This project was inspired by a position i was trying to get in monitoring plants, and thought it would be enough to impress the employer to hire me 🙂
I have never been a particularly good gardener, mainly because of forgetting to water the plants, and not knowing if they were getting enough light. I hoped this project might help me take care of the plants better.
The Easy Planter is able to monitor soil moisture so that i know when to water them, light: to find out if they are getting enough light, temperature: make sure they are not getting too cold, and i included pressure and humidity to get some extra information about the environment the plants are growing in.
Moisture Sensor
The moisture sensor is currently made from the PCB copper pads, and works by measuring the resistance between 2 pads (prongs at the bottom of the board), as the soil becomes more moist the conductivity of the soil changes, which results in a change in resistance. A known issue with moisture sensors is their short lifespan. One possible way to reduce this problem is to have the PCB pads coated in a Gold Finishing (Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold) which PCB houses are usually happy to do. Another possible solution i am looking into is using titanium wire for the sensing probes, as pure titanium is resistant to corrosion.
For More Details: Easy Planter
About The Author
Ibrar Ayyub
I am an experienced technical writer holding a Master's degree in computer science from BZU Multan, Pakistan University. With a background spanning various industries, particularly in home automation and engineering, I have honed my skills in crafting clear and concise content. Proficient in leveraging infographics and diagrams, I strive to simplify complex concepts for readers. My strength lies in thorough research and presenting information in a structured and logical format.
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