VP2 solar sensor

[daveq]

Today I received the spring that was missing from the hardware package that came with the sensor.  I'm behind on making the mounting platform that I'm going to mount next to the anemometer but have a question.

What size is the large hole in the mount?  Is it just large enough for the nut to fit through and the sensor sits on the mount?  Or is it large enough that the sensor 'floats' on the springs and does not touch the mount at all?

--Dave

[niko]

Option2, the hole clears the body of the sensor.

[aardvark]

large hole is for the wires from the sensor to pass through the mount  and continue to the ISS

Kind of like the hole in the toilet seat.. ah .. you do have one don't you??? (My ancestors put the hole in them)

[daveq]

Kind of like the hole in the toilet seat.. ah .. you do have one don't you??? (My ancestors put the hole in them)

Is that kinda like an outhouse we used to have in Missouri?  I hear now days they actually have something like that inside your house.  How disgusting!  And I see advertisements for some kind of paper??  All we had was three corn cobs; two red and one white.

--Dave

[broadstairs]

Is that kinda like an outhouse we used to have in Missouri?  I hear now days they actually have something like that inside your house.  How disgusting!  And I see advertisements for some kind of paper??  All we had was three corn cobs; two red and one white.

--Dave

 

Stuart

[aardvark]

which explains a lot about the state to the south, but back to the original question.   the springs and thin screws are used to level the solar and uv sensors and the large hole * *   is used for the wires that come off the bottom of the sensor to thread down through the mounting shelf and then to the ISS

[daveq]

which explains a lot about the state to the south

The outhouse and corn cob comment was intended for you Mr. Vark based on past comments you've made about the great state of Missouri.  

Thanks for the input.  I was questioning the size of the large hole as to whether it had to be just large enough for the nut or large enough to allow the body to be supended by the springs.  I understand now that the hole must allow the sensor body to float on the springs.  I have a plastic shelf and am intending to tap the screw holes and then epoxy a nut to the bottom of the shelf to be prevent tearing out the threads.  Pictures to follow.

One other observation.  Seems that the sensor should extend above the opening in the outer housing.  Won't it be 'shadowed' at low angles?

--Dave

[niko]

The lower edge of the white plastic "pill" should be at least level with the edge of the outer housing.

[daveq]

I'll have to look closer to see if I have it aligned correctly.  I'm sure the top of the white cover is below the housing.  Also it only fits one way due to the spacing of the three ears I believe.

--Dave

[saratogaWX]

Dave,
You might find the following docs helpful:

http://www.davisnet.com/product_documents/weather/manuals/Shelf_Installation_rev_B.pdf

http://www.davisnet.com/product_documents/weather/manuals/Solar_UV_Rad_Sensor.pdf

The sensor is supposed to float on the three mounting screws with springs underneath the sensor on the screws to provide the tension.  The hole in the middle should be large enough to clear the sensor body and cable.

Best regards,
Ken

[Clanger]

What size is the large hole in the mount?  Is it just large enough for the nut to fit through and the sensor sits on the mount?  Or is it large enough that the sensor 'floats' on the springs and does not touch the mount at all?

--Dave

Why didn't I ask that a few days ago 

[daveq]

The second doc came with the sensor but I hadn't seen the first one because ordered the solar sensor w/o the shelf.

Thanks for the input.

The pics show the sensor from the side and then from the top at an angle.  I would have though the white plastic lens would be above the housing when viewing from the side.

--Dave

[aardvark]

one real important thing .. don't touch the plastic white"button"  .   oil from your skin affects that. Now if you did... you need to clean it with ethanol alcohol.. Rubbing alcohol won't work. 

Either get some Ethanol ( Ethyl alcohol) at the druggist or some 100% alcohol.

The sensor is supposed to be perpendicular with the zenith, but it can aimed.   That aiming gives the parabolic curve appearance of the reading.

[daveq]

I haven't touched it on purpose but may have accidentally touched it.  I'll get some alcohol and make sure to clean it.  I'll have to look hard for 100% alcohol.  I think my son tried finding some for an alcohol stove he made and couldn't find any. Thanks.

--Dave

[aardvark]

Everclear  that rot gut I think is 100% ethanol.  Or the drug store could sell you about 6 ounces.   Just make sure it is ethanol.

Everclear.. When I was in college , guys would go to Missouri and bring it back. When I was in chemistry we figured out that we could unscrew the back of the alcohol storage  cabinet and remove the ethanol for medicinal research.    Then we'd fill it back with water.     We were never caught, but there was talk that it had evaporated mysteriously..