Rain Bird WS-PRO Programming manual

WS-PRO Weather Station
INSTALLATION,
MAINTENANCE
AND
TROUBLESHOOTING
MANUAL
November 2004 GT27145D

Page i
WS-PRO Weather Station
Table of Contents
Description Page
1.0 General........1
2.0 Tools&Supplies.......2
ToolsRequired......2
SuppliesRequired......2
3.0 WeatherStationSiteSelection.....3
Temperature/RelativeHumidity....4
SolarRadiation......4
Precipitation.......5
Determining True North for Wind Vane Operation. 5
PromptsfromGeomag.....7
4.0 WeatherStationConcreteBase.....9
SuppliedComponents .....9
InstallerSupplied......9
ToolsRequired......9
Installation.......9
5.0 ExternalWiringtoWeatherStation....12
WiringValveAccessBox.....12
WeatherStationPowerWiring....12
Weather Station Communication Wiring (PRO-SH) . 13
GroundingCommunicationCable....13
Weather Station Communication Wiring (PRO-PH) . 15
6.0 TowerAssemblyandInstallation ....15
SuppliedComponents .....15
Installation.......15
7.0 ETInstrumentationEnclosureInstallation...18
General.......18
MountingETEnclosuretotheTower...18

Page ii
Table of Contents - Cont’d.
Description Page
InstallationofLightningRod....19
PowerSupplyRechargeableBattery....19
ACExternalPowerWiring.....21
PowerSupplyOptionSolarPanel....22
8.0 InstallationofInstrumentation.....24
General.......24
SuppliedComponents .....24
InstallationofCross-ArmtoETEnclosure...24
Installation of 034A Wind Sensor ....26
Installation of Relative Humidity/Temperature
SensorandRadiationShield....28
Installation of Solar Radiation Pyranometer . . 29
SensorCableConnections.....30
Configure Sensor Switch Settings ....31
SensorVerificationandClockSet....31
ShortHaulModemInstallation....31
TelephoneModemInstallation....33
9.0 Sealing&DesiccatingtheEnclosure....34
10.0 InstallationatCentralComputer....35
SuppliedComponents .....35
Installation.......35
ModelPRO-PH~PhoneConnected....38
SuppliedComponents ....38
Installation-General.....38
Standard Installation Method . . 38
11.0 Maintenance&Troubleshooting....40
GeneralMaintenance .....40
InstrumentationMaintenance....40
Batteries.......40
RechargeableBattery.....40
Desiccant.......40
SensorMaintenance......40

Page iii
Table of Contents - Cont’d.
Description Page
1Week ......40
1Month......41
6Months......41
1Year.......41
2Years ......41
3Years ......41
4-5Years......41
GeneralMaintenance .....41
SensorMaintenance......42
RainGage......42
CalibratingaRainBucket...42
Suggestions.....42
SolarSensor......43
WindSensor......43
RelativeHumiditySensor....43
TemperatureSensor.....44
OtherMaintenance......44
SealofETEnclosure.....44
BatteryCheck......45
SensorTesting ......45
WindSpeedSensor.....46
WindDirectionSensor....46
Solar Radiation Sensor (Pyranometer) . . 46
TippingBucketRainGage....46
Temperature/Relative Humidity Sensor . . 47
Troubleshooting......48
IsolatingtheProblem.... 48
CheckingtheWeatherStation...48
Using the ML 10-KD Keyboard Display . 48
Datalogger Location Table ...49
TroubleshootingProblems....49
No display on the ML 10-KD keyboard . 49
No response using the keyboard and/or
erroneous letters in the display . 50

Page iv
Table of Contents - Cont’d.
Description Page
No Response from Datalogger through SC32A
orModemPeripheral.....50
At the datalogger ...50
Atthecomputer...50
-99999 Displayed in an Input Location . . 51
Unreasonable Results Displayed
inanInputLocation.....51
6999 or 99999 Stored in Final Storage . . 51
UsingaLaptopComputer....51
CheckingtheCommunicationsWirePath...53
Loop Resistance .....53
GroundResistance.....53
WS-PRO-SH Direct Connect Weather Station . 53
Weather Station will not answer . . 53
CheckingtheRADmodem...53
Checking the Communication Wire Path . 54
WS-PRO-PH Phone Connect Weather Station . 55
Weather Station will not answer . . 55
Computer Modem & Communication Troubleshooting . 57
Weather Software will not communicate
withtheweatherstation....57
Testing the Short Haul Modem . . 57
TestingthePhoneModem...58

