SoilBot will be the second module to install so we can start to monitor our grow medium.
We start by connecting the moisture sensors that are provided with the kit.
The temperature sensor for the medium, and for last the flood detector.
We have a complete sensors lateral, but we have the other lateral to add extra sensors.
Now we have all needed sensors connected to SoilBot.
Before we introduce them in the grow medium, we need to calibrate in the application so
we can know exactly the maximum and minimum values of moisture.
SoilBot measures the moisture in your growing medium, and for that reason you need to calibrate it.
So you know you are getting the correct values.
The first thing that we'll do its to keep the sensor dry so we can calibrate the minimum value.
We access the configuration of the sensor that we are currently calibrating and we'll click
in the Calibrate Sensor button.
Now we click on GO so we can save the minimum value.
To calibrate the maximum value we have two ways of doing it.
Or we introduce the sensor in our growing medium when it is at its optimal moisture,
or we introduce the sensor in a glass of water without crossing the limit line
indicated in the sensor itself.
Now we press GO in our software so we can save the maximum value of moisture.
We repeat this process with each one of the moisture sensors we have connected to our SoilBot.
It's important to remind the correct positioning of the moisture sensors.
They must be placed away from the irrigation system.
This technique must be applied no matter what growing medium you are using.
Once the sensors are calibrated we can place them in our growing medium in each one of our growing areas.
We introduce the first in our soil grow, and the second in our hydroponic grow.
Finally we place the temperature sensor in our growing medium, and now you need to remind that
for the flood sensor you need to place it near your grow, but not to close enough to
the water that drains from our plants activates it.
We used two moisture sensors to monitor and control
the irrigation on different group of plants.
This is also very useful when we have different plants with different absorption/feed rates
and in that case we need to generate independent feed cycles for each group.
And that is it.
If you have a TankBot, check the next tutorial.
If not, you can skip to the Area creation tutorial.
Once you have this configured we can start to create the automation for our grow.