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Troubleshooting the Sensors
If you are having problems with your station, please check all sensor cable connec-
tions. Cable connections account for a large portion of potential problems.
Use these tests to verify the correct operation of your soil moisture sensor:
1. With the sensor submerged in water, the station should show a reading between 0
and 5.
2. Let the sensor air dry for 30 to 48 hours. Depending on ambient temperature,
humidity, and air movement, the reading should be 150 or over.
3. Put the sensor back in the water. The reading should run right back to 0 to 5
within 1 to 2 minutes.
4. If the sensor does not pass these tests, please contact Davis Technical Support for
help in resolving the problem.
Extending Sensor Cable Length
Both the soil moisture sensors and the temperature probes come with 15’ (4.6 m)
direct burial cables. The leaf wetness sensor comes with a 40’ (12m) cable.
• Leaf Wetness Sensor cables can be extended up to 200’ (61m) using 6-conductor
26 AWG cable.
• Soil Moisture Sensor cables can be extended up to 1000’ (300m) using #18
gauge waterproof cable. UF insulation is recommended.
• Temperature Sensors can be extended up to 800’ (242m) using #24 AWG
shielded cable or up to 1200’ (260m) using #22 AWG shielded cable.
• The additional wire must be fully waterproof.
• We recommend using a 3M Scotchpak or Duraseal heat shrink splice connector
when extending the sensor cables.
Note:
Avoid long wire runs near power cables. The transient currents can affect the small current used
to read the sensors.
Centibar Reading
Soil Condition
0-10
Saturated Soil. Occurs for a day or two after irrigation.
10-20
Soil is adequately wet (except coarse sands which are dry-
ing out at this range)
30-60
Usual range to irrigate or water (except heavy clay soils).
Irrigate at the upper end of this range in cool humid climates
and with higher water-holding capacity soils.
60-100
Usual range to irrigate heavy clay soils
100-200
Soil is becoming dangerously dry for maximum production.
Proceed with caution.
