You can check out all the details here: Click here!
Tag: rain gauge outdoor
The Secret To A Sturdy Rain Gauge
If you're tired spending your money on a rain gauge, only to find it cracks, splits or goes cloudy in a short time? There is a solution and you're going to love it.
You're probably thinking rain gauges are all made of plastic and resign yourself to the fact that they don't last very long when exposed to the elements.
Yes, you are right. However, not all plastic rain gauges are equal. Plastic is plastic so how can a plastic rain gauge be different?
The secret is in the TYPE of plastic materials used to make the rain gauge.
Living in Australia our climate is pretty harsh, with strong sun and a high UV index to boot. These tough climatic conditions play havoc with some plastics. That's why most Aussie plastic furniture, pot plant tubs and other outdoor items like rain gauges deteriorate fast in the sun, they go powdery, crack making them look tired and ugly. It's so disappointing when this happens.
Our Aussie based company has done years of research and testing to come up with the BEST rain gauges for durability and reliability, so you don't have to keep wasting your money on another disappointing rain gauge.
RAIN GAUGE #1:
Introducing the highly rated Outdoor Home Heavy Duty Rain Gauge. This sturdy rain gauge is a post mount garden rain gauge with a 6 inch rain fall collection capacity which is more than enough capacity for most rain fall volumes.
The secret to this tough rain gauge is as I mentioned earlier in the plastic... Can you guess the type of plastic we use?
This ever popular rain gauge is crack-proof and doesn't show discolorations from long periods of exposure to the elements
Apart from using this rain gauge for fun weather recording or professional activities, it's a great gift idea for your avid gardener and greenhouse friends.
RAIN GAUGE #2:
Outback Blue Large Capacity Rain Gauge.
This tough rain gauge is a post mount professional style gauge with a huge 11 inch collection capacity. This style of rain gauge is what some weather monitoring organisations use to record the rainfall.
This beauty has an inner and outer collection tubes and will collect small sprinkles of rain or monsoonal type downpours.
This rain gauge is tough and looks just like new even after years in harsh sunlight.
So there you have it! Two tough, reliable rain gauges that will get the job
done giving you years of enjoyment. Both made in Australia using high quality plastic. Have you guessed the type of plastic yet?
NOW THE SECRETS OUT!
The secret plastic a quality rain gauge has that keeps it not only looking great and prevents it from cracking or discolouring is - POLYCARBONATE PLASTIC
You can purchase our rain gauges on Amazon here:
Alternatively if you live in Australia:
Where To Place A Rain Gauge
LOCATING YOUR OUTBACK BLUE RAIN GAUGE
For an accurate reading, choose an area that is open to install your Outback Blue Rain Gauge.
Keeping your rain gauge away from tall trees, big shrubs and buildings will ensure there is no obstructions to the rain collection capacity, ensuring greater accuracy. It is ideal to place the rain gauge at least twice as far away as the height of the nearest tree or building.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER
Inaccurate readings in the rain gauge can be influenced by strong wind by as much as 20%! The force of the wind can drive the rainfall against the rain gauge instead of filling it. We suggest placing the rain gauge near low bushes, fences and low structures to act as a buffer to strong wind.
MEASURING RAINFALL
Take the measurement from the rain gauge at the same time each day. Record the rainfall and empty the rain gauge completely to begin collecting rain for the next 24 hour period. We suggest taking the reading in the morning, if it is emptied later in the day evaporation may contribute to an inaccurate reading.
FOR BEST RESULTS
Installing a pair of Outback Blue Rain Gauges at least 6 meters apart will give a higher degree of accuracy in measuring the rainfall. Having a pair of rain gauges means an average can be taken from them, thereby avoiding inaccurate readings due to strong wind or other factors.
What Rain Gauge To Choose
For some people knowing how much rain fell in the backyard is just a matter of curiosity.
For others, it is essential for their day to day lives.
Regardless if you are a backyard weather watcher, or someone whose livelihood is based on rainfall, there is a rain gauge out
there for you to measure the rainfall just like the professionals do!
Key Factors To Consider
What is it going to be used for - home garden, commercial enterprise, farming, education.
Form or Function - Is the rain gauge purely to collect vital rain fall data,
an added decoration to the garden or somewhere in between.
The intended location - Is the rain gauge to be placed in the ground, on a fence or in a garden bed.
Climate - Do you live in a tropical area that receives monsoonal or heavy seasonal rain fall or a dry arid hot climate.
Exposure to harsh weather conditions can greatly affect the longevity of a rain gauge.
Budget - Prices vary in range from a low $4.00 up to $100’s of dollars. The price will also usually reflect the quality of the product.
If you are wanting a durable, sturdy product then you would also need to make sure the materials used to make the rain gauge are of a high standard.
Once you are clear on the factors that will suit your needs, it’s time to figure which rain gauge will be best for you.
Different types of rain gauges
There are two main types of rain gauges - manual and electronic.
Manual (analogue) rain gauges require you to check the rainfall collected in the gauge to record and empty.
These rain gauges are easy to use, simple to install and set and forget until it rains.
Electronic wireless rain gauges automatically record the rain collected and some even have the ability to automatically empty.
These rain gauges are a gadget mad, tech geeks dream! The installation and set up can be quite complicated and calibration of the unit may also be required.
Now its time to see what options may be suitable for you in the following examples
- Home Gardeners rain gauge - this type of rain gauge could be either manual or electronic depending on your tech abilities! The size of the rain gauge will be important to ensure it will be able to collect every drop of rain so you can effectively manage the plants and lawn in your garden. A six inch/150mm capacity or more rain gauge would be ideal and made of durable quality materials. The OutdoorHome 6”/150mm capacity rain gauge is a very popular choice in this category ticking all the boxes and more!
- Garden bed decoration - If you have a pretty garden bed a decorative rain gauge on a stake could be added for effect. These manual rain gauges usually have a smaller collection capacity and can be quite delicate.
- Professional rain gauge for the farmer, gardener, horticulture, commercial industries or education - The most suitable rain gauge for this situation is usually a manual large capacity rain gauge, similar to what weather bureaus use. The collection capacity is usually 10 inches/250 mm or more and made of durable materials that can withstand harsh climatic conditions. The Outback Blue 11”/280mm capacity rain gauge fits this bill perfectly for keen weather watchers, farmers, schools and avid gardeners.
