apenwith wrote: the drops are counted individually and the count operates the bucket
not sure where you found this info. it was a theory in an over post i think.
hydreon site claim
The RG-11 bounces beams of light within the lens. When drops hit the outside surface, it allows some of the beams to escape. The RG-11 detects the change in beam intensity, and determines the size of the rain drop that caused the change. The sophisticated circuitry and Digital Signal Processing detect tiny rain drops, and reject the effects of ambient light disturbances.
nothing to do with counting
i have my rg11 set dip switch 1 on 0.001 inches
the test i did with the syringe every time a drop landed on the area the relay operated, could hear it operate, but more drops on as a stream of water still only one operation. drying the dome with kitchen roll after each test operated the relay.
it would seem that there is a set amount of light emitted from the diodes and the ir sensors look for the change in light. more defraction more rain.
thats how i came to the conclusion with the drop test 5ml syringe gives about 50 drops with light pressure so each drop would work out the correct size to trigger the cct to send the tip for 50ms. if there was another drop of the same size when the relay is operating why should it report it. it has already reported the rate.
its like the tip bucket pour water into it at a fast rate and it stays tipped on the same side.
this was tested with the rg11 test program and not with cumulus. it was to find the areas that detect rain.