how do i prevent moist and rain damage

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
1

Hey, i'm planning on building my own little weather station with my arduino, but my main concern is how i can make it survive rain and moist in the rain, because we all know electronics and water don't mix :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

i'm planning to equip the weatherstation with a atmospheric pressure sensor, and if that is gonna work i can't put it in a water proof container, because then it wouldn't be able to messure the correct atmospheric pressure :S
And the temprature sensor is a small circuit board, and again that can't be mixed with water or air moist :S

What do i do guys?

PS: I'm not sure if this is in the right forum :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

2

Well, an important thing to remember is that rain usually falls downwards, and pressure sensors often have a tube coupler that allows them to be mounted in a dry place, but have the measuring part exposed to ambient pressure.

3

but when it rains, the air is very moist, won't that give some trouble to the electronics?

here's the temprature sensor:
http://www.electrozone.dk/digital-temperature-sensor-breakout-tmp102.html

and here the atmospheric pressure sensor:
http://www.electrozone.dk/sensors/temperatur/barometric-pressure-sensor-bmp085-breakout.html

Most of it is in danish, but you can read about both on sparkfun

4

but when it rains, the air is very moist

pressure sensors often have a tube coupler that allows them to be mounted in a dry place

5

but won't the moist get into that tube and ruin the sensor?

6

probably want to avoid getting it on your humidity sensor.

7

And the temprature sensor is a small circuit board, and again that can't be mixed with water or air moist :S

Choosing sensors more apt for the purpose is probably a good start. Here's a good alternative for a weatherproof digital temperature sensor (3.0 to 5V).

http://www.sureelectronics.net/goods.php?id=1020

8

those are hard to come by in Denmark :S

9

You want to look for a 'conformal coating', these are materials like lacquer that you paint on or spry to stop condensing humidity causing you problems.
They are not cheap, a selection can be seen here:-

10

If you're worried about moisture reaching the sensing element, isolate it with a U-tube, with a non-hygroscopic oil in the bend.
This will prevent any airborne contaminents (except those present when you connected the tube!) from reaching the sensor.