SKU_BOS0038_Soil_Moisture_Sensor

Introduction

The soil moisture sensor is used to measure the volumetric water content of the soil. This makes it ideal for performing experiments in courses such as soil science, agricultural science, environment science, horticulture, botany and biology.

What is soil moisture?

The soil moisture content correspondingly referred to as water content and is an indicator of the quantity of water existing in soil. Soil water content affects the moisture and amount of nutrients available to plants and soil aeration status, which has a dominant influence on plant root growth.

Specification

Operating Voltage: 3V-5V
Max Current: 40mA@5V
Connector: PH2.0
Product Dimension: 22×39(mm)/1.02×1.54"
Signal Type: analog signal

Pinout

Label	Name	Description
1	GND	Ground
2	VCC	Power Input
3	SIGNAL	Analog Signal Line

Usage Description

The soil moisture sensor can be used with micro:bit and Arduino to make interesting interactive applications. Insert the probes into soil, wait a few seconds, then you can get stable data. You can display the data on OLED module or micro:bit board. Besides, you can use the soil moisture sensor to control other output modules. Connect all parts, power up, then it can monitor the soil water content in real-time.

Make sure the sensor probes are inserted into the soil at certain depths.

We can also connect the soil moisture sensor with other output modules to make automatic projects.

Soil Moisture Reference

Note:

The soil water content may vary from different soil medias. Since the water in soil is unevenly distributed, the measured data only represents the local humidity.
The top plastic portion of the sensor is not waterproof, so please do not insert the whole sensor into the soil.

Principle

The soil moisture sensor probe with two exposed conductors acts as a variable resistor whose resistance varies with the soil's moisture content. The more water in the soil, the better the conductivity and the lower the resistance. The sensor produces an output voltage according to the resistance, by which we can determine the soil moisture level.

Application

(1) The effects of various soil moisture levels on seed germination

Description: sow seeds of the same kind and quantity into two planter boxes. Monitor the soil moisture of the two boxes, record the seed germination rate under different moisture levels.

Components:


BOS0038 Soil Moisture Sensor	BOS0035 Mainboard-3IO	BOS0044 OLED Display Module

MBT0039 micro:bit	BOS0040 micro:bit BOSON Expansion Board

Tips: micro:bit and Micro:bit BOSON expansion boards are used in the programming example.

Non-programming Sample

Connection:

Press the black button on the OLED display module to select the soil moisture sensor mode.

Programming Sample

Connection:

Flowchart:

Mind+ Sample Program:

Makecode Sample Program:

Video Demo:

Non-programming	Programming

(2) Auto Plant Irrigation System

Description: the soil moisture sensor monitors the soil water content of flowerpot in real-time. When there is no enough water in the soil, the servo rotates to allow the water in the pipe to flow into the pot to irrigate the plants.

Components:


BOS0038 Soil Moisture Sensor	BOS0025 Servo Control Module	SER0045 9g Metal Servo Module

BOS0032 Threshold Module	MBT0039 micro:bit	BOS0035 Mainboard-3IO

BOS0040 micro:bit BOSON Expansion board

Tips: micro:bit and Micro:bit BOSON expansion boards are used in the programming example

Non-programming Sample

Connection:

Programming Sample

Connection:

Flowchart:

Mind+ Sample Program:

Makecode Sample Program:

Video Demo:

Non-programming	Programming

(3) Seed Germinator

Description: make a seed germinator, monitor the soil moisture, temperature, and air humidity. If there is one parameter exceeding the preset range, the LED lights up and the buzzer starts making sound.

Components:


BOS0041 Air Moisture Sensor	BOS0038 Soil Moisture Sensor	BOS0011 Temperature Sensor

BOS0017 LED Module	BOS0040 micro:bit BOSON Expansion Board	MBT0039 micro:bit