Hydreon RG-11 Instruction Manual

LENS
O-RING
STRETCH BEFORE
INSTALLING
SHADE
NOTCHES IN RING
MATE WITH
RIBS IN LENS
PRINTED-CIRCUIT
BOARD (PCB)
SCREWS
(4 OF #6 X 1”)
HOUSING
19.16
.75
10.40
.41
6.40
.25
19.05
.75
9.53
.38
70.71
2.78
120.23
4.73
55.20
2.17
OPTICAL RAIN GAGE
MODEL RG-11
INSTALLING THE RAIN SENSOR
Mount the rain gage where it gets a clear measurement
of precipitation– away from overhangs, etc.
The mounting arm is designed to fit over a strap 0.75”
(19 mm) wide. Two 0.25” (holes 6.35 mm) are placed
0.75” (19 mm) part.
The gland style connector goes in the bottom hole. Be
sure to use wire rated for outdoor (high-UV) use.
For conduit applications, the mounting arm may be
removed, and the wiring hole drilled out using a step drill
to accommodate a ½” EMT compression connector or
similar style of conduit connector.
Assemble the device as shown. Stretch and release the
silicone o-ring (size -036) a few times, so it fits easily in
the groove. Optionally, you may coat the O-ring and
screws with silicone grease.
Set the DIP switches to the desired mode, and the
desired adjustment within that mode. (See detailed
discussion following)
The Rain Gage must be assembled when dry. Any
water trapped inside can condense and cause corrosion.
You may optionally add extra desiccant packets (not
supplied.) If the Rain Gage is not subject to splashing or
sprayed water, you may optionally vent the enclosure by
drilling a 1/8” (3 mm) hole in the bottom of the case.
MOUNTING ARM
CUT OFF FOR
CONDUIT-MOUNT
LED ON BOARD
ON when OUT
is active
EXPLODED VIEW
- APPLICATION WARNING -
Do not use the RG-11 in any application where the false
indication of water or a missed valid detection of water
could cause damage to life or property. It is the
responsibility of the system designer / integrator to
design redundancy into the system so that the failure of
any one component, including the RG-11 or other
sensor, does not result in disaster. The manufacturer of
the RG-11, Hydreon Corporation, will in no way be
liable for consequential damages due to the failure or
false indication of one of its sensors.
!VERY IMPORTANT
Stretch the O-ring a few times, so that it fits
easily into the groove on the lens.
!
!
After the unit is assembled, verify that the O-ring is properly
seated by confirming that you can see it through the lens, all
the way around. The O-ring is slightly under-sized for the
groove because that gives the optimal seal.

NC
NO
MOTORIZED
DAMPER
LOW VOLTAGE
“IT’S RAINING”
APPLICATION
LINE VOLTAGE CONTROL “IT’S RAINING” APPLICATION
NC
NO
PWR2
COM
RG-11
PWR1
SWITCH ON
RELAY
CONTACTS
POWER IN
(AC OR DC)
PROGRAM /
COMMUNICATIONS
CONNECTOR
(NOT USED IN MOST
APPLICATION)
INTERFACE
TERMINAL
BLOCK
PROGRAMMING
DIP SWITCH
RAIN GAGE CONNECTIONS
NC
NO
COM
RAIN
SENSING
CIRCUITS
DC OR
AC IN
PWR1
PWR2
EQUIVALENT SCHEMATIC
RELAY CONTACTS
MAX 1 A,
24V DC OR AC
NC
NO
PWR2
COM
RG-11
PWR1
SWITCH ON
120 VAC
LINE IN
COM
OPEN
CLOSED
OPERATOR
SWITCH COM
24 VAC
24 VAC
TRANSFORMER
- The relay output of the RG-11 is
rated for 24V AC or DC, at 1 A. Thus,
the RG-11 cannot drive a line voltage
(120 VAC) load without an external
relay.
-The RG-11 requires a low voltage AC
or DC supply and may not be directly
powered from the 120 VAC line.
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For this example, these
switches are on:
SW 5 - Sets the sensor to
“It’s Raining’ mode.
SW 3 - Monostable extend
output for 15 mintues.
NC
NO
PWR2
COM
RG-11
PWR1
COM
RUN
12V DC
POWER
SUPPLY
12V DC, 1 A
OR LESS,
MOTOR THAT
RUNS WHEN
IT IS RAINING.
Shown are
switches 1, 2, and
5 on => only turn
on in a heavy
rainfall.
TIPPING BUCKET
REPLACEMENT EXAMPLE
NC
NO
PWR2
COM
RG-11
PWR1
12V DC
POWER
SUPPLY
COUNTER
E.G. Red Lion Cub-3
+
-
+
-
In many cases, the RG-11 may directly replace
tipping buckets in existing systems.
