SMARTePROBE Instructions

  1. Please refer to the Quick Setup Guide to connect SMARTePROBE to your wifi router, register your SMARTePROBE online, enter configuration information, and perform the required simple calibration.

  2. The SMARTePROBE pushbutton provides 6 functions. To enable any of these functions press and hold the button, releasing only after you hear the desired number of rapid beeps.

1 rapid beep – Send email status update

2 rapid beeps – Set low moisture threshold

3 rapid beeps – Perform probe calibration

4 rapid beeps – Connect to wifi router using router password

5 rapid beeps – Upload latest version of firmware

6 rapid beeps – Connect to wifi router using WPS

  1. SMARTePROBE keeps you informed by automatically emailing you after a pushbutton function is successfully performed. Note that as it takes a short time to process your request, the touch button becomes unavailable for about 30 seconds after pressing and releasing it. SMARTePROBE issues 2 quick beeps after the button function cycle has been completed and is available for another button press.

  2. To conserve battery power, SMARTePROBE actually sleeps most of the time, waking up automatically every 8 hours to check the plant’s moisture level. To wake up SMARTePROBE at any time, simply press the button until you hear 1 beep, and you will immediately be emailed the status of SMARTePROBE and your plant.

  3. Email notifications are automatically sent whenever the soil moisture drops to or below the low moisture threshold.

  4. Determining the low moisture threshold:
    The plant watering pull-down list, available when you login to your SMARTePROBE account, is a handy starting reference. The low moisture threshold can be changed at any time and adjusted to the particular needs of your plant. For optimum plant growth, strength, and happiness, optimal watering occurs just before wilting may occur. The leading cause of death of household plants is over-watering. If you find that SMARTePROBE is reminding you to water when the soil moisture is higher than you think best for your plant, lower the moisture threshold. If the SMARTePLANT notification occurs when your plant is already beginning to wilt, increase the low moisture threshold.

  5. The low moisture value can be set in 2 different ways:
    • By pressing and holding the pushbutton until you hear 2 rapid beeps. Thereafter, wait 10-15 seconds as SMARTePROBE checks the webserver for the latest value. You will then hear a number of slow beeps corresponding to the current setting. In this mode, SMARTePROBE rounds the moisture threshold to the nearest 10%. For example, 3 slow beeps represents 30%, 6 beeps represents 60%, etc. If you do nothing after hearing the beeps, the low moisture setting will remain unchanged.  If you wish to change the value, you can do so by pressing and releasing the pushbutton that number of times which corresponds to your new desired setting. As you press the pushbutton, SMARTePROBE will beep and increase the low moisture in increments of 10%, between 10% and 90%. You must begin to enter the new setting within 5 seconds after hearing the beeps,
      or,
    • By logging into your personal SMARTePROBE webpage. 
  1. SMARTePROBE emails notifications when the battery state-of-charge is low and the battery needs recharging.

  2. A status update is emailed and texted once per week, every Sunday morning.

  3. The calibration should be performed whenever SMARTePROBE is placed in a new or different pot. This is due to the wide range of possible soil composition (percentage sand, silt, clay, and organic material) and porosity. When calibrating, be sure to first water thoroughly, uniformly saturating the soil. Place SMARTePROBE firmly in the soil. This ensures SMARTePROBE will measure the soil moisture level accurately, regardless of soil type. Immediately after calibration, the soil moisture level should be around 110% which corresponds to typical readings of simple handheld moisture probes. SMARTePROBE can, optionally and similarly be calibrated in a separate pot of identical soil.

  4. If an email notification is not received soon after selecting one of the pushbutton functions 1-, 2-, or 3-rapid beeps, (it normally should be received in less than 1-2 minutes), then the wifi signal has become disconnected. If there is a possibility that the battery charge is low, then charge SMARTePROBE and retry the 1-rapid beep function. Ensure your other wifi devices can access the internet to confirm that your router is working properly.

  5. If the wifi connection is not working, your SMARTePROBE continues to measure soil moisture. When the moisture level drops below the low moisture threshold, SMARTePROBE will notify you by beeping every 8 hours. Also, a one-beep press of the touch sensitive button will provide notification of current moisture level. Count the number of beeps and multiply by 10 to get the moisture level in percent.

  6. Uploading of the latest firmware (software for SMARTePROBE) is only required when you have been contacted by the SMARTePROBE team. In this case, the upload is enabled simply by pressing and holding the touch button until you hear the 5 rapid beeps! When available, latest versions of the firmware are uploaded automatically early Monday mornings.

Enjoy the peace-of-mind that SMARTePROBE provides, guiding you on optimal care for your plant. It’s like a “Babysitter for your plants”!