FAQ'S

 

WEATHER STATIONS/DATA LOGGERS

What do I need to make my weather station wireless?


The WatchDog 3000 Series weather stations have wireless capabilities built in. You can make a mini station or full station wireless up to two miles line of sight by purchasing Item 3393B base
station for the computer and Item 3393W for the weather station end. WatchDog stations can also be made part of a Retriever and Pups wireless network using a Station Pup.

What do I need to make my weather station cellular?


The WatcDog 3000 Series weather stations have the option to choose a cellular model. An annual SpecConnect Cellular cloud subscription is required to send and view data. Purchase a DataScout
modem for your non-3000 Series WatchDog Weather Station, either full-size or mini, as well as an annual SpecConnect Cellular cloud subscription to send and view data.

Can I download data from my WatchDog Data Logger with my phone?


That capability only exists for WatchDog 3000 Series Data Loggers.

I am unable to connect to my button logger?


Check your device manager to see if the driver has been installed for the docking station. If the docking station does not show up as a OneWire Adapter in the device manager then you will need
to install the driver and download the specific java library for the button from our website.

I am unable to connect to my A-Series logger?


Check your device manager to see if the driver has been installed for the A-series logger. If the A-series cable does not show up under ports or it has a yellow exclamaition point next to it in the
device manager then you will need to install the driver. Click here for the instructions on how to install the A-Series drivers

Should I use regular or rechargeable batteries in my weather station with a solor panel?


If you are using a solar panel then he needs to use 4 AA rechargeable batteries (NiCd 1000 mAh). Alkaline batteries cannot be recharged via the solar panel and may cause damage to the weather
station

 SOIL MOISTURE METERS/SENSORS

I can’t get a TDR reading with my 1.5” (3.8cm) rods in high clay mode?


These rods were designed to be used in sand-based golf greens so there is no high clay option for that rod size.

If I purchase replacement rods for my TDR, do I need to re-do the calibration procedure?


No. The calibration is a firmware correction that modifies how the water content is calculated. Replacing the rods will have no effect on the calibration.

Why doesn't the TDR meter or WaterScout sensor read 100% Volumetric Water Content when immersed in water?


The calibration equations were developed in mineral soils in conditions varying from dry to saturated soil. This results in a range of about 0 to 50% water content. The relation does not apply
when measurements are taken in water. The nature of the calibration equation is such that the probe (or sensor) gives values less than 100% when in water.

I am getting error message unable to find COM port


Check your device manager to see if the driver for your USB to serial adapter is installed. If no com port shows up then proceed to install the driver. ( link to pdf for installing the driver).

Do I need to purchase the Watermark adapter (item 6450AH) along with my Watermark sensor?


Probably not. The Watermark adapter is intended to be used with unmodified Watermark sensors that are already installed so that they can be connected to a WatchDog data logger. If you are
purchasing a new Watermark sensor that will be used with a WatchDog product, it is recommended that you purchase a WatchDog-compatible Watermark (Item 6450WD or 6450WD20)

What is the difference between the WaterScout sensor and the Watermark sensor?


The sensors report soil moisture in different ways. The WaterScout sensor reports percent volumetric water content. This will range from about 0 to 50%. The Watermark sensor reports soil
moisture tension and will range between 0 and 200 kPa.

Can the SMEC 300 sensor (item 6470-6 or 6470-20) be used to make direct-insert readings of EC?


This is not a recommended application of this product because it is difficult to get good contact between the soil and the sensor. Further, the circuit board is flexible enough that it can be broken
if pushed into hard soil. For portable measurements of EC, the Field Scout Direct Soil EC meter (item 2265FS or 2265FSTP) is the recommended product

MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS

What is the easiest way to figure out which products I need?


If you are purchasing a weather station, you can filter by what you want to measure to narrow down the stations that will fit your requirements. From there, you can decide how you want to receive
data - wirelessly or via direct connection.

Will the quantum light meter work to measure LED's?


The 3415A full spectrum light meter accurately measures PARlight from all light sources, including LED.

Why does my SPAD only assign record numbers to the first 30 readings?


The SPAD is only able to record a number of 1-30 on the saved data. You can take readings 1-30 and then reset it back to 1 after every 30th measurement so that the data file goes from 1-30, etc.
or you can have all subsequent data read the “N” number of 30. The data logger is added after the unit is manufactured, so we cannot change the number of readings that it records. It will continue
to log the data up to 4000 measurements, but the “N” Number will only read to 30.

My IQ 150 pH meter will not calibrate. It is reading the Error E07.


You can try cleaing the proble with a toothbrush and then soaking the sensor for 30 minutes to revive it. If you contine to receive the error message E07 then the sensor needs to be replaced.

I cannot calibrate my FieldScout SoilStik pH meter?


Try soaking the sensor for 10 minutes. If the sensor is over 6 months old and you continue to get the error then the sensor need to be replaced. Please see the product page for the instructional
video.