imagitronix soil moisture sensor

[epierre]

Hello,

Since last firmware upgrae, RFXtrx supports the imagitronix soil moisture sensor.

Just a quick return on their capacities:

- it holds a temp sensor (analogic reports only round number temp, can vary 1 degree between two)
- it uses 2 x AAA batteries
- soil moisture in on the PCB (one piece with a plastic covering)
- emits 10 seconds when inserting the battery then every minutes
- it has three different channels under La Crosse protocol
- the things that is important to know: I've experienced so far quite a small reception range(8m), where I don't have the issue with oregon..
- works directly with domoticz

[b_weijenberg]

The range can be increased a bit by replacing the coil antenna inside the sensor by a 17.5 cm wire.
Drill a small hole in the top of the sensor for the wire antenna. Make it water tight with silicone sealant.

[epierre]

Hello,

Here is the result of the modification !

Hole on the top:


Soldering of 1,5mm2 on the existing antenna:


Chatterton tape finish:


And there signal is perfect and reported every minute

[clafa]

I have this sensor.. But it gives me 99% humidity in dry sand??? Am I doing something wrong? What readings do you get?

[epierre]

mine are correct, I have two, did this test, before being placed in the soil it shows 5, after wateting 99 pct but at tje moment I go down 68pct in a pot.

[Newwolf]

You could look for the white striping on the sensor.

It has to be on the right spot in the ground. ( http://www.domoticaforum.eu/viewtopic.p ... 22&start=0 )

[JohnnyBoy]

I'm not sure. I have put the sensor so that the white line is at the level of the soil/earth in the pot, I still get 5% and 99% most of the time, regardless if it's dry or watered.

If a place the sensor outside the soil completely, something strange happens. See attached image.

I can buy that the sensor is not working well, if not put properly into the earth/soil.
BUT, I can't see why the temperature sensor should be affected by that, or vice versa?

As you can see in the image, each time the humidity drops from 100% to 0%, it seems like the temperature is dropping some degrees at the same time.
But at the next interval the sensor sends it's data, the values are back again.

Is the temperature data causing disturbance to the moisiture data? Maybe vice versa?

I should try this with rfxmngr also.

I'm using Domoticz V1.1811 on Raspberry Pi (latest updates), and RFXTrx433 USB, firmware version 76.
I'm having the sensor really close to RFXTrx433, one meter approx. and getting readings with regular intervals.

[Newwolf]

It's working for me pretty well now.

Maybe you have to check the next few thinks:

1. get the sensor out of the earth and clean it.
2. remove the batteries for about 30 seconds.
3. wait 30 seconds.
4. put the sensor into the ground.
5. give the plants or ... water so he thinks "I'm very wet"
6. wait a few minutes and see the difference.

That did it for me.

Grz.,
Jos

[clafa]

It's working for me pretty well now.

Maybe you have to check the next few thinks:

1. get the sensor out of the earth and clean it.
2. remove the batteries for about 30 seconds.
3. wait 30 seconds.
4. put the sensor into the ground.
5. give the plants or ... water so he thinks "I'm very wet"
6. wait a few minutes and see the difference.

That did it for me.

Grz.,
Jos

Yes that did it for me too! thanks for the info.

[Raspberry Piet]

I've two of those Imagintronix soil sensors worked great for 16 days with Domoticz but suddenly Domoticz doesn't see them anymore.
Last seen:
sensor 1: 2014-07-20 10:23:57
sensor 2: 2014-07-20 10:23:37

I think this issue occurred since i updated Domoticz. ( current version: V1.1831)

LaCrosse is enabled (Firmware version: 77)

Checked with RFXmngr:

Code: Select all

0A520C1D00020118630379
Packettype    = TEMP_HUM
subtype       = TH12 - Imagintronix
                channel 2
Sequence nbr  = 29
ID            = 2
Temperature   = 28 °C
Humidity      = 99
Status        = Wet
Signal level  = 7
Battery       = OK
------------------------------------------------
0A520C1E00010136050279
Packettype    = TEMP_HUM
subtype       = TH12 - Imagintronix
                channel 1
Sequence nbr  = 30
ID            = 1
Temperature   = 31 °C
Humidity      = 5
Status        = Dry
Signal level  = 7
Battery       = OK

Are you people experience the same issue?

Edit:
Mystery solved. idx changed somehow.


As you can see i'm not a very good botanist. I think i drowned my plants.
.

[iganin]

Hello,

I like those sensors. They're cheap and work flawless.
I believe it not possible to install more than 3 sensors.
Is there any workaround to use more than 3?
Or it can be another (cheap) vendor?

Thank you for help.
Igor

[LouiS22]

Hello,

I like those sensors. They're cheap and work flawless.
I believe it not possible to install more than 3 sensors.
Is there any workaround to use more than 3?
Or it can be another (cheap) vendor?

Thank you for help.
Igor

Unfortunately not - you only have 3 dip switches, and there's no other option to distinguish the sensors.

[manuloup]

Hello,

Here is the result of the modification !

Hole on the top:


Soldering of 1,5mm2 on the existing antenna:


Chatterton tape finish:


And there signal is perfect and reported every minute

Hi,

I also have 2 sensors, but the reception is really poor, I only have a level 4 reception.

I have seen that you use wire to increase the signal, but what kind of wire ? Classic electric wire ? And why 17,5 cm ? Is is important ?

Thanks,

Regards.

Manu

[deennoo]

Manu have a look at this : http://blog.idleman.fr/raspberry-pi-08- ... des-radio/

You read all this blog with this you will learn a lot.

[b_weijenberg]

Any thin copper wire of 17.5 cm can be used.
A thin wire van be soldered directly to the PCB. If you use a 1.5mm electrical wire solder it half way the antenna coil to avoid damage to the PCB.

Drill a small hole in the top of the plastic case, assemble the module with the wire through the hole and make it waterproof with silicon paste.