Purchasing FAQs
We’ve put together some commonly asked questions to help give you more information about Maximum and purchasing Maximum Weather Instruments. Can’t find the answer you need? Contact us today.
Can I buy direct from Maximum?
Yes. Instruments can be ordered directly from Maximum’s website by telephone, fax, or mail. Please visit the contact us page for more information.
Can I get a discount if I buy direct?
On occasion, Maximum will run promotional offers on certain instruments. You may find that some of our dealers offer discounts and/or have sales on a more regular basis.
Is sales tax added to my order?
A 6.25% sales tax is added to all orders delivered in Massachusetts. Sales tax is not added to orders delivered to other states or countries.
What are my shipping options?
We will ship through any carrier you require. However, we have standard prices for the following methods:
- FREE ground shipping on all orders of $99 or more.
- UPS Ground or US Mail: $15 per order under $99.
- 2-Day Air: $30 per order.
- Next Day Air: $50 per order.
- International Air: $75 per order.
Can I return an item that I purchased direct from Maximum?
Yes. When you purchase directly from Maximum, we give the following satisfaction guarantee. If, for any reason, you are not completely satisfied with a new Maximum instrument or any other product on our website, simply return it to us within sixty (60) days. We will promptly exchange it or issue a refund – your choice.
Instrument Installation FAQs
Whether you need help installing your newly purchased Maximum Weather Instrument or want to learn how to best mount sensors, we are happy to answer any questions.
Can I install the instruments myself?
Yes. Barometers, time and tide clocks, and indoor temperature/relative humidity instruments do not have wires. Check out our Video Library for help on quickly setting and installing Maximum time and tide clocks!
Instruments with outdoor sensors can be easily installed if you are comfortable with installing items such as TV antennas and security systems.
Is everything I need for installing the instrument included?
Yes. All necessary equipment is included for barometers, time and tide clocks, and indoor temperature/relative humidity instruments.
For outdoor thermometers, rain gauges, and wind instruments you may need additional cable clips or ties to secure the wires to the building, or caulk to seal up wire entry points and exposed connections.
For wind instruments, you will also need a mast (or TV antenna mast) to position the sensors high enough above your roof. Please see the appropriate Instrument Manual for more information.
Where should I mount the sensors?
Ideal mounting location depends on the type of sensor:
Wind sensors – Ideally wind sensors should be mounted 30′ feet higher than any object within 100 yards of the site. However, when this is not practical, you should mount wind sensors 8 to 10 feet above the highest point of your roof. It is usually easiest to use a TV antenna mast system for the installation.
Temperature sensors – The best place to mount a temperature sensor is within an instrument shelter constructed and sited following NWS guidelines. When this is not practical, mounting temperature sensors on the north wall of the house 5 to 8 feet above the ground. If mounting the sensor higher than this, you must use a properly designed radiation shield in order to receive correct readings. Our water temperature sensor can also be mounted within the radiation shield. However, the cost of the radiation shield is equivalent to a good instrument shelter.
Rainfall sensors – The rain collector must be mounted on a stable, level surface with as much unobstructed exposure to the sky as possible. Depending on your locale, you may have to periodically remove leaves and other debris that may fall into the collector. Keeping your rain collector close to the ground makes this task much easier.
Though wind does not affect the accuracy of Maximum temperature and rainfall sensors, we recommend limiting wind exposure in order to protect your weather sensors from being dislodged.
How should I attach the wires to the building?
We recommend using cable clips or cable ties with attachment blocks to attach wires to the building. The improper use of staples may cause instrument installation problems. Additionally, it is very difficult to diagnose and repair breaks and shorts caused by the improper use of staples on the wires.
If you must use staples (and we strongly recommend that you don’t) they must be insulated staples and you should check the loop resistance of the cable with a low-range ohmmeter (100ohm F.S.) before and after the installation to verify that you did not damage the cable.
Can I shorten the sensor/power wires?
Yes, you may shorten the wires if you wish. The accuracy of the instrument will not be affected by shortening the wires of your weather instrument. However, another solution is to simply tuck the excess wire somewhere along its run.
Can I extend the sensor/power wires?
Yes. However, there are wire extension limits depending on the particular instrument. Please see the operating manual for your instrument or contact us for more information.
Can I extend the serial port cable on a WeatherMAX?
Yes. You can extend the cable using a shielded RS-232 extension cable.
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