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Wireless Soil Moisture/ Temperature Station

Troubleshooting Communication Problems

First, verify that the console/receiver is powered and is not in Setup Mode (exit 
Setup Mode by pressing DONE key and holding it for a moment). Then, on the 
Soil Moisture Station, check that the battery is properly installed. Walk around 
the room with the console, standing for a few moments in various locations to 
see if you are picking up signals.

If you don’t see any readings, no matter where you stand with the console, put 
the transmitter in TEST mode as described below. 

TEST mode 

DIP switch #4 on the SIM (see illustration on page 4) is the TEST DIP-switch. 
Switch it to the ON position using a ball-point pen or paper clip. This puts the 
transmitter in Test Mode. An LED indicator light will flash each time it 
transmits: 

• The LED will immediately flash once to show that the light itself func-

tions.

• Then it will flash each time the transmitter broadcasts a signal, which 

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 repeatedly but your console isn’t picking up a signal 
anywhere in the room, it could be related to one of the following causes: 

1. The DIP switches were not correctly set on the transmitter. 

Review the procedure on page 4. 

2. The ID was not correctly set on the console/receiver. 

Review the procedure on page 5. 

3. Reception is being disrupted by RF (radio frequency) interference.

4. There is a problem with the console/receiver. 

See “Contacting Davis Technical Support” on page 15.

Note: Remember to turn the Test DIP switch OFF when you’re finished testing 

wireless transmission. If it is left ON, the blinking LED will reduce battery life 
significantly. 

Choosing a Location to Mount the Station

Try to position you Soil Moisture Station as follows:

• Within transmission range of your Vantage Pro console.

• See “Range of Wireless Transmission” on page 7

• Within cable range of the sensors.

• Sensors come with 15’ (4.6 m) of cable standard. 

• Maximum recommended cable length is 1000’ (300 m).

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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