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Thread: what is this?

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Default 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!
    phpLuRIUzPM.jpg

    OREP Insurance
    Dave Hill
    Buyers & Sellers Property Inspections LLC
    WWW.BuyersSellersPi.Com

  2. #2
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    Spring Hill (Nashville), TN
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    Default Re: what is this?

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

    Scott Patterson, ACI
    Spring Hill, TN
    www.traceinspections.com

  3. #3
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    Default Re: what is this?

    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.

    Dave Hill
    Buyers & Sellers Property Inspections LLC
    WWW.BuyersSellersPi.Com

  4. #4
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    Default Re: what is this?

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

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  5. #5
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    Default Re: what is this?

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell View Post
    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.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  6. #6
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    Bennett (Denver metro), Colorado
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    Default Re: what is this?

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell View Post
    I have no idea what it is.
    Just a wild guess: rain gauge.
    It rains in Arizona?

    If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: what is this?

    Quote Originally Posted by Lon Henderson View Post
    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.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  8. #8
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    so so, California
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    Default Re: what is this?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Peck View Post
    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


  9. #9
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    Default Re: what is this?

    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.

    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

  10. #10
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    Default Re: what is this?

    Quote Originally Posted by John Kogel View Post
    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.


  11. #11
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    Default Re: what is this?

    Quote Originally Posted by John Kogel View Post
    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.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  12. #12
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    Tyler, TX
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    Default Re: what is this?

    Weather station for WiFi irrigation controller

    Bruce Thompson, Lic. #9199
    www.TylerHomeInspector.com
    Home Inspections in the Tyler and East Texas area

  13. #13
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    Chandler, AZ
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    Default Re: what is this?

    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!

    Dave Hill
    Buyers & Sellers Property Inspections LLC
    WWW.BuyersSellersPi.Com

  14. #14
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    Aug 2009
    Location
    rockport texas
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    Default Re: what is this?

    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 - - -


  15. #15
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    Default Re: what is this?

    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...)


  16. #16
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    Default Re: what is this?

    Quote Originally Posted by Dom D'Agostino View Post
    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

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  17. #17
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    New Jersey
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    Default Re: what is this?

    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


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