Ott Pluvio2 - L - EN

Operating Instructions
Precipitation gauge
OTT Pluvio2 L
English
We reserve the right to make technical changes and improvements without notice.
Table of contents
1 Scope of supply 4
2 Order numbers 4
3 Introduction 5
3.1 Measured value output to the SDI-12 and RS-485 interfaces 7
3.2 Measured value output at pulse output 9
3.3 Graphic display of measured value output for differentprecipitation intensities 11
3.4 Orifice ring rim heater 12
4 Basic safety information 15
5 Installing the OTT Pluvio² L 16

5.1 Recommended cable types/maximum cable lengths 16
5.2 Required tools and equipment 17
5.3 Preparing the installation location 18
5.4 Preparing the base plate 19
5.5 Preparing the connection cable 20
5.6 Installing the base plate on the pedestal 22
5.7 Connecting the connection cable 23
5.8 Connecting the grounding cable 23
5.9 Aligning the base plate 24
5.10 Performing final work 25
6 SDI-12 commands and responses 29

6.1 Basic commands 29
6.2 Advanced SDI-12 commands 32
6.3 RS-485 command line mode (ASCII text retrieval) 35
7 Performing maintenance operations 36

7.1 Emptying the collecting bucket 36
7.2 Adding anti-freeze agent for winter operation 36
7.3 Performing the visual inspection 37
7.4 Additional checks in cases of defect 37
7.5 Troubleshooting/remedy 38
7.6 Performing the Guided Accuracy Test (check measurement) 42
8 Repair 44
9 Notes about the disposal of used units 44
10 Technical Data 45
Appendix A – Connecting the OTT Pluvio2 L to an OTT datalogger 49

A.1 Connecting the OTT Pluvio2 L to an OTT netDL or OTT DuoSens via SDI-12 or RS-485 interface 49
A.2 Connecting the OTT Pluvio2 L to an OTT netDL or OTT DuoSens via the pulse output 51
Appendix B – Dimensions of the OTT Pluvio2 L 200 with pedestal and bottom plate 53
Appendix C – Dimensions of the OTT Pluvio2 L 400 with pedestal and bottom plate 54
Appendix D – Dimensions of pedestal with bottom plate 55
Appendix E – Installing the anti-theft protection 56
Appendix F – Installation bird repellent ring 57
Appendix G – Accessories/replacement parts 58
3
1 Scope of supply
䊳 OTT Pluvio2 L – Weighing precipitation gauge; collecting area: 200 cm2

recording capacity: 1,500 mm (Version 200) or 750 mm (Version 400)
of precipitation. Consisting of: base plate with weighing mechanism,
bucket support, collecting bucket, and pipe housing. With SDI-12,
RS-485, and USB interfaces (for servicing purposes). Additional pulse
outputs for amount of precipitation and status information.
– Installation accessory kit
(6 hexagon bolts M 8 x 40;
1 8-wire screw terminal strip;
1 6-wire screw terminal strip;
3 cable ties 140 x 3.6;
1 Jumper
1 open-ended wrench, size: 10/13)
– USB cable
USB connector type A to USB connector type B, 3 m
– Operating Instructions
– Factory acceptance test (FAT) certificate
2 Order numbers
䊳 OTT Pluvio2 Version 200 70.040.000.9.0

– collecting area: 200 cm2
– recording capacity: 1,500 mm precipitation
Version 200 RH 70.040.001.9.0

– recording capacity: 1,500 mm precipitation
– with integrated orifice rim heater;
rated power 50 Watt
Version 400 70.040.020.9.0

– recording capacity: 750 mm precipitation.
Version 400 RH 70.040.021.9.0

– recording capacity: 750 mm precipitation
– with integrated orifice rim heater;
rated power 100 Watt
For accessories and replacement parts, refer to Appendix G
4
3 Introduction
The OTT Pluvio2 L precipitation gauge is used for automatic determination of the
meteorological intensity and amount of precipitation.
In contrast to conventional precipitation gauges, the OTT Pluvio2 L works using the
weighing principle. The OTT Pluvio2 L reliably detects precipitation, whether liquid
or solid, by determining the weight of the collecting bucket. The OTT precipitation
gauge is characterized in particular by its low maintenance needs. This is achieved
by means of a high-capacity collecting bucket, the lack of a collection funnel as is
typical for tipping buckets, and the very robust design of the weighing mechanism.
A high-precision, stainless steel load cell, hermetically sealed against environmental
influences that remains stable over a long period, is used as the sensor element.
An integrated temperature sensor compensates for the temperature changes in the
weighing mechanism. The mechanical overload protection prevents damage to the
load cell from forces in a vertical direction higher than permitted, e.g. during
transport or when emptying the collecting bucket.
Fig. 1: OTT Pluvio2 L precipitation gauge.

The OTT Pluvio2 L is available in two Version 400
versions: Version 200 and Version 400. Bucket orifice opening 400 cm²
Recording capacity 750 mm
Version 200
Bucket orifice opening 200 cm²
Recording capacity 1,500 mm
5
Every 6 seconds, the precipitation gauge determines the weight of the collecting
bucket including its content using a resolution of 0.001 mm (= raw data). The
difference between this measured value and the basic weight of the empty collect-
ing bucket gives the current bucket content.
A special filter algorithm prevents incorrect measurement results in the process
from effects such as wind. The difference between the current bucket content and
the previous one gives the precipitation intensity in mm/min or mm/h.
These 6-second values for the precipitation intensity are added to the accumulated
precipitation amount (Accu total NRT – see below) by the OTT Pluvio2 L.
Depending on the filter algorithm run, the measured values are available as
real-time and non-real-time values:
䊳 Real-time output (RT): The OTT Pluvio2 L outputs the measurement result
for intensities greater than 0.1 mm/min within a minute after occurrence of
the precipitation event. Benefit: fast response time and precipitation output with
correct intensity.
䊳 Non-real-time output (NRT): The OTT Pluvio2 L outputs the measurement
result 5 minutes after occurrence of the precipitation event. Benefit: more
precise output with correct precipitation volume.
All measured values can be retrieved via a serial SDI-12 and RS-485 interface.
In detail, these are:
䊳 Intensity RT
䊳 Accu RT/NRT (since the last measured value sample)
䊳 Accu NRT (since the last measured value sample)
䊳 Accu total NRT (since the last reset)
䊳 Bucket RT
䊳 Bucket NRT
䊳 Temperature of load cell
䊳 Status OTT Pluvio2 L (since the last measured value sample)
The OTT Pluvio2 L provides the precipitation values using a resolution of 0.01 mm.
Individual response thresholds of ≥ 0.05 mm are applied to these values within
one hour. A detailed description of the individual measured values can be found
in Chapter 3.1.
The OTT Pluvio2 L uses two pulse outputs to output the amount of precipitation
RT/NRT (output #1) as well as the status information (output #2) in parallel. The
pulse factor may be selected: one pulse equals 0.05 mm, 0.1 mm, or 0.2 mm of
precipitation.
Parallel operation of serial interface and pulse output allows two dataloggers or
one datalogger and one PLC to be connected simultaneously.
The OTT Pluvio2 L is installed to a 4" pedestal the bottom plate of which is mounted
to a concrete foundation. The standard installation height is 1 meter (height of the
orifice ring rim). Alternatively, 1.2; 1.5; 2.0; 2.5 or 3.0 meters are possible.
After connecting the supply voltage, the OTT Pluvio2 L automatically starts measuring
operation (➝ red LED is flashing, refer to Fig. 18). The OTT Pluvio2 L is calibrated
in the factory. On site, no further calibration is necessary.
Any increases in weight greater than approx. 12 mm within 6 seconds are not output
as precipitation, as they exceed a natural level of precipitation. Thus, spurious increases
such as bucket changes or filling with anti-freeze are suppressed. Check measurements,
even with large reference weights (Version 200: > 240 g; Version 400: > 480 g), are
possible using the values of Bucket RT and Bucket NRT. The measured value sample is
carried out in a joint data telegram with multiple measured values. Individual samples
with different intervals are not possible.
6
For service purposes (test measurements, convenient setting of operating parame-
ters and for an accuracy test) a USB interface has been provided. The particular
advantage of this is: when using the USB interface, no separate power supply is
required.
Please note: After connecting the USB interface, the OTT Pluvio2 L interrupts
communication on the serial interfaces!
The measuring system of the OTT Pluvio2 L prevents output of any incorrect
precipitation amount and does not output any increases in precipitation through
the interfaces after the following situations:
䊳 USB interface was connected (pipe housing removed) for approx. 5 minutes
䊳 Emptying (large reduction in weight) for approx. 5 minutes
䊳 Startup/power failure for approx. 2 minutes
The OTT test weight kit (accessory) is used to perform annual check measurements
(guided accuracy test) in conjunction with the OTT Pluvio2 operating software.
3.1 Measured value output to the SDI-12 and RS-485 interfaces

䊳 Intensity RT
Moving precipitation growth over the last minute before the sampling interval
(measuring method acc. to WMO Guideline No. 8). This measured value is
particularly suited, for example, for the exact determination of intensity with heavy
precipitation and for alarm management, but not for daily and monthly totals.
Output delay: Real-time output (RT)
Units: mm/h · mm/min
inch/h · inch/min
Threshold: 0.1 mm/min · 6 mm/h
Sampling interval required: 1 minute
Storing interval required: 1 minute
Note: Larger sampling intervals always give the precipitation intensity of the minute
just before the sampling interval! For precipitation intensities of < 0.1 mm/min, the
OTT Pluvio2 L sets the output value to zero. Thus, this output value may not be used
for accumulating single intensity values.
䊳 Accu RT-NRT
This value is a combination of real-time and non-real-time output. This value pro-
vides the benefit of faster RT output together with subsequent non-real-time output
delivering the maximum accuracy possible. It shows the accumulated amounts of
precipitation over the sampling interval. If the amount of precipitation exceeds the
threshold, the OTT Pluvio2 L outputs the measurement result in real time. Other-
wise, it collects the fine precipitation over a maximum of one hour and outputs the
measured value in non-real time. If the fine precipitation does not reach the
threshold within an hour, there will be no output. This measured value is similar to
the behaviour of a precipitation gauge with tipping bucket. This measured value is
particularly suited for daily or monthly totals and for alarm management.
Output delay: Real-time output (RT) for precipitation events
immediately exceeding the threshold, otherwise
non-real-time output (NRT).
Units: mm · inch
Threshold: 0.05 mm within an hour
7
Recommended sampling interval: 1 minute (with simultaneous sampling of the
precipitation intensity)
Recommended storing interval: Any time between 1 minute and 24 hours. The
datalogger must total the individual measured
values using a summing function over the com-
plete storing interval!
Note: Every interface polling resets the total amount values in the OTT Pluvio2 L
to zero!
䊳 Accu NRT
This measured value outputs the sum of the correct amounts of precipitation over
the sampling interval with a fixed output delay of 5 minutes. Due to better filter-
ing, this valuable provides a more precise precipitation sum. Fine precipitation is
collected over a maximum of one hour and output after reaching the threshold. If
the fine precipitation does not reach the threshold within an hour, there will be no
output. This value is particularly suited for daily and monthly totals
Output delay: Non-real-time output (NRT)
Units: mm · inch
Recommended storing interval: Any time between 1 minute and 24 hours. The
datalogger must total the individual measured
values using a summing function over the com-
plete storing interval!
Note: Every interface polling resets the total measured value in the OTT Pluvio2 L
to zero. The 5 minute output delay provides the option for climatological databases
to apply a timestamp correction when necessary.
䊳 Accu total NRT
This measured value outputs the sum of the correct amounts of precipitation since
the last device start with a fixed output delay of 5 minutes. For this purpose, the
individual Accu NRT values are totalled (redundant sensor). This value is particularly
suited for daily or monthly totals as well as for tracking the plausibility of the Accu
NRT and Accu RT-NRT values. Benefit: No loss of the collected precipitation
amount values in case of temporarily disrupted data transfer.
Resetting this value is achieved
– by a separate SDI-12 reset command, or
– by switching the power supply on/off, or
– automatically if the measurement range (500 mm; 50 inch) is exceeded
Output delay: Non-real-time output (NRT)
Units: mm · inch
Recommended storing interval: Any time between 1 minute and 24 hours
(do not total/average measured values)
8
䊳 Bucket RT
This value outputs the currently measured, unfiltered bucket content. It corresponds
to the measured weight raw data and is subjected to higher uncertainty with
regard to temperature and wind impact. The measured value is particularly suited
for quick reference measurements of the weighing mechanism and for determining
the current bucket level. Using this measured value for separately calculating the
amount of precipitation in an external datalogger is not reasonable!
Output delay: real-time output (RT)
Units: mm · inch
Resolution: 0.01 mm (Version 200: 1 mm = ^ 20 g;
^ 40 g)
Version 400: 1 mm =

Recommended storing interval: any time between 1 minute and 24 hours
(possibly averaging over 10 minutes)
䊳 Bucket NRT
This value outputs the currently measured, filtered bucket content.