Page v
Appendix
Description Page
Upgrading the Model JR Weather Station
toaModelPROWeatherStation....59
Typical3-RodGroundingGrid.....59
GroundResistance......59
BentoniteContact......60
Rocky Conditions ......60
RockLayer.......60
ImprovingEarthGrounds.....61
MSP-1PipeSurgeArrestors.....61

Page vi
Table of Figures
Figure # Description Page
#1 EffectofStructureonWindFlow...4
#2 Magnetic Declination for the Contiguous
UnitedStates......6
#3 DeclinationAngles.....8
#4 ConcreteBaseDetail.....11
#5 Anchor Bolt/Template Detail. . . 11
#6 External Wiring Detail at the PRO-SH Station . 14
#7 External Wiring Detail at the PRO-PH Station . 17
#8 MountingETEnclosureonTower...18
#9 16VAC Connection & Rechargeable
BatteryInstallation....20
#10 SolarPaneInstallationDetail...23
#11 Cross-ArmMountingDetail....25
#12 WindSensorInstallationDetail...27
#13 Temperature/RH Sensor Installation Detail. . 28
#14 Solar Radiation Sensor Installation Detail . . 29
#15 SensorCableConnections....30
#16 Sensor Switch Settings ....31
#18 Short Haul Modem Installation in ET Enclosure . 32
#19 Telephone Modem Installation in ET Enclosure . 34

Page vii
Table of Figures Cont’d.
Figure # Description Page
#20 DesiccantPackInstallation....34
#21 Installation at Central Computer for Direct
ConnectedWeatherStation....37
#22 Installation at Central Computer for
Telephone Connected Weather Station . . 39
#23 Using the ML 10-KD Keyboard Display . . 48
#24 ConfigurationofSerialCable...52
#25 TestofShortHaulModem....54
#26 TestofCommunicationWires...55
#28 Typical 3-Rod Grounding Grid Detail . . 62
#29 TestingofWindSensor....63
#30 TestingofSolarRadiationSensor...64
#31 TestingofRainGage.....65
#32 TestingofTemperature/RHSensor...66
#33 TestingofAirTemperatureProbe...67

Page viii

Page 1
WS-PRO Weather Station
1.0 GENERAL:
The Rain Bird “Model PRO” Weather
Station, when used in conjunction with
the Rain Bird MAXI 5, MAXI
“Nimbus” or MAXI “Cirrus” Central
Control system, provides the irrigation
manager with a powerful tool to aid in
the growing of lush, healthy, green
turfgrass, while conserving important
resources, such as water, power, etc.
The MAXI 5, MAXI Nimbus or MAXI
Cirrus software interrogates the Weather
Station to gather information that has
been gathered on a daily basis, on 5
second intervals for short haul modem
only, of the climatic conditions that
affect the irrigation application for the
area.
The MAXI 5, MAXI Nimbus or MAXI
Cirrus software subjects the climatic
information that it gathers to a version of
the modified Penman Equation. The
Penman Equation has been proven
through over 35 years of university
research, to be one of the most reliable
predictors of turfgrass water use
requirements.
The Weather Station monitors the
following climatic conditions:
Rainfall
Wind Speed & Direction
Air Temperature
Relative Humidity
Solar Radiation
The basic PRO Weather Station
configuration includes sensors to
monitor these conditions, a micrologger
to capture this data, a modem to
communicate the information to the
MAXI Central Computer and a power
supply.
The Rain Bird Model “PRO” Weather
Station is available in two (2) basic
configurations;
Model PRO-SH, which is a
direct wire system intended for
use when the weather station is
within 20,000 feet of the MAXI
Central Computer and
communication is via a wire
path, between the weather
station and the computer.
Model PRO-PH, which is a
phone modem system for use
when the weather station is
further than 20,000 feet from the
MAXI Central Computer or
when they cannot be connected
by a communication wire path.
The system communicates
utilizing a standard, dedicated
phone service.

