Seasons & Weather (Smart Anemometer & Rain Gauge Station)
Source:
Construct a spinning cup anemometer with a magnetic Hall-effect sensor. As wind spins the cups, the micro:bit calculates wind speed in km/h while a tipping-bucket rain gauge tracks rainfall.
Categorisation
Props & Materials Required
- •3 plastic cups mounted on rotating cross arms
- •Neodymium magnet + Hall-effect magnetic sensor
- •Tipping bucket rain collector mechanism
- •BBC micro:bit V2 controller
- •DFPlayer Mini MP3 module + 3W speaker
Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Build Cup Anemometer
Mount 3 plastic cups on cross arms attached to a smooth spinning axle.
2
Blow Fan on Anemometer
Point a fan at the cups. Watch them spin rapidly!
3
Read Wind Speed on micro:bit
The Hall-effect sensor detects each magnet revolution. The micro:bit LED screen displays live wind speed: '18 km/h — BREEZY!'
4
Rainfall Tipping Bucket Test
Pour water into rain gauge. Each tip of the bucket triggers a count. Speaker announces: 'Rainfall: 12 mm!'
Why It Works & Notes
Weather forecasting relies on quantitative sensors. Building a cup anemometer that measures rotations per minute (RPM) via magnetic Hall-effect sensors turns wind into exact mathematical data.