Summary
SnowVue Install/Anemometer LoweringDetails
Team:
Jeri, Maddy, El.
Details:
Purpose of this was to replace the RMA’d snow sensor and lower the mast holding the anemometer. On previous site visit, noted that the mast and anemometer were moving a lot in the wind and that the data was likely to be very noise for this reason. To lower the anemometer, removed cell antenna temporarily and unscrewed the two nuts holding the mast to the top of the tower. Very carefully lowered the mast through the center of the tower (it is heavy). Re-did the cabling as best as possibly given the lower height of the anemometer (new height to anemometer is 281.5in from 10m). Lowering of mast significantly reduced the wobble in the entire tower and made the tower more stable. Did not have large enough cutters to cut the copper grounding wire that ran from top of mast to the ground. Recommend for next time to bring large wire clippers and cut and shorten the grounding wire. Cell antenna height might have nominally changed (current height is 236.5in). Additionally, reinstalled the cross arm for the snow sensor but upon connection the sensor did not connect. After much trouble shooting (link), decided with Campbell to send back for RMA again. Updated program to match the upgraded snow sensor code that was also used for Maywood (link). During troubleshooting process, involved rewiring tests. The only permanent changes were rewiring the SnowVue ground from the terminal block into one of the data logger grounds and adjusting the power system connection in C3 that is shared with the SnowVue. This involved cutting the wires, stripping and eventually twisting and reinserting the two wires into the C3 terminal on the data logger. Also, checked the tipping bucket was clear of debris while on the tower and appeared all sensors were still level.
Future Recommendations: