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Rain Bird Pro - User Manual

Rain Bird Pro
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RAIN BIRD
Weather Station - Model - PRO
INSTALLATION
MAINTENANCE
AND
TROUBLESHOOTING
MANUAL
November 2001 GT27145B

Table of Contents

Questions and Answers

  • H
    harriskimberlyJul 27, 2025
    What to do if the Rain Bird Weather Station datalogger doesn't respond through SC32A or modem peripheral?
    • E
      Erica RobinsonJul 27, 2025
      If your Rain Bird Weather Station datalogger isn't responding through SC32A or a modem peripheral, there are a few things you can check: * Make sure the battery has been installed. * Verify the voltage on the 12V and G terminals using a voltmeter; it should be between 9.6 and 16 VDC. * Ensure the datalogger is disconnected from the modem.
  • K
    Kristine LopezJul 31, 2025
    Why does my Rain Bird Weather Station display -99999 in an input location?
    • G
      George MyersJul 31, 2025
      A -99999 display in an input location on your Rain Bird Weather Station usually indicates an issue with either the battery voltage or the sensor range. Ensure the battery voltage is between 9.6 and 16 VDC. Also, verify that the Range parameter in the measurement instruction covers the full-scale voltage output by the sensor.
  • J
    John WoodsAug 6, 2025
    How to fix unreasonable results displayed in an input location on my Rain Bird Weather Station?
    • L
      Laura BallAug 6, 2025
      If you're seeing unreasonable results displayed in an input location on your Rain Bird Weather Station, consider these potential causes: * Inspect the sensor for any signs of damage or contamination. * Ensure the sensor is properly wired to the datalogger. * Check the multiplier and offset parameters in the measurement instruction.
  • D
    Drew ColeAug 11, 2025
    What to do if the Rain Bird Weather Station keypad is not responding or showing erroneous letters?
    • T
      Tyler ThomasAug 11, 2025
      If the keypad is not responding or you see erroneous letters on the display of your Rain Bird Weather Station, try the following: * Make sure the battery has been installed. * Check the voltage on the 12V and G terminals with a voltmeter to ensure it's between 9.6 and 16 VDC. * Disconnect any communications or storage peripherals from the datalogger. * Enter [*] and wait at least two minutes for the datalogger to recognize the keyboard.
  • D
    Danielle JonesAug 15, 2025
    What does it mean when my Rain Bird Weather Station stores 6999 or 99999 in final storage?
    • L
      Lori BenitezAug 16, 2025
      If your Rain Bird Weather Station is storing 6999 or 99999 in final storage, it means the final storage format limitations are being exceeded. This occurs because the system cannot store numbers larger than 6999 in low resolution or 99999 in high resolution. To resolve this, change the datalogger program.
  • T
    Tyler MullinsAug 21, 2025
    How to troubleshoot a Rain Bird Weather Station ML-10-KD keyboard with no display?
    • C
      Cynthia VelasquezAug 21, 2025
      If there is no display on the ML-10-KD keyboard of your Rain Bird Weather Station, the issue might be related to the power output from the datalogger. Check that Pins 1 and 2 of the Serial I/O connector provide +5 Volts DC. If there's no voltage, check the incoming power to the weather station, starting with the transformer and ensuring it receives 110 volts AC power.

Summary

1.0 GENERAL

2.0 TOOLS & SUPPLIES

TOOLS REQD

Tools needed for the installation of the Weather Station.

SUPPLIES REQD

Supplies needed for the installation of the Weather Station.

3.0 WEATHER STATION SITE SELECTION

(a) TEMPERATURE AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY

Site selection for temperature and humidity sensors.

(b) SOLAR RADIATION

Site selection for the solar radiation sensor.

(d) DETERMINING TRUE NORTH FOR WIND VANE ORIENTATION

How to determine True North for wind vane orientation.

PROMPTS FROM GEOMAG

Modem Access

Modem settings for accessing GEOMAG.

Telephone numbers

GEOMAG access phone numbers and baud rates.

4.0 WEATHER STATION CONCRETE BASE

SUPPLIED COMPONENTS

Components supplied for the concrete base installation.

INSTALLER SUPPLIED

Components to be supplied by the installer for the base.

TOOLS REQUIRED

Tools needed for the concrete base installation.

