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Troubleshooting
Solving Reception Problems
The Precision Soil Sensor system operates under Part 15 of the FCC rules.
This means that it has to comply with certain standards and is only allowed
to transmit up to a certain power level. In rating transmitters of any form,
typically a Line-of-Sight (LOS) value is used to show the relative
effectiveness of a transmitter and allow a transmitter and receiver to be
compared to one another using a fair (apples to apples) method. The
Precision Soil Sensor has an effective operating range up to 500 feet LOS
- meaning in an open field, with no obstructions, the system will have a
successfully communication range of up to 500 feet. However, in almost all
installations, there are obstacles between the sensor and receiver such as
walls, floors, etc. These obstacles will affect the signal reception and typically
reduce the radiated signal strength sent to the receiver. Different objects
affect the transmitted signal differently depending on the construction
material, geometry, and size. Typically, most residential construction
materials do not reduce the effective transmitted signal enough to
pose problems under normal installation conditions. However there are
some indoor installations with very thick walls, or where radio frequency
interference is high due to a nearby pump motor or large electrical
appliance.
To help resolve wireless communication problems:
• Install the sensor as close to the receiver location as possible to reduce
the potential for interference and signal reduction. If the signal strength
is not good in one location, try another appropriate location nearby - just
moving the sensor a few feet can greatly improve signal strength.
• Interior locations where cell phones or cordless phones have trouble with
reception may indicate areas with poor RF signal transmission. The
receiver can be installed outdoors and connected to the timer with
extended wire leads.
10
Moisture Reading "-0 .1"
It is possible for the receiver to display a
moisture level of "-0.1". This may occur for
several reasons:
1. Very low moisture at the sensor.
2. Sensor not calibrated properly for the
location so low moisture responds with an
extremely low reading.
3. Sensor not reading correctly (defective).
Check the ground moisture near the sensor and recalibrate if needed to see
if the reading comes back up.
Installing a Rain Sensor with
a Soil Sensor
It is possible to connect both a
rain sensor receiver and a Soil
Sensor receiver to a controller's
sensor port. The beige and white
wires from the soil sensor receiver
and rain sensor receiver must
form a circuit, as diagrammed.
As in, the beige wire from one
receiver and the white wire from
the other receiver connect to the
controller's sensor port, and the
remaining beige and white wires
are attached together with a
wire nut.
-0.1
Receiver for
Receiver for
Soil Sensor
Rain Sensor
Wire
Nut
Controller's
sensor port
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