Homemade raingauge heater

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21

Hi

I’m using a thermostat by Ensto, model ECO 910. It measures the ambient temperature and temperature inside the rain bucket. I have roughly the following setup: if ambient temperature is +2 … -15, the heater is on. And if the inside temperature in the rain bucket goes above +10, it will switch off the heater.

For the heater I use 50 W reptile terrarium heat cable. The instructions for aluminium cone and all were provided on this forum. It has worked 100% fine, this winter has been quite tough, -25 C the other night, and a lot of snowing every now and then during the winter.

BR-Timo

22

Hi " T-man "

Have you some pictures with your modification " For the heater I use 50 W reptile terrarium heat cable " ? What is this ?

http://www.ensto.com/www/english/index/enstogroup/Currenttopics/ECO910.html

in your rain gauge you have two sensors ? Where you install thermostat ?

Thanks in advance

Mike

23

Hi

I have some pics from the installation, see http://veikkola-weather.com/wxabout.php . The heat cable is simple a cord with resistance, see e.g. http://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/reptile-supplies/reptile-heating-equipment-414/heat-cables-925/zoo-med-repti-heat-cable-29343.html

The thermostat itself is installed in the junction box (see pics), it has two temperature measurement inputs, the one is measuring ambient temperature (air it is) and the other one is measuring the temperature inside rain gauge.

BR - Timo

24

Thank you

I will look what I found ( heat cable ) in RO :smiley:

25

There is a similar product sold to prevent water pipes from freezing like this.

26

its a shame its 120v that would have been ideal Niko… i’d like a 12v setup, more for safety than anything else

27

Thanks, that’s a good point to make again, anyone using something like that outdoors needs (at the very least) to be sure it’s on a GFI/ELCB protected outlet.

The problem with going as low as 12v for anything other than a very short distance is that you need heavy gauge (=expensive) cable to avoid losing too much voltage/power.

28

Yeah, i think thats where im going wrong at the moment, I have 2 items running from a PC PSU through a cheap 10m cable and it wont melt the snow in the rain bucket, so i will have to upgrade the bulbs and the cable :frowning:

29

I agree with the safety remark. Since I’m using 220 V AC gears, I have residual current protective device in the circuit. It shall trip if the current difference is more than 30 mA, makes it very safe and fast protection.

BR - Timo

30

Not too much still to show, but I’m working on a remote 12v system. 20W solar panels, 10A charge regulator, 12v 14Ah battery, electronic thermostat (-10

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31

Is the blue cable some sort of heater?

32

Yes, max 180

33

wow, i like the sound of that, could be just what i’ve been looking for, once you’ve completed would you be able to write a specification sheet please?

34

Of course. In the meanwhile here you have where to get the 12V heating cable:

http://www.elementoscalefactores.com/products/series_resistance.htm

35

Ηι

  1. With this glue where you use ,it is possible with the hot from hot cable to put out ?
  2. Do you have make a test with a temperature sensor over to plastic rain gauge for you see how is the different max temperature like this :

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36

The glue I used is suitable up to 300

37

The balance it is thin about this modifications,for this reason i suggest you make measurements with a thermometer sensor over the plastic surface ,very hot it can make damage to plastic ,little hot maybe it not melt the ice.
I had make manny experiments about it.
Do you use LM 317 regulator with tuning resistor (potentiometer) for you change the voltage ? (DC-DC convecter)

38

Davis funnel is thick enough. This is the DC converter I will use.

39

Hi all

Finally pulled myself together and mounted the thermostat and put on insulation. And it seems to work. :smiley:

Its made of bubble-plast covered with tinfoil and closed with dutchtape.

Tested with some snow in the gauge and it melted after 10-15 minutes.

See more pictures here:

www.silkeborg-vejret.dk/english/galleri_udstyr.php

Best regards,

Henrik