10/05

WINTERIZING – Each winter data are invalidated because snow or mixed precipitation is received before the raingage is winterized. The winterization instruction memo is enclosed. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT, go ahead and winterize NOW! See section 5.2.2.1 of the NTN Site Operation Manual or the procedure pages at the back of the CALendar.
In addition to winterization, there are three “checks” that can be made now that may greatly reduce the potential for problems as the winter season approaches. You will need to remove the case for the following tasks. 1)   Debris Check/cleaning – All kinds of critters may want to make the raingage their home, so an inspection and cleaning are occasionally needed. The raingage cleaning instruction memo is enclosed. 2)    Dashpot Fluid Check – Remove the dashpot and check its contents. If dirty or watery the fluid should be emptied, dashpot wiped out with a cloth, and fluid replaced. The CAL can provide dashpot fluid–just circle it on your field form in the SUPPLIES block. 3)   Clock Check – Winter is also a time for clock problems, particularly battery failure. Fresh batteries have a better shot at making it through the winter, so it may be wise to change batteries before the long winter. The Program Office’s Network Equipment Depot (NED) has the only supply of batteries for the NADP produced “hybrid” clock. Applying a small amount of WD-40 or silicone lubricant to the spindle area of the clock and into the chart drum spindle hole will improve clock operation and extend battery life.
http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/cal/		E-mail: cal@sws.uiuc.edu
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11/05

Your 2006 CALendar is enclosed. This is a good time for you to submit suggestions, pictures, and notes about YOUR site to the CAL for the 2007 CALendar. Send them to Pam Bedient (217-244-0868 or cal@sws.uiuc.edu).  Here are a couple of things to remember before winter sets in: 1)   Winterization Follow-Up: Please return the green raingage winterization questionnaire to the CAL as soon as you have completed the procedure.  Your winterization information is added to a database table which we use for data screening. If you have a precipitation type “S” (snow), “M” (mixed), or “U” (unknown) and your raingage is not winterized, the precipitation record for that sample will be invalidated.   Happy Thanksgiving!
2)   Ambient Sensor Heater Checks: Snow and ice can cause problems with the operation of the NADP precipitation collector. The sensor must melt snow or frozen precipitation to form water droplets on the sensor plate which then opens the collector to expose the wet bucket. Perform the following test to ensure that your sensor heater is working. After the collector has been closed for several minutes, sprinkle a few flakes of snow from your glove tips directly onto the sensor plate. It should melt in seconds and cause the motor unit to start running. If the snow doesn’t melt, the ambient sensor heater is out, and the sensor will have to be replaced. If you need a new part, call Matt or Jeff at 1-800-952-7353 or e-mail them at ntn@sws.uiuc.edu.
http://nadp.sws.uiuc.edu/cal/	E-mail: cal@sws.uiuc.edu
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12/05