Page 2
2.0 TOOLS & SUPPLIES:
(Installer Supplied)
The installer needs access to the following tools and supplies for installation of the
Weather Station.
TOOLS REQ’D.
Shovel
Rake
Wire Strippers
Screw driver, regular blade
Flat Metal File
Screw driver, thin regular blade
Wheelbarrow
Screw driver, Phillips head
Hand Saw
Open End Wrench 7/16”
(2) - Open End Wrench 9/16”
Open End Wrench ½”
Open End Wrench 3/8”
Claw Hammer
Magnetic Compass
Tape Measure 12’ - 20’
Matr’l. for Concrete Base Form:
(4) 12” Wood Stakes
(1) 2”x 4”x 10’ piece of wood
(8) 8p double-head nails
(8)16p double-head nails
20 ft. of form wire
½ yard of concrete
6 Ft. Step Ladder
Concrete trowel & edger
Saw Horse
Wire
Fish Tape or small dia. rope
SUPPLIES REQ’D.
(2) Standard Size (12” x 18”)
Rectangular Valve Boxes
(3) MGP-1 Maxi Grounding Plate
Assembly
(5) MSP-1 Maxi Surge Arrestor (Pipe
Type) (for “PRO-SH” model ONLY).
(6) 5/8” Dia. X 8’-0” copper clad
grounding rods
#10 Gauge or larger bare copper
grounding wire - length as required.
Brass Grounding Clamps - as required
(20) 3-M model DBY or DBR Direct
Burial splice kits or 3-M Scotch-lok
3500 series Connector Packs.
Belden #9883 or PE-39 direct burial,
communication cable - length as
required.
(2) Lengths of type UF power wire
(white and black) - size and length as
required.
(1) 4” x 4” electrical junction box with
cover plus connectors as required for
transformer mounting.
(2) Open Spade, crimp-on type
connectors - for connecting power
wiring to transformer.
3.0

Page 3
WEATHER STATION SITE SELECTION:
Site selection for the Weather Station is
one of the most crucial steps in a
successful installation and an efficiently
operating irrigation system. The site
selection will greatly impact the
accuracy of the meteorological data
collected by the station. The site
selection process has many constraints
placed on it, and although the “perfect”
site is often non-existent, the following
generalities should be kept in mind.
In general, the site should be
representative of the general area of
interest and reflect the general
conditions of the project’s turf. The
more “typical” the site, in this regard,
the more useful will be the information
gathered. The site should also be away
from the influence of obstructions such
as buildings, trees, etc.
The weather station should not be
located where sprinkler irrigation water
will strike sensors or instrument
enclosure. The turf around the weather
station needs to be irrigated however - so
it is recommended that half-circle
sprinklers be placed around the base of
the weather station and ”throwing OUT’
away from the weather station. In this
way the turf can be irrigated and at the
same time water can be kept off the
sensors and instrument enclosure of the
weather station.
The sensors of the weather station
should be eight (8) to ten (10) feet above
the turfgrass. Remember that the roof
of a building IS NOT a good site for the
weather station.
The weather station does NOT need to
be “hidden”. The Rain Bird weather
station has been engineered to be
aesthetically pleasing. The urge to
“hide” the station needs to be balanced
with the selection of the most “typical”
turfgrass area. The station should NOT
negatively impact the turfgrass
environment or utility. In fact, many
installations prominently display the
Weather Station to demonstrate their
commitment to water conservation.
If the site may be prone to vandalism,
an open, chain-link, 6 foot high
security fence with a lockable access
gate should be placed around the
weather station. The fence shall be a
minimum of eight (8) feet out from the
weather station on all sides and should
be a type that will not interfere with the
accuracy of the sensors.
In your selection of a site - try to avoid
sites on or near open dirt fields and
asphalt parking areas. These sites are
prone to high invective heats that can
distort the information. Any areas that
are within 90 to 100 feet “up wind” of
the weather station can adversely affect
the weather station reading accuracies.
The requirements of each weather
station sensor must be considered when
selecting the proper location for a
weather station site. In addition to these
generalities, each sensor has its own
specialized constraints. While complete
information is available, upon special
request, for each individual sensor, the
following are the highlights of each.

