/hr (7.9 to 39.4in/hr)
intensity
0.01 inch option: ±1% at 0 to
500mm/hr (0 to 19.7in/hr)
intensity
0.1 mm option: ±3.58% at 20 to
600mm/hr (0.8 to 23.6in/hr)
intensity
Material White, ASA LI-911 plastic
Main collector body: 2mm
thick, powder-coated
aluminum
Base: LM6 marine-grade
aluminum
Weight 2 kg (4.5 lb) 6 kg (13 lb)
1Accuracy over the rain intensity range requires a mechanical calibration that is within 1 percent at a 1 in/hr
intensity. RainVUE-series sensors are calibrated at the factory to meet this specification but should be verified prior
to deployment; see Calibration validation.
7. Installation
If you are programming your data logger with Short Cut, skip Wiring (p. 8) and Data logger
programming (p. 8), as Short Cut does this work for you. See QuickStart (p. 2) for a Short Cut
tutorial.
RainVUE-Series SDI-12 Precipitation Sensors 7