Restoring a Rain Gauge

2008-10-14

Was talking on amateur radio, questioned about how much rain we had, no rain gauge yet, had an idea, re-use a complimentary pedometer. Made in China, has a sleep feature which turns off display after you've finished your exercise. Supplied with a coin cell capable of running the device for several months, but what happens if you replace it with an alkaline D cell? Years? Let's see.

overall view
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(98 KB)
including funnel
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(139 KB)
close-up 42
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reed switch detail
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(105 KB)

dismantle pedometer,
remove battery,
remove momentum sensor arm,
attach power and sensor cable,
attach power cable to D size battery,
attach sensor cable to reed switch,
glue battery to structure,
add dessicant,
cut transparent lid,
glue pedometer to structure,
dress cables,
glue transparent lid,
inspect for voids in glue under strong light,
test counting,
test reset,
test wake after sleep with one count.

How old is this bucket counter? 1998 ... see the weather station pictures for where it spent early life.

Now, what to do with the other pedometers ...