I'm looking for a certain project

[digitalrain]

A while back I was just looking around for simple projects to do, and I found an interesting one that would sense the moisture level in soil (for, say, a potted plant) and would send a signal if the moisture was too low. The diagram was quite simple, and I believe it's been around for a long time. I can't seem to find it anymore, though. So if anyone knows what I'm talking about and could show a link, I would really appreciate it. Thanks

 

[HarveyH42]

https://www.electronics-lab.com/projects/science/018/index.html

I pretty sure this will work. Designed by a Canadian, so of course it's well built Actually, Audioguru frequents the forum, so you can pester him for details, changes, and why your plants died anyway... He knows his stuff.

There are hundreds of these types of circuits if you search. Most any electronics project site has one or two.

 

[audioguru]

I am not guilty, I am innocent!

I didn't design it, I just fixed the original project designed by somebody else that didn't work. Now the guy who designed the original project replaced it with some of my ideas. He still uses an IC that is not guaranteed to work with his low supply voltage. Mine is guaranteed to work when the 3V battery drops to 2V and the ones I made work when the battery is 1.5V.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

I am not guilty, I am innocent!

They all say that!

Off with his head!!!!.

 

[digitalrain]

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks. This will help a lot. I'll probably end up using it after I build one for my class.

 

[CynicalMan]

Tsk tsk, Nigel!
Here in Canada, we do not participate in the barbaric practice of execution.

Instead, we send our offenders to work in the maple syrup mines!

 

[HarveyH42]

You mean they don't make the illegal american immigrants wrestle polar bears either?

 

[Krumlink]

You mean they don't make the illegal american immigrants wrestle polar bears either?

I would pay to see that

 

[audioguru]

All the American visitors are in Canadian jails. They are criminals.
I don't think polar bears go to jail. They pass GO and collect $200.00.

 

[Krumlink]

The only thing I use Canada for is Sour Patch Kids and the Inchworm+

 

[HarveyH42]

The very first rock concert I went to was a canadian band called 'Rush'. Think it was around 1980-1.

 

[audioguru]

Rush is still touring in the world.
I have never seen them.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Rush is still touring in the world.
I have never seen them.

I have a couple of their CD's, very famous bass player (and lead singer with a high voice) called Geddy Lee.

 

[HarveyH42]

The drummer was amazing as well. Surprised AudioGuru never heard them play, certainly one of the proudest bands to come out of canada. They kind of had a unique style, truely an artistic band. Something you didn't see much back in the 80's, pretty much lost in new bands these days. Should give them a listen sometime, even if 'Rock' isn't your style. The lyrics are clean, the instruments aren't competing to drown out each other, the vocals are clear and easy to understand. It all works together very well.

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Biggest 'problem' I've ever had with them is their inability to play completely 'live' - they used to pre-record a lot of backing material and play along to it. I realise this is because they didn't have enough members to play it fully live, and some parts probably weren't possible either!.

 

[HarveyH42]

It was my first concert, so would have known any better, only 17 at the time. Didn't Getty Lee play the keyboard? It was a great show though, only been to a couple of others that went as well.

What's this have to do with killing plants? Actually, I need to build a few of those plant monitors, but I need on that will turn on a pump and water the plants. I wouldn't noticed the LEDs, and I'd probably disconnect a beeper.

 

[digitalrain]

If I may...

I was wondering about the circuit and the function of the capacitors. Can someone run me through that real quick please? I can understand the rest of the circuit (I think), but the capacitors are throwing me.
Also, would those values have to be exact for the thing to work, or is there a little leeway?

Edit: I suppose I should have actually read the circuit description before asking....my mistake

 

[audioguru]

At Electronics-Lab there was a long thread about modifying the Plants Watering Watcher project to drive a pump.
Unless the horrible moderator there deleted it.

The original defective project is good to drive a pump since its LED just turns on and off instead of dimming as in the text.
A pump driven by a transistor could replace the LED. Use a supply voltage higher than used in the project.

 

[Torben]

Biggest 'problem' I've ever had with them is their inability to play completely 'live' - they used to pre-record a lot of backing material and play along to it. I realise this is because they didn't have enough members to play it fully live, and some parts probably weren't possible either!.

True, but I was always amazed at how much of the recorded sound they do manage to reproduce live, sometimes inventing new gear to do it. They often use sequenced loops started and stopped by members from MIDI triggers, and Alex Lifeson created a guitar stand (called the Omega IIRC) which allowed him to wear one guitar and then just step up to another which was on the stand for a different part in a tune without swapping guitars.

Geddy Lee plays some of the bass parts with his feet when he's playing the keys with his hands. He used to use Taurus pedals for that; not sure what he's using these days.

Neil Peart is just insanely focussed.


Torben