It corresponds to the filtered weight value and is subjected to uncertainty with
regard to temperature impact. The value is particularly suited for determining
the content of the bucket and for calculating the evaporation behaviour. Using
this measured value for separately calculating the amount of precipitation in an
external datalogger is not reasonable!
Output delay: non-real-time output (NRT)
Units: mm · inch
Resolution: 0.01mm (Version 200: 1 mm = ^ 20 g;
Version 400: 1 mm = ^ 40 g)
Recommended sampling interval: 1 minute (with simultaneous sampling of
the precipitation intensity)
䊳 Temperature of load cell
Internal temperature of the load cell for compensating for the temperature change.
This value is only relevant to internal purposes and generally differs from the current
ambient temperature by several °C.
Units : °C · °F
Recommended storing interval: only as required (any time between 1 minute
and 24 hours)
3.2 Measured value output at pulse output

The OTT Pluvio2 L uses two pulse outputs to output the amount of precipitation
RT/NRT (output #1) as well as the status information (output #2) in parallel.
Parallel operation of serial interface and pulse output allows two dataloggers
or one datalogger and one PLC to be connected simultaneously.
Electrical characteristics of the pulse and status outputs

Pulse ON contact closed
Pulse/pause ratio: 1:1
for 5 Hz =^ 100/100 ms
for 2 Hz =^ 250/250 ms
Contact design: non-bouncing, polarity independent, isolated
Current capacity, Imax : ≤ 100 mA (short-circuit proof;
load cut-off at 200 mA)
Voltage, Umax : ≤ 28 VDC
9
䊳 Pulse-Accu RT-NRT
This measured value is same as Accu RT-NRT. However, the threshold is deter-
mined by the resolution of the pulse output (0.05 mm · 0.1 mm · 0.2 mm).
The measured value is output as a pulse sequence using a rate of 5 Hz (default)
or 2 Hz (configurable through the OTT Pluvio2 L operating software via USB
interface).
Output delay: refer to Accu RT-NRT

Pulse factor (selectable): 0.05 mm · 0.1 mm · 0.2 mm
(1 mm = ^ 20 · 10 · 5 Impulse)
0.01 inch
Resolution: 0.05 mm · 0.1 mm · 0.2 mm
Recommended sampling interval: continuous pulse counting
䊳 Pulse status information
This measured value corresponds to the current bucket level and additionally
shows status information. Moreover, status information may be used as an
alive signal.
0 pulses/min system error, device or cable at the pulse output faulty

(output #2)
10 … 100 pulses/min 0 … 100 % of the approx. bucket level
120 pulses/min maintenance by means of operation through USB
Fig. 2: Pulse output circuit diagram.

The locations of the terminals Simplified schematic diagram
are shown in Fig. 13.
Output #1: Terminals #1 and #2.
Output #2: Terminals #3 and #4.
Terminals 1 2 3 4 Imax : 100 mA *

Umax : 28 VDC
Pulse OUT mm/inch A
Pulse OUT mm/inch B
Pulse OUT Status A

Pulse OUT Status B
* short circuit protected; load cut-off at 200 mA
Detailed diagram
internal optoelectronic relay
10 Ohm
Terminals 1 + 3
Terminals 2 + 4
10
Please note:
When the pulse outputs are connected to
– OTT dataloggers ➝ no additional wiring is required to be made. You may
directly connect the pulse outputs to the pulse inputs of an OTT datalogger.
– Third-party datalogger ➝ external wiring at the pulse and status outputs must
be designed in such a way, that the limits for Imax ≤ 100 mA and Umax ≤ 28 V
will be kept in all operating conditions! Use a pull-up resistor as applicable!
3.3 Graphic display of measured value output for different

precipitation intensities
Fig. 3: Schematic display of measured

value output for different precipitation Threshold
values of the OTT Pluvio2 L for fine
precipitation (< 0.1 mm/min) and Precipitation 0.01 mm
precipiation (≥ 0.1 mm/min). ≥ 0.1 mm/min
0.01 mm
Thresholds of the channels
are indicated on the right.
Fine precipitation
< 0.1 mm/min
Bucket EZ
5 min
Bucket NEZ
Intensity EZ 0.1 mm/min
Accu EZ-NEZ * 0.05 mm
Accu NEZ * 0.05 mm
* 0.05 mm
Accu total NEZ
Pulse-Accu EZ-NEZ 0.1mm
* within one hour
11
3.4 Orifice ring rim heater
For both versions of OTT Pluvio2 L, an optional orifice rim heater is available. This
heater reliably keeps the orifice rim free of snow and ice at low ambient tempera-
tures (e.g. no snow or ice build-up). No snow will accumulate at the orifice rim.
The orifice rim heater consists of a ring-shaped heating element within the pipe
housing with temperature sensor and an electronic heater control module for con-
trolling and monitoring the heating function. The heater cable electrical connection
is established automatically via two plug contacts and a connector block once the
pipe housing is placed onto the base plate.
Only the orifice rim is heated to avoid unwanted losses caused by evaporation.
Therefore, the orifice rim heater does not prevent the contents of the collecting
container from freezing! The heater control unit reliably prevents a stack effect
(errors in precipitation measurement caused by thermal effects) by using a low
and continuously monitored orifice rim temperature.
Fig. 4: Schematic diagram of

the OTT Pluvio2 L orifice rim heater.
The surface shown in grey (orifice rim)
is the heated part of the pipe housing. Orifice rim
Cable
Orifice rim heater
Pipe housing
Plug contacts
Connector block
12
The OTT Pluvio2 L unit heats the orifice rim until the target temperature of +4 °C
(factory setting) is reached – as far as heating power and ambient conditions
allow. To achieve this, the heater control system measures both ambient and ori-
fice rim temperatures and uses these values together with the target temperature to
calculate the pulse/pause ratio. Depending on this value, the heater control system
supplies electricity to the heating element for 5 to 120 seconds.
In addition to this, several modes of operation provide the option of enabling/
disabling the heater control system based on certain criteria (see below).
When the heater control system is enabled, the OTT Pluvio2 L unit continuously
performs a functional test for the orifice rim heater (heater self-test) to detect
potential error conditions. When the heater control system is temporarily disabled,
performing the heater self-test depends on the mode of operation set. The result is
used for system checks in the measuring area. In case the error cannot be correct-
ed (unusual operating conditions or faulty orifice rim heater), the “Heater function-
command aD2!, Chapter 6.1.

al check failed” status information is shown, refer to the response to the SDI-12
When the measured rim temperature exceeds 50 °C in heating mode, the rim
heater system triggers an automatic safety shutoff of the heating element.
The orifice rim heater can be switched ON/OFF using an advanced SDI-12 com-
mand or via a separate power supply. Thus, the orifice rim heater may completely
Status Information (response to the SDI-12 command aD2!; <value 8> = +64).
be switched OFF, for example in summer. In such case, a message is shown in the
The nominal supply voltage for operating the orifice rim heater is 24 VDC, and the
maximum heating capacity with very low ambient temperatures is approx. 50 Watt
for Version 200 RH and 100 Watt for Version 400 RH. Optionally, the supply
voltage of the orifice rim heater can be fed separately from or together with the
supply voltage for the precipitation gauge.
As a special option, the orifice rim heater may be operated based on 12 VDC. In
this case, effective heating power is 25 % of the rated power. For operation in
moderate climate zones and using 12 V solar systems, this type of operation is
basically allowed. The data specified for 24 VDC operation cannot be maintained
across the entire temperature range (refer to Chapter 10, “Technical Data“). For
temperatures below –5 … –10 °C, snow or ice may adhere to the unit.
Orifice rim heater modes of operation:

䊳 Mode #0 Orifice rim heater is completely switched OFF.
(No heater self-test is performed).
䊳 Mode #1 Heater control system is continuously enabled.
The heater control system keeps the temperature of the orifice
rim at the preset target temperature.
(Factory setting)
䊳 Mode #2 Within a specified temperature range, the heater control system
is continuously enabled.
Same as Mode #1 with the heater control system temporarily
disabling the heater when the temperature is below an adjustable
temperature limit (–40 … +9 °C). Below the temperature limit, the
heater self-test is performed based on a selectable interval
(1 h … 7 d).
13
䊳 Mode #3 The heater is controlled based on the National Weather Service
(NWS) Standard. The heater control is active from a preset time
(starting time) on and continuously keeps the orifice rim tempera-
ture at the predetermined setpoint. The On-time may be adjusted
as well (1 … 1440 minutes).
Outside this On-time, the heater self-test is performed based on a
selectable interval (1 h … 7 d).
Please note: This mode requires the OTT Pluvio2 L system time
to be set correctly. In case a power failure lasts longer than 10
minutes, the OTT Pluvio2 L system time will be lost. This will result
in incorrect heater control system operation!
Fig. 5: Diagram of orifice

rim heater Mode #3. Orifice rim temperature
Target temperature
Ambient temperature
t
Heater control system status

Temporarily disabled (+064)
t
Starting time* On-time
* Factory setting: 14:00:00 o'clock
䊳 Mode #4 Heater control system is operated based on precipitation events.

Once precipitation has started, the heater control will be active
for a preset after-run time (1 ... 1440 minutes) and continuously
keep the orifice rim temperature at the predetermined setpoint.
Outside this after-run time, the heater self-test is performed based
on a selectable interval (1 h … 7 d).
Fig. 6: Diagram of orifice

rim heater Mode #4. Precipitation event
Orifice rim temperature

Target temperature
Ambient temperature
t
Heater control system status

Temporarily disabled (+064)
t
After-run time*
* Factory setting: 20 minutes
14
4 Basic safety information
䊳 Please read these Operating Instructions before using the OTT Pluvio2 L for the
first time! Make yourself completely familiar with the installation and operation
of the OTT Pluvio2 L! Keep these Operating Instructions for later reference.
䊳 The OTT Pluvio2 L is used for automatic determination of the meteorological
precipitation intensity and amount of precipitation. Use the OTT Pluvio2 L only
as described in these Operating Instructions!
For further information ➝ see Chapter 3, “Introduction“.
䊳 Note all the detailed safety information given within the individual steps. All
safety information in these Operating Instructions is identified by the warning
symbol shown here.
䊳 Only transport the precipitation gauge with the transportation lock in place.
Please note: even with the transportation lock fitted, this is no absolute pro-
tection against damage. For further information, see Chapter 5.4, “Preparing
the base plate“.
䊳 Avoid heavy shaking and shocks during transport and operation!
The OTT Pluvio2 L is equipped with a highly sensitive electronic weighing
mechanism. Only use the original packaging for transport!
䊳 Ensure the electrical, mechanical, and climatic specifications listed in the
technical data are adhered to.
For further information ➝ see Chapter 10, “Technical Data“.
䊳 Carry out all recommended maintenance work at the frequencies specified.
See Chapter 7, “Carrying out maintenance work“.
䊳 Do not make any changes or retrofits to the OTT Pluvio2 L! If changes or
modifications are made, any warranty will be void.
䊳 Have a defective OTT Pluvio2 L checked and repaired only by the OTT repair
center. On no account carry out repairs yourself! Only a qualified repair
followed by a factory final test ensures the specified measurement accuracy.
For further information ➝ refer to Chapter 8, “Repair“.
䊳 Properly dispose of the OTT Pluvio2 L after taking out of service. On no account
put the OTT Pluvio2 L into the normal household waste.
For further information ➝ see Chapter 9, “Notes on the disposal of used units“.
15
5 Installing the OTT Pluvio2 L
The installation of the OTT Pluvio2 L is carried out on a 4" pedestal made of galva-
nized steel (possible external diameter of pedestal 100 to 120 mm). The pedestal
must be securely attached to a concrete foundation having the appropriate dimen-
sions. The pedestals that are available from OTT as accessories are fitted with a
bottom plate designed for this purpose.
The standard installation height recommended by the World Meteorological
Organization, WMO, for precipitation gauges is 1 meter (height of bucket
orifice). Alternatively, an installation height of 1.2; 1.5; 2.0; 2.5 or 3 m is
allowed.
Carefully choose your setup location according to your meteorological require-
ments. At the same time, ensure the location is free of vibration. For example,
traffic on a nearby road can affect the measurement results through vibration.
The maximum distance to the data collection device and the power supply to
which the OTT Pluvio2 L is to be connected depends on the interface used:
䊳 SDI-12 interface: 70 meters
䊳 RS-485 interface: 1000 meters
䊳 Pulse output: 1000 meters
For an OTT Pluvio2 L with orifice rim heater, the maximum distance to the mains
adapter of the orifice rim heater is 125 meters.
Please note: The OTT Pluvio2 L precipitation gauge is equipped with a highly
sensitive electronic weighing mechanism! Install the unit only as described in these
Operating Instructions. To avoid damage to the OTT Pluvio2 L weighing mecha-
nism during installation: Avoid heavy shocks and large forces acting on the load
cell and the bracket for the bucket support (for these items, please refer to Fig. 10)!
5.1 Recommended cable types/maximum cable lengths

