How to Adjust Soil Moisture Sensors for Your Lawn Sprinkler System

Installing and configuring soil moisture sensors in a basic household system can be done without professional help.

Soil moisture sensor systems

are designed to eliminate guesswork by interrupting the normal operation of automatic irrigation timers. These sensors are buried in the ground and transmit information through underground cables to a system controller, which has an electrical circuit with an automatic irrigation timer. When the sensors indicate that the soil moisture level is low, the controller maintains the circuit; however, when the sensors send information that the soil moisture level is high, the controller interrupts the circuit and the timer stops working.

The humidity level that triggers the interruption of irrigation is established when the soil moisture sensor system is installed. To do this, apply 1 inch of water or pour 5 gallons of water onto each soil moisture sensor and thoroughly water the channels that cover the cables. Set the soil moisture system controller after 24 hours to operate at the indicated humidity level or up to 20 percent lower. Connecting the soil moisture sensor system controller to the automatic watering timer requires care. Do not install the sensor in an oversized hole, as this may cause air gaps and gaps.

To avoid air gaps, some users use a mixture of soil and water (ground mud) during installation; however, in many cases, the structure of the mud does not match that of the surrounding soil, which can adversely affect sensor readings. If you want to ensure your lawn sprinkler system is running efficiently and accurately, it's important to adjust your soil moisture sensors correctly. This guide will walk you through how to properly adjust your soil moisture sensors for optimal performance. The first step is to apply 1 inch of water or pour 5 gallons of water onto each soil moisture sensor and thoroughly water the channels that cover the cables. This will help establish a baseline humidity level for your sensors.

After 24 hours, set your soil moisture system controller to operate at this indicated humidity level or up to 20 percent lower. When installing your soil moisture sensors, it's important to take care not to install them in an oversized hole. Doing so can create air gaps which can lead to inaccurate readings from your sensors. To avoid this issue, some users opt for a mixture of soil and water (ground mud) during installation. However, it's important to note that this mixture may not match up with the structure of your surrounding soil, which can also lead to inaccurate readings. Finally, when connecting your soil moisture sensor system controller to your automatic watering timer, make sure you take extra care.

This connection is essential for proper operation of your sprinkler system and any mistakes could lead to costly repairs down the line. By following these steps, you can ensure that your lawn sprinkler system is running efficiently and accurately with properly adjusted soil moisture sensors.