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STEVENSON SCREENS - CHEAP OPTION

For discussion of DIY weather equipment - sensors, accessories, improvements to existing kit etc
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Repairman77
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STEVENSON SCREENS - CHEAP OPTION

Post by Repairman77 »

Hi folks; I guess like me a lot of you use Stevenson Screens to keep your thermometers and remote sensors in.
Mine has now started to fall apart. I made it a couple of decades ago from louvred panels but it's now past repair.
Looking around for a new manufactured one I discovered that they are ridiculously high priced; well beyond the affordability of amateurs.

Just by chance I came across these on ebay; there are a couple of sellers but this one is the cheapest...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321278835171? ... 1497.l2649

There's also a smaller one but no idea what this is like...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Large-Square- ... 460993b8da

Try searching 'Large Wooden Lantern With Shutters' on ebay, as some other sellers may turn up.

It arrived today and looks like it'll do the job. It's only cheaply made and from cheap wood, and sprayed light grey.
However with a few coats of yacht varnish it should be weatherproof and last many years. May need a bit of extra glue and some sealant in places but it's fairly rigid and will certainly do for the few remote sensors I have. The vents can be moved up and down (all together with a rod inside) and in the down position look about right for the conventional Stevenson Screen. The only down side is that it's a bit on the small side but big enough for what I need.

Will update and tell you how I get on with the project in about the next week. Certainly an easy DIY project.
Nearly forgot, you get a free glass vase inside as well.

Mike.
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westonweather
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Re: STEVENSON SCREENS - CHEAP OPTION

Post by westonweather »

Love this!

Can you let us know how you get on? Does it look like it will withstand the relentless rain in the UK?

I'm looking at extending the cables on my WH1080 so I can put the thermometer / transmitter in the middle of the lawn.
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Repairman77
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Re: STEVENSON SCREENS - CHEAP OPTION

Post by Repairman77 »

Yes, it's certainly robust enough but I guess you'd have to anchor it down in strong winds. The winds we had a couple of weeks ago were even blowing over full wheelie bins!

I think the most important thing is to cover it with thick yacht varnish to stop it rotting.

Mike.
Retired Radio and Electronics Engineer residing in Cambridgeshire, UK.
westonweather
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Re: STEVENSON SCREENS - CHEAP OPTION

Post by westonweather »

Repairman77 wrote:Yes, it's certainly robust enough but I guess you'd have to anchor it down in strong winds. The winds we had a couple of weeks ago were even blowing over full wheelie bins!

I think the most important thing is to cover it with thick yacht varnish to stop it rotting.

Mike.
I know all too well about the gales, spent half the day recovering recycle boxes, bins, fence panels, the cats, just about everything from the end of the street.

Was thinking of sinking some 2 * 2 timbers into the lawn to make 4 legs, that won't go anywhere! 2m lengths, will give me 50cm in the ground and the rest to screw to box. Of course, will make cutting the lawn awkward, so might try and come up with some moveable solution instead.
tjaliwalpa
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Re: STEVENSON SCREENS - CHEAP OPTION

Post by tjaliwalpa »

Single pole would be better with wood top attached with bracing. Depends on your carpentry skills. Even a steel galv pole with plate, all painted white would work.
Bob
westonweather
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Re: STEVENSON SCREENS - CHEAP OPTION

Post by westonweather »

tjaliwalpa wrote:Single pole would be better with wood top attached with bracing. Depends on your carpentry skills. Even a steel galv pole with plate, all painted white would work.
Yes, you are right. I'll have a look around and see what I could come up with. It's certainly given me a new train of thought :)
westonweather
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Re: STEVENSON SCREENS - CHEAP OPTION

Post by westonweather »

Repairman77 wrote:
Just by chance I came across these on ebay; there are a couple of sellers but this one is the cheapest...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321278835171? ... 1497.l2649
I just bought the last one of these Mike.

What are you doing about the open top?

