Argent Data Systems Tipping-Bucket Rain Gauge

Description

This Argent Data Systems tipping-bucket gauge is an exact electrical and calibration match for the Raspberry Pi rain-gauge project. Each bucket tip momentarily closes a passive magnetic reed switch and represents 0.011 inch, or 0.2794 mm, of rainfall.

Project compatibility

• Connect one reed-switch conductor to GPIO17 and the other to ground; polarity does not matter.
• The project uses the Pi’s internal pull-up, so the switch closure produces a LOW pulse.
• Set MM_PER_TIP = 0.2794 for this specific gauge.

Before wiring

The attached 3 m cable ends in an RJ11 plug rather than loose jumper-ready wires. Use an RJ11 breakout/socket that exposes the two centre contacts, or cut and properly terminate the cable before connecting it to the Pi. Mount the gauge level on a rigid base in an open location, and keep the Pi and all cable joins in a weatherproof enclosure. Clean the funnel and mechanism periodically.