TB3H-LP Low-Power Heater for Tipping Bucket Rain GaugesTB3H-LP Low-Power Heater for Tipping Bucket Rain Gauges

TB3H-LP Low-Power Heater for Tipping Bucket Rain Gauges

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KISTERS’ tipping bucket heater TB3H-LP is a low-power heating element, that raises the temperature of the interior of the rain gauge, funnel and catch to avoid the freezing of the gauge in cold climates with subsequent loss of precipitation records. The TB3H-LP…  Read more

BrochureManual
Temperature Ranges
  • Ambient: -40 to +70 °C (-40 to +158 °F)
  • Snow sensor and heater operating parameters between -20 to +5 °C (-4 to 41 °F)
Data & Control Interface SDI-12 interface: optically isolated, 1200 baud, 7 bits, even parity
Average Power Generated 35 watts (150 watts during initial minute warm up)
Supply Voltage
  • Main power: 10-30 VDC or 12-28 VAC
  • SDI-12 power: 9.6-16 VDC (SDI-12 standard)
Power Consumption
  • Average power: 3.7 A @ 12 V = 45 W (approx. 65 % duty cycle)
  • Heating power: 5.8 A @ 12 V = 70 W (when heater on)
  • Peak power during initial minute warm up: approx. twice the heating power

KISTERS’ tipping bucket heater TB3H-LP is a low-power heating element, that raises the temperature of the interior of the rain gauge, funnel and catch to avoid the freezing of the gauge in cold climates with subsequent loss of precipitation records. The TB3H-LP saves energy by means of switching on power for a limited time only when snow is detected in the funnel.

TB3H-LP has been designed for use with the TB3 tipping bucket rain gauge (has to be ordered separately). TB3H-LP is integrated with the TB3 device at the factory and delivered fully installed, ready to use, no settings required.

Heater control: automatic or external

Automatic control: TBH-LP is supplied set to automatic control, i.e. it monitors ambient temperature and snowfall, and operates the heater automatically. The automatic control logic: Snow sensor on when ambient temperature drops below +4 °C; heater on when snow detected. Heater off when no snow remaining in the catch for 18 minutes. No heating below -20 °C and above +5 °C to conserve power.

External control: If an external system like a full weather station monitors ambient temperature and snowfall, and is allowed to control the tipping bucket heaters directly, the TB3H-LP has an external control mode  whereby the controlling system can actually turn the heating elements on and off.

  • Fully automated operation
  • Thermostatically controlled
  • Additional external temperature sensor
  • Neoprene sheath for enclosure minimizes heat dissipation
  • Funnel heated to melt snow
  • Base heated to avoid freezing of tipping bucket mechanics
  • SDI-12 interface for configuration, monitoring and control
  • Rainfall monitoring in low temperature zones
  • Measurement of the water equivalent of the snow piled up in the funnel