It looks like a good spot to put the rain gauge to me? Maybe fix the gauge to the inside and have it poking up through the top?
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Repairman77
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Re: STEVENSON SCREENS - CHEAP OPTION

Post by Repairman77 »

Yes could be an idea Twitter but my remote gauge is on the tower with the wind sensors and the conventional rain gauge is on a bracket on the top of the fence.
Actually I'm going to mount the box on the top of the concrete fence post. It has a couple of convenient 10mm bolts at the top.
I did tell the seller that they could be used for this purpose and that he may like to compose an add to that effect. Doubtless he'll get some more.
Mike.
Retired Radio and Electronics Engineer residing in Cambridgeshire, UK.
westonweather
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Re: STEVENSON SCREENS - CHEAP OPTION

Post by westonweather »

I had to move my rain gauge as the gales were playing hell with it! Thought of another option to close the top the elements. I found a solar panel about the same dimensions, so thinking of mounting that on top to provide a small amount of power for an aspiration fan and also to charge batteries for the transmitter.
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Repairman77
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Re: STEVENSON SCREENS - CHEAP OPTION

Post by Repairman77 »

Solar panel a good idea Twitter; hadn't thought of that' I'll probably put a square of white plastic roof shutter board on mine.
I don't think you really need to aspirate a Stevenson Screen though. I've never heard of that?
Although they do aspirate the small covers on the remote high up WX stations.
Retired Radio and Electronics Engineer residing in Cambridgeshire, UK.
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Repairman77
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Re: STEVENSON SCREENS - CHEAP OPTION

Post by Repairman77 »

Aint it always the same; someone selling a lot cheaper now; but just one left...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wooden-Lanter ... 2a2a2afcf8
Retired Radio and Electronics Engineer residing in Cambridgeshire, UK.
westonweather
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Re: STEVENSON SCREENS - CHEAP OPTION

Post by westonweather »

Sods law they call that!

I have already started on my Stevenson Screen project and am going to keep a diary / report HERE.

Going to be interesting to see how this pans out as in inexpensive but very welcome project.

Let me know if you're interested in reading about my limited & pitiful DIY skills and I'll keep it coming.
Last edited by westonweather on Fri 21 Feb 2014 7:47 am, edited 4 times in total.
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Repairman77
Posts: 361
Joined: Sat 17 Oct 2009 3:47 pm
Weather Station: WH1080
Operating System: XP pro SP3
Location: Cambridgeshire UK

Re: STEVENSON SCREENS - CHEAP OPTION

Post by Repairman77 »

I'll keep an eye on your blog WesternWeather.

A couple of things I was thinking of today. About aspirating it, I tried this with the flower-pot tray mod on my remote unit up on the tower and ran 12 volts to it. I used a fan from a computer CPU to do the job. Unfortunately it only lasted a bit less than a year, even thought it was protected from the rain. I don't know of any waterproof fans; perhaps you do?

Secondly I shall be going round all the joints on the box with Silicon sealant; also on the edges where the slats meet the sides. This will keep them all in position and leave an average of a 5-6mm gap for ventilation. I think any more gap will let in too much water in a storm. This was around the same as my previous screen made from louvred hardwood panels.

I was thinking of lining the inside with sewing netting to keep out the bugs but with the upright control rods in the way this may be a little difficult. My old screen was a refuge for earwigs last year; horrid creatures. May be a way of glueing net in sections to avoid the hooks and eyes. I suppose it would be possible to snip them all off and remove the control posts once the slats had been sealed in place; would make it easier to fit things inside?

What this space. Still a worthwhile project considering the astronomical price of proper screens.

Mike.
Retired Radio and Electronics Engineer residing in Cambridgeshire, UK.
westonweather
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Re: STEVENSON SCREENS - CHEAP OPTION

Post by westonweather »

Repairman77 wrote:
What this space. Still a worthwhile project considering the astronomical price of proper screens.

Mike.
Yep, I'll certainly be watching to see how your project goes too.
tjaliwalpa
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Re: STEVENSON SCREENS - CHEAP OPTION

Post by tjaliwalpa »

Re solar fan ventilation:
There are some amazing solar vents available on eBay that are designed for outdoor use. These would fit nicely in the top of the the box you have already found on eBay.

This one is from an Australian seller, but I'm sure there are ones in the UK as well.
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_trks ... &_from=R40
Bob
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