How to charge your Sensors

How to charge your Sensors

This article describes how to charge your sensors

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Please note, charging only applies to our newer generation of sensors equipped with rechargeable 18650 batteries as well as the Soil Mini. If your devices use AA batteries, please see the article : How to replace Sensor batteries

Sensors with External Solar Panel

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Models: AirNode+, AirPro+, SoilPro+, DryAir+

While these sensors can also be manually charged, orienting the solar panel to the south, or placing it in an area with more available light is often sufficient for the sensors with external solar panels to charge.

From our experience, if the external solar panel receives more than 400µmol/m2/s then manually charging the battery is often not needed.

Sensors with No External Solar Panel

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Models: AirNode, AirPro, SoilPro

While these models have small solar cells internally at the top of the sensor, over time you may find it necessary to manually charge the sensor

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Requirements: You will need a 5V MicroUSB charger (used for most mobile phones)
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Safety: Lithium ion 18650 batteries should not be misused. If you notice a damaged wrap or insulator on the battery, please stop use immediately. Please let us know, the battery should then be replaced.
  1. Before opening the sensor, please ensure your hands are clean and dry.
  2. Open remote node by pulling/wiggling top with the ID label off.
  3. Insert charger into micro usb slot (see blue circle in image to the right →).
  4. Leave charging for several hours.
  5. You can check the charge status on the app by toggling the battery variable in the nodes map
Micro USB port circled in blue
Micro USB port circled in blue

Charging Soil Mini

Charging a Soil Mini can only be done using a wireless charger.
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Requirements: You will need 1 Standard Qi wireless charger version 1.1
  1. Plugin your wireless charger
  2. Place 1 Soil Mini on the wireless charger, check that a red light at the top of the Soil Mini turns on, as this indicates charging (See image below). If no red light, flip the soil mini to the other side and place back on the wireless charger.
  3. Soil mini is fully charged when LED light turns blue

Soil Mini Charging

Red light at top of SoilMini indicates charging
Red light at top of SoilMini indicates charging

Soil Mini Charging Complete

Red light at top of SoilMini turns blue once fully charged
Red light at top of SoilMini turns blue once fully charged