For operating the OTT Pluvio2 L, the following connections have to be made:
䊳 power supply for the precipitation gauge,
䊳 power supply of the orifice rim heater (optional),
䊳 data collection device (SDI-12/RS-485 interface, pulse output),
䊳 ground terminal
For the precipitation gauge power supply and the connection of the data collec-
tion device, a common connection cable can be used.
For an OTT Pluvio2 L with orifice rim heater, an additional connection cable may
be used (alternatively two additional wires in the common connection cable).
Benefit: The orifice rim heater can be switched on and off separately from the pre-
cipitation gauge. In addition, power consumption of the orifice rim heater requires
a larger wire cross-section to be used for longer connection cables.
In total, the connection area of the OTT Pluvio2 L has two cable entrances (rubber
grommets).
Please note: The protection concept of the OTT Pluvio2 L against overloads
is designed such that all overvoltages occurring are discharged via a ground
connection. For this, the proper and functional installation of a grounding cable is
absolutely necessary! This is connected to the OTT Pluvio2 L at the ground terminal
and at the other end in the area of the data collection device or directly at the
OTT Pluvio2 L to a concrete footing ground or ground rod.
16
Please note: All connection cables must be UV-resistant and suitable to be laid
in the ground!
Connection cable for data collection device/precipitation gauge

SDI-12 interface – Cable length: maximum 70 m1)
– Cable type: shielded low-voltage cable
– Wire size: 3 x 0.5 mm2 2)
RS-485 interface – Cable length: maximum 1000 m
– Cable type: twisted-pair cable 3);
shielded design
– Wire size: 2 x 2 x 0.5 mm2
Pulse output – Cable length: maximum 1000 m
– Cable type: shielded low-voltage cable
– Wire size: 6 x 0.5 mm2
The connection cable recommended in each case includes the wires for power
supply and data collection device.
1)
with a point-to-point connection (no SDI-12 bus operation), a cable length of up to 300 m is possible
2)
with standard SDI-12 wiring, alternatively^^ 4 x 0.5 mm2 wire with separate power supply
3) the wires intended for power supply can be twisted pair, but do not have to be
Connection cable for orifice rim heater power supply 4)

– Cable length: maximum 125 m
– Cable type: unshielded low-voltage cable
– Wire size: OTT Pluvio2 200 RH OTT Pluvio2 400 RH
1 … 25 m: 2 x 0.5 mm2 2 x 1.0 mm2
25 … 50 m: 2 x 1.0 mm2 2 x 1.5 mm2
50 … 75 m: 2 x 1.5 mm2 2 x 2.5 mm2
75 … 125 m: 2 x 2.5 mm2 –
Calculation is based on: output voltage of the 24 VDC power supply (e.g. mains
adapter)
4)
optional: As necessary, alternatively provide two additional wires in the cable between data recording
unit and power supply considering adequate wire cross-section.
Grounding cable
– Cable length: max. 5 m
– Cable type: unshielded low-voltage cable
– Wire size: 1 x 10 mm2
USB cable
If any changes are to be made to the factory settings, a USB cable is temporarily
required during commissioning (supplied). Maximum cable length: 3 m.
Please note: The USB port has no overload protection. It is designed to be
temporarily used as a service interface.
5.2 Required tools and equipment

䊳 Open-ended wrench, size 13 mm (supplied)
䊳 Phillips screwdriver, size: PH 2
䊳 Slotted screwdriver, size: 0.8 mm x 4 mm and 1.0 mm x 6 mm
䊳 Tool for stripping insulation on electrical cables
䊳 Wire-cutting pliers
䊳 For a connection cable with wires made of strands: Ferrules and
crimping pliers
17
5.3 Preparing the installation location
Please note: The depth of the concrete foundation should be determined by the
local conditions: The foundation must reach into the frost-free zone in the ground.
The dimensions given for the foundation depth are typical values for conditions in
Central Europe.
We recommend that an empty conduit pipe (with a wire for pulling in) for the
connection and grounding cables is incorporated into the concrete foundation.
䡵 Attach the pedestal with bottom plate to a concrete foundation measuring

approx. 45 x 45 x 80 cm using the “Mounting kit for 4" pedestal“ (refer to
accessories); refer to Fig. 7 and appendix B and C.
Please note: The pedestal must be as vertical as possible!
䡵 Pull the connection cable for the data collection device/power supply into the
empty conduit pipe.
䡵 OTT Pluvio2 L with orifice rim heater: As applicable, pull additional connection
cable for the orifice rim heater power supply into the empty conduit pipe.
䡵 In case the ground for the OTT Pluvio2 L is implemented centrally in the area
of the data collection device: Also pull the grounding cable into the empty con-
duit pipe (alternatively, the ground is established directly at the OTT Pluvio2 L
using a concrete footing ground or ground rod).
Fig. 7: The location prepared for

installing the OTT Pluvio2 L. Connection cable
For an OTT Pluvio2 L with orifice to data collection
rim heater, an additional connection device/power
cable may be used for supplying supply
power to the orifice rim heater. Pedestal with
bottom plate
The cables may alternatively be routed
outside of the pedestal. To protect the
cables (e.g. against animal bites), 4" pedestal Grounding cable
routing the cables inside the pedestal mounting kit
is recommended. (4 x)
Concrete
foundation
Empty tube
18
5.4 Preparing the base plate
䡵 Carefully transport the OTT Pluvio2 L to the installation location upright in the
closed shipping carton
䡵 Turn the OTT Pluvio2 L shipping carton upside down.
䡵 Open the shipping carton and remove the upper foam insert.
䡵 Remove the box with the installation materials.
䡵 Unscrew the three knurled screws on the pipe housing. Remove base plate from
the shipping carton. (For now, leave the collecting bucket and the pipe housing
in the shipping carton.)
䡵 Place the base plate on a level surface.
The balance mechanism of the OTT Pluvio2 L has a transportation lock, consisting
of four cross-head bolts (M 5 x 60). These reduce the risk of damage to the elec-
tronic balance mechanism during transport
Fig. 8: Remove the transportation

lock and take off the bucket overlay. Transport bolts
(4 x)
Central
attachment bolt
Bucket
support
Knurled bolt
Base plate (3 x)
䡵 Take out the four outside cross-head bolts (transportation lock) in the bucket
overlay. Retain the cross-head bolts for later transport
䡵 Loosen the central attachment bolt in the bucket overlay (the attachment bolt
is secured against falling out by a self locking hexagonal nut).
䡵 Remove the bucket overlay.
19
䡵 Unscrew 4 Phillips screws on the cover of the electronics unit approx. 3 mm,
raise the cover slightly and pull it off forwards. When the foam rubber seal
for the cover is stuck to the surface below, carefully pry the cover off using a
slotted head screwdriver.
Fig. 9: Removing the cover

from the electronics unit.
Cross-head bolt
(4 x)
Cover
Electronics unit
Sponge rubber seal

(grey area)
5.5 Preparing the connection cable

Connection cable for data collection device/power supply:
䡵 Cut the connection cable so that it sticks out approx. 35 – 40 cm above the
pedestal. (The “excess“ cable can be stored in the pedestal later.)
䡵 Take the rubber grommet out of the electronics unit (see Fig. 13). Remove the
white blanking plug from the rubber grommet and push the grommet onto the
connection cable.
䡵 Strip off approx. 10 cm of the outer sheath of the connection cable.
䡵 Strip off approx. 5 mm of the insulation of the individual wires.
䡵 Put the cable shielding together and twist it.
䡵 For a stranded connection cable: push ferrules onto the wires and crimp using
crimping pliers.
䡵 Connect the cable to the supplied screw terminal strips (included in the poly-
bag); see Fig. 10 and 11:
– SDI-12 interface ➝ 8-wire screw terminal strip, contact 3
– RS-485 interface
2-wire ➝ 8-wire screw terminal strip, contacts 1/2
4-wire ➝ 6-wire screw terminal strip, contacts 5/6 +
8-wire screw terminal strip, contacts 1/2
– Pulse output ➝ 6-wire screw terminal strip, contacts 1/2
(Accu RT-NRT) + contacts 3/4
(pulse status information; as required)
– Power supply ➝ 8-wire screw terminal strip, contacts 6/7
(precipitation gauge) + contacts 5/8
(orifice rim heater; optional)
20
Orifice rim heater connection cable (optional)
䡵 If using a separate connection cable for the orifice rim heater: Assemble the
cable as described above and connect to the 8-wire screw terminal strip, see
Fig. 11.
Fig. 10: Connecting the cable for the

data recording device/power supply for
the precipitation gauge to 6-wire and/or Pulse Out mm/inch A
8-wire screw terminal strip (example Pulse Out mm/inch B
SDI-12 interface).
Pulse Out Status A
Standard SDI-12 wiring has three wires Pulse Out Status B
(SDI-12 DATA, GND, and power supply
(+12 V)). For separate power supplies, an Data RS-485 TX - B
additional GND wire is available. Data RS-485 TX - A
Contacts 4, 7, and 8 of the 8-wire screw Data RS-485 RX - B / RS-485 - B
terminal strip are jumpered internally! SDI-12 default Data RS-485 RX - A / RS-485 - A
wiring
SDI-12 Data
Data GND
Heating +24 VDC
+12 … +24 VDC
GND
Heating GND
Fig. 11: OTT Pluvio2 L with orifice

rim heater: Connecting options for Method A: separate supply of heating and precipitation gauge
power supply of the precipitation gauge
and orifice rim heater.
Please note: For version B, common Data RS-485 TX - A
supply voltage must be 24 VDC! Data RS-485 RX - B / RS-485 - B
(Otherwise, heating power is reduced;
refer to “Specifications”.) Data RS-485 RX - A / RS-485 - A
Power supply heating;
SDI-12 Data
As necessary, two separate cables may 24 VDC
be used (e.g. separate cable for optional Data GND
orifice rim heater). Heating +24 VDC
For clarity, the wires for connecting the data +12 … +24 VDC
recording unit are shown as dashed lines. GND
The jumper is included (polybag Heating GND
containing installation accessories).
Precipitation gauge; 12 … 24 VDC
Contacts 4, 7, and 8 of the 8-wire screw
terminal strip are jumpered internally.
Method B: joint supply of heating and precipitation gauge
Data RS-485 TX - A
Data RS-485 RX - B / RS-485 - B

