How to Clean a Davis Vantage Vue Weather Station to Ensure Accurate Results

Just like your car, your home, or your health, regular quality maintenance is critical for those things you rely on to work properly. This video article reveals in detail how to safely clean a Davis Vantage Vue weather station so you can help ensure its accuracy for years to come.

Figure 1 Watch the Instrument Choice Scientists clean a Davis Vantage Vue weather station here.

How to clean a Davis Vantage Vue Weather Station

You will need;

1. Water for rinsing
2. Water with a mild detergent
3. A cloth
4. A clean toothbrush or cotton buds
5. The Allen key supplied with your Davis Vantage Vue weather station
6. Optional: a Phillips head screwdriver

Now follow this cleaning procedure for your Davis Vantage Vue weather station, and you can’t go wrong!

Anemometer and Wind Vane

1. Remove the cups and the wind vane. Use the Allen key to loosen the screw and gently pull off.
2. Use your mild detergent and cloth to wipe away any dirt or insect webbing from the cups and wind vane.
3. Rinse thoroughly with water.
4. Put the cups and vane aside somewhere safe to dry.
5. Use your damp (not wet) cloth to give the anemometer shaft a clean. Any dirt or build-up of grime here could restrict cup movement. Do not apply any grease, oil or lubricant of any kind to the anemometer shaft.

Radiation Shield

6. The radiation shield rarely needs to be taken apart for cleaning, unless there is the risk of it filling with dust, debris or insects. If it is not too soiled, take a dry, clean toothbrush or use cotton buds to remove dirt from the shield. Repeat for each layer, start at the top, and work down.
7. If there is a significant amount of dirt built-up or insects have taken up residence in the radiation shield, you will need a Phillips head screwdriver to take it apart for cleaning. Do this by removing the two screws at the base of the shield then separate the plates.
8. Once taken apart, clean the plates of the radiation shield using your mild detergent. Then rinse thoroughly with water.
9. Put the shield pieces aside somewhere safe to dry.
10. Use a dry toothbrush or cotton bud to clean around the temperature and humidity sensor.

Rain Collector

11. Remove the debris screen from the rain funnel and clean out anything you see caught in it.
12. Tip-over the outdoor sensor suite and remove the rain spoon housing assembly by unscrewing it and gently lifting.
13. Remove any dust or debris within the spoon as well as anything blocking the drainage holes below the spoon.
14. Rinse thoroughly with water and leave somewhere safe to dry.

Reassembly

15. The cleaning inspection: Carefully check each element to ensure you don’t miss any cleaning and that every part is completely dry before you start reassembling.
16. Radiation shield: Restack the clean, dry plates and insert screws. Aline the assembled shield with the outdoor sensor suite screw holes, then secure in place using the screwdriver.
17. Tipping bucket: Reattach the tipping bucket mechanism by first slotting in the wide end and then the narrow end. Screw into place.
18. Debris filter: Push to click filter back into place.
19. Anemometer and wind vane: Reinstall the wind cups and wind vane, use the Allen key to tighten.

CONCLUSION

Following the correct cleaning steps will ensure the accuracy and prolong the life of your Vantage Vue Davis Weather Station. If you need help with any of the steps or you would like more information, contact an Instrument Choice scientist for expert assistance!