Mount Your Weather Station Sensors: 9 Most Effective Ways

Every personal weather station comes with a sensor kit that needs to be mounted.

It’s vital that you mount your weather station sensor in the perfect position to get accurate data.

Now, there is a wide range of positions that you can choose from.

But which one is the best?

Let’s find out together.

Mounting On the Chimney

If your fireplace isn’t being used, then the chimney is an ideal place for installing weather sensors.

For it’s the high point of your building.

By installing your weather station sensors up there, you can ensure that your sensors remain away from any obstruction.

Moreover, it will be extremely difficult for someone to tamper with your sensors up there.

Keep in mind that you need to mount your weather sensors at least 5 feet above the chimney.

You will need to buy the chimney mounting pipes separately. But you can get them from any local hardware store.

However, you might need help from professionals to mount the sensors. Besides, its routine maintenance might become a problem for you as it is mounted at a very high point.

Advantages

• The weather station sensors will be free from obstruction
• There’s no need for extra space
• It prevents other people from manually tempering your device

Disadvantages

• Not easy to install and might need professional help.
• Routine maintenance will be difficult.

Ground Mounting

If your property includes an open place that is away from houses, roads, trees and other obstructions, then it’s an ideal place for mounting weather sensors as it will provide more accurate information.

However, you shouldn’t let the sensors come in touch with the ground so as to prevent damage to the weather station.

A tripod or a pole could be used to elevate your sensors from the ground.

One of the biggest advantages of ground mounting is its easy installation process. As a result, no professional help is needed to mount the sensors.

The only drawback of ground mounting is that your weather station remains vulnerable to tampering with outsiders.

Advantages

• Easy to install
• Regular maintenance is easily done
• Provides accurate data

Disadvantages

• The weather station can be manually tempered by outsiders
• Can’t install the sensors under shaded areas

Mounting On the Concrete Floor

Mounting your weather sensors on a concrete floor is a great idea.

But the place needs to have enough free space and minimum obstruction, irrespective of whether it’s a cemented floor or a rooftop.

For a concrete floor, you can use a non-penetrating mount. They are specially designed for flat rooftops.

Cinder blocks or sandbags might be required to create a stable platform for the mount.

Due to the fact that it’s a non-penetrating mount, relocating the sensor array becomes much easier.

Nonetheless, it also makes your weather station vulnerable to storms and strong winds, which can blow it away.

 Advantages

• The installation process is pretty simple as you won’t have to penetrate the floor.
• The sensor array can be easily relocated
• Easy maintenance

 Disadvantages

• Heavy wind or storms can blow it away
• Installing additional mast will become difficult if the system includes separate units.

Mounting On the Eaves

The eve of your house is certainly a great place to install weather station sensors.

For it provides the necessary protection for sensitive sensors and needs no extra space.

Besides, eve mounting is also ideal for weather stations that come with a low transmission distance.

However, you will need to use an exceptionally sturdy mount for the sensors.

Advantages

• Ideal for a weather station with a low transmission distance
• Provides cover for sensitive sensors
• Needs no additional space for mounting

 Disadvantages

• Installation isn’t easy, and professional help may be required
• A strong mount is needed

Pitched Roof Mounting

Pitched roof mounting is the best solution for people who don’t have a flat roof and has a shortage of space.

As it’s installed in the highest point of your house, the reading will be more accurate.

On top of that, protection for your sensor array is ensured from the manual tampering of malicious people.

A negative aspect of pitched roof mounting is that the installation process is quite lengthy.

In addition, you will require the help of professionals or at least a plumber to fix your roof.

Advantages

• The weather station is protected from theft and tampering
• Does not get affected by storms or strong winds
• Requires no additional space

Disadvantages

• Installation needs time, and professional help is required
• Holes in the roof could cause water leakage if not sealed properly
• Maintenance can be problematic

Mounting On Ships

A mounting weather stations on your boat will be of great help when you are in the sea. It will inform you of the weather conditions and assist you in making plans for the day.

You will get warned of storms and rainfall in advance. Hence you will be able to take necessary precautions before the storms strike.

Stainless and sturdy mounting kits will be needed for your ship.

The environment of the sea is pretty rough, and your units will be unprotected against severe weather conditions such as heavy rainfall and high winds.

Advantages

• It gives you a warning against upcoming storms

Disadvantages

• Holes need to be drilled into your boat to mount the sensors.

Mounting On the Fence Post or Side of the Building

There’s no problem with mounting your sensors on a fence post, provided that it’s stable and well-built.

The side of your building or wall is also a nice place to install your weather station.

However, it’s important that you get a solid and reliable mounting kit with a horizontal offset to mount the sensors array.

Make sure that the mounting is done accurately. Otherwise, you may get erroneous readings.

Advantages

• Needs no additional space
• Easy access to the unit all the time

Disadvantages

• The unit might give imprecise readings if not mounted properly.
• The help of professionals might be needed to install the unit

Mounting On an Existing Mast

TV or radio antennas mounted on a high mast on the rooftop are a common sight in urban areas.

In order to mount your sensors along with the TV antennas, you will just have to clamp your mount on the other mast.

In this way, no extra space is needed to mount your unit.

Advantages

• Easy to install the unit
• Since there’s an existing mast, no additional space is required.

Disadvantages

• Sometimes the existing mast turns out to be weak
• Antennas of TV or radio could affect the transmission occasionally

Mounting On Your Vehicle

People who spend most of their time in their automobiles often prefer to mount their weather station sensors on their vehicles.

It enables them to carry the unit whenever they travel in their vehicle.

There are many simple and portable weather stations available on the market for vehicle mounting.

Advantages

• the unit can be taken along with you when you are traveling in your car

Disadvantages

• it might not give correct readings  as you are going to be moving constantly

Things You Need To Consider Before Mounting Your Weather Station Sensors

• Anemometer: the wind speed/direction sensor is sensitive to obstructions. Hence, choose a rooftop or a high place to install it where you could elevate the sensor higher than its surroundings.
• Thermometer: thermometer needs to be kept away from heat sources such as a fireplace, water heater, or an A/C unit. Otherwise, it might report more than the actual reading.
• Hygrometer: the humidity sensor must be kept away from evaporation sources such as irrigated lawns or pools.
• Rain gauge: the rain gauge should be installed in an open place where it could effectively measure precipitation.
• Easy access: many weather stations will require regular maintenance. Therefore, install the weather station where you will have easy access to the unit.
• Transmission range: when you are installing an outdoor weather station, you need to keep the transmission range of the unit in your mind. Most of them have a maximum transmit range of 300 to 330 feet.

Conclusion

Before you decide which mounting idea to employ for your weather sensor, go through the entire article one more time.

Try to find out which mounting idea is most suitable for your location.

Well, do not rush. It is better you take your time.

I’m sure you will choose the best solution for you. Good luck!