Tech Info - Document #1103, Reclaim your Station

Reclaim your Station from Critters

How To: Reclaim your Station from the Critters Over the years, Davis Instruments has been regaled with stories about weather stations going toe to toe with nature's meek and mighty. What have they heard? You name it: birds taking up residence in rain collectors; spider webs holding wind cups or tipping buckets hostage; albatross redesigning anemometer arms according to their own obscure blueprints; dogs tearing up display consoles; cows investigating the nutritional value of cabling; and the list goes on. Most recently, a club member wrote in to tell them about the odd humidity readings left by lizards living in his radiation shield...

Whatever the cause, when odd readings rear their homely head, try giving your entire system a good once-over. Check the sensor that's giving you problems and clear out any critters or debris. Also check all your cabling for nicks, cuts, and abrasions. Examine all the connections, refit them, and look for physical damage or corrosion.

Common gaffes?

• Lack of maintenance lets spiders, dust, and dirt build up and impair the station's performance. 
• Not properly securing the cables leaves them at the mercy of the wind. Whipping cables can cause internal cable damage that's not always easy to spot. 
• Neglecting to weatherproof outdoor connections is an open invitation for corrosion to move in.

If all else fails, e-mail our top-notch technical support team at tech@benmeadows.com!

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Please Note: The information contained in this publication is intended for general information purposes only. This publication is not a substitute for review of the applicable government regulations and standards, and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific questions should refer to the cited regulation or consult with an attorney.