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How do I wire a probe if I am building my own
Connect the probe to the board with three leads, VCC to the 3V3 pin, GND to a ground pin, and the analogue output to ...
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What board do the monitors use
The monitors are built on a common low cost wifi microcontroller board widely used for this kind of sensor. If you are building your ...
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How do I power it outside safely
Run the USB from indoors through a window or wall, or use an outdoor rated weatherproof socket or enclosure for the plug. The monitor ...
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Do you offer longer probes
Yes, longer probes are available for fruit trees and established shrubs, where a standard probe reads the wrong depth. For most beds, pots and ...
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What powers the monitor
A standard USB supply, the kind a phone charger uses. The monitor stays plugged in and does not run on batteries, which is what ...
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Can I leave the monitor outside over winter
The monitor in its enclosure is built for outdoors, but the USB power connection must stay dry, so power it from indoors or a ...
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Why does it not run on batteries
Staying powered lets the monitor report constantly and keep talking to your wifi, the cloud or Home Assistant without you ever thinking about it. ...
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Can one monitor read more than one probe
The standard monitor reads a single probe, which suits most beds and pots. For watching several beds from one unit, look at the multi ...
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How does the monitor get software updates
It updates itself over your wifi. When a new version is published, the monitor picks it up on its own, or you can prompt ...
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Do you sell an enclosure, or can I print one
Both. We sell ready made enclosures, and we also share the 3D printable files free for self builders. If you print your own, use ...
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What is the difference between capacitive and resistive probes
A resistive probe passes current through the soil between two metal prongs, which corrodes them, so they read well for a short while then ...
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Why must the probe go to 3V3 and not 5V
The board’s analogue input can only safely accept up to its own low voltage. Powering the probe from 5V can push more voltage into ...
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Pinned
How long does a probe last before it needs replacing
It depends on the probe type. Capacitive probes, which we fit and recommend, have no exposed metal and last for years in the soil. ...
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