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Step 7Calibration and Use
In order for the Plant Whisperer to accurately measure the soil moisture, it must be calibrated. This is done by adjusting the small potentiometer at the bottom.
First make sure the batteries and "programming" jumper are installed. Water the soil until it's just the right moisture level for your plant.
Upload the "PLCalibration.12b" file to the Plant Whisperer. This is a special program that is only used for calibration, so don't bother loading it permanently.
In 12blocks, watch the Moisture variable reported by the ADC. Turn the potentiometer until the Moisture value is at the midpoint, about 2048 (give or take). This will be a good starting point, but you may need to adjust it a bit if you find the Plant Whisperer is routinely reporting incorrect moisture levels. You may even need to change the thresholds in the main program if your plant likes drier or wetter soil.
Once programming and calibration are complete, remove the Prop Plug and programming jumper.
As for use, well, there's not much to say. The Plant Whisperer is always "on," and will give feedback about every two hours. Though it will turn on and take a measurement when it's dark, it will not speak. This is done in case the Plant Whisperer is being used in a bedroom. I'm sure you'd prefer not to be woken up by a whining plant every two hours!
You can manually take a measurement by pressing the button for two or three seconds. This will cause the timer output to go high, activating the rest of the circuit. It will automatically resume its normal operation once the button is released.
First make sure the batteries and "programming" jumper are installed. Water the soil until it's just the right moisture level for your plant.
Upload the "PLCalibration.12b" file to the Plant Whisperer. This is a special program that is only used for calibration, so don't bother loading it permanently.
In 12blocks, watch the Moisture variable reported by the ADC. Turn the potentiometer until the Moisture value is at the midpoint, about 2048 (give or take). This will be a good starting point, but you may need to adjust it a bit if you find the Plant Whisperer is routinely reporting incorrect moisture levels. You may even need to change the thresholds in the main program if your plant likes drier or wetter soil.
Once programming and calibration are complete, remove the Prop Plug and programming jumper.
As for use, well, there's not much to say. The Plant Whisperer is always "on," and will give feedback about every two hours. Though it will turn on and take a measurement when it's dark, it will not speak. This is done in case the Plant Whisperer is being used in a bedroom. I'm sure you'd prefer not to be woken up by a whining plant every two hours!
You can manually take a measurement by pressing the button for two or three seconds. This will cause the timer output to go high, activating the rest of the circuit. It will automatically resume its normal operation once the button is released.
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