Thread: what is this?

Hello,

I was hoping someone can tell me what this device is? Observed on a new construction, pre-walk through inspection.

Thanks!
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Looks like an accent light, but it looks like it is pointing in the wrong direction.

I didn't see a bulb. I *think* it's some type of sensor, or an alarm. I hate it that I don't know what it is! LOL!
Just hoping someone has seen one.

Thanks.

I have no idea what it is.
Just a wild guess: rain gauge.

Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell

I have no idea what it is.
Just a wild guess: rain gauge.

That's what it looks like.

Rain gage sensors are required in many places when an automatic (timer controlled) lawn irrigation system is installed.

Some places install moisture sensors in the ground instead.

Both serve the same purpose - bypasses the timer controller so the system does not operate.

If a place has ever had a drought, faced the liklihood of a drought, or plan ahead for water restrictions, etc - those are some of the first things required as a means to conserve water.

Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell

I have no idea what it is.
Just a wild guess: rain gauge.

It rains in Arizona?

Originally Posted by Lon Henderson

It rains in Arizona?

Enough that they would need to use that to conserve water for an automatic irrigation system ...

Actually, that might be set up in reverse to normal if it rains the automatic irrigation system is permitted to operate, otherwise it is not.

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

That's what it looks like.

Rain gage sensors are required in many places when an automatic (timer controlled) lawn irrigation system is installed.

Some places install moisture sensors in the ground instead.

Both serve the same purpose - bypasses the timer controller so the system does not operate.

If a place has ever had a drought, faced the liklihood of a drought, or plan ahead for water restrictions, etc - those are some of the first things required as a means to conserve water.

Jerry is most likely correct. We have them here in mexi-cali

How does it measure when it is full? How do you empty it? And it can't be accurate unless it is straight.

I have seen rain gauges but never one like that. The clear plastic type is easy to read but needs to be emptied regularly.
There is a neat design that is a spoon on a pin with a weight. Every time it tips it dumps the water and a counter records it. That one needs no maintenance.

Originally Posted by John Kogel

How does it measure when it is full? How do you empty it? And it can't be accurate unless it is straight.

I have seen rain gauges but never one like that. The clear plastic type is easy to read but needs to be emptied regularly.
There is a neat design that is a spoon on a pin with a weight. Every time it tips it dumps the water and a counter records it. That one needs no maintenance.

Mine is GPS or something to do with the web, cloud or whatever...Whatever is it I dont have to touch it to program it ever. Plus it was free.

Originally Posted by John Kogel

How does it measure when it is full? How do you empty it? And it can't be accurate unless it is straight.

I have seen rain gauges but never one like that. The clear plastic type is easy to read but needs to be emptied regularly.
There is a neat design that is a spoon on a pin with a weight. Every time it tips it dumps the water and a counter records it. That one needs no maintenance.

There are several other styles which are similar to the one shown, none require maintenance.

Yours with the mechanical lever and spoon can bind up and not tip, not collect enough rain to tip and then evaporate - they are all about the same in accuracy ... they aren't.

The contain a material, as do the one which are installed in the ground, which get wet and that wetness (moisture) is detectable (think moisture meter), at some preset level they permit/do not permit the pump to operate.

Weather station for WiFi irrigation controller

Thanks All!

I googled rain and weather stations, it does look similar. Although I couldn't find an exact match.
I did read that some of the rain gauges calculate by weight - so even if there is water in there, it can still measure new rain fall by seeing how much more weight has been added. Of course that is just my explanation, I could be way off base.

Thanks again!

Regardless of what it is, it's mounted on the banding of the cladding. Make sure all penetrations are properly sealed or you may have moisture intrusion problems

- - - Updated - - -

It's a Rain Bird Smart Controller. Fairly new.

http://www.rainbird.com/documents/turf/bro_ESP-SMTe.pdf

Dom.

(Don't know if the link will work...)

Originally Posted by Dom D'Agostino

It's a Rain Bird Smart Controller. Fairly new.

http://www.rainbird.com/documents/turf/bro_ESP-SMTe.pdf

Dom.

(Don't know if the link will work...)

Very good Dom

As an aside, back in college (way back in college) my roommate ran a sprinkler business on the side.

He said one of his biggest money makers were the rain gauges. According to him, they were a little tricky to put back together, but once you knew how, would only take a few seconds.

He would install them, and people would allways wonder how they worked, and take the cover off to look at them. When they could not get them back together, they would have to call him for a service call.

-dave