Data RS-485 RX - A / RS-485 - A
Joint power supply; 24 VDC SDI-12 Data
Data GND
Heating +24 VDC
+12 … +24 VDC
Jumper
GND
Heating GND
21
5.6 Installing the base plate on the pedestal
䡵 Place the base plate onto the pedestal such that the connection and grounding
cables come out of the slit in the base plate flange (see Fig. 14).
䡵 Lead connection and grounding cables through the opening in the base plate
upwards.
䡵 Rotate the base plate so that the knurled screw next to the
bubble level is facing southwards*! In extreme climatic conditions, this
will prevent incorrect precipitation value output. These may occur during heavy
rapid temperature variations together with lateral solar irradiation.
* on the southern hemisphere: northwards
䡵 Insert the six hexagon bolts into the base plate flange with open-ended wrench,
size 13 mm (supplied).
Please note: insert all hexagon bolts approximately to the same depth! Do
not yet fully tighten the hexagon bolts!
Fig. 12: Installing base plate onto pedestal.
South*
Base plate Bubble

level
Knurled bolt
Base plate flange
Hexagon bolts
(6x)
Pedestal
* in the southern
hemisphere: North South*
22
5.7 Connecting the connection cable
䡵 Push rubber grommet with connection cable into the slot.
䡵 Connect 6-wire and 8-wire screw terminal strip to the appropriate PCB sockets.
䡵 Connect the twisted shielding of the cables to the terminal, refer to Fig. 13.
䡵 If necessary, pull back connection cable and store in pedestal (raise base plate
again if necessary).
䡵 Push a cable tie through the holes in the base plate and fix the connection
cable using the cable tie.
Fig. 13: Connecting the cable

in the electronics unit.
(The Figure shows the example of a
standard RS-485 wiring (2-wire) with
optional orifice rim heater. The orifice
rim heater is supplied separately.)
Recess
Cable tie 6-pin
Connection cable 8-pin screw

terminal strip
Rubber grommet
5.8 Connecting the grounding cable

䡵 Cut the grounding cable (cross-section 10 mm2) to approx. 30 ... 35 cm.
䡵 Strip off approx. 10 mm of the grounding cable insulation and connect to the
earth terminal on the base plate underside. For a stranded grounding cable:
push on ferrules and crimp using crimping pliers.
䡵 If necessary, pull back the grounding cable and store in pedestal (lift the base
plate once more if necessary).
䡵 Connect the other end of the grounding cable to a foundation or earthing rod.
23
Fig. 14: Connecting the grounding
cable (view from below).
Recess
Grounding cable
Ground terminal
Base plate flange slot
5.9 Aligning the base plate

䡵 First, fix the base plate using the three upper hexagon bolts. Alternately tighten
the bolts until they are all contacting the pedestal. Important: Insert all hexagon
bolts approximately to the same depth!
䡵 Using the lower hexagon bolts, adjust the base plate so that the air bubble is
within the indicator marked ring. Inserting a hexagon bolt will cause the air
bubble to move towards this bolt position. In case of large adjustment travel
(pedestal is outside the vertical position for several degrees), turn the opposite
hexagon bolts counter-clockwise as necessary!
䡵 Alternately tighten all hexagon bolts while avoiding any distortion of the base
plate! Maximum torque: 6 Nm.
䡵 Again check bubble level for correct adjustment.
Fig. 15: Levelling the OTT Pluvio2 L unit.

Correct operation of the
weighing mechanism is insured
only if the base plate is correctly
levelled in horizontal direction!
OK
Bubble level
24
5.10 Performing final work
䡵 Replace the electronics unit cover and tighten the four Phillips screws.
䡵 Align the bucket support (taking into account the anti-rotation protection) and
carefully place it onto the bracket for the bucket support.
䡵 Secure the bucket support using the central attachment bolt.
Fig. 16: Placing and securing

the bucket support.
Attachment bolt
Bucket support
Bracket bucket
support
Electronic unit
cover
Load cell
Phillips screw (4 x)
䡵 Take the pipe housing out of the shipping carton with the collecting bucket and
push the collecting bucket out of the pipe housing from above.
䡵 Place collecting bucket onto bucket support. Ensure secure positioning of bucket!
25
Fig. 17: Placing the collecting
bucket onto bucket support. Collecting bucket
Version 200
Collecting bucket
Version 400
Bucket
support
Protection against
incorrect positioning
䡵 As necessary: change the factory settings using the OTT Pluvio2 operating
software. For installation procedure and using the operating software, refer
to Section 7.6.
Factory settings:
– SDI-12 sensor address 0
– serial interface SDI-12
– temperature unit of measurement °C
– intensity unit of measurement mm/min
– pulse factor 0.1
– pulse output rate 5 Hz
– orifice rim heater* on
– heating mode* 1, continuously on
– orifice rim heater target temperature* +4 °C
* version 200 RH and 400 RH
䡵 For temperatures below 0 °C, add antifreeze; for details, refer to Section 7.2.
䡵 Connect the free cable end of the connecting cable to the data collection device
and the power supply.
䡵 When using a separate connecting cable for the optional orifice rim heater:
Connect the cable for the orifice rim heater to the power supply.
䡵 Configure the data collection device. For this, refer to the manual for the data
collection device. SDI-12 commands and responses used: refer to Chapter 6.
Please note: Connect the shield of the connection cables also at the data
collection device/power supply!
26
䡵 Carry out functional check: Remove cover of the USB interface ➝ red LED must
briefly flash once every two seconds.
䡵 Replace cover.
Fig. 18: Carrying out the functional check.
Cover red LED USB interface
䡵 Align the pipe housing and place it onto the base plate. The pipe housing must
completely seat on the base plate (refer to the detail drawing in Fig. 20)!
OTT Pluvio2 L with orifice rim heater: Ensure that the sockets in the connection
block are not contaminated.
Abb. 19: Connection block for the plug

contacts for the orifice rim heater.
Connection block with sockets

for the plug contacts for the
orifice rim heating
27
䡵 Tighten three knurled bolts.
Fig. 20: Fitting the pipe housing and

tightening the knurled screws.
Please note: Always place and remove
the pipe housing of the OTT Pluvio2 L with
orifice rim heater straightly! Pipe housing
Knurled bolt
(3 x)
Please note: After startup, the OTT Pluvio2 L uses a 2 minute delay to output the
measured values. During this period, the precipitation values are identified in the
status information as not completely available yet.
28
6 SDI-12 commands and responses
6.1 Basic commands

All SDI-12 basic commands are implemented in the OTT Pluvio2 L. The following SDI-12 basic commands are relevant for the
operation of the OTT Pluvio2 L.
p – Sign (+,–)
Conventions applicable to measured value formats:
b – Number ahead of the decimal point; output is without leading zeroes!

e – Number after the decimal point
Command Response Description

a! a<CR><LF>
a – sensor address; factory setting = 0
Acknowledgment active
aI! allccccccccmmmmmm …
… vvvxxxx<CR><LF> a–
Send identification
ll –
sensor address
cccccccc – manufacturer identification (company name)

SDI-12 protocol version
mmmmmm –
vvv –
sensor identification
xxxxxx –
sensor version (firmware)
serial number
OTT Pluvio2 L response = 013OTT HACHPLUV2L100xxxxxx
aAb! b<CR><LF>
a – old sensor address
Change sensor address
b – new sensor address

?! a<CR><LF> Query sensor address
a – sensor address
(not possible at SDI-12 bus operation)
aM! / aM1! atttn<CR><LF>

a–
Start measurement
ttt –
sensor address
time in seconds until the sensor
has determined the measurement result
n–
OTT Pluvio2 L response = 000
OTT Pluvio2 L response = 9 to aM

number of measured values
3 to aM1!
aMC! / aMC1! atttn<CR><LF>
Check). For details, see command aM!. The responses to
Start measurement and request CRC (Cyclic Redundancy
the D0! … aD2! commands in this case are extended by
a<value1><value2><value3><CRC><CR><LF>
a CRC value (example):
aC! / aC1! atttnn<CR><LF> Start concurrent measurement (simultaneous measurement
mand aM!. The number of measured values in the response

with multiple sensors on one bus line). For details see com-
to this command is two-digit: nn = 09 or 03.

aCC! / aCC1! atttnn<CR><LF> Start concurrent measurement (simultaneous measurement
with multiple sensors on one bus line) and request CRC
aM!. The number of measured values in the response to

(Cyclic Redundancy Check). For more details, see command
these commands is two-digit: nn = 09 or 03.

The responses to the D0! … aD2! commands in this case
a<value1><value2><value3><CRC><CR><LF>
are extended by a CRC value (example):
Note: Each aM! command resets the total measured values Accu RT-NRT and Accu NRT to zero!
29
aD0!* a<value1><value2><value3> …
… <CR><LF> a – sensor address
Send data
<value1> – Intensity RT
* after
aM!, aMC!,
[mm/h]: pbbbb.dd
aC!, aCC!
[mm/min]: pbb.dd
(0.00 … 3000.00)
[inch/h]: pbbb.ddd
(0.00 … 50.00)
[inch/min]: pb.ddd
(0.000 … 118.110)
<value2> – Accu RT-NRT

(0.000 … 1.969)
pbbb.dd
pbb.ddd
[mm]: (0.00 … 500.00)
[inch]: (0.000 … 19.685)
<value3> – Accu NRT
Format as Accu RT-NRT
Send data
<value4> – Accu total NRT

* after
aM!, aMC!,
aC!, aCC!
<value5> – Bucket RT
Format as Accu RT-NRT
200 [mm]: pbbbb.ee (7.00 … 1800.00)
400 [mm]: pbbb.ee

200 [inch]:pbb.eee (0.276 … 70.866)
(7.00 … 900.00)
<value6> – Bucket NRT

400 [inch]:pbb.eee (0.276 … 35.433)
Format as Bucket RT
Send data
<value7> – Temperature of load cell

* after
aM!, aMC!,
pbb.d
aC!, aCC!
pbbb.d
[°C]: (–50.0 … +70.0)
<value8> –Heater status

[°F]: (–58.0 … +158.0)
pbbb
+0 = Orifice rim heater working properly
+1 = W: Temp. of orifice ring rim > 40 °C
+2 = A: Temp. of orifice ring rim < –20 °C
+4 = A: Temperature sensor not connected
+8 = A: Temperature sensor short-circuited
+16 = A: Communication to rim heater
module is defective (the pipe hous-
ing may have been removed)
+32 = A: Orifice rim heater self-test failed
+64 = W: Orifice rim heater temporarily
disabled
+128 = W: Orifice rim heater disabled or not
present
W = warning; A = alarm.
When the OTT Pluvio2 L unit outputs other values than those
indicated here, several events have occurred simultaneously.
In such a case, the individual values are added up.
Example: “+65” ➝ Sum obtained from warnings “+1” and
“+64”. The status information output – assuming the cause
aM! is used.
has been rectified – will be reset the next time the command
Note on Bucket RT and Bucket NRT values: These level values are not exactly zeroed in case of an empty
collecting bucket. Depending on the climatic ambient conditions, they vary by maximum ±10 mm around zero.
30
<value9> – Status
of aD2!) pbbbb
(continuation
+0 = Precipitation gauge working

properly
+1 = W: Bucket level ≥ 80 %
+2 = W: USB interface is/was connected
+4 = W: Restart (due to power failure)
+8 = W: Restart (due to firmware)
+16 = W: Weight change out of range
+32 = W: Supply voltage < 7 V
+64 = A: Weight measurement unstable
+128 = A: Weight measurement incorrect
+256 = A: Weight below minimum
+512 = A: Weight above maximum
+1024 = A: No weight calibration
W = warning; A = alarm.
When the OTT Pluvio2 L unit outputs other values than those
indicated here, several events have occurred simultaneously.
In such a case, the individual values are added up.
Example: “+34“ ➝ Sum obtained from warnings “+2“ and
“+32“. The status information output – assuming the cause
aM! is used.
has been rectified – will be reset the next time the command
Send data
<value1>– Temperature of electronics unit

* after
aM1!, aMC1!,
aC1!, aCC1!
[°C]: pbb.d (–50.0 … +70.0)
(approximate ambient temperature incl. delay)
[°F]: pbbb.d (–58.0 … +158.0)

<value2> – Supply voltage
[V]: pbb.d (+4.5 … +28.0)
<value3> – Temperature of orifice ring rim
[°C]: pbb.d (–50.0 … +70.0)
[°F]: pbbb.d (–58.0 … +15..0)
More information on the SDI-12 basic commands can be found in the document SDI-12; A Serial-Digital Interface
Standard for Microprocessor-Based Sensors, Version 1.3 (see Internet page www.sdi-12.org).
31
All advanced SDI-12 commands start with an “O“ for OTT. These commands may be used, for example, to retrieve addition-
6.2 Advanced SDI-12 commands
al information from an OTT Pluvio2 L through the transparent mode of a datalogger or to configure an OTT Pluvio2 L.

