The MagPi - July 2018

(^76) May 2018 raspberrypi.org/magpi
Feature
(^76) July 2018 raspberrypi.org/magpi
BUILD A WEATHER STATION
YOU CAN’T STOP
IT RAINING,
BUT YOU CAN
MEASURE IT IN
A BUCKET
Most rain gauges measure precipitation
in millimetres in height collected on
one square metre during a certain
time period.
The recommended rain gauge sensor
supplied with the Raspberry Pi Weather
Station kit is actually a simple
mechanical device included with the
Argent Systems Wind / Rain Sensor
(magpi.cc/bWcYpV).
This rain gauge is basically a self-
emptying tipping bucket. Rain is
collected and channelled into the
bucket. Once enough rainwater has
been collected, the bucket will tip over,
the water will drain out from the base,
and the opposite bucket will come up
into position.
Typically these gauges are fitted with
an RJ11 plug even though they only use
two wires: one red and one green. Inside
the ridge between the two buckets, you
should see a small cylindrical magnet
that points towards the back wall. Inside
the back wall there’s a reed switch (that
we use to connect the bucket to the
Raspberry Pi)
This rain gauge is a self-
emptying tipping bucket.
Rain is collected and
channelled into the bucket.
Once enough rainwater has
been collected, the bucket
will tip over and the water
will drain out from the base