The Seeed RG-15 Optical Rain Gauge delivers accurate, maintenance-free rainfall measurements using infrared sensing, with tipping-bucket output and serial configuration — ideal for weather stations, agriculture, and LoRaWAN® monitoring setups.
The Seeed Industrial-Grade Optical Rain Gauge RG-15 provides accurate, reliable measurements of rainfall volume and intensity. It installs easily, requires no maintenance, and works well in any application where dependable rainfall data is needed. It can also be paired with the SenseCAP LoRaWAN® Data Logger for simple integration into a local LoRaWAN® network, enabling low-power, long-range data transmission.
Rainfall information is important across many fields, including weather and climate research, hydrological monitoring, agriculture, and logistics. In agriculture, having real-time precipitation data helps farmers plan irrigation schedules, ensure crops receive the right amount of water, and prevent issues such as root rot or water waste.
The RG-15 is a rugged, cost-effective solution for rainfall monitoring. Instead of moving parts, it uses infrared light beams inside a plastic lens—roughly the size of a tennis ball—to detect rainfall and measure its intensity. The smooth, rounded surface prevents debris buildup, avoids mechanical sticking, and eliminates clogged pathways.
The sensor includes an open-collector output that mimics a traditional tipping-bucket rain gauge, along with a serial interface for detailed data and device configuration. Settings can be adjusted through the serial port or via optional DIP switches. A built-in mounting arm allows easy installation on masts, buildings, and other structures, and it’s well suited for solar-powered systems.
Features
Industrial-grade design: High reliability with a rugged surface, provides accurate measurements
User friendly: Can be easily installed on weather station masts, buildings, and other infrastructures
Maintenance-free: No debris would be generated and no clogging in the gauge
Wide application scenarios: Can be used in various scenarios like hydrological network monitoring, irrigation control, climate studies, etc.
Specifications
Parameter
Value
Connection Pins
Nominal Accuracy
±10%
J1 Terminal
J1 - Out J1 - V+ J1 - GND
Input Voltage
Range 5-15 VDC 50V surge on J1 Reverse polarity protected to 50V or 3.3VDC through pin 8 on J2
Current Drain (Not final)
110 μA nominal. (No outputs on, dry not raining) 2-4 mA when raining
J2 Header
J2 - 1 GND J2 - 2 V+ (Same as J1 V+) J2 - 3 OUT (Same as J1 OUT) J2 - 4 RS232 OUT J2 - 5 RS232 IN J2 - 6 J2 - 7 MCLR J2 - 8 3.3V
Output
NPN Open Collector Output 100 mA / 80V Max
Operating Temperature
-40°C to +60°C (Will not detect rain when freezing)
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