Davis Vantage Vue Rain Gauge Problem

[GulberwickWeather]

I have a rpoblem with the rain gauge on my Vantage Vue. It seems to have a problem recording rain unless its bucketing down! In lighter conditions it doesn't seem to record any rainfall. I have checked to make sure there is no debris in the collector and the tipping mechanism works fine. I've also ensured that the ISS (Integrated Sensor Suite) is level. Still having the problem. Anybody else had this and any other suggestions as to what it could be/what i could try?

[4wd]

When it does tip do you see 0.2mm?

I wondered if the adjustment screw had got twiddled.

A good thing about the Vue is that the rain mechanism is an easily replaced module.

probably this

http://www.davisnet.com/weather/products/weather_product.asp?pnum=07345.280

You may recall from assembly it just screws on with a knurled nut.

You could easily bring it inside for a careful spider scrutiny too.

[GulberwickWeather]

Yes when it tips it shows 0.2mm. Im taking it down tomorrow for a good clean and maintenance before the winter so I'll whip the rain gauge assemble out and have a good look.

[GulberwickWeather]

Well what I did find was the tipper was 'sticky' i.e. it sometimes stuck in the tipped position. I suspect some grit or some such. During the winter we get through a fair bit of grit on the roads up here and that gets ground down to a very fine sand and gets into everything so a good clean and a wee spot of 3-in-1 oil has hopefully done the trick.