Page 4
(a) TEMPERATURE AND
RELATIVE HUMIDITY:
Sensors should be located over an open
level turf area at least 30 feet in
diameter. The surface should be the
typical turfgrass of the area in interest.
Sensors should be located a distance
away of at least four (4) times the height
of any nearby obstruction and at least 90
feet from large paved areas. Sensors
should be protected from thermal
radiation, and adequately ventilated.
Situations to avoid include:
•large industrial heat sources
•rooftops
•steep slopes
•sheltered hollows
•high vegetation
•shaded areas
•top of a hill
•bottom of a swale
•swamps
•areas where snow drifts occur
•low places holding standing
water
(b) SOLAR RADIATION:
Pyranometers should be located to avoid
shadows on the sensor at any time.
Mounting it on the southern most
portion (northern hemisphere) of the
weather station will minimize the chance
of shading from other weather station
structures. Reflective surfaces and
sources of artificial radiation should be
avoided. The height at which the sensor
is mounted is not critical.

Page 5
(c ) PRECIPITATION
A rain gage should be located over level
ground that is covered with short grass
or gravel. In open areas, the distance to
obstructions should be two to four times
the height of the obstruction.
The height of the opening should be as
low as possible, but should be high
enough to avoid splashing from the
ground.
The gage must be mounted above the
average level of snow accumulation in
areas that experience significant
snowfall.
Standard measurement heights:
1.0 meter +/- 1.0 cm (AASC)
30.0 centimeter minimum
(WMO, EPA)
(d) DETERMINING TRUE
NORTH FOR WIND
VANE OREINTATION
Magnetic declination, or other methods
to find True North, should be
determined prior to installing the
weather station. True North is usually
found by reading a magnetic compass
and applying the correction for magnetic
declination. (Other methods employ
observations using the North Star or the
sun, and are discussed in the Quality
Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution
Measurement Systems, Volume IV -
Meteorological Measurements.) The
magnetic declination is the number of
degrees between True North and
Magnetic North. Magnetic declination
for a specific site can be obtained from a
USFA map, local airport, or through a
computer service offered by the USFS
called GEOMAG (see page 7). A
general map showing magnetic
declination for the contiguous United
States is shown below in FIGURE 2.
Declination angles east of True North
are considered negative and are
subtracted from 0 degrees to get True
North. Declination angles west of True
North are considered positive and are
added to 0 degrees to get True North.
For example, the declination for Logan,
Utah is 16 degrees East. True North is
360 degrees minus 16 degrees, or 344
degrees as read on a compass.
REFER TO NEXT PAGE FOR FIGURE 2

Page 6
FIGURE 2 - MAGNETIC DECLINATION FOR THE
CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATE

Page 7
PROMPTS FROM GEOMAG
GEOMAG is accessed by phone with a
PC and telephone modem and a
communications program such as Pro
Comm or Windows 95 Hyperterminal.
GEOMAG prompts the caller for site
latitude, longitude and elevation, which
it uses to determine the magnetic
declination and annual change. The
following information, menu and
prompts are from GEOMAG.
GEOMAG is a user-friendly program
that provides estimates of the
geomagnetic field elements, including
declination and total field intensity,
based upon Magnetic Models. The
program is accessible by modem or
through the Internet.
Modem Access:
Modem settings: No parity, 8 data bits
and 1 stop bit (i.e., N81).
Telephone numbers:
Phone Number Baud Rates
303-273-8672 2400
303-273-8673 1200
303-273-8678 1200
Upon carrier-signal detection, press
Return once or twice.
If you are using one of the commercial
numbers, the following prompts will
appear. Type the responses shown
(followed by pressing RETURN):
GLDSV1> c neis
[RETURN]
Username: QED
[RETURN}
Main Menu:
Type
Q for Quick Epicenter
Determinations (QED)
L for Earthquake Lists (EQLIST)
M for Geomagnetic Field
values (GEOMAG)
X to log out
ENTER program option: “M”
Would you like information on how to
run GEOMAG (Y/N)? Enter N
OPTIONS:
1 = Field Values (D,I,H,X,Z,F)
2 = Magnetic Pole Positions
3 = Dipole Axis and Magnitude
4 = Magnetic Center [1] : 1
Display values twice [N]: press return
Name of field model [USCON90]:
press return
Date [current date]:
press return
Latitude :42/2 N
Longitude : 111/51/2W
Elevation : 4454 ft