The switch settings shown here- all off– will
emulate a tipping bucket of 0.01”
RAIN GAGE WIRING EXAMPLES
SWITCH ON
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SWITCH ON
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Specifications
Parameter Value
Input Voltage 9 – 30VDC or
9 – 26 VAC
50V surge
Reverse polarity protecte to 50V
Current Drain 15 mA nominal. (No outputs on, not
raining, no heater)
about 1.5 mA in micro-power sleep
mo e.
50 mA with output on.
55 mA - With heater on, 24V c input.
Output Relay closure, Normally Open an
Normally Close contacts.
Max loa 1A, 24 VDC.
Operating
Temperature range
-40 C to +60C
DIP Switches
Set the DIP switches for the application accor ing to the table
below. Generally, a few switch positions (5, 6, an 7) set the
overall mo e of operation, an others (1, 2, 3, 4) a just the
behavior within the mo es. DIP Switch settings below correspon
to software part number: 45-005-006 (SW 006)
Switch 8 is Enable Micro-power Sleep Mode.
Most applications will use SW 8 off. If micro-power is enable ,
the low-power heater is isable . In micropower mo e, if a long
time (about 20 min) has elapse since the last rain was etecte ,
the unit will enter a less sensitive sleep mo e. A large rop will
cause it to exit sleep mo e an resume normal operation. This is
for battery or solar powere applications. Micro-power mo e is
isable in Con ensation sensing mo e an in irrigation mo e.
The unit will not rea the DIP switches uring sleep.
In the tables, 1 = Switch on, 0 = Switch off, X = switch in either
position.
UT LED The LED in the center of the circuit boar turns on when
OUT is on, as an ai to ebugging.
Condensation -- Generally, the RG-11 will sense con ensation
as if it were rainfall, but this sel om amounts to a significant
accumulation of water. The built-in low power heater (DIP SW 8
off) will ten to re uce con ensation.
Ambient Light Interference-- The RG-11 is almost completely
immune to the effects of ambient light, an may freely be mounte
in irect sunlight.
Heater Notes– A built-in low power (0.25W) heater exten s
operation of the evice to freezing (32 F or 0C). This is isable if
the micro-power (SW 8) is enable . Note that this is a very
mo est amount of power; it will ten to rive off a mo est amount
of frost, but will not melt ice.
Dark Sensing -- Turns output on when it is usk-- nominally less
than 2000 lux. This is for applications such as retracting sun-
shiel s in the evening, when they are not nee e . (Only in Mo e
1, “It's Raining” applications.)
Mode 0-- Tipping Bucket
Rain Gage emulates a tipping bucket of the
specifie size.
Switch
Behavior
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
0 0 0 X 0 0 0 Bucket Size = 0.01”
0 0 1 Bucket Size = 0.001” (Sensitive)
0 1 0 Bucket Size = 0.0001” (Very sensitive)
1 0 0 Bucket Size = 0.2 mm
1 0 1 Bucket Size = 0.01 mm (sensitive)
1 1 0 Bucket Size = 0.001 mm (Very sensitive)
1 1 1 1 Reserve for system test
In tipping bucket mo e, the Rain Gage effectively emulates a
tipping bucket of the specifie size. For example, if the DIP
switches are set to a tipping bucket mo e with a bucket size of
0.01", then the output will pulse ON for 50mS each time 0.01" of
water accumulates, just as a tipping bucket woul . This can be
externally totalize , an use to measure rainfall rates. Bucket
sizes of 0.001" an 0.0001" are similar, generating pulses at
accumulations of one one-thousan th, an one ten-thousan s of an
inch, respectively. These emulate what a tipping bucket woul o
if it were possible to make one that small. Metric bucket sizes are
available as well, or the Inch unit scales may be scale with
external equipment.
Rain Gage Mo el RG-11 Instructions PN 55-005-100 rev 6

Mode 1-- It's Raining
Rain Gage turns on the relay to in icate that it is
raining when the rainfall has reache a given
intensity.
Switch
Function
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
0 0 1 X X 0 0 Very sensitive-- first etecte rain rop.
0 1 Sensitive-- turn on with very light rainfall
1 0 Me ium Sensitivity-- turn on with me ium
rain (You woul want your car's wipers on
stea y slow)
1 1 Low Sensitivity-- turn on in heavy rainfall.
(You woul want your car's wipers on high)
X 0 X X Output off when rain stops.
1 Output Monostable Exten e by 15
minutes
0 X X X No Dark-Detect - Normal operation
1 Dark Detect
Use this mo e to control equipment that shoul be controlle ,
enable , open, close , an so forth epen ing on whether or not it
is raining. The output turns on when a given rate of rainfall is
etecte , an turns off after it has roppe below a threshol .
