Problem guide
Water plants automatically when soil is dry
Build or buy a plant monitor / auto-watering kit with soil moisture sensing and pump control.
Steps
- Prefer capacitive soil sensors when available; they corrode slower than bare probes.
- Switch pumps with a relay/MOSFET rated for the pump current — not a GPIO pin.
- Add a dry-run timeout so a stuck sensor cannot flood the plant.
- Optional: log moisture over Wi‑Fi after the pump logic is reliable.
Kits & catalog links
Start from project kits matching “plant watering”, then fill gaps from parts.
Safety
- Keep electronics away from water splash; use sealed connectors outdoors.
- Never switch mains AC pumps without properly rated relays and qualified help.
Assumptions
- Budget BOMs depend on live catalog stock at generation time.
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