SparkFun gator:soil - micro:bit Accessory Board

The SparkFun gator:soil - micro:bit Accessory Board is a handy device that measures soil moisture levels, providing a simple, efficient solution for those who need to monitor their plants' hydration levels. This board is part of SparkFun's gator:bit series, which is designed for easy interfacing with the micro:bit or other microcontrollers using alligator clips.

The gator:soil board features two probes and three pads: PWR, GND, and SIG. The probes measure the soil's conductivity, while the SIG pad provides an analog voltage output that can be attached to an ADC pad on the gator:bit (v2). The readings on the SIG pad can vary based on soil composition, probe contact, soil compaction, and other factors, making it advisable to calibrate your sensor reading for each soil sample and sensor.

It's recommended to power the gator:soil with between 3.3V - 5V. Please note that the analog value returned will vary depending on the voltage provided for the sensor. For use with the gator:bit (v2) and micro:bit, you should provide 3.3V through the PWR and GND pads. To reduce corrosion of the probes, it's recommended not to power the sensor constantly; this can be controlled through one of the digital pins of the gator:bit (v2).

The micro:bit is a compact, pocket-sized computer that opens up a world of creativity with digital technology. With the micro:bit and SparkFun's shield-like bit boards, you can code, customize, and control your micro:bit from almost anywhere. This versatile board, which is half the size of a credit card, can be used for a wide range of unique creations, from robots to musical instruments and more.

The SparkFun gator:soil board is gator:bit compatible and features power input, analog voltage output representing conductivity between probes, and ground reference contacts. The probes are used to sample soil moisture content for the sensor.

For more information, refer to the schematic, Eagle Files, Hookup Guide, gator:soil PXT Package, micro:bit Information Page, and GitHub Hardware Repo.