Heavy rainfall can lead to disasters such as flooding and mudslides. The flip side of this extreme weather is dryness and drought. Rain and precipitation sensors are indispensable for efficient water management, whether in the sewerage sector or agriculture, as they help to build up a solid database. Depending on the topological structure, the required data can be collected by either a few sensors or an entire network of sensors, known as a swarm sensor system.
We present four examples of rain gauges that send data to the platform with the myDatalogEASY IoT. You can configure the rain gauges via the platform using the respective application (software or programme logic) and receive analyses and reports of the measurement data there. The Lambrecht rain gauge has a separate, customised application, while the Pronamic and Hydreon rain gauges use the standard myDatalogEASY IoT application ‘4-channel data logger’, and the Vaisala rain gauge uses the ‘4-channel data logger MBM’ application.
The integration of additional sensors is possible. The studio has extensive libraries and demo applications available for this purpose. We would be happy to take care of the integration for you if you would like us to. Please contact your partner manager.
| Â | Rain gauge | Pronamic | Hydreon | Vaisala |
| Measuring accuracy | ++++ | ++ | + | +++ |
| Energy requirement | +++ | ++ | + | ++ |
| Price | €€€€ | €€ | € | €€€ |
| Measuring principle | Weighing, with automatic self-draining | Single-spoon tipping bucket | Optical rain sensor | Piezoelectric measuring principle |
Lambrecht rain gauge
The “rain[e]one Modbus” precipitation sensor was integrated by Lambrecht. This is a cradle-type rain gauge.
You need
- myDatalogEASY IoT (300981 or 301003)
- Feature activation RS485 (300730)
- PSU413D+ AP Akku Outdoor 13,6Ah (300524)
- Modbus rain gauge” application
- PV module 30W (301172)
- Housing for outdoor installation (301173)
- Pipe mounting set (301184)
- ‘rain[e]one Modbus’ precipitation sensor from Lambrecht (the precipitation sensor is supplied with power via the myDatalogEASY IoT)
Key Features
- High-quality rain gauge with weighing technology; measurement from the first drop
- Adjustable measurement and transmission interval
- Transmission of the basic data of the rain gauge (device ID, S/N, FW version)
- Transmission of the diagnostic data of the rain gauge
- Commissioning mode (Aloha)
- Transmission of the measured values:
- Precipitation [mm/measurement interval]
- Temperature rain gauge [°C]
- Vin [V]
- SOC battery [%]
- GSM level [dBm]
The rain gauge with heating is available as an option. The power supply housing with built-in 24V switching power supply (301442) is required for this.
Connector
Pronamic rain gauge
You need
- myDatalogEASY IoT (300981 or 301003)
- PSU713D BP Battery Outdoor 13Ah (300526)
- Application „4-channel data logger“
- Housing for outdoor installation (301173)
- Pipe mounting set (301184)
- Pronamic rain gauge – tipping bucket
Key Features
- Very low power consumption
- Running time with PSU > 2.5 years
- Adjustable measurement and transmission interval
- Event handling in the form of alarms or triggers, e.g. detection of heavy rain events
- Detection “Stuck” event (spoon gets stuck)
- Commissioning mode (Aloha)
- Transmission of the measured values
- Precipitation [mm/measurement interval]
- Vin [V]
- Vbatt[V]
- SOC battery [%]
- GSM level [dBm]
- Runtime [dd:hh]
- Internal humidity myDatalogEASY IoT [rH]
- Internal temperature myDatalogEASY IoT [C°]
Connector
Hydreon rain gauge
You need
- myDatalogEASY IoT (300981 or 301003)
- PSU413D+ AP Akku Outdoor 13,6Ah (300524)
- Application „4-channel data logger“
- PV module 10W or 30W (301449 or 301172)
- Housing for outdoor installation (301173)
- Pipe mounting set (301184)
- Hydreon rain gauge – Optical rain sensor
- RG-15: Rain sensor LowPower with pulse output or RS232
Key Features
- No mechanical parts
- Optical, maintenance-free system
- Measures even very small amounts of rain from the first drop
- Adjustable measurement and transmission interval
- Event handling in the form of alarms or triggers, e.g. detection of heavy rain events
- Commissioning mode (Aloha)
- Transmission of the measured values
- Precipitation [mm/measurement interval]
- Vin [V]
- Vbatt[V]
- SOC battery [%]
- GSM level [dBm]
- Runtime [dd:hh]
- Internal humidity myDatalogEASY IoT [rH]
- Internal temperature myDatalogEASY IoT [C°]
Connector
Vaisala rain sensor
You need:
- myDatalogEASY IoT (300981 or 301003)
- Feature activation RS485 (300730)
- PSU413D+ AP Akku Outdoor 13,6Ah (300524)
- Application ‘4-channel data logger MBM’
- PV module 30W (301172)
- Housing for outdoor installation (301173)
- Pipe mounting set (301184)
- WXT531 precipitation sensor from Vaisala (the precipitation sensor is supplied with power via the myDatalogEASY IoT)
Key Features
- No mechanical parts, maintenance-free
- High-quality rain gauge with piezoelectric measuring principle
- Adjustable measurement and transmission interval
- Event handling in the form of alarms or triggers, e.g. detection of heavy rain events
- Commissioning mode (Aloha)
- Transmission of the measured values:
- Optional diagnostic data
- Precipitation amount [mm/measurement interval, mm absolute]
- Precipitation intensity [mm/h]
- Vin [V]
- SOC battery [%]
- GSM level [dBm]
Connector
Conclusion
The four rain and precipitation sensors provide an insight into the different requirements. The examples show how the data from the sensors is recorded and made available on the platform.
The myDatalogEASY IoT records the data of the connected sensor via the digital/analogue input, the RS232, RS485 or SDI12 interface. The “4-channel data logger” application maps the basic functionalities. It is possible to adapt or customise the application.
