AquaPro~Sensors

 

AP Moisture Probe
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Using the AP 
Moisture Probe 
in manual irrigation systems.
  • Multiple AP PolyPro Access Tubes are inserted in the area to be measured.  Small areas need only one or two tubes. Larger areas may need more sensing stations to get a comprehensive soil moisture profile.
  • Connect the Probe to the Moisture Meter.  Press the "ON" button for "moisture".  This turns the Moisture Meter on.
  • Lower the AP Moisture Probe down the Access Tubes.
  • The AP Moisture Meter will display the soil moisture, in percent, from the surface down to the bottom of the tube.  Readings are almost instantaneous and are displayed continuously on the AP Moisture Meter's large liquid crystal display (LCD).  The meter will turn off automatically when you are finished taking moisture readings.
"When" to irrigate.

Do not irrigate.  Keep taking moisture readings and observe your plants or trees for the first signs of stress.

  • Make a note of what level of soil moisture caused the stress.
  • Make all future irrigation at a higher, or wetter soil moisture number.  5% to 10% should be enough.  However, each situation will differ.
"How Long" to irrigate.
  • Irrigate for a normal length of time.
  • After about 24 hours, or when the irrigation water has gone as deep as it will go, insert the Moisture Probe down an Access Tube.  The soil moisture readings will show the depth of irrigation penetration.
  • Use this data to adjust the timing of future irrigation to keep water and fertilizer in the root zone, and not in the ground water.

 
AP Direct Burial Moisture Sensor
for automatic irrigation systems

A standard irrigation controller can be changed from a time of day controller to a sophisticated "plant controlled, soil moisture activated", irrigation controller.

Individual moisture control in each zone requires one AP Direct Burial Moisture Sensor
and one AP Moisture Controller
in each zone to be controlled.

  • Place one Direct Burial Moisture Sensor in each zone that you want to control.
  • Connect each Moisture Sensor to an AP Moisture Controller.  They just plug into each other.
  • Connect the AP Moisture Controller to the wires going to the solenoid valves.  Each controller can operate up to 5 solenoid valves at one time.
  • The Moisture Controller is adjustable and any degree of soil moisture can be set.  When actual soil moisture is lower than desired, it allows an irrigation cycle to start.  Irrigation controllers can be set to cycle frequently.  If the soil has sufficient moisture, no irrigation cycle will start until the moisture level has fallen below the level on the Moisture Controller.  If it rains during an irrigation, and increases the soil moisture above the desired level, the irrigation will be terminated in mid cycle.  AquaPro's AP Moisture Meter can be used to check the actual soil moisture at any time, and as an aid in setting the desired moisture level.
One AP Direct Burial Moisture Sensor controlling all irrigation zones requires just one AP Direct Burial Moisture Sensor
and one AP Moisture Controller.

This set up is used for smaller irrigation controllers that have fewer zones and the duration of each irrigation cycle is short, such as landscaping, lawns, gardens, etc.  If used in a commercial application that has an irrigation cycle of one or more days, it is possible that the last zone will still be too wet to allow a new cycle of irrigation to begin. 

  • One Direct Burial Moisture Sensor is placed in the last zone to be irrigated.
  • Connect the Direct Burial Moisture Sensor to an AP Moisture Controller.
  • The Moisture Controller is connected to the solenoid common wires and to the irrigation controller.  Simple wiring diagrams are included. 
  • Before the irrigation controller starts an irrigation, the Moisture Sensor will check the soil moisture and if the actual soil moisture is less than desired, an irrigation will start.  If the soil in the last zone is equal to, or more than the desired moisture level set on the Moisture Controller, an irrigation will not start.  If at any time during an irrigation cycle it rains and the moisture level in the last zone reaches the desired level set on the Moisture Controller,  the irrigation will stop in mid cycle.

 
 
AquaPro answers the irrigator's questions

 
When should I start an irrigation? 
How long should I let it run?
How deep did it go?
Did the fertilizer go beyond the root zone?
Am I polluting the ground water?		 Measure the soil moisture, without irrigating, until the first signs of plant wilt.  Remember at what percent soil moisture reading this occurs.  Make all future irrigation at a higher (wetter) soil moisture level - about 5% to 10% wetter should do.  After an irrigation, and allowing some time for maximum soil penetration, measure how deep the water has gone.  This gives you the basis for future irrigation.
How often should I irrigate?
Did last night's rain go deep enough?		 Use AquaPro's AP Moisture Probe and 
AP Moisture Meter to measure the daily soil moisture depletion after an irrigation or rain.  Measurements can be taken down to any depth.  Irrigate before the soil moisture level reaches the wilt point.
Decisions - Decisions - Decisions!
"The More you know, the more you can grow".		 When you know how much moisture is in your soil, irrigation decisions are much easier, and are far more accurate.  Keep expensive fertilizer in the root zone, not in the ground water.

 
5 ways to read soil moisture sensor data

 
AquaPro's AP Moisture Meter - connected to the portable AP Moisture Probe or AP Direct Burial Moisture Sensor.  All readings are digital, and in % soil moisture by volume. 
Programmable Logic Controllers - with an output voltage between 7.5 and 17 volts DC - the portable AP Moisture Probe and the AP Direct Burial Moisture Sensor will both give a 0 to 5 volts DC analog signal.  0 volts is dry and 5 volts is 100% soil saturation.
Solar Powered Telemetry Units - with an output voltage between 5.5 and 7.2 volts DC - the AP Moisture Probe and the Direct Burial Moisture Sensor will both give a 0 to 2.5 volts DC analog signal.
0 volts is dry and 2.5 volts is 100% soil saturation.
 
