Sensor positioning definitely helped me too, but honestly, regular cleaning made a noticeable difference in accuracy over time. Dust can really build up quicker than you'd think—especially if your shelter isn't sealed super tight. I found that gently wiping down the sensors every month or so with a microfiber cloth kept my readings pretty consistent.
I actually tried setting up a DIY protective housing last spring—just a simple breathable mesh cage around the sensor. It cut back on dust buildup a lot without messing up airflow or readings. If you're budget-conscious like me, you can make one pretty cheaply with some scrap screen material and zip ties. Worked surprisingly well, and it's still holding up.
Have you thought about humidity control at all? I've noticed my sensors act weird during big humidity swings too, not just temperature or dust. Wonder if anyone else has tackled that issue creatively...
I ran into the humidity issue too—especially after heavy rains. Ended up placing a small container of silica gel packets near the sensors. Sounds weird, but it actually helped stabilize the readings quite a bit...cheap fix too.
"Ended up placing a small container of silica gel packets near the sensors. Sounds weird, but it actually helped stabilize the readings quite a bit...cheap fix too."
That's actually a pretty clever workaround. I've used silica gel packets myself in toolboxes and storage bins to keep rust at bay, but hadn't thought about using them near sensors. My main concern would be longevity—how often do you find yourself needing to replace or recharge the silica packets? In my experience, they tend to saturate fairly quickly in consistently humid environments, especially after heavy rains. I've had better luck with rechargeable silica packs that change color when they're saturated, making it easier to know when they're due for a refresh. Have you tried those, or are you just using the disposable ones?
I've actually had mixed results with the rechargeable ones. They're convenient because of the color-changing indicator, but I've noticed they don't always recharge evenly—sometimes parts stay saturated even after baking them. Disposable packets seem more consistent, but yeah, they do saturate quickly in humid conditions.
"cheap fix too."
Speaking of cheap fixes, has anyone tried using those moisture absorbers meant for closets or basements? Wonder if they'd hold up better long-term...
I've actually used those closet moisture absorbers in a client's basement renovation before. They're pretty effective at pulling moisture from the air, especially in enclosed spaces. But they're not really designed for repeated drying cycles or extreme conditions like storm shelters. Also, I've found they can get messy if accidentally tipped over...might be something to consider.
"sometimes parts stay saturated even after baking them."
I wonder if uneven heating during recharging contributes to that issue? Maybe spreading them out more evenly next time could help.