Each of the sensitivity levels (set by switches 1 an 2) provi es
ifferent trip an release points. There is much hysteresis built in,
but real rain fall rates typically fluctuate, even in what you may
perceive as a “stea y rain”, so expect the output to turn on an off.
The output will remain on for between about 30 secon s an 5
minutes after the last etecte rain rop, epen ing on sensitivity
setting an actual con itions.
To prevent some piece of equipment from turning constantly on an
off (or opening / closing, etc.) you can enable the Monostable
exten (Switch 3). That will hol the output on for 15 minutes after
the rain has cease .
Dark Detect-- if this enable , the output will also turn on when the
ambient light rops below about 2000 lux. This feature may be
use to retract a sun-sha e awning when it is ark.
Mode 2-- Condensation Sensor
Rain Gage etects con ensation or frost
formation on the surface.
Switch
Behavior
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
0 1 0 0 0 0 0 Very Sensitive- first sign of con ensation
0 1 Sensitive
1 0 Me ium Low
1 1 Low
The rain sensor senses con ensation by etecting a shift from the
"clear" con ition. The relay closes when the con ensation
occurs, an opens when the con ensation goes away. The rain
sensor is set to very gra ually a apt the clear con ition, so that
very gra ual buil up of irt or other contaminants o not cause a
false trip.
Con ensation sensing mo e isables the heater an micro-power
mo e.
Rain Gage Mo el RG-11 Instructions PN 55-005-100 rev 6

Mode 3-- Wiper Control
Rain sensing wiper control from off through
intermittent an stea y slow spee s.
Switch
Behavior
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
0 1 1 X 0 0 0 Normal Wiper Control
0 0 1 Wipe More
0 1 0 Wipe a Lot More
0 1 1 Wipe a Whole Lot More
1 0 0 Wipe Less
1 0 1 Wipe a Lot Less
1 1 0 Wipe a Whole Lot Less
1 1 1 Wipe har ly at all
0 X X X Normal Slow Cycle Time (1.2 to 3 sec.)
1 Long Slow Cycle Time (3 – 8 sec.)
The RG-11 may be use to control a wiper system. The output
relay turns on when the slow motor win ing shoul be engage .
This will typically be use to rive an external relay, which will in
turn rive the wiper motor win ings. This may be use for the
wipers for a boat, ship, locomotive, observation win ow, or many
other applications. The RG-11 oes not care what the wipers are
wiping.
WARNING: The relay contacts of the RG-11 can control only a 1A
loa , an wiper systems generally require many times that current.
The RG-11 MUST be use with a suitable external relay in wiper
control applications.
The nominal wiper control is set so that it properly controls the
wipers of a passenger car. It is optimize for wiper systems that
require between 1.2 an 3 secon s to make a single complete
actuation of the wipers. A long cycle time is provi e (Switch 4 on)
for systems with a wiper actuation cycle time between 3 an 8
secon s. In all cases, the RG-11 provi es a pulse to initiate the
wiper actuation. Most wiper system will inclu e some sort of cam
fee back mechanism that causes the wipers to keep running until
they reach a home position.
Mount the RG-11 so that it generally gets the same rainfall as the
surface to be wipe . Usually, this means about a 45 egree angle.
The RG-11 oes not nee to be within the actual fiel of view of
the win ow.
A just the sensitivity control DIP switches (3, 2, an 1) to set the
system to wipe more or less, epen ing on the nee s of the
installation.
Mode 4: Irrigation Control
Rain Gage output on means inhibit watering.
Switch
Behavior
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
1 0 X X 0 0 0 Typical Water Control. Inhibit watering
for up to 5 ays.
0 0 1 Water More
0 1 0 Water a lot more
1 0 0 Water Less
1 0 1 Water a lot less
0 X X X Inhibit irrigation uring a storm
1 Allow irrigation uring a storm
0 X X X X Inhibit irrigation uring freeze
1 Allow irrigation uring freeze
The RG-11 may be set to provi e precise control of an irrigation
system. Typically, the installation will connect to the COM an NC
relay contacts to interrupt the valves when watering shoul be
inhibite . Note that the RG-11 also requires 24 VAC (or other
suitable supply.)
The nominal irrigation profile is set so that the groun receives an
inch of water per week. It will inhibit watering upon the
accumulation of 0.2 inches of water, an re-enable the system
after that water has evaporate . This can be a short as less than
a ay, or as long as six ays, epen ing on rainfall. A itional
DIP switch settings are provi e for allowing more or less
watering, as shown in the table below.