 

AP Moisture Probe Specifications.  Sensor comes with a one meter (39 inches) aluminum handle for easy PolyPro Access Tube insertion.  The handle has easy to see depth markings so you will know how far below the surface the sensor is taking readings.  There is also a 6 foot model for 6 foot long access tubes for vineyards and deep rooted trees and plants. These models are "portable".

 
  • Continuous soil moisture readings from the surface to any depth in percent.
  • Portable - one soil moisture sensor - many locations.
  • All electronics in water proof, high impact epoxy.
  • Easily calibrates to any soil.  Just push the Calibrate buttons on the AP Moisture Meter.
  • Fast - moisture readings in 2 seconds!
  • Can be operated by AquaPro's AP Moisture Meter, programmable logic controllers, solar powered telemetry, and AquaPro's 4 to 20 milliamp interface.
Input Power 5.5 to 17 volts DC
Input Current 18 milliamps
Analog Output 0 to 2.5 volts DC.  With 5.5 to 7.2 volts input
Analog Output Switching to 0 to 5 volts DC with 7.5 to 17 volts input.
Dimensions 2.5 cm (1 inch) diameter
18 cm (7.3 inches) long
Cord Length 2 meters (6 ft. 6 in.) of 4 conductor, shielded, PVC insulated wire.
Connector Switchcraft - watertight

AP Moisture Meter Specifications

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  • Digital - soil moisture readings are in percent, on a large Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).
  • Easy to read soil moisture level - 0% is dry and 100% is wet.
  • Self powered data reader - one standard 9 volt battery - also powers the AP Moisture Probe for months.  The AP Moisture Meter has an auto-shutoff feature to save the battery.
  • The sensor is pre calibrated at the factory, however, you can calibrate the moisture sensor to any soil type by following the instructions on the Moisture Meter.

 
Input Power Battery 9 volts DC
Input Current 15 micro amps - idle 
7 milliamps DC - operating 
(not including the 
RF Moisture Sensor)
Digital Display Liquid Crystal Display 
1.9 cm (.75 in.) by 4.4 cm (1.75 in.)
Dimensions 8.2 cm (3.25 in.) wide, 14.4 cm (5.75 in.) long, 3.8 cm (1.5 in.) deep.  Add 1.3 cm (.5 in.) to length for Sensor connector.


 
 
AP Direct Burial Moisture Sensor Specifications. 

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  • The Direct Burial Moisture Sensor is used for stationary moisture measurements.  It is placed in the root zone or plants, or in other areas where moisture data are required.  It can give continuous moisture information suitable for Programmable Logic Controllers, Solar Powered Telemetry Units, Data Loggers, AquaPro's AP Moisture Meter, etc. 
  • When connected to AquaPro's AP Moisture Controller, it can give moisture data for irrigation controllers, or used to directly control up to 5 solenoid valves for large irrigation areas, or cement foundation moisture control.
  • The AP Moisture Meter can be used to obtain soil moisture readings.
Input Power 5.5 to 17 volts D.C.
Input Current 18 milliamps
Analog Output 0 to 2.5 volts D.C. with an input of 5.5 to 7.2 volts D.C.
Analog Output Changing to 0 to 5 volts D.C. with an input of 7.5 to 17 volts D.C.
Dimensions 2.7 cm (1.1 inches) diameter
18 cm (7.3 inches) long
Cord Length 2 meters (6 ft. 6 in.) of 4 conductor, shielded, PVC insulated wire.
Connector Switchcraft - watertight

Rugged Carrying Case
Made of high impact resistant plastic.

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AP Moisture Probe in PolyPro Access Tube.  The AP Moisture Probe comes with a strong one meter (39 inches) aluminum handle for easy tube insertion.  Depth markings show how deep the sensor is below the surface.  There is also a 6 foot model for 6 foot long access tubes for vineyards and deep rooted trees and plants.

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PolyPro Access Tubes
There is also a 6 foot model for 6 foot long access tubes for vineyards and other deep rooted trees and plants.

AquaPro's specially manufactured and designed PolyPro Access Tubes are placed in all of the areas one wants to take soil moisture readings.  The bottom of the tube is sealed so that moisture will not enter.  The top of the tube is covered with a plastic rain cap. The tubes may be installed at any angle.  As with all RF capacitance moisture sensing technique, it must be placed in a dimensionally precise tube for moisture readings to be accurate.  Our Access Tubes are manufactured to a dimensional tolerance of plus or minus 5 thousandths (.005) of an inch.  The sensor's microprocessor is calibrated to the wall thickness and the specific material the tube is made of.  Because of the physics of capacitance sensing, if the sensor is used in any other tube, the readings will not be accurate.  The tubes are clear so that it is easy to see the depth markings on the handle of the probe and to know how deep the sensor is below the surface.
Dimensions Approximately 1 meter (39 in.) long by 2.5 cm (1 in.) 

 
Material Specially formulated, clear polycarbonate.
Cap Rain and sprinkler protection with specific design for humidity control.
Tube Ends Bottom sealed.  Top has a Cap to keep rain or irrigation water out.
Deep
Measurements		 Tubes can be joined by cutting off the solid end of one tube.  Join with standard PVC coupling and PVC glue.  Measurements at joint will not be accurate due to different wall thickness and material change.

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To request more information,
please contact a consultant at
info@aquapro-sensors.com


Phone 559-534-2002
Fax 866-305-6905