Optical Rain Sensor / Rain Gauge

I bought this sensor for use with a home lawn irrigation system. It appealed to me because I've had previous rain sensors which got clogged by debris falling from numerous trees around my yard. Since this optical sensor has a smooth polycarbonate dome, it is unlikely to experience the same clogging problems.I was surprised the electronics are so versatile on this device. Infrared sensors detect water droplets on the surface of the dome. The electronics interpret the size and rate at which droplets hit. There are several DIP-switch programmable modes, which determine the status of the relay output. The output is a Single-Pole-Double-Throw relay, with Normally Open and Normally Closed terminals, limited to 1.0 Amperes. The Irrigation mode simulates accumulation and gradual evaporation of rainfall. Other modes allow the sensor to simulate a Tipping Bucket, trigger on individual drops, or just indicate the presence of rain. Using the DIP switches, there are about 200 possible combinations. So, the sensor is very versatile.The downside to all of this versatility is that it does take a bit of expertise to set up the device. I'm used to dealing with DIP-switches because I've been an electronics hobbyist since the 1970s. While installing this sensor in the field, that is a problem. I must remove the polycarbonate dome to access the switches. That risks exposing the electronics to environmental hazards or misplacing small parts. This sensor would be much better if the switches could be programmed without opening the dome. Perhaps a gasket-sealed access door on the bottom of the housing would work well. Also, this device needs a Push-To-Test switch because it is difficult to test it without dripping water on the dome. However, you can trick the sensor to trigger, by lightly rubbing your hand over the dome in a circular manner.Overall, this is a great product. I'd just like to see those couple of refinements, which would make it perfect.

I purchased this item to control several skylights that are controlled by an Indigo home automation system. After trying other methods of detecting rain, underground weather stations, local weather station, gold plated contactors, etc. I was frustrated, searched and was surprised to find this device.It has worked perfectly for the half a year it's been in use but make sure you read the directions thoroughly as there are many jumper pin positions for many different uses. I accidentally had it in the tipping bucket mode and could not figure out why it took so long to activate. I realized my error and put it in the most sensitive rain detection mode and it works great. The built in green led that indicates when its active is a great feature for trouble shooting. On several occasions my skylights have started closing and when I wondered why I found it was raining outside and I did not know it.This device requires its own power supply for my use and I had to soldier on a 12 VDC power supply to the local controller I'm using (unrelated to this product).Update 3.1.16.. this sensor is still working perfectly.

I installed this towards the end of last sprinkling season last September, and its already proven to pay for itself. I use it in "tipping bucket" mode and have it connected to an insteon iolinc. I count up the number of clicks that equals enough rain for one cycle in my yard and cancel the next sprinkling cycle when that's reached. I use simple programs in an ISY Home Automation Controller to integrate the Hydreon into my sprinkling cycles. I also get a lot of rain during sprinkling cycles, and programmed it to cancel mid cycle as well.Its bullet proof, distruct proof, fool proof. Great results and no moving parts.It can be easily be wired directly into your irrigation controller as well and operate like the cheap cancelling versions.... without ever needing to be serviced. Just occasionally make sure its clean

This item is for some one with a little (not mucch) understanding of electronics. It works perfect, but you need to wire a power source and a relay if you want it to activate something with certain amount of wattage. The manufacturer could have included a little transformer, but oh well, with some many electronics around there is always one that can be used.

I bought this rain sensor for my sprinkler system and so far it has worked well. I love the fact that there's basically nothing to break. It has many different modes and settings, making it compatible with just about any sprinkler system. Everything from the sensitivity to how long it should delay is settable. It also has a mode where it can be used to measure the amount of rain, though the accuracy of this is not great.

Works great! The various settings make it easy to control whatever type of system you are using it with. I used it for closing skylights and it worked with the first droplet of rain. The only thing that would make it better was if they included a mounting bracket with the unit.

Works well as an irrigation sensor for my irrigation system. The feature that calculates the proper watering (based on rain rate and software) is a nice addition. Also it is nice that you can set different modes for the evaporation rate.

Bought this for an automatic skylight control application. The device is more sensitive than expected. It really does detect the very onset of rain. An irrigation-style sensor would not work in this situation because it would let everything get soaked before the skylight closed, and then keep it closed until the sensor dried out. The RG-11 stops sensing when it stops raining, which is really what was needed for this particular application. Great product for what I needed!