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Using Soil Moisture Readings

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Using Soil Moisture Readings

Use this table as a general guide to interpret soil moisture readings. Monitoring 
the soil moisture readings, and comparing them to your field or lawn condi-
tions over time, will help you develop a better understanding of how to inter-
pret your soil moisture readings.

Troubleshooting the Soil Moisture Sensor

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 tempera-

ture, 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 Sup-

port for help in resolving the problem.

Contacting Davis Technical Support

If you have questions about your Soil Moisture Station, or encounter problems 
installing or operating the station, please contact Davis Technical Support. 

Note: Please do not return items to the factory for repair without prior authorization.

(510) 732-7814

 – Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time. 

(510) 732-9229 – For callers outside the USA or Canada.

(510) 670-0589 – Fax.

www.davisnet.com – Copies of User Manuals are available on the “Support” 
page. Watch for FAQs and other updates. Subscribe to the e-newsletter.

[email protected] – E-mail to Technical Support.

[email protected] – General e-mail. 

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 drying 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 cau-
tion.

Summary of Contents for Soil Moisture/Temperature Station

Page 1: ...in a Soil Moisture Station Note The Soil Moisture Station requires Vantage Pro console firmware dated Oct 25 2001 or later Press and hold the DONE key then press the UP arrow key to display the consol...

Page 2: ...the Soil Moisture Station page 8 Installing soil moisture sensors page 10 Using soil moisture readings page 15 Troubleshooting soil moisture sensors page 15 Preparing the Soil Moisture Station The fol...

Page 3: ...oisture probe to the SOIL 1 terminal block connector Use a pen or small screwdriver to open the connector jaws as shown in the illustration While the jaws are open insert the temperature probe leads t...

Page 4: ...eans the DIP switches are in the OFF position when each transmitting station leaves the factory This is true for all of Davis wireless equipment 1 Verify the DavisTalk channel used by your ISS as well...

Page 5: ...the UP or DOWN arrow keys to activate reception of that ID code Make sure the screen shows ON 4 Press the GRAPH key until the word SOIL appears 5 To exit Setup Mode press and hold the DONE key Note S...

Page 6: ...ich should be every 10 seconds If the LED flashes only once and then remains dark there is a problem with the transmitter See Contacting Davis Technical Support on page 15 If the LED flashes repeatedl...

Page 7: ...fy or by some obstacle that you can t work around If necessary consider using Wireless Repeater 7624 or 7625 to strengthen the signal or increase the distance between the transmitter and the console r...

Page 8: ...ter 5 Put a flat washer a lock washer and a hex nut on each bolt end and tighten the hex nuts Mounting on a Vertical Surface 1 With a 3 16 5 mm drill bit drill two holes approximately 2 50 mm apart Us...

Page 9: ...rature probe is not used the soil moisture reading can be off as much as 1 for every 1 F 0 5 C error in the soil temperature Note If no soil temperature probe is used the console will use a default te...

Page 10: ...e of this process over time and develop an irrigation scheduling pattern to meet your crop s need for water This minimizes the guesswork resulting in water savings lower pumping costs and the eliminat...

Page 11: ...sor area With center pivots place sensors at 4 locations down the length of the pivot just in front of the start point Place sensors at hot spots or good production areas being sure to stay in active...

Page 12: ...terings 2 Make sensor access holes to the depth required with a 7 8 diameter rod Make a hole for the soil moisture sensor and a separate adjacent hole for the temperature probe For very coarse or grav...

Page 13: ...its snugly over the sensor collar and can be used to push the sensor A good snug fit in the soil is important Carefully backfill the access hole with soil to eliminate any air pockets 5 You can solven...

Page 14: ...until the reading is in the 25 40 area at the recommended 3 5 depth Removing the Sensors 1 When removing sensors prior to harvest in annual crops it s a good idea to do this just after the last irriga...

Page 15: ...acting Davis Technical Support If you have questions about your Soil Moisture Station or encounter problems installing or operating the station please contact Davis Technical Support Note Please do no...

Page 16: ...will not occur in a particular installation If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on the user is e...

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