[Shannon Hicks]

I plotted the temperature and VWC on the same chart and you can see that they are very much linked together. Can you answer whether the sensor is completely buried in the soil, and if so how deep is it? If only the fiberglass tines are inserted into the soil but the rest of the sensor body is above ground and subjected to direct sunlight or drastic temperature swings, then I would assume that’s what causing the issue.

Can you also post the actual sketch you used on your Arduino board to capture your data and write it to the memory card. I can also show you how to record more significant digits for the VWC parameter so that you get finer resolution and a smoother curve. But I need you to post the actual sketch you used for the logger. And tell us exactly how the sensor was installed in the ground. Can you repeat this experiment indoors where the temperature is constant and in a pot of soil or somewhere where you can purposely vary the moisture content?

Attachments:

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   vwc-temp1.jpg
   

[Shannon Hicks]

The graph looks more like a plot of temperature rather than VWC. Are you sure you’re plotting the right column of data? What are you using to actually record the data? Your sketch doesn’t output the data to a file or even print it in a easily-captured string out to the serial port, so I’m wondering how you collected multiple days of data. Plot your other variable and see what it looks like. The code also shows that you’re using 2 sensors. What does the data from the second sensor look like? The easiest way to see if a probe is working properly is to install 2 of them in the same location and in the same media and see if you get similar results for both of them.

[Shannon Hicks]

It would be helpful for you to attach a jpg of png image of your graph instead of a Powerpoint slide. You also can’t attach the raw .ino file to forum posts, but you can cut and paste it using the “code” tags in the post editor tools.

And on your graph, can you please label both the x and y-axis? I don’t know what parameter you’re graphing and on what time scale your measurements covered. I’m assuming your graph shows either temperature or soil moisture. How were you testing the sensor? Was is installed outside or in a controlled environment? What kind of results were you expecting and what makes you think something is inconsistent?

[Shannon Hicks]

Did you try running the PCsync.exe file on your computer with the Mayfly attached? That method worked for me last time I tried it. But I usually just use the adjust.ino sketch available in the Examples folder of the Sodaq_DS3231 library. Or you could use any DS3231 library since there’s nothing unique about the Mayfly’s RTC configuration.

[Shannon Hicks]

I have confirmed that removing capacitor C4 will let the board continue to run without resetting when you open the serial monitor window. HOWEVER — This only works if you’re using the FTDI connector on the Mayfly (and a separate FTDI interface device like the Adafruit “FTDI Friend”) to connect it to your computer.

If you want to have this feature when connecting the Mayfly directly to your computer via the Mayfly’s microUSB port and a standard microUSB cable, then you need to remove capacitor C14 instead of C4. Or you could remove both caps and then the Mayfly will never reset on either type of connection.

[Shannon Hicks]

The protoboards are now available on Amazon, via the URL I posted above. The Mayfly boards and the protoboards are selling fast, but we have a really big order of boards and accessories being assembled right now, so I hope to have the Amazon storefront fully stocked soon.

[Shannon Hicks]

The protoboards went to Amazon almost 2 weeks ago, even ahead of the Mayfly boards, which got restocked online yesterday, so I think the protoboards should be available very soon, possibly today. Amazon used to get our inventory online very quickly last year, but lately they have been taking over a week or two to get products available after receiving them.

The protoboard listing can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y5NP42G

[Shannon Hicks]

Amazon shuffles the products between warehouses sometimes, and they list the items as “backordered” while they are in transit and unavailable for immediate purchase. They will show up as “available” when they’ve reached their new warehouse. Normally this kind of stuff isn’t apparent if there’s sufficient stock of the items, but it’ll show up at times like this when there are only 2 of the starter kits left.

Protoshields have been shipped to Amazon and should appear online maybe this weekend. I’ll try to get some more boards and kits to Amazon, but I’ve been out of the office most of the past month with travel and field work, since this is the prime season for deploying dataloggers and stream sensors.

[Shannon Hicks]

Unfortunately the way Amazon does our item fulfillment, their system won’t allow backorders, and they only take orders when the item is in stock and physically in their warehouse. Sometimes they are very quick to get the item online and available, but other times it takes them up to two weeks to make our items available after I’ve shipped them.

The good news is that a few more starter kits are currently back in stock right now, and I just received more boards from the manufacturer yesterday. I will be trying to get them packaged and back to Amazon as soon as possible.

We’re also hoping to get the accessories like the proto-shield in stock next week too.

[Shannon Hicks]

That’s an interesting idea, I can try it with one of my testing boards later this week and let you know what happens (unless you’re good at removing (and replacing) SMD capacitors if it doesn’t work.)

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