COOP H.P.D. Upgrades Michael A. Asmus Regional Data Acquisition Programs Manager NWS, Southern Region Headquarters Fort Worth, TX

Systems Operations Division

2,298 Fischer & Porter rain gauges Fischer & Porter Upgrades (FPU) Fischer & Porter Rebuilds (FPR) sites equipped with Telemetry (TEL) - CADAS from NWSHQ (141 gauges) - GOES-DCP (123 gauges) - LOCAL-Dial-up (~76 gauges). Network inventory

Systems Operations Division HPD network requirements Precipitation data are recorded on a 15 minute time resolution. Precipitation is recorded to a.10” liquid equivalent resolution. Data are collected on a monthly basis. Collected data (punch tapes) are sent to National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) that converts the punch tape data to a digital format that are archived and published.

Systems Operations Division The first attempt to convert the punch tape gage to an electronic system was called the Fischer Porter Upgrade (FPU). The upgrade included a large stainless steel cabinet to hold the data logger and the battery weighed 58 pounds. It was very difficult to maintain. Introduction of the FPU. There were some desirable features to this early gage that we have incorporated into the new rebuild kits. The biggest gain was having the rainfall data available in an electronic format for use at the WFO at the beginning of the month following data collection.

Systems Operations Division We are installing FPR-D kits. All component fit inside original case with exception of solar panel. Easy to configure and operate. Minimal maintenance concerns. Data are transferred on SD cards making data easily accessible. Data are transferred in.csv format. Interim data transfers can now occur without affecting monthly collections. 60 days of data are transferred each month.

Systems Operations Division Advantages for using FPR. Data are transferred on SD card which makes QC of the data much easier to accomplish. Data logger can be programmed to support any change if program requirements that may occur. Eliminated need for NCDC to convert the data to digital format. Data are useable as soon as they are collected at the WFO. Maintenance of the gage is much easier with the removal of the punch mechanism. The installation of these kits is expected to reduce the amount of missing HPD to less than 3%. Allows NWSREPs with minimal maintenance experience to repair the gages as nearly all moving parts have been removed.

Systems Operations Division How it works. Weight of precipitation collected in bucket is measured by a load cell mounted on the scaling mechanism. Every 15 minutes (programmable value) the data logger stores a 2 second average (programmable value) of this value to memory. At midnight a gage status report is stored to memory. This includes battery voltage and well as calibration values. Each time an SD card is inserted into the transfer slot the most recent 60 days (programmable value) are copied to the card. Data logger will store nearly one year of data in memory.

Systems Operations Division Coming Soon? A version of the FPR that can be installed at locations that currently have telemetry is being discussed. Procurement of this next generation gage could begin with the next 12 – 18 months. Data loggers being currently deployed are capable to being upgraded to support telemetry if/when network requirements change.

Systems Operations Division More Coming Soon? Data from the existing HPD network are published to 0.1” resolution due to the limitation of the punch tape gage. The new data loggers are collecting values to 0.01 resolution. Requirements for publishing the data may change once all tape gages have had kits installed. Frequency of sampling is programmable making more detailed data collection possible if network requirements change.