䊳 Read out firmware version
aOOV! acc.cc.c<CR><LF> Read out firmware version of the OTT Pluvio2 L

a–
cc.cc.c –
sensor address
firmware version
Example: V1.00.00 (first firmware version supplied)
䊳 Set/read the unit for the temperature measured values
aOUTb! ab<CR><LF>
aOUT! ab<CR><LF>
Set unit
Read out unit
b – 0 = °C; factory setting
1 = °F
䊳 Set/read unit for the intensity measurements
aOUIb! ab<CR><LF>
aOUI! ab<CR><LF>
Set unit
Read out unit
b – 0 = mm/min; factory setting
1 = mm/h
2 = inch/min
3 = inch/h
Note: This command changes the units for “Accu …“ and “Bucket …“ at the same time; mm ↔ inch
䊳 Set/read pulse output rate
aOCIb! ab<CR><LF>
aOCI! ab<CR><LF>
Set pulse output rate
Read pulse output rate
b – 0 = 5 Hz; factory setting
1 = 2 Hz
䊳 Set/read pulse factor
aOSIb! ab<CR><LF>
aOSI! ab<CR><LF>
Set pulse factor
Read pulse factor
b – 0 = 0.05 mm
1 = 0.1 mm; factory setting
2 = 0.2 mm
32
䊳 Set/read orifice rim heater mode (OTT Pluvio2 L with orifice rim heater)
aOCHb! ab<CR><LF>
aOCH! ab<CR><LF>
Set mode
Read mode
b – 0 = Orifice rim heater disabled
1 = Mode #1; continuously ON
2 = Mode #2; temperature range control
3 = Modus 3; NWS Standard
4 = Modus 4; precipitation events
䊳 Set/read orifice rim heater target temperature (OTT Pluvio2 L with orifice rim heater)
aOCHSpb! apb<CR><LF>
aOCHS! apb<CR><LF>
Set target temperature
Read target temperature
p – sign (+)
b – 2 … 9 (+2 … +9 °C);
factory setting +4 °C
䊳 Set/read orifice rim heater lower temperature limit (OTT Pluvio2 L with orifice rim heater)
Orifice rim heater mode: #2
aOCHGpbb! apbb<CR><LF>
aOCHG! apbb<CR><LF>
Set lower temperature limit
Read lower temperature limit
p – sign (+,–)
bb – 40 … 9 (–40 … +9 °C);
factory setting –30 °C
䊳 Set/read orifice rim heater on-time/after-run time (OTT Pluvio2 L with orifice rim heater)
Orifice rim heater mode: #3, #4
aOCHDbbbb! abbbb<CR><LF>
aOCHD! abbbb<CR><LF>
Set on-time/after-run time
Read on-time/after-run time
a
bbbb – 1 … 1440 (1 … 1440 minutes);
– sensor address
factory setting 20 minutes
䊳 Set/read orifice rim heater starting time (OTT Pluvio2 L with orifice rim heater)
Orifice rim heater mode: #3
aOCHZhh:mm:ss! ahh:mm:ss<CR><LF>
aOCHZ! ahh:mm:ss<CR><LF>
Set starting time
Read starting time
a
hh:mm:ss – 00:00:00 … 23:59:59;
– sensor address
factory setting 14:00:00 Uhr
䊳 Set/read orifice rim heater self-test interval (OTT Pluvio2 L with orifice rim heater)
Orifice rim heater mode: #1, #2, #3, #4
aOCHTbbbb! abbbb<CR><LF>
aOCHT! abbbb<CR><LF>
Set self-test interval
Read self-test interval
a
bbbb – 1 … 10 080 (1 … 10 080 minutes);
– sensor address
factory setting 60 minutes*

* by OTT Pluvio2 operating software adjustable values: 1, 12, 24 hours; 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 days
33
䊳 Set/read serial interface (SDI-12 or RS-485)
aOCLb! ab<CR><LF>
aOCL! ab<CR><LF>
Set serial interface
Read serial interface
b – 0 = SDI-12; factory setting
1 = RS-485 2-wire
2 = RS-485 4-wire
䊳 Set/read protocol on RS-485 interface
aOCMb! ab<CR><LF>
aOCM! ab<CR><LF>
Set protocol
Read protocol
b – 0 = SDI-12 protocol; factory setting
1 = ASCII (RS-485 command line mode)
䊳 Set/read data transmission rate (baudrate) at RS-485 interface using the ASCII-protocol
aOCRb! ab<CR><LF>
aOCR! ab<CR><LF>
Set data transmission rate
Read data transmission rate
b – 0 = 1 200 bit/s
1 = 2 400 bit/s
2 = 4 800 bit/s
3 = 9 600 bit/s factory setting
4 = 19 200 bit/s
5 = 57 600 bit/s
6 = 115 200 bit/s
䊳 Reset Accu total NRT
aOMR! a<CR><LF> Reset Accu total NRT

34
6.3 RS-485 command line mode (ASCII text retrieval)
When using the RS-485 interface, the default transmission protocol is the SDI-12 protocol. This assumes that the data recording
device connected can process the SDI-12 protocol. The OTT netDL or OTT DuoSens dataloggers can handle this protocol.
To easily incorporate the OTT Pluvio2 L unit into any measuring station infrastructure, a so-called command line mode is
implemented in the OTT Pluvio2 L. Using an ASCII character format command set, any measured values can be retrieved
and various settings made. This command set must be implemented in the data recording device. In the OTT Pluvio2 L unit,
a number of operating parameters are to be set using the OTT Pluvio2 operating software.
Switching to RS-485 command line mode

Communication interface: RS-485 or RS-485 4-wire
RS-485 protocol type: ASCII Text …
Transmission parameters … 57 600; 19 200; 9 600; 4 800; 2 400; 1 200 bd (8 N 1)
Units
Temperature values: °C · °F
Intensity: mm/min · mm/h
inch/min · inch/h
Commands
M[separator]<CR> returns the measurements “Intensity RT“; “Accu RT/NRT;“ “Accu NRT“;
“Accu total NRT“; “Bucket RT“; “Bucket NRT“; “Temperature load cell“;
After the character M, any separator can follow optionally. This character then sep-
“Heater status“, “Status“, as a sequence of ASCII characters.
arates the individual values from each other in the answer from the OTT Pluvio2 L.
Description of measured value formats and status information see Chapter 6.1.
E[separator]<CR> additionally to the command M returns the values “Temperature electronics unit“,
“Supply voltage“ and “Temperature orifice ring rim“.
MCRC[separator]<CR>
ECRC[separator]<CR>
optional: request measured values with CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check)*. The
responses in this case are extended by a CRC value.
RPT<CR> repeats the most recent command; e. g. when CRC-check* is faulty. In this case the
OTT Pluvio2 L will not collect new data but returns the buffered measured values
again.
R<CR>
W<CR>
resets the value “Accu total NRT“ to zero
S<CR>
switches the orifice rim heater ON
I<CR>
switches the orifice rim heater OFF
retrieves various pieces of information from the device: Serial number, firmware,
device version, unit, hardware index, PCB number, load cell number
M;<CR> +0.00;+0.00;+0.00;+0.00;+36.98;+36.97;+23.9;+0;+0
Examples
MCRC;<CR> +0.00;+0.00;+0.00;+0.00;+36.98;+36.97;+23.9;+0;+0;CRC630D;
E;<CR> +0.00;+0.00;+0.00;+0.00;+36.98;+36.97;+23.9;+255;+0;
+24.0;+11.9;+22.9;
ECRC;<CR> +0.00;+0.00;+0.00;+0.00;+36.98;+36.97;+23.9;+255;+0;
+24.0;+11.9;+22.9;CRC4D8D;
R<CR> OK
W<CR> Heating ON
S<CR> Heating OFF
I<CR> 378742 ;V1.00.104;200;mm/min;H0;800380018;31296216
Note: Each command M or E resets the total measured values “Accu RT-NRT“ and “Accu NRT“ to zero!
* Cyclic Redundancy Check: procedure for determining a test value to detect errors during data transmission.
(Technical details: CRC-CCITT (CRC-16); CRC order: 16; CRC polynom: 1021; Initial value: 0; Final XOR value: 0
35
7 Performing maintenance operations
To ensure smooth operation of the precipitation gauge, we recommend to perform

the following maintenance operations at the intervals given:
䊳 Emptying: bucket level ≥ 80 %

䊳 Add anti-freeze: ambient temperature < 0 °C
䊳 Visual inspection: once a year
䊳 Check measurement: once a year
7.1 Emptying the collecting bucket

You may empty the bucket contents at any time, irrespective of the level. Any col-
lecting bucket overflow will result in incorrect measurements, but will not damage
the precipitation gauge.
– When to empty?
When the collecting bucket level is 80 % or more
(Version 200 =^ 1200 / Version 400 mm = ^ 600 mm of precipitation);
refer to Bucket RT/Bucket NRT values; Status information includes warning “+1“;
response (value 9) to SDI-12 command “aD2!“ after “aM!“, “aMC!“, “aC!“
oder “aCC!“.
– Interval
Typically once or twice a year;
(more frequently in regions with heavy amount of precipitation).
CAUTION Risk of injury by falling collecting bucket!

A completely filled collecting bucket has a weight of up to 35 kg!
䊳 Be careful when emptying the collecting bucket.
䊳 As applicable, ask another person to assist.
How to empty the collecting bucket:

䡵 Loosen three knurled screws.
䡵 Remove the pipe housing upwards.
䡵 Remove collecting bucket carefully.
䡵 Remove both spring-loaded terminals and carefully remove the collecting bucket.
Please note: Proceeding carelessly, e.g. roughly placing the filled collecting
bucket on the bucket support, may damage the weighing mechanism.
䡵 Empty the collecting bucket.
䡵 Place the collecting bucket on the bucket support.
䡵 Align the pipe housing and install it, refer to Fig. 20.
䡵 Retighten three knurled screws.
7.2 Adding anti-freeze agent for winter operation

For temperatures below 0 °C *, we recommend anti-freeze agent be added to the
collecting bucket. This anti-freeze causes the collected solid precipitation to
gradually thaw in the collecting bucket.
Moreover, it prevents the unit from getting damaged when the
collecting bucket is filled for more than 80 % and the contents
is frozen. Please use the anti-freeze POWERCOOL DC 924-PXL in an aqueous
solution, refer to Appendix G (manufacturer: Thermochema GmbH, A-4460
Losenstein; Phone +43 7255 4244-0; www.thermochema.at.)
* temperatures all over the day of continuously < approx. –5 °C. When temperatures of above 0 °C
occur for a longer period during the day, adding anti-freeze is not necessary.
36
How to add anti-freeze agent:
䡵 Preparing the anti-freeze solution: Mix 5 litres of anti-freeze with 2 litres of
water.
䡵 Carefully add anti-freeze solution to the collecting bucket (the pipe housing
does not have to be removed for this).
Please note: Add anti-freeze agent only as an aqueous solution (add 40 % of

water)! Never use neat! (POWERCOOL is hygroscopic.)
Note on disposing of anti-freeze solution

Typically, the anti-freeze solution of a single precipitation gauge may be disposed
of into the public sewage system. However, observe all applicable local regulations.
Please refer to your local authority responsible for questions regarding disposal
and/or contact Thermochema GmbH.
Note on winter operation without anti-freeze

Basically, the unit may be operated in the winter season without adding anti-
freeze solution. However, this mandatorily requires the collecting bucket to be
checked and emptied in regular intervals!
Please note: When the accumulated precipitation freezes that has
filled the collecting bucket up to 80 %, this may result in perma-
nent damage to the weighing mechanism.
Note on third-party anti-freeze solution products

