How to Protect a Weather Thermometer From Solar Radiation
If you have a thermometer outside your window, you know that it might be a little off--the sun heats the thermometer just like it heats everything else. The Weather Service solves this problem by protecting its thermometers with a double-roofed enclosure that isolates the thermometer from solar radiation, wind and snow. This double-roofed enclosure will prevent solar radiation, wind and snow from skewing your thermometer's reading to give you accurate information about the outside air temperature.
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- 2 old louvered shutters
- 8 ninety-degree angle brackets
- Wood screws
- Screwdriver
- 2 brass hinges
- 1/2 sheet plywood
- Circular saw
- Carpenter's adhesive
Instructions
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1
Cut the two louvered shutters in half, horizontally to give you 4 louvered panels for the sides of the enclosure.
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2
Use the screws and screwdriver to attach the angle brackets to the outside of one of the half-shutters; then attach the other two half-shutters to the angle brackets to form a 3-sided, louvered box.
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3
Attach the hinges to the remaining louvered half-shutter, then to the 3-sided box as a door. This will fully protect the thermometer from solar radiation from any angle, as well as protecting the thermometer from wind and snow but will still allow the air to circulate through the louvers to give you an accurate air temperature.
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4
Measure the width and depth of the 3-sided louvered box. Transfer these measurements to the plywood, and cut two pieces of plywood to these dimensions with the circular saw. These will form the double roof panels. Cut two strips from the plywood, measuring 1 inch-by-the-width of the box. Cut three plywood slats, measuring 3 inches-by-the-width of the box to form the bottom of the box.
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5
Use the carpenter's adhesive to fasten one plywood panel to the top of the 3-sided box to form the inner roof. Fasten two 1-inch plywood strips to the outside of the inner roof with the carpenter's adhesive; then fasten the second plywood panel to the top of the plywood strips--again with the carpenter's adhesive; gluing the plywood together will prevent splitting the wood. Glue the three 3-inch wide strips to the bottom of the box to form a slatted bottom.
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6
Mount the thermometer inside the enclosure, and place the enclosure above ground level.
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Tips & Warnings
There are as many ways to mount the thermometer enclosure as there are thermometers; the only one you should avoid is placing the enclosure directly on the ground. The enclosure will be large enough to hold several instruments, like a wet/dry bulb thermometer (for relative humidity) or a recording thermometer, so you can determine high and low temperatures.
This project involves working with tools and adhesives. Appropriate cautions are urged.
