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AquaSpy Installation

Ben Munson
  • Updated

Overview

Below are instructions for installing an AquaSpy system on an annual, or per crop cycle basis. The AquaSpy system is typically installed with the top of the probe being flush with the soil surface. An extension cable is routed on top of the ground connecting the probe to the CommTower five feet away. The CommTower height is adjustable from five to 10 feet, depending on the height of the crop. Once the crop emerges, the probe is installed, typically between two healthy crops. Sensors located every 4 inches along the probe’s vertical column measure soil moisture, temperature, and electrical conductivity levels at 15 minute intervals. The 15 min data is transmitted every hour. Data can be accessed through both a mobile app or a web portal. Probes must be extracted before harvesting, and are re-usable.
 

Step-By-Step Overview

  • It is recommended to charge the CommTower for 30 minuets, 2 hours prior to an installation.
    • This is done by plugging the black jumper plug into the CommTower and setting the unit in the sun, with the solar panel facing south.
  • Identify installation location, then flag location within field.
  • Auger a 60mm hole using the Auger Installation Tool Kit
  • Connect black extension cable and install 8” PVC Cable Protector
  • Make Slurry from topsoil and pour in hole
  • Install Probe in the Hole
  • Assemble and set up CommTower
  • Complete Installation With ServiceSpy

https://agspy.aquaspy.com/_/Training/Video.aspx?vid=J_gVavMuj5o (installation overview)

Step-By-Step Instructions

  1. Identify Installation location:Use the guidelines below to determine where to install an AquaSpy moisture probe, then use a flag to make the location.
    • Location recommendations
      • In the crop line
      • Between two healthy plants
      • Under a spray nozzle, if possible.
      • In the most common soil that represents the majority of the soil per management zone.
        • If multiple probes are installed per field an alternative method of installing in both the best and worst soil types can be used.
      • 2-3 “Spans” in on Pivot Arm (in-between the second and third wheeltrack from outside of pivot).
    • Avoid machine traffic areas (rows next to wheel tracks).
    • Make any necessary adjustments to the location depending actual site conditions
    • Additional installation instructions are provided in the video link below.
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLh3sbEM0LQ
  2. Installing Probe: Auger a 60mm hole using the Auger Installation Tool Kit
    • Assemble auger tool: Attach the flute and 60mm T-Bar onto 4 ft. orange extension pole.
      • Note: a power auger option is also available for users looking to install a significant number of probes. The power auger can be seen in the video link at the bottom of this section. Contact FarmQA for auger specifications.
    • Remove any loose foreign material and add water to the dry soil.
    • Begin digging the hole.
      • Dig as straight as possible; careful not to flare out hole.
      • The auger flute will fill with soil with 6–8 turns of the auger handle.
    • Remove auger, taking care to keep it vertical.
      • Clean flute away from the installation site.
    • Add some water to the hole to lubricate digging and place auger back in hole.
    • Continue digging until the hole is deep enough for the probe.
      • Dig approximately 2 inches deeper than the probe’s length; otherwise, its tube may not push all the way into the hole when the slurry has been added.
    • When the hole is deep enough, remove the auger and test its depth by inserting the probe. Do not remove the probe by pulling on the cable.
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOFERDb2zAI
  3. Connect Extension cable and Probe cap
    • Locate 26’ black extension cable and 8” cable protector (PVC tube with slot for wire) and one large hose clamp.
    • Feed probe cable through 1 large hose clamp and set clamp on top of probe directly under the probe’s top cap. Leave hose clamp untightened.
    • Coil up probe cable until it fits inside the 8” cable protector PVC tube.Screen_Shot_2018-04-09_at_4.49.39_PM.png
    • Connect 26’ extension cable to the probe cable connector, and pull extension cable out through slot until both cables are hidden inside PVC cable protector tube and only extension cable is coming out from the hole.
    • Screen_Shot_2018-04-09_at_4.50.38_PM.png
       
