Electronic projects

Varying brightness LED signals the necessity to water a plant
Very low consumption, 3V powered circuit

Circuit diagram

Parts:
R1 470K 1/4W Resistor
R2 3K3 1/4W Resistor
R3 100K 1/2W Trimmer Cermet
C1 1nF 63V Polyester Capacitor
C2 47µF 25V Electrolytic Capacitor
D1 1N4148 75V 150mA Diode
D2 5mm. Red LED
IC1 4093 Quad 2 input Schmitt NAND Gate IC
P1,P2 Probes (See text)
SW1 SPST Slider Switch
B1 3V Battery (2 AA 1.5V Cells in series)

Device purpose:
This circuit is intended to signal when a plant is needing water. A LED illuminates at maximum brightness when the ground in the flower-pot is too dry: it dims gradually as the water's content in the pot grows, turning off when the optimum moisture's level is reached. This condition is obtained trimming R3.

Circuit operation:
IC1D forms a square wave oscillator with approx. 10/90 mark-space ratio. It feeds the output probe P1 and its signal, inverted by IC1A is compared with that picked-up by P2 in the NAND gates IC1B & IC1C in parallel, driving the LED. When a low resistance exists between the probes, due to an high water's content in the flower-pot, the LED is off, turning gradually on as the resistance between the probes increases.

Notes:
A square wave is used to avoid probes' oxidization.
Probes can be long nails, carbon rods obtained from disassembled exhausted 1.5V batteries, or even a couple of screwdrivers.
The probes must be driven in the pot's ground a few inches apart.
Due to 3V supply, the LED needs not a limiting resistor.
Power consumption: LED off = 50µA; LED full on = 1mA.
To switch-off the circuit, you can short the probes. In this case SW1 can be omitted.
Using an high-efficiency LED, brightness variations are better emphasized. In this case a limiting resistor could be necessary.

author: RED Free Circuit Designs
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web site: http://www.redcircuits.com/