UCC Mesonet Station Maintenance Procedures

Spring Calibration Site Visit Details:

1. Temperature and Humidity

    E + E (EE08)
  1. E + E (EE08)
    1. Temperature value documented
    2. RH value documented
    3. Filter cap cleaned
    4. Sensor swapped annually
    5. Record serial number
    2. Apogee (ST-110)
  2. Apogee Yellow Bead (ST-110)
    1. Temperature value documented
    2. Replace if needed
    3. Record serial number
    3. Apogee Aspirated Shield (TS-100)
  3. Apogee Aspirated Shield (TS-100)
    1. Check tachometer/RPM
    2. Record fan serial number
    4. Thermometrics PRT (PT1000)
  4. Thermometrics PRT (PT1000)
    1. Temperature values documented (x3 PRT)
    2. Verify standard deviation checked between temperature values
    3. Replacement rotation of 1 PRT per year with lab calibrated sensor
    4. Record PRT serial numbers
    5. Apogee Radiation Frost Detector (SF-110)
  5. Apogee Radiation Frost Detector (SF-110)
    1. Temperature value documented
    2. Clean sensor
    3. Record serial number

2. Wind

    RM Young Anemometer (05103)
  1. RM Young Anemometer (05103)
    1. Check response
    2. Check bearings
    3. Secure propeller
    4. Check direction with compass, adjust as needed (use compass set to correct declination)
    5. 360 response check
    6. Document degree correction
    7. Record serial number

3. Precipitation and Wetness

    Texas Electronics Tipping Bucket (TE-525)
  1. Texas Electronics Tipping Bucket (TE-525)
    1. Replace annually with calibrated bucket
    2. Check response
    3. Clean orifice, mesh, and any obstructions
    4. Record serial number
    2. Apogee Heated Precipitation Detector (SG-050)
  2. Apogee Heated Precipitation Detector (SG-050)
    1. Clean sensor
    2. Check response
    3. Heater performance and dry time check
    4. Record wet and dry values
    5. Record serial number
    3. Apogee Cloudburst Weighted Precipitation Gauge (SG-400)
  3. Apogee Cloudburst Weighted Precipitation Gauge (SG-400)
    1. Record pre-calibration values
    2. Remove shroud and bucket from loadcell
    3. Clean gauge and interior area
    4. Perform stepped calibration using uniform weights with same mass
    5. Calculate R value of stepped calibration
    6. Successful calibration is indicated by a slope value of 1.0
    4. GEONOR Weighted Precipitation Gauge (T-200B)
  4. GEONOR Weighted Precipitation Gauge (T-200B)
    1. Record values / check response
    2. Remove shroud and bucket from tray
    3. Clean gauge and interior area
    4. Check vibrating wire response (x3)
    5. Record vibrating wire serial numbers (x3)
    5. Meter Leaf Wetness Sensor (Phytos-31)
  5. Meter Leaf Wetness Sensor (Phytos-31)
    1. Clean sensor
    2. Check response
    3. Record wet and dry values
    4. Record serial number
    6. Vaisala Rain Detector (DRD11A)
  6. Vaisala Rain Detector (DRD11A)
    1. Clean sensor
    2. Check response
    3. Record wet and dry values
    4. Record serial number

4. Solar Radiation

    Apogee Heated Pyranometer (SP-230)
  1. Apogee Heated Pyranometer (SP-230)
    1. Check and correct level
    2. Clean lens
    3. Cable position check (North)
    4. RSO value comparison check
    5. Replace if >5% from RSO
    6. Record serial number
    2. Apogee Pyranometer (SP-110)
  2. Apogee Pyranometer (SP-110)
    1. Check and correct level
    2. Clean lens
    3. Cable position check (North)
    4. RSO value comparison check
    5. Replace if >5% from RSO
    6. Record serial number

5. Soil Temperature and Moisture

    Apogee Thermistor (ST-100)
  1. Apogee Thermistor (ST-100) (temperature only)
    1. Inspect surface in area near sensor
    2. No maintenance unless issue present
    3. If replaced, record serial number
    2. Acclima (TDR-310H/N)
  2. Acclima (TDR-310H/N) (soil moisture and temperature)
    1. Inspect surface in area near sensor
    2. Check soil temperature and moisture
    3. No maintenance unless issue present
    4. If replaced, record serial number

6. Atmospheric Pressure

    Apogee Barometric Pressure (SB-100 or SB-110)
  1. Apogee Barometric Pressure (SB-100 or SB-110)
    1. Inspect sensor and wiring in enclosure
    2. Check pressure value
    3. Record serial number

Fall Winterization Site Visit Details:

1. General Maintenance and Inspections

  1. Desiccant replacement
  2. Vegetation control and trimming to match surrounding vegetation
  3. Pest removal
  4. General inspection and cleaning of all sensors
  5. Charge WPG buckets with antifreeze/oil mix
  6. Battery swaps if needed
  7. Lubricate all enclosures and gate locks
  8. Inspect and photograph all wiring connections
  9. Inspect humidity indicator card, replace if needed
  10. Verify site security and confirm locks are present
  11. Full site photos and documentation of work performed
Desiccant replacement.

(a)

Trimmed/controlled vegetation around site.

(b)

Two batteries.

(f)

Wiring connections.

(h)

Humidity indicator card.

(i)

Inside of site box showing documentation papers.

(k)