The plastic mast that comes with the AcuRite Professional Weather Center 02032C is sufficient, if mounting on a fencepost is acceptable. In this case it wasn’t as there are squirrels to contend with and it was actually over a walkway. And at just a little over six feet off the ground, eventually this would become and issue. The previous weather station, a La Crosse Technology Wireless Weather Station c84612, was mounted on a piece of 3/4 EMT (electrical conduit). That worked well, so why re-invent the wheel.
The plastic mast has an outside diameter of just over an inch, which makes the conduit too small by about an 1/8″ (remember that the 3/4″ refers to the inside diameter, the outside is slightly larger). To make up the difference, a Hubbell 3/4″ set screw coupling was purchased from Home Depot (I would link it, but they don’t have Hubbell EMT hardware via their website). The only modification required is that the screw threads need to be filed down smooth.
This particular model is nice in that it only has a dimple to prevent it from sliding too far onto the conduit. For this purpose, it’s easy to use a hammer and a block of wood to move it down further that was intended. To complete the project, a small hole must be drilled into the pipe for a mounting screw. Put the weather sensor on the pipe to locate the hole, drill a pilot, remove the sensor and finish the hole, making it large enough that the screw will fit.
Attaching it to a trellis post requires a few EMT strap and deck screws. A few nuts were used as spacers to makes sure the pipe was plum and level. Visible in the first picture above, the spacer on the conduit inside the weather station.
Now it’s up and out of the way, about nine feet up, it will probably get more accurate readings. The only downside is when the batteries have to be replaced. But that’s what ladders are for. In the spring I’ll create a different mast system that will mount in the yard.
Gallery:
With your problem about the battery’s you could make a case at the bottom of the pole for a battery housing? that way you could change them on the ground……but you would still have to get the ladder out for cleaning of the weather station.
Definitely, and I will probably do that too. But I’m thinking about using rechargeable with a large solar panel and charge circuit to eliminate battery changes all together. But I’ll wait for warmer weather first!
Nice. most likely you are going to build the charge circuit?
I have thought of doing something like that for the fan in my weather station.
OH with your station so far up there that would be a good spot for a webcam 😉
Dave, were you able to construct a mast system in your yard this past summer?
Hi Ryan,
I did not, and I should have… but there’s still time! The real problem with the current location is that the willow tree obstructs the rainfall and sunlight. Look for some pics soon!
-Dave
Dave, Sounds good. I just got my system up and running last evening. I had to mount in a similar fashion as your original placement of the instrument. However, come next Spring, I’ll be doing some sort of center yard-mount. I’m a meteorologist by education and trade…so I’m really excited about getting the AcuRite sited correctly next year.
Has anyone experimented with PVC? I am using satellite dish mounting hardware left behind by Direct-TV with Sched 40 PVC –
1-1/2″ (inside diameter). I was looking for a reducer to 3/4″ to attach the weather station. Sound plausible???
Hi Tim,
I have not… and I cannot imagine that it would be a viable solution. PVC becomes brittle over time when exposed to UV, at least the white does. The conduit that I used is inexpensive, why not go that route?
-Dave