RY-YLX rain bucket sensor
The RY-YLX tipping-bucket rain gauge measures precipitation by converting rainfall into a quantifiable physical signal. It is widely used in small meteorological stations, hydrological stations, and relevant agricultural and forestry departments to measure precipitation volume, intensity, and duration. It outputs a pulse signal, and the amount of rainfall is determined by recording the number of pulses.
- Rian collector diameter: φ200mm
- Measuring range: ≤4mm/min
- Weigth: 4KG
- Material: Stainless steel
- Respond time: 1S
- Work environment: Temperature 0～+60℃
- Standard line length: 1.5m
Price: $70–$118
Introduction
A rain bucket sensor (also known as a tipping bucket rain gauge) is a meteorological instrument used to measure rainfall accurately. It works by collecting rainwater into a small bucket that tips once a predefined volume is reached, triggering a signal for each tip. By counting the number of tips over time, the sensor calculates total precipitation and rainfall intensity. It is widely used in weather stations, agriculture, hydrology, and environmental monitoring due to its reliability, simple structure, and suitability for long-term outdoor deployment.
Rain bucket sensor working principle
Rainwater is collected at the inlet and fed into the measuring hopper through the inlet. When the water level reaches a preset value, the measuring hopper tips over. As it tips, a magnet passes over a reed switch, causing it to activate once and send a pulse signal representing 0.2 mm of rainfall. This signal is recorded by the instrument, enabling automatic data collection.
Structure Rain bucket sensor
- Collecting Funnel: Collects rainfall and directs the water evenly into the internal measuring mechanism.
- Tipping Bucket: The core measuring component; it tips once automatically when the preset water volume is reached.
- Pivot & Bearings: Support the smooth rotation of the tipping bucket, ensuring sensitivity and repeatability.
- Reed Switch / Hall Sensor: Triggers an electrical signal output each time the tipping bucket moves.
- Signal Output Unit: Converts the number of tipping bucket movements into rainfall data (pulse or digital signal).
- Housing & Base: Protects the internal components and typically features waterproof and corrosion-resistant properties.
- Drainage System: Quickly drains rainwater after the tipping bucket moves to prevent water accumulation from affecting measurements.
- Leveling Device: Ensures the device is installed level to improve measurement accuracy.
Details Show
Real-life photos taken from multiple angles showcase the product’s intricate design and high-quality craftsmanship. Below are the details show for the rain bucket sensor:
Specifications
The specifications for the tipping bucket rain sensor cover key metrics such as measurement performance, output methods, construction materials, response characteristics, and environmental adaptability, providing a comprehensive overview of the sensor’s accuracy, stability, and suitability for various applications. Below are the tipping bucket rain sensor specifications:
Parameters
| Product name | RY-YL/485 Rainfall Sensor |
| Rian collector diameter | φ200mm |
| Measuring range | ≤4mm/min |
| Output | Dry reed pipe switch on and off, pulse (1 pulse = 0.2mm rainfall) |
| Weigth | 4KG |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Respond time | 1S |
| Work environment | Temperature 0～+60℃ |
| Standard line length | 1.5m |
| Farthest lead wire | Current200m、 RS485 100 m、voltage 50m |
| Ingress Protection | IP65 |
Features rain bucket sensor
High Accuracy
Sensitive tipping mechanism ensures precise and reliable rainfall measurement.
Stable Output
Excellent linearity delivers consistent data over long-term monitoring use.
Strong Signal
Anti-interference design supports stable long-distance signal transmission.
Anti-Blockage
Optimized funnel prevents debris buildup and ensures smooth water flow.
Low Friction
Precision pivot system enables smooth tipping with minimal resistance.
Steel Housing
Stainless steel structure provides durability and corrosion resistance.
Applications rain bucket sensor
Tipping bucket rainfall sensors are primarily used to accurately monitor rainfall amounts and intensity. As essential instruments for meteorological monitoring and hydrological analysis, they are widely used in agriculture, water resources management, disaster prevention and mitigation, and smart cities. The following are some applications of the rain bucket sensors:
Agricultural meteorological monitoring
Guiding irrigation decisions and optimizing water resource utilization.
Hydrology and Water Resources
Used for collecting rainfall data from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
Flood control and disaster reduction
Real-time monitoring of rainfall changes to prevent flood disasters.
Smart City Development
Supporting urban drainage, waterlogging monitoring, and management.
Environmental and ecological monitoring
Used for regional precipitation analysis and ecological research.
custom rain bucket sensor
Custom rain bucket sensors are designed to meet diverse application requirements in meteorology, agriculture, hydrology, and environmental monitoring. By offering flexible configurations in structure, output, materials, and performance parameters, they can be tailored to specific project needs, ensuring accurate rainfall measurement and seamless system integration.
Customization Options
- Size Customization – Adjustable funnel diameter and overall dimensions to suit different standards and installations.
- Resolution Options – Flexible tipping bucket resolution to meet varying measurement accuracy requirements.
- Output Types – Multiple signal outputs available, including pulse, RS485, or other communication protocols.
- Material Selection – Choose from stainless steel, aluminum, or reinforced plastic to suit different environments.
- Environmental Adaptation – Custom designs for extreme temperatures, high humidity, or corrosive conditions.
- Mounting Options – A variety of mounting structures are available for pole, bracket, or ground installation.
- Branding Service – Support for logo printing, labeling, and OEM/ODM customization.
- System Integration – Compatible with weather stations, IoT platforms, and data logging systems.
rain bucket sensor manufacturer and supplier
Yantai Sensor is a professional rain bucket sensor manufacturer and supplier, specializing in high-precision rainfall measurement solutions for environmental monitoring and meteorological applications. Our tipping bucket rain gauges are designed to provide accurate, stable, and reliable precipitation data, widely used in agriculture, weather stations, hydrology, and smart city systems.
With strong in-house R&D capabilities, advanced manufacturing facilities, and dedicated testing laboratories, each rain bucket sensor undergoes strict quality control, including calibration accuracy, environmental durability, and long-term stability testing. Certified with CE, ISO, and RoHS, we offer flexible OEM/ODM services as a trusted rainfall sensor supplier. Our experienced technical team delivers customized solutions to meet diverse project needs—contact us for professional support.
