Novalynx 260-2520 User manual

DOC 260-2520 UM 20210630
260-2520
User Manual
260-2520
Forestry Rain Gauge
Phone [phone]
Email no[email protected] Website www.novalynx.com

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Receiving and Unpacking
Carefully unpack all components and compare to the packing list. Notify NovaLynx Corporation
immediately concerning any discrepancy. Inspect equipment to detect any damage that may have
occurred during shipment. In the event of damage, any claim for loss must be filed immediately with
the carrier by the consignee. Damages to equipment sent via Parcel Post or UPS require the consignee
to contact NovaLynx Corporation for instructions.
Returns
If equipment is to be returned to the factory for any reason, call NovaLynx between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00
p.m. Pacific Time to request a Return Authorization Number (RA#). Include with the returned
equipment a description of the problem and the name, address, and daytime phone number of the
sender. Carefully pack the equipment to prevent damage or additional damage during the return
shipment. Call NovaLynx for packing instructions in the case of delicate or sensitive items. If packing
facilities are not available take the equipment to the nearest Post Office, UPS, or other freight service
and obtain assistance with the packaging. Please write the RA# on the outside of the box.
Warranty
NovaLynx Corporation warrants that its products are free from defects in material and workmanship
under normal use and service for a period of one year from the date of shipment from the factory.
NovaLynx Corporation's obligations under this warranty are limited to, at NovaLynx's option: (i)
replacing; or (ii) repairing; any product determined to be defective. In no case shall NovaLynx
Corporation's liability exceed product's original purchase price. This warranty does not apply to any
equipment that has been repaired or altered, except by NovaLynx Corporation, or that has been
subjected to misuse, negligence, or accident. It is expressly agreed that this warranty will be in lieu of
all warranties of fitness and in lieu of the warranty of merchantability.
Address
NovaLynx Corporation
431 Crown Point Circle, Suite 120
Grass Valley, CA 95945-9531 USA
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.novalynx.com
Copyright © 1988-2021 by NovaLynx Corporation

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CONTENTS
1 FORWARD ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 4
3 SPECIFICATIONS .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
4 SITE SELECTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 5
5 INSTALLATION ................................................................................................................................................................. 6
6 OPERATION ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6
7 MEASUREMENT .............................................................................................................................................................. 7
8 MAINTENANCE ................................................................................................................................................................ 8

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1 FORWARD
Thank you for purchasing NovaLynx products. NovaLynx has been designing and manufacturing
weather instruments since 1988. NovaLynx represents several well-known brands of quality
manufacturers, including Gill Instruments, RM Young, Kipp & Zonen, and Vaisala. It is our hope that our
products will meet all your monitoring requirements.
2 INTRODUCTION
The 260-2520 Forestry Rain Gauge is an all-aluminum rain gauge with a total capacity of 7" of rainfall.
The gauge has no moving parts. An epoxy laminate measuring stick with English and metric markings is
included.
The upper portion of the funnel is cylindrical in shape and is turned to a fine edge. Rainwater falling
into the funnel is delivered into a measuring tube. The ratio of the funnel diameter to that of the tube
is 10 to 1, so that 0.5 inches of rain fills the measuring tube with five inches of water. The measuring
stick is used to accurately determine (within 0.01") the amount of water in the measuring tube. Any
excess water that overflows the measuring tube is captured in the measuring can (illustration, below).
In winter, the funnel and measuring tube are removed so that rain/sleet/snow/hail are collected by the
measuring can only. The amount of precipitation is measured by melting the ice and then pouring the
water into the measuring tube. The measuring stick is lowered to the bottom of the tube, then lifted
out to read the depth. This is done as many times as necessary and the measurements are added
together.
260-2520 Forestry Rain Gauge Cutaway View

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3 SPECIFICATIONS
4 SITE SELECTION
The location of the rain gauge is very important to the successful operation of the instrument. The
most accurate measurements are made in relatively sheltered areas protected from gusts and
turbulent wind. Open spaces between buildings and trees offer some shelter from wind effects;
however, the rain gauge should be situated at least twice the distance from such objects as their
height.
Wind effects on catch losses are more pronounced during snow storms than
during rain storms. Where snowfall constitutes more than 80% of annual
precipitation, and in areas that are open with no nearby structures, a wind
screen such as the 260-952 Alter-Type Wind Screen is recommended to
minimize wind effects. 260-952 Wind Screen
The screen consists of 32 free-swinging metal leaves evenly spaced around a 48" diameter ring. The
ring is divided into four quadrants, one of which swings open to permit access to the rain gauge. In
locations with heavy snowfall, the gauge and screen should be mounted well above the average local
snow level.
Good locations do not always remain obstruction free. Vegetation can grow quickly, changing an
excellent exposure into a poor one. Sites should be inspected regularly in order to properly maintain
the exposure of the gauge.
Orifice 8" (200 mm)
Capacity 7" (178 mm)
Resolution 0.01" or 0.2 mm
White powder coated aluminum body
Black anodized aluminum funnel, measuring tube
Epoxy laminate measuring stick
Dimensions 8.25" diameter x 11" height (209 x 279 mm)
Weight / Shipping (gauge) 3 lbs / 5 lbs ( 1.4 kg / 2.3 kg)
Construction Black powder-coated steel
Weight / Shipping (bracket) 2 lbs / 3 lbs (0.9 kg / 1.4 kg)
260-2520 Forestry Rain Gauge
Construction
260-2520S Support Bracket

