Example Code for Arduino - EC, Temperature, Salinity & TDS Monitoring

Hardware Preparation

• DFRduino UNO R3 (or similar) x 1
• Gravity: Active Isolated RS485 to UART Signal Adapter Module x1
• RS485 Water Quality Electrical Conductivity Sensor(K=1) x1

Software Preparation

• Arduino IDE

Wiring Diagram

If the power of the RS485 device is small and the required current is less than 12V-160mA, the RS485 to UART signal conversion module does not require a 12V external power supply, making wiring more convenient.

Other Preparation Work

1. Ensure the sensor is installed correctly using either submersible or pipe installation methods as described in the Getting Started section.
2. If the sensor has been stored in a dry place for extended periods, immerse the electrodes in distilled water for several hours before use to activate them.
3. The sensor's default communication parameters are: baud rate 4800bps, device address 0x01, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, CRC error checking.
4. This sample code is compatible with UNO R3, Mega2560, and ESP32 development boards.

Sample Code

// ---------------- Cross-Platform Serial Configuration ----------------
#if defined(__AVR_ATmega2560__)
// Arduino Mega 2560: Use hardware serial port Serial1
// Sensor TX connects to Mega Pin 18
// Sensor RX connects to Mega Pin 19
#define sensorSerial Serial1

#elif defined(ESP32)
// ESP32: Manually instantiate hardware serial port; compatible with all models including C3/S2/S3/WROOM, etc.
#include <HardwareSerial.h>
HardwareSerial mySensorSerial(1); // Consistently use internal UART 1
#define sensorSerial mySensorSerial

#else
// Arduino UNO: Software serial port
// Sensor TX connects to UNO Pin 3
// Sensor RX connects to UNO Pin 2
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
SoftwareSerial mySerial(2, 3);
#define sensorSerial mySerial
#endif
// ------------------------------------------------

uint8_t Com[8] = { 0x01, 0x03, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0x02, 0xC4, 0x0B };   //EC、Temperature
uint8_t Com1[8] = { 0x01, 0x03, 0x00, 0x02, 0x00, 0x02, 0x65, 0xCB };  //Salinity、TDS
float ec, tem;
int tds, sal;

void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);

// Print a line of plain English text for testing. If this line appears clearly and without garbled characters,
// it indicates that communication between the computer and the development board is fully functional! Serial.println("");
Serial.println("--- System Start ---");

// Initialize the sensor serial port for different development boards
// (The sensor's baud rate must remain at 4800—do not change it)
#if defined(ESP32)
// ESP32 specific pins: RX connected to 16, TX connected to 17;
// pins can be customized based on the specific board model
sensorSerial.begin(4800, SERIAL_8N1, 16, 17);
#else
// UNO and Mega 2560
sensorSerial.begin(4800);
#endif
}

void loop() {
  EC_Temperature();
  Serial.print("EC = ");
  Serial.print(ec, 1);
  Serial.print(" us/cm  ");
  Serial.print(" Temperature = ");
  Serial.print(tem, 1);
  Serial.println("°C");
  Salinity_TDS();
  Serial.print("Salinity = ");
  Serial.print(sal);
  Serial.print(" PPM  ");
  Serial.print(" TDS = ");
  Serial.print(tds);
  Serial.println(" PPM");
  Serial.println(" ");
  delay(1000);
}

void EC_Temperature(void) {
  uint8_t Data[12] = { 0 };
  uint8_t ch = 0;
  bool flag = 1;
  long timeStart = millis();
  long timeStart1 = 0;
  while (flag) {

    if ((millis() - timeStart1) > 100) {
      while (sensorSerial.available() > 0) {
        sensorSerial.read();
      }
      sensorSerial.write(Com, 8);
      timeStart1 = millis();
    }

    if ((millis() - timeStart) > 1000) {
      Serial.println("Time out");
      return;
    }

    if (readN(&ch, 1) == 1) {
      if (ch == 0x01) {
        Data[0] = ch;
        if (readN(&ch, 1) == 1) {
          if (ch == 0x03) {
            Data[1] = ch;
            if (readN(&ch, 1) == 1) {
              if (ch == 0x04) {
                Data[2] = ch;
                if (readN(&Data[3], 6) == 6) {
                  if (CRC16_2(Data, 7) == (Data[7] * 256 + Data[8])) {
                    ec = (Data[3] * 256 + Data[4]) / 10.0;
                    tem = (Data[5] * 256 + Data[6]) / 10.0;
                    flag = 0;
                  }
                }
              }
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}


void Salinity_TDS(void) {
  uint8_t Data[12] = { 0 };
  uint8_t ch = 0;
  bool flag = 1;
  long timeStart = millis();
  long timeStart1 = 0;
  while (flag) {

    if ((millis() - timeStart1) > 100) {
      while (sensorSerial.available() > 0) {
        sensorSerial.read();
      }
      sensorSerial.write(Com1, 8);
      timeStart1 = millis();
    }

    if ((millis() - timeStart) > 1000) {
      Serial.println("Time out1");
      return;
    }

    if (readN(&ch, 1) == 1) {
      if (ch == 0x01) {
        Data[0] = ch;
        if (readN(&ch, 1) == 1) {
          if (ch == 0x03) {
            Data[1] = ch;
            if (readN(&ch, 1) == 1) {
              if (ch == 0x04) {
                Data[2] = ch;
                if (readN(&Data[3], 6) == 6) {
                  if (CRC16_2(Data, 7) == (Data[7] * 256 + Data[8])) {
                    sal = Data[3] * 256 + Data[4];
                    tds = Data[5] * 256 + Data[6];
                    flag = 0;
                  }
                }
              }
            }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}


uint8_t readN(uint8_t *buf, size_t len) {
  size_t offset = 0, left = len;
  int16_t Tineout = 500;
  uint8_t *buffer = buf;
  long curr = millis();
  while (left) {
    if (sensorSerial.available()) {
      buffer[offset] = sensorSerial.read();
      offset++;
      left--;
    }
    if (millis() - curr > Tineout) {
      break;
    }
  }
  return offset;
}

unsigned int CRC16_2(unsigned char *buf, int len) {
  unsigned int crc = 0xFFFF;
  for (int pos = 0; pos < len; pos++) {
    crc ^= (unsigned int)buf[pos];
    for (int i = 8; i != 0; i--) {
      if ((crc & 0x0001) != 0) {
        crc >>= 1;
        crc ^= 0xA001;
      } else {
        crc >>= 1;
      }
    }
  }

  crc = ((crc & 0x00ff) << 8) | ((crc & 0xff00) >> 8);
  return crc;
}

Result

Serial monitor baud rate selection: 115200，The displays the EC value, temperature, salinity, and TDS data collected by the sensor.

Additional Information

• The sensor includes automatic temperature compensation to ensure accurate readings under varying environmental conditions.
• For long-term use, you can re-calibrate the sensor using the provided calibration solution and ModBus register settings (refer to the Communication Protocol section for details).
• The sensor's IP68 waterproof rating allows it to be submerged in water for extended periods, suitable for various aquatic monitoring applications.