paulbates Posted September 15, 2014 Posted September 15, 2014 The Hydreon RG-11 is a non-mechanical, optical rain sensor. Its reliable, rugged and unbreakable. Based on a post by jrainey,(See post #3) I bought and installed a Hydreon sensor to emulate Tipping Bucket and measure rainfall on my property directly. Like many, I was getting mixed results by counting on results from local net based WX. It was good, but observation said it could be a lot better. This tutorial is what's needed and how to install it. It ends with a sample program to calculate rainfall. What the Hydreon does It closes or opens (NO/NC) contacts in response to a certain amount of rain drops falling across its optics Each close represents a certain amount of rain fall: .01", .001" or .0001" (There's metric too) The clicks are intercepted by a contact module, IO Linc Those clicks can be counted up, calculated into rainfall and acted on by ISY Programs Hydreon Requirements 12 Volts to 30 Volts AC or DC A device to receive the contact clicks Open space to mount it My Parts list Hydreon RG-11 Insteon IO Linc 2450 Enercell 12vdc 300ma Adapter (Radio Shack 273-315)Plugs into IO Linc open outlet Strong 4 conductor project wire. I prefer Thermostat wire How to do it (See pictures and diagrams) Hydreon Set the dip switches for sensitivity. I used the default, .01" per closure Feed project wire through the nut on the bottom of the Hydreon Connect wire colors for power that will help you remember positive and negative The positive terminal is on the far right as you connect it The Normal Open (NO) and ground are on the left. Contacts don't care which wire hooks to which the IO linc Mount it, clean the hydreon, and string the wire to the IOlinc location IOLinc and Power Connect the to contact wires to IO linc's Sense and ground (see pic) Cut the Enercel cable to fit. The lead with the black stripe is negative Solder/Wire nut the connections from the power supply cable to the Hydreon cable ISY (See pic) Add the IO Linc if you haven't already and name it Mine is "Garage Hydreon Sensor" Click options and set up per pic The contact closure (NO/NC) of the IOLinc are not used for the Hydreon, they are available ISY Progam Here is a sample, it will let you see it in action. Based on the program counting up, you can set a variable and cancel your sprinkler routine If Status 'Yard / Sprinklers / Garage Hydreon Sensor' is On Then $Rain_Count += 1 Else - No Actions - (To add one, press 'Action') Results I've been getting good results with mine. I've been through 2 rainstorms and it seems to be close. I know exactly how much water I've been getting. My local WX stations are all over the place. My previous WX based weather saved money, but I could observe things not working right. Here are other things the Hydreon can do. It can perform a number of applications together with ISY: "It's Raining"-- Close a skylight at the first sign of rain, and open it when it stops raining. Condensation / Frost Sensing Wiper control Irrigation Control-- Turn off water if raining Drop Detection
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