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Adcon's Wireless Capacitance Probe,
the C-Probe

      The C-Probe is a soil moisture-monitoring device that records volumetric soil moisture data using capacitance sensors. The C-Probe is specifically designed to connect into the Adcon Telemetry wireless networks using the A720 addIT mini-transceivers. This eliminates the installation costs and problems associated with older systems that require expansive lengths of cable throughout the monitoring site.

      SENSOR OUTPUT

      The C-Probe and addIT combination has a dynamic range of 0-100% volumetric soil moisture and a resolution of 0.4% volumetric soil moisture with a repeatability of +/- 0.5%. The C-Probe has demonstrated a very high correlation (R2 greater than 0.9) between actual and indicated soil moisture content under test conditions. The inherent reliability of the system allows users to develop a high level of confidence in interpretation of the data for their specific crop management applications. Default calibrations equations are available that provide indicative correlation of soil moisture content across a range of soils from sands to clays. The sensors can also be calibrated to the each soil on-site to provide even a higher degree of accuracy.

HARDWARE FEATURES

The C-Probe incorporates a wide range of design features that make it easy to use, economical, and almost maintenance free. These features include:

Also available:
a one page
Adobe Acrobat
pdf brochure
on the
C-Probe

  • Standard probes depths of 0.5m, 1m, 1.5m, and 2m.
  • Up to 6 sensors per probe.
  • Real time data delivery; no need to download data from a logger in the field. Sensors are mounted at user defined depths along a column inserted into a PVC access tube. Sensors can be added or adjusted at will.
  • Ability to service in moments without re-installation or disturbing the soil profile.
  • A sealed waterproof design that eliminates leakage problems that can occur with older hardwired systems.
  • Easy to use control panel used to normalize & test sensors in the field.
  • Installation technique that minimizes disturbance of the soil profile and root zone.
  • The ability to relocate the whole probe to a new or different monitoring site at will.

      SOFTWARE

      The C-Probe data is viewed with the easy-to-use addVANTAGE software. The addVANTAGE software package is a fully integrated data acquisition and assessment package. It is Windows 95/98 compatible and the data can be downloaded at will from any PC with using a standard modem. A special C-Probe extension is used to view the data. The C-Probe extension enables the user to view the data in separate levels just like a soil profile. Besides displaying the moisture content intuitively, this allows the user to easily assess issues such as infiltration rates, depth of irrigation, water logging, and plant stress. This separate level graphic is typically used to determine how much to irrigate. The layers may also be summed to display the overall picture of soil moisture and is typically used to determine when to irrigate. The user can select a wide range of agronomic lines to indicate various levels of soil moisture conditions ranging from saturation to wilting point. Additionally the user can input marker lines to indicate soil moisture levels for crop growth stages ranging from vegetative growth through to post harvest. Up to 250 field stations can be monitored in one addVANTAGE database. Because addVANTAGE is a multi-use platform, irrigation management can be integrated with other agronomic issues such as frost warning & control, disease risk management, and pest management.
Click to view raw data from 4 depths
raw data from 4 depths


Click to view refill full and sum of soil water content
refill full and sum of soil water content

Further information:
See who to Contact at Adcon....
E-mail sales@adcon.com

Web page www.adcon.com

SUPPORT

A wide suite of support services if offered in conjunction with the C-Probe including installation, training, technical support, and irrigation agronomy consulting services. These support services are available through the large Adcon Telemetry distributor networks throughout the US, Canada, Australia, and Latin America (see http://www.adcon.com/contact/contactmain.html).
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© Bruce Metelerkamp
www.sowacs.com/feature/adcon/index.html
last update : 31 November 1999