Maintenance
In this section you will find some simple but necessary maintenance activities to be carried out to ensure that the WiForAgri station always works correctly.
Cleaning and maintenance of the rain gauge internal swing
Description: rain can often bring dust and dirt with it. Over time, this settles on the internal rocker arm of the rain gauge, causing the measurement of the fallen water to lose accuracy
Frequency: once a year, possibly in March
Difficulty: easy
Required: Allen key no. 4, key supplied, wet rag
Open the station electronics box and remove the battery from its housing. The station is now temporarily switched off.
At the base of the rain gauge, locate and unscrew the three screws that anchor the bucket to its base.
Remove the bucket by pulling it straight up.
On the black plastic base it is now possible to see the internal receiver. With the wet rag, clean the inside of the two vanes, removing the dirt accumulated over time.
Once the operation has been completed, reassemble the bucket and lock it at its base by screwing the three screws of point 2 back on.
Replace the battery in its housing, paying attention to the direction (positive side down). The station is now switched on again.
Close the electronic box.
Rain gauge bucket cleaning and maintenance
Description: periodically it may happen that dirt or other obstructions (e.g. foliage) can settle inside the rain gauge bucket
Frequency: approximately every 6 months
Difficulty: easy
Required: Allen key no. 4
At the base of the rain gauge, locate and unscrew the three screws that anchor the bucket to its base.
Remove the bucket by pulling it straight up.
Remove all kinds of blockages and dirt from inside the bucket.
Refit the bucket to its base, screwing the three locking screws back in.
NB When disassembling and cleaning the bucket, be careful not to move the metal rocker inside the rain gauge.
Maintenance antenna radio
Description: sometimes it is possible that humidity can penetrate the joint between the connector and the antenna itself, forming an oxide that hinders the propagation of the electrical signal.
Frequency: once a year, possibly in March
Difficulty: easy
Required: a dry rag or an old toothbrush
Locate the transmitting antenna on the bottom of the station electronics box.
Unscrew it from its connector and carefully clean both the inside of the female connector of the antenna itself and the male connector on the electronic box with a rag.
The operation is even more accurate if you use a toothbrush, always dry.
Screw the antenna back on, tightening it well.
Cleaning the temperature / humidity sensor housing
Description: periodically it is possible that wasps, spiders or other insects go to nest in the housing of the sensor in question, i.e. the "lamella" cylinder placed immediately under the rain gauge, retaining the humidity and thus causing the measurement to lose accuracy
Frequency: twice a year, possibly in March and October
Difficulty: easy
Required: a dry cloth
Visually check the "lamella" casing located immediately under the rain gauge.
Remove all kinds of obstructions inside (e.g. cobwebs, wasp nests).
Internal battery replacement
Description: periodically the internal battery of the station naturally runs out of its electric charge causing irregular sending of data or definitive shutdown. It must therefore be replaced.
Frequency: approximately once every 18 months
Difficulty: easy
Required: supplied Allen key, spare battery
Open the electronic box of the station.
Locate the battery at the top right. Then remove it from its housing.
Insert the spare battery, making sure that the positive side is facing downwards.
Close the electronic box.
Photovoltaic panel cleaning (if present)
Failure to clean the surface of the panel (for example after many phytosanitary treatments or due to encrustations and deposits of leaves, earth and dust) can cause a decrease in efficiency of up to 15-30%. To clean the upper surface of the panel, simply use a soft cloth moistened with water (preferably demineralised). It is recommended to carry out this operation 2 times a year.
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