conant VRG7-2LFB 2ND Generation Jeffersonian Rain Gauge Instruction Manual
- June 3, 2024
- conant
Table of Contents
conant VRG7-2LFB 2ND Generation Jeffersonian Rain Gauge Instruction Manual
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
To fully enjoy this beautifully crafted 2ND Generation Jeffersonian Rain Gauge, please read the following information. Inspired by Thomas Jeferson’s affinity for invention, this unique Jeffersonian Rain Gauge uses a oat and lever design to measure rainfall. As water lls the glass vial, the red ball rises causing the aluminum gauge pointer to climb the 7” scale. The instrument is made of solid brass, steel and aluminum with a glass vial. Within a few months exposure to the elements, the brass nish will begin to age gracefully and develop a mellow patina. This aging process is what we call “Living Finish Brass.”
Ideal Rain Gauge Placement: For an accurate measurement of water, place your Rain Gauge in an open area away from overhanging trees and approximately twenty feet from buildings. AVOID FREEZING! Be sure to bring your rain gauge indoors before air temperatures reach the freezing point. This will keep it safely free of ice, which can expand and break the vial.
For Ground Mounting:
Clear a smooth, at surface on
the ground. Then place the base on the ground with the Conant logo facing up.
Unscrew the lower threaded connector from the top of the foundation rod. Then, insert the foundation rod into the hole at the top of the base.
Screw the hexagonal nut into the top of the foundation rod (#3a). While being careful to maintain a straight angle of tilt, use a rubber mallet to drive the foundation rod into the ground until the top of the rod is about 1/8” from the top of the base (#3b)
Tighten the two set screws on the base using the Allen wrench. Then unscrew and remove the hexagonal nut from the top of the foundation rod and screw the lower threaded connector back into the top of the foundation rod.
Screw the brass shaft onto the lower threaded connector. Tighten by sliding the Allen wrench through the hole at the top of the inner pole and twisting until the poles are secure.
Screw the rain gauge onto the brass shaft. To tighten, slide one of the Allen wrenches through the hole at the top of the brass shaft and the other Allen wrench through the hole on the shaft of the rain gauge.Then twist until both sets are secure.
Carefully, cut the zip ties that hold the glass vial in place.
For Deck Mounting:
*FOR BEST RESULTS: Choose a spot on your deck that is as far from the house as possible and is not near overhanging trees or roof lines
Place the base on the deck where it is to be installed and use a pencil to mark the location of the three mounting holes on the deck. Then use a drill with a 1/8” (4mm) drill bit to drill three pilot holes 1 1/2” (40mm) deep into the mounting surface.
Place the base on the deck and align the three base holes with the three newly drilled holes. Use a Phillips screwdriver to screw each of the three screws into the deck. Be careful not to tighten the screws completely.
Insert the foundation rod into the top of the base. Then screw the level onto the top of the rod to verify that it is plumb. If the unit is not level, use at pieces of wood (shims) to slide under the base. When you are done, unscrew and remove the level.
Use the Allen wrench to tighten the two set screws on the base. Then nish tightening the wood screws so they are completely secure in the mounting surface.
Follow steps ve through seven for Ground Mounting to nish assembling the Rain
Gauge.
*NOTE: Plastic expansion plugs have been included if you wish to mount
the Rain Gauge to a concrete surface.