Basically, third-party products may be used provided the following requirements
are met:
䊳 Good solubility in water, low-density (i.e. the anti-freeze agent does not settle
below the water).
䊳 Low evaporation (do not use methanol).
䊳 Little corrosive effect on aluminium and stainless steel.
䊳 Low freezing point even with high collecting bucket level.
䊳 Low hygroscopic properties (absorption of moisture from ambient air, which
would affect the measurement results).
䊳 Note chemical compatibility with collecting bucket (polyethylene).
䊳 No gumming after use in open containers for several months.
7.3 Performing the visual inspection

䡵 Check smooth movement of the collecting bucket in all directions at the lower
edge of the bucket orifice. To do this, with the pipe housing closed, move the
bucket slightly with a sideways tap on the inside. The collecting bucket upper
edge may not contact the pipe housing! A short movement can affect the mea-
sured value “Intensity RT” (short delay time)!
䡵 If present, carefully remove any contamination (e.g. insects, insect nests, spider
webs, etc.), and icing.
7.4 Additional checks in cases of defect

䊳 Transportation lock removed?
䊳 Is the collecting bucket distorted?
䊳 Is the collecting bucket correctly positioned on the bucket support?
䊳 Is the pipe housing correctly positioned and not damaged?
䊳 Is the moving part of the weighing mechanism contacting other components,
e.g. caused by contamination?
䊳 Is the red LED flashing (refer to Fig. 18)?
䊳 Use Chapter 7.5 to isolate the failure.
䡵 If in doubt, perform a Guided Accuracy Test as described in Chapter 7.6.
37
7.5 Troubleshooting/remedy
Loss of communication through the SDI-12 or RS-485 interfaces
General (both interface types)

䊳 OTT Pluvio2 L is connected to PC/tablet via USB cable (in this case, the
OTT Pluvio2 L unit disconnects communication over the SDI-12/RS-485 inter-
faces); red LED is flashing once every two seconds, green LED permanently lit:
➝ disconnect USB cable.
䊳 Precipitation gauge supply voltage missing, incorrectly connected, or is outside
the specified range; red LED is continuously OFF:
➝ restore power supply to the unit (replace fuse as necessary);
➝ check supply voltage level and adjust as necessary;
➝ check supply voltage wiring and correct as necessary.
䊳 Precipitation gauge and the data recording unit connected are powered by two
isolated power sources; GNDs of the two power supplies are not connected to
each other:
➝ establish connection between the two GNDs.
SDI-12 interface
䊳 Incorrect configurations of the OTT Pluvio2 L and/or of the data recording unit
connected:
➝ check the SDI-12 sensor address of OTT Pluvio2 L and correct as necessary
(using the OTT Pluvio2 Operating Software);
➝ check the “Communication interface“ (SDI-12) setting and correct as
necessary (using the OTT Pluvio2 Operating Software);
➝ check the configuration of the data recording unit connected and correct
as necessary (refer to the data recording unit Operating Instructions).
RS-485 interface – SDI-12 protocol

䊳 RS-485 interface wiring is incorrect (pins “Data RS-485 ...“):
➝ 2-wire: check pin assignments of “… - A“, “… - B“ and swap as necessary;
➝ 4-wire: check pin assignments of “… TX - A“, “… TX- B“ as well as of
“… RX - A“, “… RX - B“
and swap as necessary.
connected:
➝ check the SDI-12 sensor address of OTT Pluvio2 L and correct as necessary
➝ check the “Communication interface“ (RS-485/RS-485 4-wire) setting and
correct as necessary (using the OTT Pluvio2 Operating Software);
➝ check the “RS-485 protocol type“ (SDI-12 protocol) setting and correct as
➝ check the configuration of the data recording unit connected and correct as
necessary (refer to the data recording unit Operating Instructions).
䊳 When an RS-485 interface converter is used – incorrect settings:
➝ check settings and correct as necessary.
䊳 When terminal software (e.g. for testing) is used – incorrect settings:
➝ check settings and correct as necessary.
38
RS-485 interface – ASCII protocol
䊳 RS-485 interface wiring is incorrect (pins “Data RS-485 ...“):
➝ 2-wire: check pin assignments of “… - A“, “… - B“ and swap as necessary;
➝ 4-wire: check pin assignments “… TX - A“, “… TX- B“ as well as of
“… RX - A“, “… RX - B“
and swap as necessary.
connected:
➝ check the “Communication interface“ (RS-485/RS-485 4-wire) setting and
correct as necessary (using the OTT Pluvio2 Operating Software);
➝ check the “RS-485 protocol type“ (ASCII text …) setting and correct as
necessary; make sure that Baud rate is correct; 1200 … 57,600 Bd (using
the OTT Pluvio2 Operating Software);
Loss of communication through the USB interface
䊳 Connection between OTT Pluvio2 L and PC/tablet via USB cable failed;
red LED is flashing once in two seconds, green LED is OFF:
➝ check connection via USB cable and correct as necessary.
䊳 USB interface driver on PC/tablet is not or incorrectly installed:
➝ (re)install USB interface driver.
No or incorrect pulses available at the pulse outputs
䊳 Precipitation gauge supply voltage missing, incorrectly connected, or is outside

the specified range; red LED is continuously OFF:
➝ restore power supply to the unit (replace fuse as necessary);
➝ check supply voltage wiring and correct as necessary.
䊳 Supply voltage* for external circuitry connected to the pulse output is missing,
incorrectly connected, or limits for Umax and Imax are exceeded:
➝ power external circuitry*;
➝ check wiring of the pulse outputs and correct as necessary;
➝ check external circuitry and correct as necessary, so that the limits for
Umax and Imax are kept.
* not required for OTT dataloggers
䊳 Incorrect configurations of the OTT Pluvio2 L and/or of the data recording
unit connected:
➝ check the “Pulse output frequency“ setting and correct as necessary
➝ check the “Pulse factor“ setting and correct as necessary (using the
OTT Pluvio2 Operating Software);
Note: The “Pulse status information“ output continuously provides pulses (alive
signal) when the unit is operating properly. Depending on collecting bucket level,
10 … 100 pulses per minute are output or, when the OTT Pluvio2 L unit is connected
to a PC/tablet via USB cable, 120 pulses per minute are output.
39
Orifice rim heater self-test failed/is not run
䊳 Orifice rim heater supply voltage is missing, incorrectly connected, or is outside

the specified range:
➝ restore power supply to the orifice rim heater (replace fuse as necessary);
➝ check wiring of the orifice rim heater and correct as necessary.
䊳 Pipe housing (including built-in orifice rim heater) is not installed:
➝ install the pipe housing.
䊳 Pipe housing without built-in orifice rim heater of another OTT Pluvio2 L is
accidentally installed:
➝ install the pipe housing with built-in orifice rim heater.
䊳 No self-test is run:
➝ check the “Self-test interval“ (Modes 2, 3, 4) setting and correct as
➝ force self-test by a “Power-Reset“ once.
Orifice rim heater does not work/does not work as expected
䊳 Orifice rim heater supply voltage is missing, incorrectly connected, or is outside

the specified range:
➝ restore power supply to the orifice rim heater (replace fuse as necessary);
➝ check supply voltage level and adjust as necessary; make sure that output
power of power source is sufficient;
➝ check orifice rim heater wiring and correct as necessary; make sure that
cable cross-section is sufficient;
➝ check heater status (using the OTT Pluvio2 Operating Software).
䊳 Pipe housing (including built-in orifice rim heater) is not installed:
➝ install the pipe housing.
䊳 Pipe housing without built-in orifice rim heater of another OTT Pluvio2 L is
accidentally installed:
➝ install the pipe housing with built-in orifice rim heater.
䊳 Configuration of the orifice rim heater results in unexpected heater
performance:
➝ check settings
– mode of operation
– orifice rim target temperature (modes #1, #2, #3, #4)
– lower temperature limit (mode #2)
– switch-on time (mode #3)
– on-time (mode #3)
– after-run time (mode #4)
and correct as necessary (using the OTT Pluvio2 Operating Software).
䊳 OTT Pluvio2 L system time is incorrect (e.g. after power supply failure):
➝ correct system time (using the OTT Pluvio2 Operating Software).
40
No/low precipitation output
䊳 No precipitation output
– when USB interface is/was connected,
– after emptying,
– start-up/power failure:
➝ wait for 5 minutes.
䊳 Collecting bucket overflow:
➝ empty the collecting bucket.
䊳 Evaporation rate is very high (collecting bucket is empty and ambient
temperature is high):
➝ add approx. 1 to 2 litres of water to the collecting bucket.
䊳 Apparently low output for NRT values:
➝ wait for 5 minutes (delay caused by filter algorithm).
䊳 Increase in weight > approx. 12 mm within 6 seconds:
➝ no precipitation output (filter algorithm detects foreign matter), since amount
response to SDI command aD2!; <value 9> = +16 (using the OTT Pluvio2
of natural precipitation is exceeded; check precipitation gauge status:
Operating Software).
䊳 Precipitation gauge probably failed:
➝ perform Guided Accuracy Test (using the OTT Pluvio2 Operating Software).
䊳 Precipitation gauge is not level:
➝ check the bubble level indicator and correct adjustment as necessary.
Note: Check whether measured value used is suited for present application
(behaviour over time: Real-time output (RT), Non Real-time output (NRT), or
combination value (RT-NRT))! For a description of the individual measured values,
refer to Chapter 3.1. Use another measured value as necessary.
Incorrect precipitation output
䊳 Foreign matter (leafs, insects, …) have entered the collecting bucket (increase in
weight < approx. 12 mm within 6 seconds; any higher increase is detected as
foreign matter by the filter algorithm):
➝ manually correct the amount of precipitation by deducting a respective
amount.
䊳 Base plate is incorrectly levelled:
➝ Rotate the base plate so that the knurled screw next to the bubble level indi-
cator is facing in South direction (North direction on the southern hemi-
sphere)!
Refer to Chapter 5.6.
䊳 Anti-freeze agent without water was added (hygroscopic behaviour):
➝ Add anti-freeze agent only as an aqueous solution (add 40 % of water)!
41
7.6 Performing the Guided Accuracy Test (check measurement)
The “OTT Pluvio2 L Software“ flash drive is available as an accessory to the
OTT Pluvio2 L (refer to Appendix G).
In addition to the Operating Instructions (PDF file), USB interface drivers, and OTT
datalogger example configurations, this flash drive includes the OTT Pluvio2 Oper-
ating Software. Alternatively, the individual files are found on our website
“www.ott.com/resources“ for free download.
Using the OTT Pluvio2 Operating Software, a Guided Accuracy Test may be per-
formed. Using this test, the OTT Pluvio2 L can be easily and quickly checked for
proper operation on site.
In addition to this feature, other operations are provided by this Operating Software:
e.g. modify OTT Pluvio2 L basic settings, start measurements, or update the
firmware.
Please note: Perform the Accuracy Test on calm days without precipitation!
(Otherwise, the test will be affected by wind and unwanted precipitation.) The USB
interface also supplies operating voltage to the OTT Pluvio2 L. No additional
power supply is required. However, if present, it does not have to be removed.
Preparatory work
Prerequisite: PC (notebook) running Microsoft Windows 7 or later operating system.
䡵 Log on to the PC as an administrator
䡵 Installing the OTT Pluvio2 Operating Software:
– copy the file “setup.exe“ into a directory of the PC;
– start the file “setupe.exe“ ➝ the “InstallShield Wizard“ (installation program)
opens;
– follow the installation instructions on the screen.
䡵 Installing the USB interface drivers (FTDI drivers):
– copy the file “CDM v2.12.00 WHQL Certified“ 1) into a directory of the PC;
– remove the USB interface cover and connect the OTT Pluvio2 L to the PC via
the USB cable (included); refer to Fig. 21;
– complete the device driver installation wizard that is automatically started;
– start the file “CDM v2.12.00 WHQL Certified“ 1).
1) or higher release
Fig. 21: Connecting the OTT Pluvio2 L

to the PC using the USB interface.
Once the PC supplies power to the
OTT Pluvio2 L via the USB interface, a
green LED below the USB interface is lit.
USB interface
USB cable
42
Required for the Guided Accuracy Test: test weight kit (refer to Appendix G)
Performing the Guided Accuracy Test

䡵 Loosen the three knurled screws at the pipe housing.
䡵 Remove the pipe housing upwards.
䡵 Remove collecting bucket carefully.
䡵 Remove both spring-loaded terminals and carefully remove the collecting bucket.
䡵 Remove the USB interface cover and connect the OTT Pluvio2 L to the PC via
the USB cable (included); refer to Fig. 21.
䡵 Start the OTT Pluvio2 Operating Software.
䡵 Select the “Connect“ button ➝ the Operating Software will establish a con-
nection to the OTT Pluvio2 L unit and retrieves different status information.
䡵 Select the “Guided Accuracy Test“ button ➝ a wizard will guide you through
the accuracy test. Make sure you follow all the steps and notes shown on
the display!
䡵 After completing the accuracy test, remove the USB cable.
䡵 Replace the USB interface cover.
䡵 Empty the collecting bucket as necessary and reinstall it.
䡵 Align the pipe housing and install it, refer to Fig. 20.
䡵 Retighten three knurled screws.
Please note: After attaching the USB interface, the OTT Pluvio2 L disconnects
communication over the other interfaces!!
43
8 Repair
䡵 In case of a device malfunction, use Chapter 7.5 to see if you can resolve the
problem yourself.
䡵 In case of unit failure, please contact the OTT repair center:
OTT Hydromet GmbH
Repaircenter
Ludwigstrasse 16
87437 Kempten · Germany
Phone +49 831 5617-433
Fax +49 831 5617-489
[email protected]
Please note: Only have a defective OTT Pluvio2 L checked and repaired by the
OTT repair center. Never attempt to repair the unit yourself! On no account carry
out repairs yourself! Only a qualified repair followed by a factory final test ensures
the specified measurement accuracy. Any repairs or attempted repairs carried out
by the client will void any warranty.
After being properly trained, expressly authorized partner companies or clients
are allowed to perform repairs by replacement of components on their own. For
more information, please contact the OTT HydroService department.
9 Notes about the disposal of used units
Within the member countries of the European Union

In accordance with the European Union Directive 2002/96/EC, OTT takes old
devices back within the member countries of the European Union and disposes of
them properly. The devices concerned by this are marked with the symbol shown
aside.
䡵 For further information on the return procedure, please contact your local sales
contact. You will find the addresses of all sales partners in the internet on
“www.ott.com“. Please take into consideration also the national implementation
of the EU directive 2002/96/EC of your country.
For all other countries

䡵 Dispose of the OTT Pluvio2 L properly after taking out of service.
䡵 Observe any applicable local regulations for the disposal of electronic devices!
䡵 Never put the OTT Pluvio2 L into the normal household waste!
Materials used
Base plate: stainless steel/aluminium
Collecting bucket: Polyethylene
Bucket support: ASA
Pipe housing: ASA
The material identification is found on the component itself for plastic parts.
44
10 Technical Data
Supply voltage 5.5 … 28 VDC; typ. 12 VDC; reverse-polarity protected

Current consumption typ. 9.2 mA (measuring and communication at 12 VDC
Power consumption ≤ 110 mW (without heater)
Recordable precipitation liquid, solid, mixed

Recordable precipitation amount
Version 200 1,500 mm
Version 400 750 mm
Resolution
Intensity 0.01 mm/min or mm/h
Amount of precipitation 0.01 mm
Accuracy refer to limits/accuracy
Measuring range
Bucket content ^ 30 l
750/1,500 mm =
Collecting area
Version 200 200 cm2 (Ø 159.6 ±0,3 mm)
Version 400 400 cm2 (Ø 225.7 ±0,4 mm)
Sampling interval (Poll) 1 minute … 60 minutes
Output delay
Real time < 1 minute
Non-real-time (filtered values) 5 minutes (max. collecting period is 60 minutes)
Interfaces
USB Version 2.0 (only for service purposes – no overload protection)
SDI-12 Version 1.3
RS-485 (2- or 4-wire) SDI-12 protocol and RS-485 command line mode; transfer speed
factory setting (RS-485): 9600 Baud; 8 N 1
Pulse output 2 or 5 Hz
Measured values/status values output Intensity RT, Accu RT/NRT, Accu NRT, Accu total NRT, Bucket RT,
Bucket NRT, Temperature of load cell, OTT Pluvio2 L status,
Heater status
Supply voltage for orifice rim heater 12 … 28 VDC; typ. 12/24 VDC; reverse-polarity protected
(no isolation of the power supply for the orifice rim heating and
the precipitation gauge necessary)
Orifice rim heater current consumption
Version 200 typ. 2.1 A; max. 2.2 A
Version 400 typ. 4.2 A; max 4.4 A
Heater power
Version 200 at 12 V *: 12.5 Watt at 24 V: 50 Watt
Version 400 at 12 V *: 25 Watt at 24 V: 100 Watt
* Temperature ramp of the orifice rim temperature restricted to
12 K (...200) / 7K (...400); (wind speed 0 m/s each)
Operating range of the orifice rim heater (ambient temperature) –40 … +20 °C
Measuring range of orifice rim temperature –20 … +40 °C
Target temperature for orifice ring rim +2 … +9 °C; factory setting +4 °C
Accuracy of target temperature ±1 °C
LED displays
red LED (left of USB interface) flashing 1 x every
2 seconds (0.5 Hz): normal operation
permanently lit: supply voltage < 5.5 Volt
green LED (under the USB interface) permanently lit: OTT Pluvio2 L connected to PC via USB
interface
45
Dimensions Ø x h
Version 200 450 mm x 752 mm
Version 400 450 mm x 677 mm
Weight (empty)
Version 200 approx. 16.0 kg
Version 400 approx. 16.6 kg
Housing material
Base plate stainless steel/aluminium
Collecting bucket Polyethylene
Bucket support ASA
Pipe housing ASA, UV resistant
Degree of protection
Pipe housing closed IP 65
Pipe housing open IP 63
Load cell IP 68
Temperature range
Operation –40 … +60 °C
Storage –50 … +70 °C
Temperature compensation –25 … +45 °C
Max. wind speed without device damage 50 m/s
Relative humidity 0 … 100 %, non-condensing
EMV 2004/108/EG; EN 61326-1:2013
46
Measured value Unit Measuring range Threshold Resolution Accuracy Accuracy Output
absolute relative delay
the larger value in each case counts minutes
SDI-12/RS-485 interface
Limits/accuracy
䊳 Intensity RT mm/h 0.00 … 3000.00 6.00 0.60 ±6 ±1 % <1

mm/min 0.00 … 50.00 0.10 0.01 ±0.1 ±1 % <1
䊳 Accu RT/NRT mm 0.00 … 500.00 0.05 0.01 ±0.1 ±1 % 1 … 65
䊳 Accu NRT mm 0.00 … 500.00 0.05 0.01 ±0.1 ±1 % 5 … 65
䊳 Accu total NRT mm 0.00 … 500.000 0.05 0.01 ±0.1 ±1 % 5 … 65
䊳 Bucket RT mm 20.00 … 1,800.00 0.01 ±0.1 ±0.2 % <1
䊳 Bucket NRT mm 20.00 … 1,800.00 0.01 ±0.1 ±0.2 % 5
䊳 Temperature of load cell °C –50.0 … +70.0 0.1 ±1 <1
䊳 Heater status 0 … 128 1 <1
䊳 OTT Pluvio2 L status 0 … 1024 1 <1
䊳 Temp. of electronics unit °C –50.0 … +70.0 0.1 ±1 <1
䊳 Power supply V +5.5 … +28.0 0.1 ±0.5 <1
䊳 Temp. of orifice ring rim °C –50.0 … +70.0 0.1 ±1 <1
Pulse outputs
䊳 Pulse status information 0 … 128 1 <1
䊳 Pulse-Accu RT-NRT mm
– Output rate 2 Hz 0.05 … 6.0 * / 0.1 … 12.0 ** / 0.2 … 24.0 *** 0.1/0.2 ±0.1/0.2 ±1 % <1
– Output rate 5 Hz 0.05 … 15.0 * / 0.1 … 30.0 ** / 0.2 … 60.0 *** 0.1/0.2 ±0.1/0.2 ±1 % <1
** Pulse factor: 0.05 ** Pulse factor: 0.1 ** Pulse factor: 0.2
47
Appendix A – Connecting the OTT Pluvio2 L to an OTT datalogger
A.1 Connecting the OTT Pluvio2 L to an OTT netDL or OTT DuoSens

via SDI-12 or RS-485 interface
Method A: Connecting the OTT Pluvio2 L via the SDI-12 interface (protocol
and physical interface: SDI-12). The maximum length of the cable is 70 m!
䡵 Connect the OTT Pluvio2 L to the OTT netDL IP datalogger or to the
OTT DuoSens Compact Datalogger as shown in Figure A1.
Also refer to the OTT netDL/OTT DuoSens Operating Instructions.
Fig. A1: Connecting the OTT Pluvio2 L to

an OTT netDL or OTT DuoSens via OTT netDL OTT DuoSens
the SDI-12 interface.
C A
The letters above the screw terminal strips
identify the connectivity options available SDI-12 SDI-12
on the OTT netDL/OTT DuoSens. Input Input
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
For this application, only the 8-wire
screw terminal strip is needed.
+12 … +24 VDC
+12 … +24 VDC

GND
GND
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
OTT Pluvio2 L OTT Pluvio2 L
Method B: Connect the OTT Pluvio2 L using the physical RS-485 interface
(SDI-12 protocol via physical RS-485 interface). The maximum cable length
is 1000 m.
䡵 Connect the OTT Pluvio2 L to the OTT netDL IP datalogger or to the
OTT DuoSens Compact Datalogger as shown in Figure A2.
Also refer to the OTT netDL/OTT DuoSens Operating Instructions.
Fig. A2: Connecting the OTT Pluvio2 L to an

OTT netDL or OTT DuoSens via the RS-485
OTT netDL OTT DuoSens
interface (SDI-12 protocol).
C A
The letters above the screw terminal strips
identify the connectivity options available on RS-485 RS-485
the OTT netDL/OTT DuoSens. Input Input
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
For this application, only the 8-wire
screw terminal strip is needed.
+12 … +24 VDC
+12 … +24 VDC
The GND connection represented

by the dashed line is necessary
only in case the OTT Pluvio2 L and
GND
GND
the OTT netDL/OTT DuoSens are

powered by separate power supplies.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
49
Configuring the OTT netDL/OTT DuoSens for the OTT Pluvio2 L with
SDI-12 interface
䡵 Create a OTT netDL/OTT DuoSens channel with “SDI-12 Master“ or
“OTT SDI RS485“ function block (“Serial sensors“ tab).
䡵 Make the following settings:
Fig. A3: Setting the operating parameters

of the OTT netDL/OTT DuoSens SDI-12
Master function block.
The function block OTT SDI RS485
is set in the same way.
(Example shown: OTT DuoSens).
䊳 Terminal block OTT netDL “SDI-12 Master“: C 3-4 (specified)

OTT netDL “OTT SDI RS485“: C 1-2 (specified)
OTT DuoSens “SDI-12 Master“: A 3-4 (specified)
OTT DuoSens “OTT SDI RS485“: A 1-2 (specified)
Terminal block used (screw terminal strip) of the
OTT netDL/OTT DuoSens
䊳 Slave address SDI-12 bus address. Each slave address may be
assigned on an SDI-12 bus line only once. (Check/
set: refer to OTT netDL/OTT DuoSens Operating
Instructions, Chapter SDI-12 Transparent Mode.)
Typical setting: “0“ (only one OTT Pluvio2 L is con-
nected to the terminal block, no bus operation).
䊳 Value no. identifies which value (the xth of n values + status
information) of the OTT Pluvio2 L is recorded in this
channel. Typical setting: “1“ (first one of nine (“M!“
Measuring Mode) or three (“M1!“ Measuring Mode)
measured values)
䊳 Measuring mode “M!“ or “M1!“ (for allocating the measured values,
refer Chapter 6, “SDI-12 commands and responses“)
䊳 Value no./ allocating the additional measured values of the
Virtual Terminal ID OTT Pluvio2 L to virtual terminals (for allocating the
measured values, refer to Chapter 6, “SDI-12 com-
mands and responses“).
䊳 Concurrent mode only for OTT netDL: refer to the operating program
online help.
䊳 Instantaneous value only for OTT netDL: refer to the operating program
online help.
䡵 In the respective Channel function blocks, set the required units and number of
digits after the decimal place
Notes:
䊳 For recording all the 12 measured values + status information for an
OTT Pluvio2 L, 12 channels in the OTT netDL/OTT DuoSens are thus necessary.
The first channel contains the function block “SDI-12 Master“ or “OTT SDI RS485“
as the input signal. The other channels each contain a function block “Virtual
Sensor“ (V02 to V09) as the input signal, (V03 in case of M1!). Of course, just
individual channels can also be recorded. In this case, there are fewer entries
required in the “Value no./Virtual Terminal ID“ field.
䊳 Further information on the SDI-12 commands and responses used can be found
in Chapter 6, “SDI-12 commands and responses“.
immediately after the aM! and aM1! SDI-12 commands.

䊳 The OTT Pluvio2 L makes the measurement results available for retrieval
50
Fig. A4: Example configuration of an
OTT DuoSens with 6 values recorded.
The configuration examples
can be found on “www.ott.com“
A.2 Connecting the OTT Pluvio2 L to an OTT netDL or OTT DuoSens

via the pulse output
䡵 Connect the OTT Pluvio2 L to the OTT netDL IP datalogger or to the OTT DuoSens
Compact Datalogger as shown in Figure A5. Also refer to the OTT netDL/
OTT DuoSens Operating Instructions. Maximum cable length: 1000 m.
Fig. A5: Connecting the OTT Pluvio2 L

to an OTT netDL or OTT DuoSens via
OTT netDL OTT DuoSens
the pulse output.
D or E B
The letters above the screw terminal
strips identify the connectivity options Pulse Pulse
available on the OTT netDL/OTT DuoSens. input input
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
One pulse input of the OTT netDL/DuoSens Status Precipi- Status Precipi-
is used in each case for the precipitation information tation information tation
amount and the status information.
+12 … +24 VDC
+12 … +24 VDC

GND
GND
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6
51
Configuring OTT netDL/OTT DuoSens for OTT Pluvio2 L with pulse
output
䡵 Create two OTT netDL/OTT DuoSens channels with function block “Pulse input“
(“Digital sensors“ tab). (When you only want to record the amount of precipita-
tion, one function block is sufficient.)
䡵 Make the following settings:
Fig. A6: Setting the operating parameters

of the OTT netDL/OTT DuoSens
Pulse input function block
(example shown: OTT DuoSens).
䊳 Terminal block OTT netDL: D 1-2, D 3-4, E 1-2 or E 3-4

OTT DuoSens: B 1-2 or B 3-4
䊳 Pulse factor – amount of precipitation: 0,05 · 0,1 · 0,2
(one pulse corresponds to 0.05,
0.1 mm, or 0.2 mm of precipitation.)
– status information: 1
䊳 Debounce only for OTT netDL: time in milliseconds during which the
delay [ms] pulse input is disabled after recording a pulse. This prevents
the OTT netDL from recording unwanted pulses caused by
bouncing switch contacts. Set 8 ms for the OTT Pluvio2 L.
Please note:
䊳 Always position a pulse input at the beginning (top) of the function tree.
䊳 After changing the pulse factor, a data reset (reset the OTT netDL/OTT DuoSens)
is necessary!
䡵 In the “Channel“ function block, set the required unit and number of digits after
the decimal place.
Fig. A7: Example configuration of an

OTT DuoSens with 2 values recorded.
The configuration examples
can be found on “www.ott.com“.
52
Appendix B – Dimensions of the OTT Pluvio2 L 200 with pedestal and bottom plate
Nominal height (height of bucket orifice): Ø 159.6 ±0.3 mm

1.0 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 m
200 cm2
1000 | 1200 | 1500 | 2040 | 2540 | 3040 mm
* 260 | 460 | 760 | 1300 | 1800 | 2300 mm
248 | 448 | 748 | 1288 | 1788 | 2288 mm

Ø 450 mm
145 | 345 | 645 | 1185 | 1685 | 2185 mm
Pedestal with bottom plate

Optional empty * Length
conduit pipe guide
800 mm
Empty conduit pipe for connection and earth cables Concrete foundation
53
Appendix C – Dimensions of the OTT Pluvio2 L 400 with pedestal and bottom plate
Nominal height (height of bucket orifice):

1.0 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 m
Ø 225.7 ±0.4 mm
400 cm2
1000 | 1200 | 1500 | 1965 | 2465 | 2965 mm
* 335 | 535 | 835 | 1300 | 1800 | 2300 mm
323 | 523 | 823 | 1288 | 1788 | 2288 mm

Ø 450 mm
220 | 420 | 720 | 1185 | 1685 | 2185 mm
Optional empty Pedestal with bottom plate

conduit pipe guide * Length
800 mm
Empty conduit pipe for connection and earth cables Concrete foundation
54
Appendix D – Dimensions of pedestal with bottom plate
Ø 114.3mm
Dimensions A
for OTT Pluvio2 L … 200 400
Nominal installation height 1.0 m 260 mm 1) 335 mm 2)

Nominal installation height 1.2 m 460 mm 3) 535 mm 4)
Nominal installation height 1.5 m 760 mm 5) 835 mm 6) 4.5 mm
Nominal installation height 2.0 m 1300 mm 7)

A ±1 mm
Order numbers 1)
70.020.060.9.2 2)
70.020.061.9.2
3)
70.020.068.9.2 4)
70.020.067.9.2
5)
70.020.062.9.2 6)
70.020.063.9.2 Ø 30 mm
7)
70.020.064.9.2
40 mm
8)
70.020.066.9.2
15 mm
9)
70.020.065.9.2
)
(5x
mm
16
Ø
Ø 50 mm
200 mm
160 mm
160 mm
200 mm
55
Appendix E – Installing the anti-theft protection
2.
1.
3.
4.
56
Appendix F – Installation bird repellent ring
OTT Pluvio2 L 200
Orifice ring rim

Bolt
Bird repellent ring
(Order number 70.020.085.9.2)
Pipe housing
OTT Pluvio2 L 400
Orifice ring rim
Bird repellent ring Bolt

(Order number 70.020.086.9.2)
Pipe housing
57
Appendix G – Accessories/replacement parts
䊳 Accessories 4"-pedestal with bottom plate; for 1.0 m installation height

– for OTT Pluvio2 L 200: length 260 mm 70.020.060.9.2
– incl. bottom plate for attaching to a concrete foundation
– installation height (height of orifice ring): 1.0 m
4"-pedestal with bottom plate; for 1.2 m installation height
– for OTT Pluvio2 L 200 and 400: length 1,300 mm 70.020.064.9.2
– nominal installation height (height of orifice ring): 2.0 m
Mounting kit for 4" pedestal 99.020.083.9.2
– for attaching the 4" pedestal to a concrete foundation
– 4 x compound anchor cartridge
– 4 x anchor rod M 12
– 4 x hexagon nut M 12 + washer
Wind shield OTT PWS …
– … 100 for 1.0 m installation height 70.035.020.1.2
Wind shield mounting kit OTT PWS … 99.020.081.9.2
– for attaching the wind shield to a concrete foundation
OTT POD 100 platform 70.035.030.2.2
– for use with OTT PWS 100 or OTT PWS 150 wind shields
for OTT Pluvio2 L installation heights of 2.0 or 2.5 m
– height: 1 m
Mounting kit for OTT POD 100 platform 99.020.082.9.2
– for attaching the platform to a concrete foundation
24 VDC power supply for C-rail mounting
– 50 W 65.030.001.9.2
– 100 W 65.030.003.9.2
– degree of protection: IP 20
– for C-rail mounting
– input voltage: 90 … 260 VAC
24 VDC power supply in separate protective casing
– 50 W 97.850.012.9.5
– 100 W 65.030.007.4.2
– degree of protection: IP 65
– aluminium protective casing
– input voltage: 90 … 260 VAC
Cable for OTT Pluvio2 L without heater 97.000.039.9.5
– twisted pair configuration
– PUR, gray
– 2 x 2 x 0.50 mm2
– shielded
Cable for OTT Pluvio2 L with heater 97.000.038.9.5
– special PUR, gray
– 7 x 0.75 mm2
– shielded
OTT Pluvio2 L software flash drive 56.575.001.9.7
– incl. USB interface drivers
– incl. OTT Pluvio2 operating software
– incl. example configurations for the OTT datalogger
Anti-freeze 0.929.002.002
– POWERCOOL DC 924-PXL
– package size: 10 litre canister
Bird repellent ring for OTT Pluvio2 L 200 70.020.085.9.2
– prevents birds sitting on the orifice rim
Bird repellent ring for OTT Pluvio2 L 400 70.020.086.9.2
– prevents birds sitting on the orifice rim
Anti-theft protection for OTT Pluvio² L 70.020.080.9.2
U-lock (weather-resistant) for anti-theft protection 99.000.083.9.5
Test weight kit 70.020.071.9.2
– tare weight 2.5 kg ± 100 g
– precision test weight 200 g; accuracy class M1
– DKD certificate for precision test weight
– in transport box
䊳 Replacement Collecting bucket for OTT Pluvio2 L 200 70.020.414.3.1

parts
Collecting bucket for OTT Pluvio2 L 400 70.020.461.3.1
USB cable 97.970.065.9.5

– USB connector type A to USB type B, 3 m
OTT Hydromet GmbH
Ludwigstrasse 16
87437 Kempten · Germany
Phone +49 831 5617-0
Fax +49 831 5617-209
Document number
70.040.000.B.E 01-0116 [email protected] · www.ott.com

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Operating Instructions

4 Basic safety information 15

5 Installing the OTT Pluvio² L 16

6 SDI-12 commands and responses 29

7 Performing maintenance operations 36

9 Notes about the disposal of used units 44

Appendix A – Connecting the OTT Pluvio2 L to an OTT datalogger 49

Appendix D – Dimensions of pedestal with bottom plate 55

Appendix E – Installing the anti-theft protection 56

Appendix F – Installation bird repellent ring 57

Appendix G – Accessories/replacement parts 58

䊳 OTT Pluvio2 L – Weighing precipitation gauge; collecting area: 200 cm2

䊳 OTT Pluvio2 Version 200 70.040.000.9.0

Version 200 RH 70.040.001.9.0

Version 400 70.040.020.9.0

Version 400 RH 70.040.021.9.0

For accessories and replacement parts, refer to Appendix G

Fig. 1: OTT Pluvio2 L precipitation gauge.

3.1 Measured value output to the SDI-12 and RS-485 interfaces

䊳 Accu total NRT

Recommended sampling interval: 1 minute (with simultaneous sampling of the

This value outputs the currently measured, filtered bucket content.

䊳 Temperature of load cell

3.2 Measured value output at pulse output

Electrical characteristics of the pulse and status outputs

Output delay: refer to Accu RT-NRT

䊳 Pulse status information

0 pulses/min system error, device or cable at the pulse output faulty

Fig. 2: Pulse output circuit diagram.

Terminals 1 2 3 4 Imax : 100 mA *

Pulse OUT mm/inch B

Pulse OUT Status A

* short circuit protected; load cut-off at 200 mA

internal optoelectronic relay

3.3 Graphic display of measured value output for different

Fig. 3: Schematic display of measured

< 0.1 mm/min

Intensity EZ 0.1 mm/min

Accu EZ-NEZ * 0.05 mm

Accu NEZ * 0.05 mm

Accu total NEZ

Pulse-Accu EZ-NEZ 0.1mm

* within one hour

Fig. 4: Schematic diagram of

command aD2!, Chapter 6.1.

Orifice rim heater modes of operation:

Fig. 5: Diagram of orifice

Heater control system status

* Factory setting: 14:00:00 o'clock

䊳 Mode #4 Heater control system is operated based on precipitation events.

Fig. 6: Diagram of orifice

Orifice rim temperature

Heater control system status

5.1 Recommended cable types/maximum cable lengths

Connection cable for data collection device/precipitation gauge

Connection cable for orifice rim heater power supply 4)

5.2 Required tools and equipment

䡵 Attach the pedestal with bottom plate to a concrete foundation measuring