Ambient Weather EZ2-35W2MC Pole Mounting Kit: Easy Installation & Durability

What Is in the Box

According to Ambient Weather's instruction sheet and listing, the kit contains:

• Six mast sections, each 14 inches long and 1.25 inches in diameter. Each one has a swaged (narrowed) end that slides into the smooth end of the next, and one section is smooth at both ends: that one goes at the bottom.
• Two 1.25-inch clamps (the installation steps call them saddles and give their size as 1-1/8 inch, so do not be surprised by that small mismatch in the paperwork).
• Four 1/4-inch x 3-inch lag screws for fixing the clamps to a post or other vertical surface.

Material: Ambient describes it as "rust proof 10-steel tubing, galvanized using the Flo-Coat (zinc-chromate polymer)". We cannot tell you how many years it lasts outdoors: Ambient does not give a lifespan, and we have not seen one outside.

Not included: the weather station or sensor array, the 35-inch mast extension (sold separately), a drill, a wrench and a level, and any grounding wire.

Warranty: 1-year limited warranty from Ambient, LLC, according to the instruction sheet.

Will It Fit My Weather Station?

This is the question to answer before you click buy. The mast is 1.25 inches in diameter, so your sensor's mounting bracket has to grip a pole that size.

• Ambient Weather WS-2000: its manual says the sensor array's U-bolts fit a pole "between 1.25 and 2 inch diameter", so this kit's mast is inside that range. (See our WS-2000 review.)
• Ambient Weather WS-4000: Ambient's own listing says the kit is not compatible with the WS-4000.
• AcuRite Iris (5-in-1): the AcuRite manual says its mounting bracket screws onto a wooden post (2x4 or larger) or mounts directly on 3/4-inch steel pipe. A 1.25-inch mast is not on AcuRite's list, so check with AcuRite before pairing the two.
• Any other brand: look up the pole diameter range in your station's manual. If the manual does not list 1.25 inch, assume it might not fit.

The Science of Siting: Why Your Weather Station's Location Is Everything

A mounting kit only helps if it puts the sensors in a better spot. A few rules from the station manuals:

• For wind: higher is better. AcuRite's Iris manual notes that the National Weather Service recommends 33 feet (10 meters) for wind measurements. A 66-inch pole adds 5.5 feet to whatever post you clamp it to, so think of this kit as "better than the fence top", not as an official-height mast.
• For obstructions: Ambient's WS-2000 manual suggests installing the sensor array at least 4 times the height difference away from the tallest obstruction. Their example: a 20-foot building and a 6-foot pole means about 56 feet away.
• For temperature: keep sensors away from heat sources such as chimneys, vents, asphalt and concrete (AcuRite).
• For rain: the sensor must be level and have no obstructions above it. Ambient's manual says that if the array is not level, the rain gauge, UV and solar radiation sensors will not measure properly.

The honest takeaway: in most backyards you are choosing the "least bad" spot. A straight, level, solid pole makes that spot work as well as it can.

Installation and Best Practices: Step by Step

Tools you need (per Ambient): an adjustable wrench, a level or plumb line, and a drill.

Safety first: Ambient warns that any metal pole may attract lightning. Never install during a thunderstorm, and Ambient recommends grounding the pole; it suggests asking a licensed electrician or lightning expert before you add a ground wire.

1. On a fence post or other flat vertical surface, drill two holes, using one of the saddles (clamps) as a guide.
2. Drill a second set of holes at least 12 inches away from the first pair.
3. Fix the saddles to the post with the lag screws (do not fully tighten yet).
4. Build the mast: push a swaged end into a smooth end and twist it hand-tight, so it will not rotate loose later. Repeat for all six sections. The section that is smooth at both ends goes at the bottom.
5. Slide the assembled mast between the post and the clamps.
6. Tighten the lag screws until the mast cannot slide up or down, check that it is level (plumb), then tighten all four screws securely.

Then mount your sensor array following your station's own manual. You do not have to use all six sections: fewer sections simply means a shorter pole.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total height of the Ambient Weather EZ2-35W2MC mounting kit?

The kit includes six 14-inch mast sections that assemble to a total height of 66 inches (5.5 feet). You can use fewer sections for a shorter pole. A 35-inch mast extension is sold separately.

Can I mount this kit on my roof?

The kit is made for a fence post or other flat vertical surface: it comes with two clamps and four lag screws, and the instructions only cover vertical-surface mounting. There is no roof, eave or chimney hardware in the box.

Is this mounting kit compatible with weather stations from other brands like AcuRite or La Crosse?

Only if the sensor's bracket fits a 1.25-inch pole. Check the pole range in your station's manual. For example, the Ambient WS-2000 array fits 1.25 to 2 inch poles, AcuRite's Iris manual lists wooden posts and 3/4-inch steel pipe, and Ambient says the kit is not compatible with its WS-4000.