Moisture Sensor Integration - Lawn Nerds / Sprinkler Repair & Maintenance - Rachio Community
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post by robertokc on Oct 31, 2017
I’ve encouraged Rachio to permit more sensor inputs. The number one selling soil moisture sensor in the residential commercial irrigation industry is the Toro Precision Soil Sensor Kit. Toro brought this over from their golf irrigation division. I see no reason why it could not work with Rachio, but I cannot get a definite answer. Rachio is there a way you could try it out?
post by clinton222 on Oct 31, 2017
This Toro Precision Soil Sensor device uses batteries (no solar power) and doesn’t measure nutrition or light (lux). Okay for grass but pretty much would be worthless for gardens. The EDYN device provides more data sets plus has supported smart device apps. I see this toro device as old technology, not to mention you would need to hardware the Toro receiver on Rachio side. This wouldn’t be the case for the EDYN device since it utilizes standard networking communications (ex. DHCP).
post by robertokc on Nov 1, 2017
The Toro PSSKIT uses radio frequency to communicate back to the module wired into the controller. Yes, it uses batteries. But I used one for two years with a standard controller. I had outstanding results. This EDYN product is a novelty item I would say. Doubt the company’s long term viability. Best measure of soil properties is a soil test. To get to high end results and measurements you are up to the level of Dynamax products.
http://www.dynamax.com
post by clinton222 on Nov 1, 2017
Not sure why you want to use RF (instead of WiFi) and an additional piece of hardware hardwired to the Rachio controller. Physical (hardwired) inputs are nice to have but certainly a dying technology (especially for residential use). The EDYN sensor is working great for me. In fact, I just purchased another one. With everything it monitors and simplicity to set up, it’s going to be around for a while. So I disagree with your comment about it being a novelty item. I have tested this device myself and have over 100 plants that are growing lusciously with the help of the EDYN sensor. The downfall right now is that I have to adjust my Rachio controller manually (frequently). I’m really hoping Rachio will develop an API for the EDYN sensor.
post by mckynzee on Nov 1, 2017
Just to touch on the question of the Toro Soil Sensor- @robertokc is this the one you are referring to?
post by robertokc on Nov 1, 2017
Yes, this is the sensor. In a few cases, soil sensors might be a good choice. But some people are obsessed with trying to change the purpose of Rachio and use sensors that are suspect.
post by andrey on Mar 9, 2018
It was a great sensor, I own 10 of them and now they're out of business? Just collecting dust, they also like yellow flowers in my yard year round. Not too bad, :(
post by FizzaFarian on Mar 27, 2018
Does anyone have experience using the Netro Sprite with its bundled Whisperer sensor?
post by TheOncomingStorm on Mar 30, 2018
@dpryan what software are you running on the Zero to bridge from bluetooth to WiFi (MQTT)?
post by Chapin on Apr 2, 2018
Is moisture sensors in the works for Gen3? It seems that Gen3 may have the RF baked in for this and is using currently with the flow sensor. Doesn’t seem like a stretch to adapt this to moisture sensors.
post by aristobrat on Apr 2, 2018
I really really really hope so!
post by bmhupp on May 15, 2018
New Gen2 user here. I tend to agree with the suggestions, a closed loop system is always better.
That said, I don’t think we need to spend $$$ on moisture sensors for every zone, etc. If the Rachio algorithms are as good as they say, we could take manual readings a few times a year (or at least when setting up) and provide the system with the additional input to better estimate moisture.
I can’t find any way to do this today.
post by sbarnhard on Jun 22, 2018
I would suggest a lower boundary setting for dryness/overwatering, like the flow meter against leaks.
post by geonerd on Aug 16, 2018
I am using WirelessTags that work with RF that connects to the web through interface; they are $20 and connect to IFTTT. They are very precise but they stop working soon—6 months average life.
post by franz on Aug 16, 2018
@geonerd Can you explain more about this process?
post by robertokc on Aug 17, 2018
Studies at University of Florida, University of Arkansas and New Mexico State demonstrated an average of 50 percent water savings when used in combination with a traditional controller. When I hang my new Gen 3 controller, I plan to reinstall my Toro Precision Soil Sensor in a representative area of my landscape and see how things go. I noticed overwatering from Rachio this summer.
Rachio is great, but I think I can still water less by using a soil moisture sensor. But it is not necessary to have a soil moisture sensor on every zone. There are several soil moisture sensors out there that resemble toys. Toro developed their wireless soil sensor from one that had been used in their golf irrigation division for many years. It also monitors temperature and suspends irrigation when air temperature is at or below 37 degrees.
post by geonerd on Aug 22, 2018
As I said, they break with time. Will try the spruce soil sensors now.
post by robertokc on Aug 23, 2018
Guys, these are toys. Not the quality of soil moisture sensors manufactured by Toro or Rain Bird.
post by geonerd on Aug 24, 2018
Agree that they are less durable than the Toro and Rainbird, don’t know about precision since WirelessTags are very precise too. But you can’t compare the connectivity and features of the ones you mention with the WirelessTags. Toro and Rainbird basically connect only to controllers, and WirelessTags connect to the web, making them infinitely much more usable.
post by robertokc on Aug 24, 2018
I guess another concern is how long these moisture sensor companies will stay in business. Have any universities tested the products you mentioned?
post by geonerd on Aug 24, 2018
I don’t know and I don’t care. I am talking to the home grower that doesn’t need an old-school controller and many dollars to grow his garden but wants to spend $20 for an ever-evolving technology.
post by geonerd on Aug 28, 2018
You can use Spruce sensors directly with a SmartThings hub, which is cheaper than the Spruce controller.
WirelessTags connect to Rachio or Spruce via IFTTT or other shared platforms.
post by robertokc on Aug 28, 2018
Their long-term viability as companies is questionable. Why isn’t using Rachio enough? No need for soil moisture sensors with Rachio.
post by geonerd on Aug 29, 2018
I was just answering your questions.
Are you an irrigation expert and a M&A financial analyst too? Stick to the product discussion; we are not talking about companies. The best product out there for a homeowner in terms of usability, price, and connectivity is the Spruce sensor, period. Then WirelessTags.
post by timdavis130 on May 2, 2025
Does anyone know what values go into this API call? Is the percentage the current depletion percentage, volumetric water content, percent of soil saturation, or field capacity?
Water in mm is mm/mm or total mm in root zone?