       Snap 8” cable protector on to the top cap of the probe.
      • Tighten large hose clamp to fasten the 8” cable protector tube onto the probe.
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCF6pMGJGYg
  4. Make Slurry From TopSoil
    • You will need the sieve and slurry mixer from the Auger Tool Kit, two 5-gallon buckets, and water.
    • Sieve dry topsoil into 5-gallon bucket using sieve. Make sure there are no rocks or foreign material.
    • Add water to the second bucket and slowly add the sifted soil to the water while mixing.
    • Mix to smooth paste. It is better for the slurry to be too thick than too thin.Screen_Shot_2018-04-09_at_4.52.56_PM.png 
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH8n4ndiqCw (skip to 1 minuet into the video)
  5. Sandy Soil Variation (no slurry)
    • If the soil is too sandy to make a good slurry, insert probe directly in the hole without using slurry.
    • Collapse soil around the probe using wire or metal rod (fiberglass marker flags work well).
    • Pour extra sand around top.
    • Use plenty of water (~4-5 gallons) to wash in sand to embed the probe.
    • Continue to push around with the wire while pouring water and extra sand.
  6. Install Probe in Hole
    • Dig a hole with the auger about 2 inches deeper than the probe’s length. Keep it as straight as possible.
    • Pour slurry mix halfway up the hole.
    • Insert the probe as soon as slurry fills the hole halfway.
    • Push the probe into the hole and wiggle from side to side as it is being inserted so as to force the slurry up the side of the probe. This requires a reasonable amount of force. Do not flex the probe sideways.
    • Excess slurry must be present at the surface. If there is no excess, remove the probe, add more slurry to the hole and push the probe into the hole again.
    • Remove the excess slurry, making sure that there is minimal soil disturbance around the probe hole and that the surrounding plants have not been damaged.Screen_Shot_2018-04-09_at_4.59.36_PM.png
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ms_EauGz50 (probe installation)
  7. Assemble and Set Up CommTower
    • Install a 6’ T-Post into the ground, approximately five feet south of the probe, to support the CommTower.
      • Trim back the area if necessary and stay out of the direct path of spray nozzle
      • Use a post driver to pound T-post into ground
      • Pull out metal inner post approximately one foot. Temporarily hold inner metal post in this position using 2 small hose clamps.
        • Hose clamps are in the proper position at mid-point over the slotted area
        • As hose clamps are tightened, it will compress the slotted PVC pipe and fix the inner metal post from moving
        • Screen_Shot_2018-04-09_at_5.10.49_PM.png
        • Attach the PVC telescopic pole to the T-Post using 2 large hose clamps. Place clamps onto T-Post first then guide pole into the clamps on the T-Post. Tighten clamps with screw driver. The PVC telescopic pole rests at the desired height on the T-Post.
    • Locate pre-charged CommTower Assembly Kit (CommTower with solar panel, 2-piece interlocking triangular bracket, 3 cable-ties, 1 small hose clamp, 2 large hose clamps, 3 Phillips screws, power plug) and a screw driver.
    • Interlock the two sections of the triangular bracket by sliding smaller section into the slot on the larger section in an upward motion, at a perpendicular angle. Brackets “click” in place. Do not force two sections together; they are made to fit together only one direction
      • The small section is properly inserted into the larger section when the half-circle post support located on the large section faces away from the small section.
      • Screen_Shot_2018-04-09_at_5.11.30_PM.png
    • Attach assembled triangular bracket (from Step above) into the slots on the back of the CommTower using the 3 Phillips screws included. Do not over-tighten screws or it could damage the CommTower plastic case.
      • The triangular bracket attaches to the CommTower by first placing the smaller section into the vertical slot on the back of the CommTower with the half-circle post support at top of CommTower. Anchor this smaller section of the bracket with a Phillips screw.
      • Next, attach the larger section of the triangular bracket to the CommTower by placing it into the horizontal slots located at the bottom of the CommTower, and secure using 2 Phillips screws. (The triangular bracket can serve as a stand for the CommTower.)Screen_Shot_2018-04-09_at_5.13.36_PM.png
    • Locate the half-circle post support on the triangular bracket
      • Mount 1 small hose clamp in the grooves of the half-circle post support on the triangular bracket.
      • Screen_Shot_2018-04-09_at_5.14.31_PM.png
    • Place the CommTower over the top of the pole while guiding the pole through the small hose clamp that is mounted on the orange triangular bracket (from Step above)
      • Lower the CommTower into position. When the top of the metal inner post of the telescopic pole is aligned near the top of the CommTower then it is in the proper position. The metal post should rest directly beneath the orange spikes.
      • Tighten the small hose clamp with a screw driver to anchor the CommTower in position on the inner metal post.Screen_Shot_2018-04-09_at_5.14.39_PM.png
    • Fasten a cable-tie to the CommTower through the metal eye-lets on either side of the metal post to keep it in place.Screen_Shot_2018-04-09_at_5.16.16_PM.png
    • Attach bird spike to the top of the CommTower using 2 cable-ties. Strap cable-ties on each side of the bird spike to anchor it. Snip excess cable-ties.Screen_Shot_2018-04-09_at_5.16.53_PM.png
    • Plug extension cable into CommTower in the 4-pin SwitchCraft connectors on bottom of CommTower.
    • Cover any exposed wire between the probe and the CommTower to protect wire from rodents that might chew the cable.
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=PaQ7SvU0UaE (CT assembly)
  8. Comm Tower Power up and Troubleshooting
    • After CommTower is properly mounted, plug the black jumper plug into the 4 pin port on the back of the comm tower.
    • The CommTower will go through a series of beeps indicating it has a cellular connection, and that data was successfully uploaded to the AquaSpy portal. See the video below for further details.
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=65&v=fC9s56qYQRk 
    • If the commTower has problems along the way, these are the tones issued:
      • CT failed at finding the probe: 2 short beeps
      • CT failed at checking into the server: 1 long beep
  9. Finalizing Installation
    • Adjust inner metal post on telescopic pole to desired height. Use the 2 small hose clamps to fix the pole at desired height.
    • Face solar panels south to get the most sun
    • Coil up any surplus wire and attach to T-Post using spare cable-ties
    • Contact FarmQA Support to complete the setup process. Please be prepared to provide the following information regarding the probe
      1. CommTower Serial number (this is a six digit number that can be found on the back of the CommTower either starting with 84xxxx or 81xxxx)
      2. Coordinates of the installation locations
      3. Field name 
      4. Plant date 

Please contact FarmQA Support with any further questions

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