I have used the small pcb type rain sensor, it is 5cm x 4.5 cm,
Looking at the usage when it is rain and also snow. it would be nice if it was heated.,
I thought recently about using a silicone based heat pad. I have found some, running of 5V and heat output of 0.4W
So it can be powered from the same 5V that goes to thhe sensor board of the rain sensor.
The size is 5cm x 5cm, and it should be easy enough to design a 3d printed holder for the heatpar underneath, then the PCB on top,
that's smart, that would effectively work in regards to dew and false positives of rain drops.
The thing that concerns me the most is that the rain sensor suggested in your project suffers from electrolysis, getting useless after some time. This is directly related to the DC nature of the circuit. One would need to alternate the positive every other time to prevent such event.
I'm currently testing the sensor in the link, looks promising but I'm waiting for the rain season to start shortly. It is quite expensive (35€), considering a traditional cheap 5V arduino type.
I've been looking at using a capacitive sensor that would resolve both of the above issues, firstly being capacitive it doesnt suffer from contamination or electrolysis, and it has an integral heating element to prevent false readings due to condensation or ice
unfortunately the link to the datasheet, sample source code and schematics now appear to be broken, i did download them all a while ago but the files are all on a pc that is currently not working
Edit
after as short email conversation i now have the datasheets and sourcecode. they are attached for anyone who is interested
Hi Ryan
We had looked at this some time ago. So it will be here in the discussion board.
The issues at the time was cost about 25 euros and there was a minimum quantity which put the thing into no way am I gonna pay that,
In fact there have been a wide variety of these types of things, like a wire anenometer, etc but all failed due to lack of support from seller and the software provided with these just didnt work.
regards
Robert
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Another solution could be this. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000725611206.html
Its a 5V laser system. Imagine that it is mounted such that a small sheet of glass (5x5cm) is used, with the laser on top probably 10cm away and the receiver mounted underneath. Its enclosed.
When not raining, the laser is not diffused and passes through to the detecter.
When raining, the rain would fall on the glass and this would diffuse/scatter the laser. That means the receiver would detect the change in laser light.
5V is okay, much better than 6V or 12V.
BUT
This has not been tried by me and probably most others. I havent the resources to do this anymore. A case etc would also be required. As well as writing code and a lot of testing to make things work. Again I have not done any of this.
I also have many other ideas. Some are simple and low cost, but need to be tested, developed and cases designed. All that takes time and money.
Current support is for the RG11 which works extremely well as a rain detector.
Also the 5x5 rain pad with heater underneath as discussed.
Regards
Robert
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
about the "5x5 rain pad" sensor, it does not work well in tropical zones, in about 60 days during the rainy period it stops working, due to electrolysis.
The RG11 sensor looks great, but it costs a fortune here, which ends up making the application unfeasible. (about half of a minimum wage)
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Hello, I had the same problem with the rain sensor (corrosion, unreliability).
I opted for the sensor (RC-SPC1KA) paired with Arduino Nano and a little firmware.
The sensor has a heating resistor and works very well. It's very reliable and eliminates false positives, all for less than €20.
Phil
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
A Forum for rain sensors
I have used the small pcb type rain sensor, it is 5cm x 4.5 cm,
Looking at the usage when it is rain and also snow. it would be nice if it was heated.,
I thought recently about using a silicone based heat pad. I have found some, running of 5V and heat output of 0.4W
So it can be powered from the same 5V that goes to thhe sensor board of the rain sensor.
The size is 5cm x 5cm, and it should be easy enough to design a 3d printed holder for the heatpar underneath, then the PCB on top,
Link
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003355957797.html
Cheers
robert
Hi Robert,
that's smart, that would effectively work in regards to dew and false positives of rain drops.
The thing that concerns me the most is that the rain sensor suggested in your project suffers from electrolysis, getting useless after some time. This is directly related to the DC nature of the circuit. One would need to alternate the positive every other time to prevent such event.
I'm currently testing the sensor in the link, looks promising but I'm waiting for the rain season to start shortly. It is quite expensive (35€), considering a traditional cheap 5V arduino type.
https://www.kemo-electronic.de/en/House/Garden/M152-Rain-Sensor-12-V-DC.php
Regards
Miguel
I've been looking at using a capacitive sensor that would resolve both of the above issues, firstly being capacitive it doesnt suffer from contamination or electrolysis, and it has an integral heating element to prevent false readings due to condensation or ice
https://radiocontrolli.eu/Capacitive-Rain-Sensor-RC-SPC1K-p242943346
unfortunately the link to the datasheet, sample source code and schematics now appear to be broken, i did download them all a while ago but the files are all on a pc that is currently not working
Edit
after as short email conversation i now have the datasheets and sourcecode. they are attached for anyone who is interested
Last edit: Ryan Parle 2024-11-21
Hi Ryan
We had looked at this some time ago. So it will be here in the discussion board.
The issues at the time was cost about 25 euros and there was a minimum quantity which put the thing into no way am I gonna pay that,
In fact there have been a wide variety of these types of things, like a wire anenometer, etc but all failed due to lack of support from seller and the software provided with these just didnt work.
regards
Robert
hi,
https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005002107837077.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.59.10e05zX45zX4nA&algo_pvid=0f050406-88ea-4e23-8455-9cf2631d415f&algo_exp_id=0f050406-88ea-4e23-8455-9cf2631d415f-29&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21BRL%2197.08%2197.08%21%21%21111.43%21111.43%21%402103244417342830022962919e5caf%2112000018763800106%21sea%21BR%21891175607%21X&curPageLogUid=2UIeytH8thIn&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A
Could this capacitive sensor work? Has anyone already tested it?
Nope.
Another solution could be this.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000725611206.html
Its a 5V laser system. Imagine that it is mounted such that a small sheet of glass (5x5cm) is used, with the laser on top probably 10cm away and the receiver mounted underneath. Its enclosed.
When not raining, the laser is not diffused and passes through to the detecter.
When raining, the rain would fall on the glass and this would diffuse/scatter the laser. That means the receiver would detect the change in laser light.
5V is okay, much better than 6V or 12V.
BUT
This has not been tried by me and probably most others. I havent the resources to do this anymore. A case etc would also be required. As well as writing code and a lot of testing to make things work. Again I have not done any of this.
I also have many other ideas. Some are simple and low cost, but need to be tested, developed and cases designed. All that takes time and money.
Current support is for the RG11 which works extremely well as a rain detector.
Also the 5x5 rain pad with heater underneath as discussed.
Regards
Robert
Thanks for the answer Robert,
Unfortunately my programming skill is limited.
about the "5x5 rain pad" sensor, it does not work well in tropical zones, in about 60 days during the rainy period it stops working, due to electrolysis.
The RG11 sensor looks great, but it costs a fortune here, which ends up making the application unfeasible. (about half of a minimum wage)
Hello, I had the same problem with the rain sensor (corrosion, unreliability).
I opted for the sensor (RC-SPC1KA) paired with Arduino Nano and a little firmware.
The sensor has a heating resistor and works very well. It's very reliable and eliminates false positives, all for less than €20.
Phil
Yes, I know about that sensor and I recall posting about that here sometime back.
https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/radiocontrolli/RC-SPC1KA/13688193
Regards
Robert