Plant-Pot Water Level Indicator Circuit


Posted on Aug 28, 2017

A series of LEDs serve to alert the gardener when plants need water. Using two conventional digital integrated LEDs and a series of LEDs, we make a very useful device for gardening. The device detects the amount of water in the pot and alerts the grower. The circuit of the device is shown in Figure 2. The water detection is made from the bottom of the circuit in the form of ten copper contacts - inputs to the inverters N1 - N10. These inputs are LOW, about 0 volts, that is, when they are covered with water. Correspondingly, the inverter outputs are HIGH, they are positive. In this situation, the LED diodes D1-D10, as they are connected. Are without potential difference and therefore do not flicker. Only the D11 lights up because its uplink is connected to the N10 output (HIGI) via R24 while its cathode is permanently at 0 volts. Turning on D11 means that the pot has a good amount of water (or moisture).


Plant-Pot Water Level Indicator Circuit
Click here to download the full size of the above Circuit.

When the water level decreases so as to dry the portion between electrode, earth and electrode connected to the N10 input, the input of N10 through R10 will become HIGH. So the output of N10 will become LOW. The LED D11 stops being switched off and extinguished. D1 - D9 remain unaffected, ie off. But the D10 lights up. Because its descent is LOW by the output of N10 and the rise of HGH through R23 and the output of N9. From now on, the operation is simple.

Whenever the water level drops below a graduation (ie contact) of the device, the corresponding LED diode turns on. Thus, water in the soil is easily detected. If the drought in the land on which the pointer is pulled is increased so that it stops and the last road (towards the N1), the last LED of the series (D1) will turn on and then the diode system D13 to D16 will activate the unstable multiplier Formed by N11 and N12. The LED D12 will now start flashing, indicating the immediate need for watering. Since D16 is connected to the N10 output, D12 will continue to blink until the water level rises to the N10-corresponding field.

Unfortunately, there is no ready PCB image but it is not difficult, so most could design a proper printed circuit on their own. Of course, the correct length of the moisture detection section and the distance between successive sections will depend on the size and shape of your pot.





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