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5 INSTALLATION
To ensure best accuracy the rain gauge must be mounted as level as possible.
The gauge may be placed on any level surface, but will require supports to
ensure it cannot tip over during high winds.
The NovaLynx 260-2520S Support Bracket (sold separately) is recommended to
support and brace the rain gauge. The bracket has mounting holes on the
bottom and on one side, allowing it to be bolted to a horizontal or vertical
surface. 260-2520S Support Bracket
1. Remove the measuring stick from the gauge. Store the measuring stick in a location where it
will be protected from the weather.
2. Remove the funnel from the body of the rain gauge by lifting straight up.
3. Clean out any packing materials that may be inside the gauge.
4. Make sure the measuring tube is resting inside the measuring tube holder, and that the open
end of the measuring tube is facing upwards.
5. Replace the funnel.
6. Place the rain gauge in the support bracket.
7. Use a carpenter's level across the top of the funnel to ensure the rain gauge is level. Adjust the
support bracket as needed.
6 OPERATION
Prior to the onset of a storm, prepare the rain gauge by making sure it is empty of debris. Clean out all
twigs, leaves, insects, sediment, etc. Rinse the parts with clean water and dry them.
Rain Storms: If temperatures during the storm are expected to be above freezing, re-assemble the
measuring tube and funnel onto the gauge, and place the gauge in the support bracket.
Ice/Snow Storms: If the storm is expected to include sleet/snow/hail, do not install the funnel or
measuring tube. Place only the outer body of the rain gauge in the mounting
bracket. Store the funnel, measuring tube, and measuring stick indoors.
Note: Whether the collected precipitation is rain or snow, there is the possibility that the water
collected in the gauge will freeze if night-time temperatures are low enough. Since water expands
when it freezes, the body of the rain gauge or measuring tube may be damaged. Damage due to
freezing is not covered under the warranty. To prevent damage due to freezing, an anti-freeze may be

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added, which will mix with the rain & snow and lower its freezing point. Follow local regulations in the
handling and disposal of any anti-freeze products. Ensure that wildlife cannot ingest the anti-freeze,
because some products are poisonous. Be sure to record the amount of anti-freeze that is added, so
that it may be deducted from the total.
7 MEASUREMENT
Ideally, plan to read the gauge at the same time each day when precipitation occurs. Severe storms
may prevent reading at regular intervals, so the gauge has been designed to capture over-flow from
the measuring tube. The gauge is capable of holding a total of 7 inches (17 cm) of rain. It must be read
and emptied frequently enough so that it never over-flows.
It will be helpful to have two clean plastic buckets when making the rain gauge measurement. Bring
these and the measuring stick to the site either at the regular measuring time, or following the storm.
In situations where snow is being measured, it may be necessary to bring a heat source to melt the
snow in the gauge.
1. Pick out any debris such as leaves or twigs that may have landed in the rain gauge. If the
material is wet, shake the water off into the gauge.
2. If the gauge has any ice or snow in it, use a heater to melt it, but do not let it come to a boil. Do
not destroy the paint on the rain gauge while heating the gauge.
3. To measure rainfall, insert the measuring stick through the orifice of the collector funnel and
allow it to extend to the bottom of the measuring tube. Remove the stick immediately. The
precipitation collected in the measuring tube will "wet" the stick. Read, record and report the
liquid measurement to inches and hundredths (i.e., 0.34 inch).
4. If the rainfall was greater than the measuring tube capacity, there will be some water in the
measuring can, which is the body of the rain gauge. Remove the funnel. Without spilling, lift the
measuring tube out of the gauge and empty it into a bucket. Collect all the measured water in
this bucket until all measurements are done, in case it is necessary to re-measure.
5. Pour water from the measuring can into the measuring tube, being careful not to lose any. It
isn't necessary to fill the measuring tube to the top. (Note: The funnel can be placed on the top
of the measuring tube, and the whole assembly supported over an empty bucket to catch spills.)
Make sure the measuring tube is vertical while using the measuring stick to read the level.
Record the amount. After measuring, pour the water into the first bucket.
6. Repeat the process (Step 5) until the remaining water is measured. After all the water from the
rain gauge body is measured, plus any spill from the second bucket, add all the measurements
together to obtain the total.
IMPORTANT: If anti-freeze was added to the rain gauge prior to the storm, deduct the amount from
the rain gauge total. The anti-freeze/water mixture must be disposed of in a legally-approved manner.

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8 MAINTENANCE
Do not allow water to freeze inside the rain gauge. The expansion caused by freezing may deform the
body, and possibly cause it to leak, in which case it must be replaced.
After reading the rain gauge, rinse out any sediment that has collected in the measurement tube or outer
chamber. Use a bottle brush, if needed, to loosen the sediment.
If the gauge is used only seasonally, do not leave it unattended, as it may collect water which will be a
breeding location for mosquitoes. Instead, clean the gauge and store it indoors until needed.
Trim back any vegetation that might affect the accuracy of the gauge.