INSTALLATION

Step-by-step guide for constructing the concrete base.

5.0 EXTERNAL WIRING TO WEATHER STATION

WIRING VALVE ACCESS BOX

Details the wiring connections within the valve access box.

WEATHER STATION POWER WIRING

Covers the installation and connection of power wiring.

WEATHER STATION COMMUNICATION WIRING

Instructions for connecting communication wiring to the weather station.

DIRECT CONNECTED - USING SHORT HAUL MODEMS: (MODEL PRO-SH - Only)

Specifics for connecting communication wiring using short haul modems.

GROUNDING COMMUNICATION CABLE

Guidance on grounding the communication cable.

TELEPHONE CONNECTED - USING TELEPHONE COMPANY LINES: (MODEL PRO-PH Only)

Instructions for connecting communication wiring via telephone lines.

6.0 TOWER ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION

SUPPLIED COMPONENTS

Lists components supplied for tower assembly.

INSTALLATION

Step-by-step guide for assembling and installing the tower.

7.0 INSTRUMENTATION ENCLOSURE INSTALLATION

GENERAL

General overview of the ET Enclosure and sensor mounting.

MOUNTING ET ENCLOSURE TO THE TOWER

Instructions on how to mount the ET Enclosure onto the tower.

INSTALLATION OF LIGHTNING ROD

POWER SUPPLY RECHARGEABLE BATTERY

AC EXTERNAL POWER WIRING

OPTION SOLAR PANEL

8.0 INSTALLATION OF INSTRUMENTATION

GENERAL

General overview of sensor installation on the cross-arm.

SUPPLIED COMPONENTS

Lists components provided for sensor installation.

INSTALLATION OF CROSS-ARM TO ET ENCLOSURE

Steps for attaching the sensor cross-arm to the ET enclosure.

INSTALLATION OF 034 A WIND SENSOR

INSTALLATION OF RELATIVE HUMIDITY; TEMPERATURE SENSOR AND RADIATION SHIELD

INSTALLATION OF SOLAR RADIATION PYRANOMETER

SENSOR CABLE CONNECTIONS

CONFIGURE SENSOR SWITCH SETTINGS

UPGRADING A “JR” MODEL WEATHER STATION TO A “PRO” MODEL

SENSOR VERIFICATION AND CLOCK SET

SHORT HAUL MODEM INSTALLATION

INSTALLATION

Step-by-step guide for installing the short haul modem.

TELEPHONE MODEM INSTALLATION

INSTALLATION

Procedures for installing the telephone modem.

9.0 SEALING & DESICCATING THE ENCLOSURE

10.0 INSTALLATION AT CENTRAL COMPUTER

MODEL PRO - SH ~ Direct Connected

Specific installation procedures for the PRO-SH direct connect model.

SUPPLIED COMPONENTS

Lists components supplied for central computer installation.

INSTALLATION

Step-by-step guide for central computer installation.

MODEL JR - PH ~ Phone Connected

Specific installation procedures for the PRO-PH phone connect model.

SUPPLIED COMPONENTS

Lists components for the PRO-PH central computer installation.

INSTALLATION

Step-by-step guide for PRO-PH central computer installation.

STANDARD INSTALLATION METHOD

Describes the standard method for phone line connection.

11.0 MAINTENANCE & TROUBLESHOOTING

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

General guidelines for maintaining the weather station components.

INSTRUMENTATION MAINTENANCE

Maintenance procedures for the station's instrumentation.

BATTERIES

Information on battery maintenance and checks.

DESICCANT

Guidelines for desiccant pack maintenance and replacement.

SENSOR MAINTENANCE

Procedures for maintaining various weather sensors.

RAIN GAUGE

Maintenance procedures for the rain gauge sensor.

Calibrating the Rain Bucket

Steps for calibrating the rain gauge bucket.

SOLAR SENSOR

Maintenance and calibration instructions for the solar sensor.

WIND SENSOR

Maintenance and bearing checks for the wind sensor.

RELATIVE HUMIDITY SENSOR

Information on RH sensor chip replacement and maintenance.

TEMPERATURE SENSOR

Maintenance and cleaning procedures for the temperature sensor.