Page 8
Example of report generated by
GEOMAG:
Model: USCON90 Latitude: 42/2 N
Date: 7/27/93 Longitude: 111/51/2W
Elevation: 4454.0 ft
Declination is:
deg min
15 59.6
Annual change:
deg min
0 -6.1
EXITING:
press “Cntrl-Z” to exit GEOMAG
When the main menu reappears either
select another option or Type “X” to log
out.
If you used one of the commercial
numbers, the GLDSV1> prompt will
reappear.
Type “LO” to disconnect.
Use of GEOMAG is free (except for
telephone charges). If possible, please
avoid using GEOMAG between 9 a.m.
and 4 p.m., mountain time, Monday
through Friday.
The declination in the example above is
listed as 15 degrees and 59.6 minutes.
Expressed in degrees, this would be
15.99 degrees. As shown in FIGURE 2,
the declination for Utah is east, so True
North for this site is 360 - 15.99, or 344
degrees. The annual change is -6.1
minutes.
Refer to FIGURE 3 below:
FIGURE 3 - DECLINATION ANGLES

Page 9
4.0 WEATHER STATION CONCRETE BASE:
SUPPLIED COMPONENTS
(3) ½” x 12” long “L” Anchor
Bolts
(9) ½” Nuts
(3) Flat Steel Washers
(1) Stainless Steel Template
(1) 1 ½” Dia. Long Sweep
Elbow
INSTALLER SUPPLIED
(1) 2” x 4” x 10’-0” piece of
forming lumber
(4) 16p Double Headed nails
10’-0 “ length of form wire
½ yard of concrete
Duct Tape
TOOLS REQUIRED
Claw Hammer
Hand Saw
Saw Horse
Shovel
Pliers & Wire Cutters
INSTALLATION:
For the following procedures - Refer to FIGURE 4 below.
1.0 The Tower for the “PRO”
Weather Station - attaches to a user
supplied poured concrete
foundation - constructed as shown
in FIGURE 4 below.
2.0 Dig the required foundation
hole - with a 24” square top
and slanting outward sides, to the
bottom of 32” square. The
“Sloping” sides of the foundation are
very IMPORTANT in providing the
necessary support to the weather
station tower, in preventing it from
“leaning” or falling over, due to
wind load on the station.
3.0 Determine the proper location of the
long sweep elbow and dig a small
cavity to accept the end of the elbow
that will protrude beyond the
concrete base.
4.0 Construct the concrete form
with 2” x 4” lumber and 16p
double-headed nails.
Center the form over the dug
hole. Adjacent to the long
legs of the form that extend
beyond the hole, drive four
stakes into the soil. Level
the form. Secure the form
to the stakes with 8p nails -
making sure that the form
remains “level”.
5.0 Place a piece of duct tape
over one end of the 1 ½”
diameter long sweep elbow.
Insert the elbow into the
hole, with the taped end
into the small cavity that
you have dug on one side of
the hole.

Page 10
6.0 Insert the other end of the long
sweep elbow into the center hole in
the stainless steel template. Tape
the end of the elbow with duct tape.
7.0 Take the three ½” x 12” long “L”
anchor bolts and install two (2) hex
huts on to each bolt. Insert one in
each of the holes in the template and
install one of the flat washers and a
nut to secure the anchor bolt to the
template.
Refer to FIGURE 5.
8.0 Take the form wire and cut it into
two (2) equal lengths. Attach one
end of one of the wires to one of the
16p nails on the form. String the
wire up over the form and to the long
sweep elbow - making a turn around
it. Continue the wire over to the
16p nail at the other corner of the
form (located on the same side of the
form as the other nail) and centering
the template and elbow attach the
wire securely to the nail. Repeat
this same process with the other
piece of form wire - going to the
opposite nails and further securing
the template, elbow and anchor bolts
in the form.
9.0 Steady the template assembly by
putting a 2” spacer between the
template and the top of the form.
Pour the concrete into the hole and
form - it will require approximately
½ yard - screed the concrete level
with the top of the form. Check to
make sure the template is correctly
orientated and centered. The bottom
of the anchor bolt threads should be
about ½” above the top of the
concrete. Check to be sure the
template is “level” in two (2)
dimensions. Use a trowel and edger
to finish the concrete.
BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE
TEMPLATE PROPERLY
ORIENTATED IN RESPECT TO
“NORTH”. Refer to FIGURE 4.
The template should have the two (2)
bolt holes, that are parallel with one
side of the template, on the north
side of the base.
10.0 Wait 24 hours before removing the
concrete form. Wait 7 days before
mounting the weather station to the
base.
REFER TO NEXT PAGE FOR FIGURES 4 & 5