How to Clean and Maintain Your Home Weather Station Easily

After installation of the weather station, you can use it for many years without facing any problems. However, you still need to routinely clean and maintain your home weather station for its optimum performance.

In case you maintain your device poorly, it will affect the accuracy of the readings collected. So be sure to mount your station in an easily accessible place so that you can remove it without much difficulty in caring for it.

Things You Need to Consider for Easy Cleaning and Maintenance of Weather Station:

A lot of factors influence the amount of cleaning and type of maintenance your weather station requires but try to service your device at least once a year for the best results. Here are some important factors to consider when it comes to cleaning and maintenance of your weather station.

If there are trees or other obstacles in your station's vicinity, you need to clean your weather station sensors more often as there is an increased chance of accumulation of leaves, seeds, needles, trees, or pollen sap and other debris.
Increased dust particles can clog the sensors and plug the rain gauges in the particular affecting measurement of the atmospheric conditions. It may lead to premature wear and tear of rotating parts on the bearing. As such, if you live in an area with more dust, like a desert, you need to clean your sensors more frequently.
People living in areas with heavy rainfall have the luxury of cleaning their station after extended periods of time as most sensors are clean. However, they need to be aware to prevent the collection of debris from rain.
Areas at higher altitudes or cloudy locations use up battery power faster, and solar panels are ineffective as well, meaning you have to replace your batteries every few months.
If you live in an area recording temperatures below -40 degrees Fahrenheit, ensure that your device runs on lithium batteries as only they can record such temperatures. Don’t use alkaline batteries as they cannot withstand the temperature range.
Birds and bugs can affect the capabilities of your sensors and obstruct the measurement of variations. Prevent any critters or birds coming in contact with your sensors.

How to Clean and Maintain Various Sensors of Weather Station

Thermometer and Hygrometer Unit:

Usually, the temperature and humidity sensors are integrated, which means maintenance and cleaning are done together as well. These sensors don’t require constant monitoring or maintenance but beware of settling dust.
In case you want to clean it, use a clean, dry toothbrush and gently brush off the sensors. The sensor's plastic cover can be rinsed softly with a mixture of mild detergent, alcohol, and water, and it will look as good as new.
Get rid of any debris accumulated on the solar radiation shield of the unit- You may need to clean off snow and ice during wintertime as the shield must be clean to accommodate airflow and ensure accurate readings.

Anemometer Unit:

Anemometers can run for years without any hassles, but the entry of debris and insects into the sensor affects its working, so an annual checking is advised.
If you get the feeling that the wind speed outside is greater than that is being reported, or a grinding sound emanates from the sensor, it might be time to clean your sensor.
Loosen the device's external screws and remove the wind cups outside and wipe it using a slightly damp cloth or cotton swab before cleaning them with a solution of water and mild detergent.
Make sure that the cups are completely dry before placing them back inside. Don’t bring any kind of oil, grease, lubricant, or sprays in contact with the cup. Only the bearings must be lubricated.
Prevent your anemometer from icing up during winters, carefully as the plastic components are brittle and break easily during winter, so you can wait for the ice to melt as an option.
After the cups are kept inside again, ensure that the wind cups rotate without any hurdles and test that the wind vane's orientation is true north. In case the anemometer is still not operating properly, the bearings may be worn out, and professional intervention may be required.

Rain Gauge Unit:

Rain gauges require extensive cleaning many times a year. Debris and dust accumulation in the collector affects the tipping mechanism and hampers the operation.
Spider webs, insect, and bird nests must not be allowed to form in the funnel or collector. Check underneath the collector as well but be cautious of bee or wasp hives.
You can swab the funnel and collector with the tipping bucket using water and a mild detergent and rinse well before placing it back.
In instances where bird droppings are repeatedly troubling the sensor's operation, try coating a detergent on the rim of the funnel for easy removal and prevent it from landing into the collector.

Leaf Wetness Sensor Unit:

The leaf wetness sensor must be free of dirt and debris, and a toothbrush with mild detergent and water can be used to clean it. These are special sensors and need to be maintained well as they are quite sensitive and delicate.

Solar Radiation Sensor Unit:

They need to be cleaned more frequently to prevent the settling of dirt and dust on the lenses.
If the radiation diffuser is clouded by dirt, the weather station is compromised.
Cleaning the sensor with a toothbrush is preferred, but if necessary, you may use a damp swab or cloth. Rinse thoroughly afterward. Ensure that no oil is allowed to enter the sensors.
Don’t touch the radiation sensor with your hands under any circumstances.

UV Sensor Unit:

Conduct frequent inspections that no collection of dirt and debris occurs on the lenses, affecting accuracy.
While cleaning, don’t touch the unit with your bare hands and don’t let any oils contact it.
Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and gently cleanse the dust off with soap or detergent.

Power Source Unit:

Maintaining the power sources of the weather station is as important as maintaining the sensors to ensure the device's proper functioning. Problems with power lead to no transmission of data.
If your weather station is solar powered, clean the solar panels routinely and keep them free from debris and obstacles. Most stations depend on batteries for back up and thus, make sure you replace or charge your batteries frequently.
Earlier replacements or recharging helps maintain strong connections between the transmitter and receiver. Use only lithium batteries during cold weather as alkaline batteries can not function at such temperatures.

Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Home Weather Station

If you feel your station's accuracy is slowly diminishing, it might be time to get it recalibrated. If recalibration is done once in a few years, the operation of the station is smooth.
Regularly check your station's mounting to be sure that there are no new obstructions or changes in the vicinity.
Tighten all the screws and attachments well after cleaning.
Maintain the sensors according to their individual conditions and requirements.
Recalibration of the station can be done by comparing it with the readings of a nearby calibrated station.
You can use alcohol or anti-static wipes to clean your station.
Clean the fan of your station regularly and pull out any debris accumulated.
Silicone sprays can be used for cleaning.
Try to place your sensors in positions that aren’t easy to fiddle with yet simple to remove as the station's tampering affects the data collection.

Conclusion:

After buying a weather station, you need to make sure that you take good care of it so as to preserve the sensors and prevent them from getting damaged and losing function. You spend a lot on the stations, and it’s a waste if the sensors stop responding.

Maintaining and cleaning the sensors regularly helps the station measures and transmit accurate data. It’s not difficult; just keep the above information in mind, and we’re sure that your station will function accurately for many, many years.

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About the Author

Tim

I am Tim, a weather enthusiast who loves to watch hurricanes and all other harsh weather conditions. I studied B.Sc(Meteorology) at the University of Miami. With excellent knowledge of Weather Forecasting, Meteorology, and Environmental Science, I am currently working in San Francisco as a Meteorologist. Also, I am a member of The Weather Channel and AccuWeather. In this blog, I will write a detailed review of Weather instruments that you need for survival and other activities.