---
title: "Installation"
canonical: "https://farmconnect.docs.rubiconwater.com/space/WS/2731474945/Installation"
format: markdown
---
> Macro (toc)
The Weather Station is mounted onto a 40mm diameter circular hollow section mast. This may be attached to a Rubicon pedestal or to a Rubicon Solar Node.
# Site Selection
The following guidance is based on the **WMO-No.8:** **Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation** published by the [World Meteorological Organisation](https://public.wmo.int/en).
When selecting a site for the Weather Station, consider the following factors:
- The Weather Station should be installed on level ground.
- There should be a clearing of at least 2m radius around the Weather Station location. Any grass in the clearing should be kept trimmed and the site should be protected with open fencing.
- Ensure that the site is not in a hollow and that there is no steeply sloping ground in the vicinity of the Weather Station.
- Ensure that the site is well away from obstructions such as trees, walls, or buildings. If any obstructions are present, they should be at least twice as far away as the height of the Weather Station above the ground.
- The pyranometer, rain gauge, and anemometer must be exposed according to their requirements. See **WMO-No 8:** **Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation **for more details.
- If the site is near the coast, locate it with a view of the open sea, but at a suitable distance from any cliff edges to avoid local wind eddies.
The closer that you can follow these recommendations, the more reliable the measurements recorded will be.
# Mounting Options
> ℹ️ **Hazard: Sharp objects**
> ℹ️
> ℹ️ Take care when handling the Weather Station or when working near the solar panel as the integrated bird spikes are sharp.
> ℹ️
> ℹ️ - The Weather Station spikes are covered with a foam block for delivery. Leave this foam in place while you are installing the product. Don’t throw the foam away – it can be used to cover the bird spikes whenever you are working on the Weather Station.
> ℹ️ - Wear protective glasses, long-sleeved clothing, and gloves when working with the Weather Station.
> ℹ️ **Hazard: Heavy lifting**
> ℹ️
> ℹ️ - Used approved manual lifting procedures
> ℹ️ - Use suitable lifting gear and mechanical aids for heavy loads
> ℹ️ - Perform a Take 5 risk assessment to determine what type of lift is required.
> ℹ️ **Hazard: Pinch and crush**
> ℹ️
> ℹ️ - Watch for pinch points when moving or adjusting equipment.
> ℹ️ - Use a pry bar where appropriate
The Weather Station is mounted on a mast and connected to either a Rubicon pedestal or to a FerIT Solar Node.
> ℹ️ **Note: Treat the mast with a pesticide spray**
> ℹ️
> ℹ️ Treat the mast with an appropriate pest-repellent surface spray. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and take any appropriate safety precautions. Repeat this procedure on regular maintenance visits.
See the drawing [81111 DD Weather Station](https://bit.ly/34AjVAv) for details of the available mounting options.
---
## Mounting on a Pedestal Mast
A Weather Station can be mounted on a pedestal mast and connected to a Rubicon pedestal. See [https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/WS/pages/1932099798](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/WS/pages/1932099798) if you need to raise or lower a mast.
### Installing a Solar Panel Brace Kit
A brace kit is required to reduce the additional load on the mast when a Weather Station is installed. The brace kit consists of a mast bracket that attaches to the mast and a support pole that fits into the mast bracket and into a slot in the solar panel central support member. The following kits are available for 80W solar panels:
| | |
| --- | --- |
| **Part Number** | **Description** |
| 74346 | For 80W solar panels at 5° and 15° (angle between panel and horizontal plane) |
| 74347 | For 80W solar panels at 35° |
| 74348 | For 80W solar panels at 55° |
> ℹ️ **Note**
> ℹ️
> ℹ️ If you are fitting the brace kit to a legacy mast which does not have a mounting slot you must first install a saddle bracket to the rear of the solar panel to fit the support pole. See [Installing a solar panel brace kit on a legacy mast](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/WS/pages/2731474945/Installation#Installing-a-solar-panel-brace-kit-on-a-legacy-mast) .
1. Attach the pole mounting bracket to the mast bracket.
2. Fit the mast bracket to the mast and secure with the bolts provided
3. Fit the support pole between the mast bracket and the mounting slot at the rear of the solar panel. Adjust the location of the mast bracket as required.
4. Use the bolts provided to secure the support pole to the mast bracket and the solar panel.
### Installing a solar panel brace kit on a legacy mast
Legacy masts do not have a slot for the brace. To mount a brace kit, you must install a saddle bracket (P/N 81123) on the rear of the solar panel.
1. Drill two 7mm holes in the solar panel centre support member.
2. Attach the bracket to the solar panel with the two bolts provided.
3. Insert the solar panel support pole into the saddle bracket and secure.
---
## Dealing with the Antenna
- If there is an Omni antenna mounted at the top of the mast, you must remove the antenna and install an antenna mounting kit (part no. 81112) as described below to mount the antenna.
- If there is a Yagi antenna connected to the mast, remove the mast cap and install the Weather Station at the top of the mast.
