SG-430 Cloudburst Weighing Precipitation Gauge (WMO inlet, heater)

The Apogee Cloudburst weighing precipitation gauge collects and measures total precipitation from rain, snow, sleet, and hail with an algorithm to correct for temperature, evaporation, and vibration.

The SG-430 total precipitation gauge is an all-weather weighing gauge with no moving parts. The SG-400 series uses a high accuracy load cell to measure weight of water collected in a bucket mounted on the cell. The inlet has an 6.3-inch diameter/200 cm2 area, which meets the requirements of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The unique, double-wall insulated inlet minimizes heater power draw. The SG-430 comes with a heated inlet option to prevent snow from bridging/capping over the inlet. Snow capping can occur in locations with cold temperatures and high winds during snowfall.

Apogee SG-400 series precipitation gauges come partially assembled, facilitating easy transport and deployment. Component parts include base plate, weighing assembly, collection bucket, and shroud/inlet. The collection bucket has a capacity of 8 gallon/30 L, which provides a 59 in/1500 mm capacity for all types of precipitation. The gauge is housed in a lightweight, durable plastic shroud, with a powder-coated stainless steel inlet. Analog to digital circuitry is used to convert the signal from the load cell to an SDI-12 output. A filtering algorithm is used to minimize the influence of evaporation, vibration (from wind), and temperature change on the precipitation signal. Unit can be mounted to a wood post or metal pipe. Apogee recommends securing the post or pipe in a hole of at least 18 in/45 cm depth with cement. To provide accurate measurements, ensure the Cloudburst is level.

Typical applications of precipitation gauges include precipitation monitoring in weather networks and measurement in water balance studies. Precipitation is often the limiting factor to plant growth, and as a result, influences forest and crop productivity. Precipitation data are required for estimating availability of water resources, forecasting floods, and monitoring droughts. Weighing precipitation gauges are becoming more widely used because of the advantages over tipping bucket gauges, particularly in regions with mixed or solid precipitation.

Specification

• Precipitation Type: Liquid, solid, mixed
• Inlet Diameter/Area: 6.3-inch inlet diameter/200 cm2 inlet area (World Meteorological Organization)
• Precipitation Capacity: 1500 mm / 59 in (WMO inlet)
• Heater: Heater
• Bucket Capacity: 30 L / 8 gal
• Rate (Intensity) Range: 0 to 3000 mm hour-1 (0 to 50 mm min-1)
• Rate (Intensity) Threshold (1 min data): 6 mm hour-1 (0.1 mm min-1) Calibration Accuracy (for Cumulative Amount):  0.1 mm < 5 mm, 1 % for > 5 mm
• Calibration Accuracy (for Rate/Intensity): 5 % for > 2 mm hr-1 Measurement Resolution: 0.01 mm
• Output Interval: 1 min (unfiltered data); 1 to 30 min (filtered data) Communication Interface: SDI-12 v 1.4
• Temperature Sensitivity: ± 0.01 mm C-1
• Long-term Drift (non-stability): Less than 0.5 % yr-1
• Non-linearity: Less than 0.2 mm
• Transducer: Stainless steel strain-gauge bridge load cell
• Voltage Input: 5.5 to 26 V DC
• Current Draw: 20 mA Power
• Requirement: 240 mW at 12 V DC
• Operating Environment: -20 to 60 C; 0 to 100 % relative humidity
• IP Rating: IP67 (load cell and circuitry)
• Dimensions: 38 cm diameter, 80 cm height
• Mass: 12 kg (empty bucket)
• Cable: 5 m of three conductor wire, M8 connector (IP67)
• Mounting: Holes for 15.24 cm wood post; Adapter for 10.16 cm pipe Inlet Heater Voltage Requirement: 24 V DC
• Inlet Heater Current Draw: 2.1 A
• Inlet Heater Power Requirement: 50 W (maximum)
• Warranty: 4 years against defects in materials and workmanship Manufactured: Assembled in the USA