RainMaster Weather Center II User manual

Weather Center II
User Manual
Part # 500009 Rev. D

Weather Center II

Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Center II User Manual
Page i
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction.....................................................................................1
1.1 Determining Weather Center II Location ......................................3
1.1.1 Weather Center Site Overview..............................................3
1.2 General Information.......................................................................8
2.0 Weather Center Installation...........................................................9
2.1 Evolution DX2 Controller Wiring ...............................................20
2.2 RME Eagle Controller Wiring.....................................................21
3.0 Weather Center Instrumentation ................................................24
3.1 Features and Benefits...................................................................24
3.2 Weather Center Theory of Operation...........................................26
3.3 ET Electrical Interface .................................................................26
3.3.1 Evolution DX2 Weather Interface.......................................26
3.3.2 RME Eagle Weather Interface.............................................26
4.0 Reading the ET Values .................................................................29
4.1 At the Evolution DX2 Controller.................................................29
4.2 At the RME Eagle Controller.......................................................29
4.2.1 Weather Center Status Display................................................31
5.0 Rain Fall Sensor ............................................................................33
5.1 At the Evolution DX2 Controller.................................................33
5.1.1 Features and Benefits...........................................................33
5.1.2 Rain Fall Sensor Theory of Operation.................................33
5.1.3 Rain Fall Sensor Installation................................................34
5.1.4 Rain Fall Sensor Information...............................................34
5.1.5 Rain Fall Sensor Interface ...................................................34
5.1.6 Reading Rain Fall Sensor Values ........................................35
5.2 At the RME Eagle Controller.......................................................35
5.2.1 Features and Benefits...........................................................35
5.2.2 Rain Switch Sensor Theory of Operation............................35
5.2.3 Rain Switch Installation.......................................................36
5.2.4 Rain Switch Sensor Information..........................................36
5.2.5 Rain Switch Sensor Interface...............................................36
6.0 Wind Speed Sensor .......................................................................37
6.1 At the Evolution DX2 Controller.................................................37
6.1.1 Features and Benefits...........................................................37

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6.1.2 Wind Speed Sensor Installation Checks..............................37
6.1.3 Wind Speed Sensor Information..........................................37
6.1.4 Wind Speed Sensor Interface...............................................37
6.1.5 Reading Wind Speed Values at the Controller....................38
6.2 At the RME Eagle Controller.......................................................38
6.2.1 Features and Benefits...........................................................38
6.2.2 Wind Speed Sensor Installation Checks..............................38
6.2.3 Wind Speed Sensor Information..........................................38
6.2.4 Wind Speed Sensor Interface...............................................38
6.2.5 Reading Wind Values at the Controller...............................38
7.0 Maintenance...................................................................................38
7.1 Weather Center Maintenance.......................................................38
7.1.1 Wind Speed Sensor..............................................................38
7.1.2 Rain Fall Sensor...................................................................39
7.1.3 Temperature and Humidity Sensor......................................39
7.1.4 Solar Radiation Sensor ........................................................39
7.1.5 Bird Wire.............................................................................39
7.1.6 Weather Tower Assembly ...................................................40
7.1.7 Weather Computer...............................................................40
8.0 Troubleshooting.............................................................................41
8.1 Unusually High or Low ET Readings..........................................41
8.2 Troubleshooting Flow Charts.......................................................41
8.2.1 Symptom: Low ET Reading................................................42
8.2.2 Symptom: No ET Reading...................................................43
8.2.3 Symptom: No Rain Reading – Evolution DX2 ...................45
8.2.4 Symptom: No Rain Reading – RME Eagle.........................47
8.2.5 Symptom: No Wind Reading...............................................48
8.3 Verification of Weather Computer Input.....................................50
8.3.1 At the Evolution DX2 Controller ........................................50
8.4 Rain Fall Sensor Verification Procedure......................................52
8.4.1 At the Evolution DX2 Controller ........................................52
8.4.2 At the RME Eagle Controller..............................................53
8.5 Verification of Rain Fall Sensor Electronics ...............................54
8.5.1 At the Evolution DX2 Controller ........................................54
8.6 Wind Speed Sensor Verification Procedure.................................55
8.6.1 At the Evolution DX2 Controller ........................................55
RAIN MASTER LIMITED WARRANTY.........................................56

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Table of Figures
Figure 1 - Evolution Weather Center II....................................................2
Figure 2 - Evolution Weather Center Configuration ................................3
Figure 3 - Base Mounting Bolt Installation ..............................................9
Figure 4 - Eyebolt Assembly Procedure .................................................10
Figure 5 - Eyebolt Assembly Procedure .................................................11
Figure 6 - Weather Center Base Mounting.............................................11
Figure 7 - Weather Center Tower Mounting ..........................................13
Figure 8 - Sensor Mounting Configuration.............................................14
Figure 9 - Weather Center Terminal Access...........................................16
Figure 10 - Weather Center Tower Wiring Detail..................................17
Figure 11 - Evolution DX2 Wiring Detail..............................................18
Figure 12 - Evolution Weather Computer Installation............................19
Figure 13 - Weather Computer ...............................................................20
Figure 14 - Weather Center Evolution DX2 Controller..........................21
Figure 15 - RME Eagle Wiring Diagram................................................22
Figure 16 - Eagle Weather Computer Wiring Diagram..........................23
Figure 17 - Eagle-SP Stainless Enclosure Installation............................24
Figure 18 - RME Eagle Sensor Interface Connections...........................27
Figure 19 - Bird Wire Installation...........................................................40
Table of Tables
Table 1 - Sensor Placement.......................................................................5
Table 2 - Weather Center Configuration...................................................6
Table 3 - Required Equipment - Evolution DX2 Controller.....................7
Table 4 - Required Equipment - RME Eagle Controller...........................7
Table 5 - Required Site Materials.............................................................8
Table 6 - Replacement Parts List..............................................................8
Table 7 - RME Eagle Sensor Interface Connections ..............................27
Table 8 - Sensor Specifications...............................................................28
Table 9 - Interconnect Cables .................................................................52

Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Center II User Manual
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1.0 Introduction
The Weather Center II is comprised of four major measurement sensors,
these include:
•The Solar Radiation Sensor
•Temperature/Relative Humidity Sensor
•The Rain Fall Sensor
•The Wind Speed Sensor (Anemometer)
The Weather Center II calculates Evapotranspiration (ET) and measures
rain and wind speed. The measured sensor values are received by the
Rain Master Weather Computer which resides inside the attached
Evolution DX2/Eagle Controller. The Weather Computer, using the
various sensor inputs, will then calculate and output, as necessary, a
controlled pulse for each 0.01 inches of ET. The pulse which is output
by the Weather Computer is received, stored and provided to the
Evolution Central Computer system as requested (or used by the RME
Eagle Controller directly and provided to the iCentral as requested). The
Evolution Central Computer system uses the weather data to recalculate
the irrigation schedules for all satellites associated with a particular
microclimate. The new schedule is then downloaded to the field
irrigation controllers.
Each of the measuring devices is permanently mounted onto a vandal-
resistant tower with all connections made within the tower’s terminal
block. Power for the Weather Computer is supplied via the Evolution
DX2 controller enclosure to which the Weather Center II is connected.
Figure 2 - Evolution Weather Center Configuration illustrates the
complete Weather Center configuration.

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Figure 1 - Evolution Weather Center II

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1.1 Determining Weather Center II Location
Height of Tree (T)
H
10T
10H
Figure 2 - Evolution Weather Center Configuration
1.1.1 Weather Center Site Overview
Wind, air temperature, and humidity mesurements are affected by
surface type and roughness, soil moisture, regional topography and
obstructions.
Sites selected for their applicability to a broader area should be
free from obstructions such as buildings, trees, and steep slopes.
Towers are often used to raise measurement heights above low-
lying obstructions.
A general rule for determining the best location for the Weather Center II
is to locate the Weather Center II in a turf grass area that receives full
day sun and that best represents the watering needs and changes of all the

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irrigation zones, for that microclimate. The following general rules will
help you determine the best location:
Mount in an open area, clear of all obstructions. The area
should be in direct sunlight, away from buildings, trees or other
objects, which may restrict wind movement or cast shadows.
Avoid locations that will generate reflective heat (buildings,
parking lots, roadways, etc.) Excessive heat generated from
these objects will cause distorted ET readings.
Locate in an area that will prevent the sensor assemblies from
becoming wet by the irrigating water.
Areas that should be avoided are:
1. Large industrial heat sources
2. Rooftops
3. Steep slopes
4. Sheltered hollows
5. High vegetation
6. Shaded areas
7. Swamps
8. Area where snow drifts occur
9. Low places which hold standing water after rains
The following table lists the suggested measured heights and
exposure (distance to an obstruction) for each type of sensor.

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Table 1 - Sensor Placement
Sensor Type Measurement Height Exposure Considerations
Wind 3.0 meters +/- 0.1 meters
is recommended (AASC).
2.0 meters +/- 0.1 meters,
ten meters +/- 0.5 meters
(optional) AASC.
Ten meters (WMO &
EPA)
No closer than ten times the
obstructions height.
Air
Temperature Two meters for temperature only (EPA).
Two Meter and 10 meter
for temperature
difference (EPA).
The EPA recommends the
sensor be no closer than
four times the obstructions
height.
Relative
Humidity 1.5 meter +/- 1 meter (AASC).
1.25 – 2.0 meters (WMO)
The sensor must be housed
in a ventilated radiation
shield to protect the sensor
from thermal radiation.
The EPA recommends the
sensor be no closer than
four times the obstruction’s
height and least 30 meter
from large paved areas.
Solar
Radiation Height should be consistent with the
exposure standard
(AASC, WMO, and
EPA). To facilitate
leveling/cleaning, CSI
recommends installing at
a height of 3 meters or
less.
The sky should not be
blocked by any surrounding
object. However, objects <
10 degree above the
horizontal plane of the
sensor are allowed.
Precipitation 1.0 meters +/- 0.2 meter AASC & EPA suggest the