### Install an Omni antenna mounting kit
1. Disconnect the antenna loom from the pedestal and withdraw the loom from the mast.
2. Disconnect and withdraw the solar panel loom.
3. Remove the Omni antenna from the top of the mast.
4. Re-drill the loom entrance hole in the mast to a diameter of 22 mm so that both the antenna and the solar panel loom can be passed through the hole.
5. Fit 3 mm panel edging around the hole.
6. Connect the antenna mounting kit to the mast behind the solar panel and secure it firmly.
7. Mount the antenna to the end of the antenna mounting frame and ensure that the antenna loom is secured to the side of the frame using supplied cable ties. Use an antenna loom protection kit (P/N: 80207 AD).
8. Run the antenna and solar panel looms down the mast and reconnect them to the pedestal connector panel.
### Installing a Yagi antenna
The Yagi must point to within 5° of the nominated repeater site. Use an offset bracket if the antenna would otherwise overhang the solar panel. The antenna drainage hole must point downwards
1. Re-drill the loom entrance hole in the mast to a diameter of 22 mm so that both the antenna and the solar panel loom can be passed through the hole.
2. Position the antenna or offset bracket as low as possible without obstructing the solar panel.
3. Remove the aluminium cap on the loom by using a cutting device.
**Note**: Keep the cable gland. The gland can be fastened to the loom and hidden within the offset bracket or under the cable protection braid.
4. Run the antenna and solar panel looms down the mast and connect them to the pedestal connector panel.
---
## Mounting with a FerIT Solar Node
To mount the Weather station with a FerIT Solar Node the FerIT must be mounted using the rear attachment location. The antenna must be mounted on an external mounting bracket. See the [FN-10 FerIT Node User Guide](https://bit.ly/3jRccE2) for details of mounting the FerIT Solar Node.
---
## Mount the Weather Station
**Required Tools:**
- Torx T20
- 2mm Hex Key
- 2.5mm Hex Key
- Torque Wrench or drive capable of 1 to 1.5Nm
> ℹ️ **Caution**
> ℹ️
> ℹ️ Leave the protective foam on the bird spikes until you have completed the weather station installation.
**Step 1**
Remove the protective cap on the solar radiation sensor.
**Step 2**
Prepare the Weather Station loom:
- If you are connecting the Weather Station to a pedestal, pass the Weather Station loom down the inside of the mast to the base of the pedestal. You will connect the loom to the pedestal after the mast has been raised.
> ℹ️ **Note**
> ℹ️
> ℹ️ If the pedestal has a Yagi antenna, remove the mast cap.
- If you are connecting it to a FerIT Solar Node, pass the FerIT sensor loom up the mast and connect it to the Weather Station loom.
**Step 3**
Remove the mounting shroud from the base of the Weather Station and slide it down over the top of the mast.
**Step 4**
Connect the Weather Station connector to the top of the Weather Station loom.
**Step 5**
Apply thread-locking adhesive such as Loctite 222 to the securing screws.
**Step 6**
Tighten the button-head screw and the two socket set screws that hold the Weather Station to the mounting pole to 1Nm torque.
**Step 7**
Refit the mounting shroud and tighten the four securing screws to 1.5Nm.
**Step 8**
Remove the foam from Weather Station bird spikes.
If you have mounted the Weather Station on a pedestal mast you can now [raise the mast](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/WS/pages/1932099798) and connect the weather station loom to the pedestal.
---
## Connect the Weather Station to the Pedestal
> ℹ️ 84394 and 84395 loom termination boards (LTBs) are not compatible with the Weather Station. Appropriate LTBs must be used with the Weather Station (as listed in the BOM i.e. 75508 or 79766).
> ℹ️
> ℹ️ If the pedestal is a new build and hence uses a 84394 or 84395 LTB, the LTB must be replaced with the LTB supplied with the weather station.
| | | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Control Pedestal | Revision to Use | Revision to Replace |
| Standard LTB | Text: RUBICON SLIPGATE-LTB REV3 2008
 | Text: LTB-84394 REV1 2025 RUBICON
 |
| High Power X2M LTB | Text: X2M-LTB REV-01 RUBICON WATER 2013
 | Text: LTB-X2M 84395 REV1 RUBICON 2025
 |
1. Check Loom Termination board revision installed in pedestal. If the pedestal has a 84394 LTB installed, replace it with the 75508 LTB provided with the Weather Station. If the pedestal has a 84395 LTB installed, replace it with the 79766 LTB provided with the Weather Station. Follow the appropriate order connection order of looms, as per ‘Replacing the Loom Termination Board (LTB)’ page of the pedestal User Guide, i.e. [SlipMeter](https://rubiconwater.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/SM/pages/1928135594).
2. Mount the Weather Station on the pedestal mast.
3. Connect the Weather Station loom to the 4 pin M12 connector at the bottom left of the connector plate at the base of the Weather Station. If the connector is already in use, use the optional modbus splitter kit (part no. 73138) and loom (part no. 81122).
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