SEAL OF ET ENCLOSURE

Instructions for inspecting and maintaining the enclosure seal.

BATTERY CHECK

Procedures for checking the battery voltage and charger.

SENSOR TESTING

How to test various sensors using a volt/ohm meter.

Wind Sensor - Wind Speed (Anemometer) sensor

Testing procedure for the wind speed sensor.

Wind Sensor - Wind Direction Vane Sensor

Testing procedure for the wind direction sensor.

Rain Gage Tipping Bucket

Testing procedure for the tipping bucket rain gauge.

Solar Radiation Sensor - Pyranometer

Testing procedure for the solar radiation pyranometer.

WIND DIRECTION

Testing wind direction sensor resistance.

SOLAR RADIATION SENSOR PYRANOMETER

Testing solar radiation sensor resistance and voltage.

TEMPERATURE AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY SENSOR

Testing procedures for temperature and humidity sensors.

AIR TEMPERATURE PROBE (ON REDUCED SET STATION ONLY)

Testing the air temperature probe.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Provides troubleshooting information for the weather station.

ISOLATING THE PROBLEM

Strategy for isolating problems within the weather station system.

CHECKING THE WEATHER STATION

Steps to check the weather station using a keyboard display.

USING THE ML-10-KD KEYBOARD DISPLAY

Guide on using the ML-10-KD keyboard for diagnostics.

No display on the ML-10-KD keyboard

Troubleshooting steps for no display on the keyboard.

No response using the keypad and;or erroneous letters in the display

Troubleshooting steps for keypad response issues.

At the datalogger

Troubleshooting steps performed at the datalogger.

At the computer

Troubleshooting steps performed at the computer.

-99999 Displayed in an input location

Troubleshooting for -99999 display error.

Unreasonable results displayed in an input location

Troubleshooting for unreasonable sensor readings.

6999 or 99999 stored in final storage

Troubleshooting for storage format limitations.

USING A LAPTOP COMPUTER

Using a laptop for weather station diagnostics.

CHECKING THE COMMUNICATIONS

Procedures for checking the communication system.

WIRE PATH

Checking communication wire paths for integrity.

LOOP RESISTANCE

How to test loop resistance of communication wires.

GROUND RESISTANCE

How to test ground resistance of communication wires.

A WS-PRO-SH DIRECT CONNECT WEATHER STATION

Troubleshooting for direct connect stations that do not answer.

TEST OF SHORT HAUL MODEM

Testing the short haul modem for proper functionality.

TEST OF COMMUNICATION WIRES

Verifying the integrity of communication wires.

A WS-PRO-PH” PHONE CONNECT WEATHER STATION

Troubleshooting steps for phone connected weather stations.

Weather Station will not answer

Steps to take when the weather station does not answer.

COMPUTER MODEM AND COMMUNICATION TROUBLESHOOTING

Troubleshooting communication issues between computer and weather station.

Weather Software will not communicate with the weather station

Steps to resolve software communication problems.

If the old SH-95 C modem is working properly

Troubleshooting steps for older SH-95C modems.

On the old SH-95 C modem there is a ring button

Specific checks for the old SH-95C modem's ring button.

If these voltages do not exist

Actions to take if modem voltages are incorrect.

TESTING THE PHONE MODEM

Procedures for testing the phone modem.

Appendix

UPGRADING A MODEL “JR” WEATHER STATION TO A MODEL PRO WEATHER STATION

Instructions for upgrading a JR model to a PRO model.

TYPICAL 3-ROD GROUNDING GRID

Details the typical 3-rod grounding grid configuration.

GROUND RESISTANCE

Information on achieving proper ground resistance for the grid.

BENTONITE CONTACT

Methods for improving soil contact for grounding.

ROCKY CONDITIONS

Adjustments for grounding in rocky soil conditions.

ROCK LAYER

Grounding considerations for rocky soil layers.

IMPROVING EARTH GROUNDS

Techniques to improve earth ground connections.

MSP-1 PIPE SURGE ARRESTORS

How to wire and install MSP-1 pipe surge arrestors.

Rain Bird Pro Specifications

General IconGeneral
ManufacturerRain Bird
BrandRain Bird
ModelPro
TypeWeather Station
Weather MonitoringTemperature, Wind
CompatibilityRain Bird Controllers