Nominally (Switch 4 off), the RG-11 will inhibit watering uring a
storm, even if not much water has accumulate . The reasoning is
that if it is raining har now, the rainfall is likely to eliver enough
accumulation to justify inhibiting at least the current cycle of
watering. This prevents the “it's pouring, but my sprinklers are still
running” objection from the customer, an the accompanying
excessive runoff an mu y groun . The feature may be efeate
by turning switch 4 on.
Normally, the RG-11 will inhibit irrigation if the temperature rops
below freezing, or nominally about 34 egrees. If SW 5 is on, the
RG-11 will allow irrigation below 34 egrees. Micro-power mo e is
isable in irrigation control.
Rain Gage Mo el RG-11 Instructions PN 55-005-100 rev 6

Mode 6-- Drop Detector
Switch
Behavior
7 6 5 4 3 2 1
1 1 0 0 X 0 0 Normal rop threshol
0 1 Sensitive Drop threshol . Expect rare false
trips.
1 0 Hi rop threshol . Trip only with large
rops.
0 X X One pulse per rop, longer pulses for
bigger rops
1 Multiple pulses per larger rop
The RG-11 may also provi e rop etection. Use this if you want to
o your own, external ata interpretation. The output will pulse
once with each etecte rop. Normally, it will pro uce longer
pulses (in multiples of 200 mS) for larger rops. If set to multiple
pulses per rop (SW 3 ON), each etecte rop will generate one
or more 100 mS pulses, epen ing on rop size.
In sensitive mo e, the threshol for rop etection is lowere to
below the normal level. This makes the system more sensitive, but
raises the possibility of false etections. It is up to the system
esigner to etermine the proper tra eoff. Similarly, the Hi rop
threshol will provi e an output only for large rops, making false
etections unlikely, for installations were a false etection is
especially objectionable.
SAFETY, LIMITS F RAIN GAGE LIABILITY, AND WARANTY
nly the rain sensor is covered-- absolutely no consequential damages
It is the responsibility of the systems integrator an purchaser of the Rain
Gage to insure a safe installation. Any mechanical system, inclu ing one
that incorporates a Rain Gage, requires appropriate safety interlocks.
Hy reon Corporation (Hy reon) warrants only the actual cost of the sensor,
an only that it is free from efects in workmanship.
The Rain Gage is warrante to be free from efects for a perio of one
year from ate of purchase. Un er no circumstances will Hy reon be
liable for any consequential amages ue to failure or any other mishap
involving a Rain Gage. Hy reon's liability in the event of a failure, or
inability to sense a con ition, is limite to the actual cost of the particular
sensor. Explicitly, if other objects are estroye ue to water amage, or if
any object is estroye because of a false in ication of water, Hy reon is
in no way whatsoever liable for anything other than the cost of the Rain
Gage, an then only if the Rain Gage is shown to have some efect in
materials or workmanship. Limitations an imperfections of the Rain Gage
o not constitute a efect. Further, if some valuable ata is not gathere
because an erroneous in ication of any sort ue to the Rain Gage,
Hy reon is liable only for the cost of the Rain Gage.
It is the responsibility of the system esigner an purchasers of the Rain
Gage to insure that a failure of the Rain Gage will not cause consequential
amages. If a failure in Rain Gage woul cause isaster, we recommen
against eployment of the Rain Gage, or against the system in which the
Rain Gage is eploye . If a failure of a Rain Gage woul cause great
expense, Hy reon recommen s re un ant Rain Gages, an even in that
case o not assume any liability for consequential amages. It is the
responsibility of the system esigner an purchasers of the Rain Gage to
be aware of performance limitations of the evice. If a Rain Gage fails for
any reason Hy reon will not be responsible for the labor of servicing an or
installing an /or removing the Rain Gage. Labor is NOT COVERED.
Hy reon recommen s that the system esigner perform a Failure-Mo e
Effects Analysis that inclu es the possibility of Rain Gage failure. If a
potential purchaser of the Rain Gage oes not agree with these terms, we
ask that the potential purchaser not buy the Rain Gage. Deployment of the
Rain Gage implies un erstan ing an agreeing to these limits of liability.
Apply engineering ju gment: Hy reon oes not claim the RG-11 is a
perfect rain sensor. It is what it is, an senses what it senses.
CASE an COSMETIC POLICY
Some amount of yellowing or iscoloration of the case is consi ere
normal cosmetic aging of the evice, an sensors so affect will not be
replace un er warranty. Tiny cracks or crazing within the lens is also
consi ere cosmetic, an units so affecte will be replace only if they are
eeme by Hy reon corporation to be consi ere to be of a functional
nature.
Rain Gage Mo el RG-11 Instructions PN 55-005-100 rev 6