Claber 90915 Sprinkler System Wired Rain Sensor

I purchased this rain gauge to work in conjunction with my Claber 2-zone water timer, but it will work timers of other manufacturers as well. The unit consists of the sensor housing, a float, and a debris cover. A 2 meter weather-proof cable is included, which has a 2 conductor connector on the end that will plug directly into the wiring of the Claber units. If used with another type of timer, it will be necessary to splice the sensor into the common lead for the solenoids in your unit. The float has an upper part that contains a buoyant material, and a lower part, which contains a magnet. The sensor body contains a reed switch, which is activated by the float resting on the bottom of the float chamber -- which only occurs in the absence of water. The unit is designed so that the water in the float chamber will evaporate at a rate leading to optimal watering delay time after a rainfall. The unit works very well, is easy to install, and is relatively inexpensive. The design will inherently last for many years, due to the absence of any mechanical mechanism required for it's operation.

I tested this device a few times pouring water into it and it worked fine - but I don't think I ever have seen it stop the watering system from activating in a real-life situation. I don't think enough water ever got into it to make the internal disc float... even though my plants were soaked by rain.

Yes it has a short 1.8 M (6 feet) lead and I had to add a bit of lead to it to place it in the best position but I would not consider that a con.It worked both times we have had rain of about 13 mm (half an inch) in the last month.Be sure to put the internal round peice in with the orange plastic facing downwards. My mistake in putting it in the wrong way up caused the Claber to stop turning on at the designated times.Excellent product

This product is impossible to use. The instructions are incomprehensible and incomplete. I could not connect it to my timer, although the product claims they are compatible.

After installing it and waiting for several raining days, the issue I found with this sensor is that it doesn't drain out all the water or the water does not dry up inside. I removed the orange strainer and black disc inside only to find water still siting around.So it's still telling the water timer not to activate as it still thinks my lawn is still wet even if it's been dry outside for several days. I cannot get it to work properly so I just removed it. I think its a bad design.

We have had an extremely wet spring in Colorado. Before I went on vacation, I tested the unit. The water would not come on when it was filled but it did after I emptied it. Since it had been raining, I filled it with water before I left on vacation. When I returned part of my lawn was brown but I think I just need to increase the watering time for that zone. When purchased with the Aqua Due, it was quite an expense, but reliability is worth the price. Eventually the cost of the water saved may equal the cost of the sensor.

I've had this 2 or 3 years now and it still looks new and operates flawlessly. I do have it in an open area where it doesn't get needles or leaves, etc. It was also easy to install.

If you use this product, be sure that the water you're controlling doesn't fill the sensor. If it does, the circuit is opened and the water won't shut off when the timer being controlled tries to turn the water off.