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(AASC) 30 cm minimum
(WMO) be no closer than four times the obstruction height. The
orifice of the gage must be
in a horizontal plane, open
to the sky, and above the
level of in-splashing and
snow accumulation.
Table 2 - Weather Center Configuration
Part Number Description Quantity
EV-SEN-WD Anemometer Assembly 1
EV-WETHR-
CMPTR Weather Computer Assembly 1
EV-SEN-RN Rain Fall Sensor Assembly 1
EV-PS Power Supply, 12V DC Reg. 1
ET-610 Hand Tool, 610 OW Removal 1
020-0104 Tower, ET/Weather, 10 foot 1
650-0011 Solar Radiation Sensor
Assembly 1
650-0010 Relative Humidity/Temperature
Sensor Assembly 1
500009 Manual, Weather Center 1

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Table 3 - Required Equipment - Evolution DX2 Controller
Part Number Description Quantity
DX-FLOW
Evolution DX2 Controller
equipped with optional
DXFLOW (Flow and Weather
sensing) 1
EV-CAB-
WS12
Cable, 12 conductors, 18-gauge
stranded, foil shield w/drain,
direct burial. (Order to length,
maximum length 500 ft.) 1
User Supplied Crescent wrench 1
User Supplied 3/8, 5/16, 7/16 inch socket
wrench 1
User Supplied Screwdriver, flat blade 1
User Supplied 8 foot step ladder 1
User Supplied PVC Conduit 1 inch, for tower
base wiring. 4 feet
User Supplied PVC 1 inch elbow 1
Table 4 - Required Equipment - RME Eagle Controller
Part Number Description Quantity
RME6EG –
RME36EG RME Eagle Controller
1
EV-CAB-
WS12
Cable, 12 conductors, 18-gauge
stranded, foil shield w/drain,
direct burial. (Order to length,
maximum length 500 ft.) 1
PC18TRANS Transisit Suppression Circuit
Board. 1
User Supplied Crescent Wrench 1

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User Supplied 3/8, 5/16, 7/16 inch socket
wrench 1
User Supplied Screwdriver, flat blade 1
User Supplied 8 foot step ladder 1
User Supplied PVC Conduit 1 inch, for tower
base wiring. 4 feet
User Supplied PVC 1 inch elbow 1
Table 5 - Required Site Materials
Part Number Description Quantity
User Supplied Concrete and masonry Sand 1
User Supplied Standard masonry tools 1
Table 6 - Replacement Parts List
Part Number Description Component
Type
650-0005 Replacement Screen Tipping Bucket Rain
651-0011 Anemometer Wind Cup Assembly Wind
EV-WETHR-
CMPTR Weather Center II Computer ET
650-0011 Solar Radiation Sensor Assembly ET
650-0010 Relative Humidity/Temperature Sensor
Assembly ET
651-0009 Anemometer Bearing ET/Wind
1.2 General Information
The mounting bolts for the Rain Gauge, Wind Sensor and tower
mounting bracket, are pre-installed on the tower mast. These bolts will
need to be removed prior to assembly and installation.

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2.0 Weather Center Installation
Use the following step to assembly the Weather Center tower.
Step 1 Prepare and pour a concrete support slab according to the
enclosed drawing, see Figure 6 - Weather Center Base
Mounting. Use the provided template to set the 5/16"
mounting eye bolts. The bracket must be level and plumb.
The conduit should extend at least 2 inches above the
horizontal of the concrete.
Figure 3 - Base Mounting Bolt Installation

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Figure 4 - Eyebolt Assembly Procedure

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Figure 5 - Eyebolt Assembly Procedure
Figure 6 - Weather Center Base Mounting

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Step 2 Install the 12-conductor cable (EV-CAB-WS12) from the
controller to the Weather Center through the conduit.
From the Weather Center tower to the controller allow a
minimum of 36 inches of cable to extend beyond the
conduit into the controller’s pedestal cabinet. On the
Weather Center tower, allow a minimum of 70 inches of
cable to extend beyond the conduit into the Weather
Center tower assembly.
Step 3 Attach the tower to the Weather Center mounting bracket
using the 3/8-inch cross-bolts (see Figure 7 - Weather
Center Tower Mounting).

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Figure 7 - Weather Center Tower Mounting