Mounting an outdoor sensor

[amxpress]

We have an indoor/outdoor thermometer mounted on the wall next to DW's chair. I place the outdoor sensor under the right slide on a ledge. Unfortunately, I have sometimes forgot to bring it in when breaking camp. 3 sensors later I figured I should permanently mount the outdoor sensor outdoors; but where and how? Should I place it in a plastic sandwich baggie and zip tie it to my bike rack? If you have an outdoor sensor, where and how did you mount it?

[Lar_s]

Stuck mine underneath next to the water pump. We took off mid Nov. and wanted to see the temp in what I considered the most vulnerable at the time. Keeps it pretty close to outside temp as it turns out so OK for me.

[Horizon170]

Propane tank where exhaust won't affect it, Lots of places as suggested above.
In Quartzsite, AZ I hung a non wireless out a door hanging near the ground and a Pack Rat chewed the bottom of and stole it.

[watt100]

I do like filrupmark does and put mine on x-chock were I won't forget it!!

[webslave]

I have mine stashed up under the top step in my Kwikee steps. I use step covers and that creates a hollow spot under each step and there is a gap between the two ends of the cover where the springs pull the cover tight. Protected from wind and rain and when the steps fold up for going down the road, the sensor is sandwiched between the two steps and the mounting plates on the frame keep road hazards (debris, turbulence, and driven road spray) from getting to it. The clip on the sensor holds it just fine and I've only had it vibrate off (Oklahoma highway worse than a washboard) and when the steps deployed, there it was, laying pretty as you please on the bottom step.

One added benefit in that location is that I get a pretty accurate temp reading while underway. Plenty of air circulation despite the aforementioned protection. You would think that with what I paid for this coach that it would tell me what the temp outside is, my toad and daily driver do, but, not this beast.

[cpaulsen]

Mine is an Accurite wireless. Inside display is mounted to the wall....outside sensor is mounted to a pole and it stays out in the sun....rain and snow. Mine has to be outside so the wind and humidity sensors work.

[mobeewan]

mgirardo wrote:
On our motorhome, I placed the sensor just below the awning tube. Since we always used the awning, the sensor usually wasn't in full sun. On our current Bungalow, I put the sensor next to the soffit light on the south east corner of the TT. Since it is parked at a season site, I don't have to worry about the soffit not facing south.

Not sure why folks are wrapping outdoor sensors in plastic bags. I would think that would produce inaccurate readings.

-Michael

Sitting in the shade with almost all the air squeezed out isn't hardly going to matter. Maybe a degree or two difference as the outside temp rises and falls. But over all there will be no difference for long periods of time when the outside temps aren't changing at all. I don't think anyone can really tell the difference between a couple degrees.

Sitting in the sun with or without the air squeezed out would be like a putting it in a closed up car.

[westend]

mobeewan wrote:

westend wrote:
If it's an "outdoor sensor", why does it need to be protected at all?

Outdoor sensors doesn't necessarily mean totally water proof. I've thrown away 2 outdoor sensors used at home that wind blown rain had gotten under the battery cover. The batteries had rusted and corroded. Didn't know until the outside temperature wasn't displaying any more on the indoor receiver. The new one is hanging under the front porch now in the shade where wind blown rain can't get to it but air can still circulate around it for accurate measurement.

Permanently hanging under a trailer without bagging it is kinda like rain driven by severe tropical storm winds when driving in the rain. Weather proof / water resistant does not mean water proof under all conditions.

That makes sense. I hadn't thought about the effect of blowing rain on the sensor.
I have one of those cheap weather stations with a temp sensor and batteries inside. It is installed under a soffit on the garage. It hasn't failed from water, yet.

[mobeewan]

westend wrote:
If it's an "outdoor sensor", why does it need to be protected at all?

Outdoor sensors doesn't necessarily mean totally water proof. I've thrown away 2 outdoor sensors used at home that wind blown rain had gotten under the battery cover. The batteries had rusted and corroded. Didn't know until the outside temperature wasn't displaying any more on the indoor receiver. The new one is hanging under the front porch now in the shade where wind blown rain can't get to it but air can still circulate around it for accurate measurement.

Permanently hanging under a trailer without bagging it is kinda like rain driven by severe tropical storm winds when driving in the rain. Weather proof / water resistant does not mean water proof under all conditions.

[filrupmark]

I put ours in the wheel chocks . It stays out of the weather and I don't forget it !

[RicJones]

Mine is tie wrapped in with the propane tank.

[TurnThePage]

Mine is in a sandwich bag and ziptied to the propane line under the trailer. I don't know if the bag helps or not, but I can't see the harm in protecting the sensor from the fury that happens under there when underway.

[Blackdiamond]

Velcroed mine to the frame of the MH,

[in5r]

In the area that the steps fold up into, it makes for a shaded area, easy to get to. It is secured with zip ties.

[mgirardo]

On our motorhome, I placed the sensor just below the awning tube. Since we always used the awning, the sensor usually wasn't in full sun. On our current Bungalow, I put the sensor next to the soffit light on the south east corner of the TT. Since it is parked at a season site, I don't have to worry about the soffit not facing south.

Not sure why folks are wrapping outdoor sensors in plastic bags. I would think that would produce inaccurate readings.

-Michael