Modular parametric Stevenson screen (weather shield) for any meteorological instrument

This is a box for meteorological instruments (such as a thermometer or a hygrometer) that protects them from sunlight, water, snow, and strong winds.  This box is based on a prior design I made and uploaded here.

After days of frustration while trying different meteorological instruments, I realized that my original Stevenson screen was inadequate because the holder for the instrument (thermometer) inside the housing is printed with the housing.  In addition to that, changing batteries was a pain because removing the instrument was really hard.

This remix solves that problem by separating the holder of the instrument from the housing:

• Print the attachment separate from the housing.
• Place the instrument in the attachment.
• Twist the attachment into the housing:
  • align the fins of the attachment with the notches at the base of the housing,
  • push the attachment flat into the housing, then
  • rotate the attachment until it locks into the housing.

Due to this innovation, taking out the attachment to replace instrument batteries (or changing the instrument for another one) is possible without having to reprint the housing at all. Furthermore, because one no longer needs to insert the instrument through the side of the holder, larger instruments can be made to fit inside the housing.

Additionally, this model has a further innovation: it does not let snow or water pile up on top.

Attachments for the Qingping, the Xiaomi Mijia, and the INKBIRD IBS-TH2 thermometers are included.  Be sure to align the breather holes of the instruments with the holes in the attachments for proper operation.

Customization

• This model is also more parametric than the original one.
  • A sheet Parameters is included).
  • Quite a few values have been parametrized such that changing them causes the model to redimension.
  • This makes it easy, for example, to make the housing larger or taller, for instruments that require the extra space.
• The support arm included in the files is customizable.
  • The one shipping here is bespoke for the guardrail of my balcony.
  • You may have to make modifications to the sketch (Support arm profile) in order to make it fit your mounting location.
  • However most parameters for the arm are parametric and can be changed directly in the Parameters sheet.
• Of course, you can also manufacture attachments for your own instruments.
  • Generally, attaching a suitable container for your instrument to the Attachment support body is enough.
  • Make your instrument fit snugly in its attachment container, to prevent strong winds from blowing the instrument away.
  • Please upload your instrument attachment as a make or remix of this model so other users can use it too!

Print

• Recommended: 0.25 mm layer height with 0.6 mm nozzle, 0.20 mm layer height with 0.4 mm nozzle.
• Prefer PETG for waterproofing, but I have not had issues with water ingress into the housing with either ABS or PLA.
• Use the whitest plastic you have!  Printing in any other color will make your thermometer give false temperature readings.
• Nothing needs support.  Just make sure to print each part on their own flat surface.  The roof should be printed upside down with the top on the print bed.  The support arm prints well sideways.
• Use support cubic infill for maximum protection against the heat of sunlight.

Assembly

• Superglue the roof onto the housing.  The roof has an inner lip around its rounder  underside that fits the ring of vertical fins atop the housing.  Apply glue on the inner lip, then fit the roof on the housing, ensuring complete contact with all fins.  Set a heavy object on top of the roof until the glue cures.
• Superglue (and optionally screw, using round-head M3 16mm / M3 20mm bolts) the arm to the bottom of the housing.  The three holes in the arm and the housing help you align them both.  The arm has a notch that aids it in grabbing the inside of the housing.  Be generous with the glue as this junction experiences the most stress during strong winds.  Screws really do help the surfaces mate together closely as they glue, but when you tighten them into the housing you have to hold the arm and the housing together with force to avoid arm–housing separation.
• Finally, screw your instrument attachment (with the instrument in it) to the housing, as explained above.  See the animation in the image gallery of this model.

Maintenance

To change batteries of the instrument (or to replace the instrument), all you have to do to remove the attachment is the opposite of what you did to install it.

Attachment installation may be hard to do this one-handed and blind; prefer to use two hands and to observe the underside of the housing while doing it.  If you find it still difficult to do, simply detach the housing and support arm from whatever surface they were attached to, then perform the installation of the attachment, then reinstall the housing and support arm onto wherever they were attached.