Journal of Exploration

Submitted

By

Name: NANDISHWAR

Roll No: 24EG105R37

Branch: CSE-R

As the Partial Fulfillment of Requirement of Joy of Engineering Course

I-B Tech, I-Semester (2024-2025)

Module: MAKERS LAB

Module Coordinator HoD

Internal Examiner (s) External Examiner

I-B Tech, I-Semester (2024-2025)

Journal of Exploration

S.No. Contents Pg.No.

1 Introduction (Details of the Task)

2 Objectives

3 Methodology

4 Observations and Findings

5 Resources

6 Challenges and Limitations

7 Skills used to complete the Task

8 Alternative ways to complete the Task

9 Suggestions and Recommendations

10 Conclusion

Module Coordinator HoD

Internal Examiner (s) External Examiner

JOY OF ENGINEERING

MODULE: MAKERS LAB

1. Introduction

An automatic plant watering system is designed to automate the watering process for plants,
ensuring they are consistently watered based on their moisture requirements. This task involves
creating a system that uses a soil moisture sensor to measure the moisture level of the soil, an
Arduino to process this data, and a water pump to deliver water when needed. The goal is to create a
reliable and efficient system that can reduce the need for manual watering, save time, and ensure
plants receive the optimal amount of water.

Such systems are particularly useful for people who are unable to water their plants regularly, such
as those who travel frequently or live in areas where water conservation is necessary. It also benefits
busy individuals who want to automate their plant care process.

2. Objectives

1. Automated Watering System:

• Develop a system that automatically waters plants when the moisture level drops
below a preset threshold, ensuring plants receive adequate hydration without manual intervention.

2. Soil Moisture Monitoring:

• Implement a reliable soil moisture sensor to monitor the moisture content in the
soil. This allows for precise control over when the watering system activates.

3. Microcontroller Integration:

• Utilize a microcontroller (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi) to interpret sensor data and
control the water pump, turning it on and off according to the moisture level.

4. Energy and Water Efficiency:

• Ensure the system is energy-efficient and only operates when necessary, thereby
saving water and reducing energy consumption.

5. Scalability:

• Build a system that can be expanded to manage multiple plants or larger garden
areas by adding more sensors and water distribution channels.

3. Methodology

Step 1: Identifying Plant Requirements and System Design

• Assess Plant Watering Needs:

• Identify the type of plants (e.g., succulents, vegetables) and understand their water
requirements. Some plants need frequent watering, while others may require minimal water.

• Determine the appropriate watering method, such as drip irrigation for small
containers or a larger sprinkler system for outdoor plants.
Step 2: Selecting Components and Materials

• Soil Moisture Sensor:

• Choose a capacitive soil moisture sensor for better longevity and accuracy compared
to resistive sensors. Capacitive sensors are less affected by soil salinity and are more reliable in the
long term.

• Microcontroller (e.g., Arduino):

• An Arduino Uno or Nano board is a great choice for this project due to its ease of
use, availability, and large support community.

• Watering Mechanism:
• Choose a submersible water pump or solenoid valve to control the water flow. For
small to medium setups, a 12V DC pump may be ideal. If using a larger reservoir, a solenoid valve
might be more efficient for controlling water delivery.

• Relay Module:

• A relay module is necessary to safely control the water pump via the Arduino. It acts
as a switch to turn the pump on and off without directly connecting it to the Arduino’s pins.

Step 3: Wiring and Assembly

• Wire the Components:

• Connect the soil moisture sensor’s analog output to an analog input pin on the
Arduino.

• Connect the water pump through a relay module to the digital pins of the Arduino.

• Set up the power supply to provide sufficient voltage and current for both the
Arduino and the pump.

Step 4: Coding the Microcontroller

• Write code for the Arduino that:

• Reads the soil moisture value from the sensor.

• Compares the moisture value with a predefined threshold to determine if watering is

needed.

• Turns the pump on when the moisture level falls below the threshold, and turns it off
when the desired moisture level is reached.

• Incorporates delays to prevent the pump from turning on and off too frequently.

Step 5: Testing the System

 • Testing Soil Sensor Accuracy:

• Check the moisture sensor’s response under dry and wet soil conditions. Test at
different depths to ensure consistent readings.

• Pump Activation:

• Test the pump activation, ensuring the water flows when the soil moisture is low and
stops when the soil is adequately moist.

• Calibration:

• Fine-tune the threshold moisture level to suit the specific needs of the plants,
adjusting for different soil types and environmental conditions.

4. Observations and Findings

1. Effectiveness of Moisture Sensors:

• Capacitive sensors tend to provide more consistent readings than resistive sensors,
as they don’t degrade as quickly and are not influenced by the salinity of the soil.

2. Water Delivery:

• Smaller, more energy-efficient pumps work well for small to medium plant setups,
but larger garden setups may require higher-capacity pumps or more advanced irrigation solutions.

3. Power Considerations:
• A battery-powered system can be used for small systems, but larger systems might
benefit from solar power to ensure sustainability and eliminate the need for frequent battery
changes.

4. System Durability:

• Water-resistant components are crucial for ensuring long-term functionality,

especially the soil moisture sensor and the water pump. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the
system are needed to prevent clogs and damage.

5. Resources

1. Hardware:

• Arduino Uno or Nano: For controlling the system.

• Capacitive soil moisture sensor: For accurate moisture level readings.

• Water pump (e.g., 12V DC submersible pump): To deliver water to the plants.

• Relay module: To control the pump.

• Wires and Breadboard: For prototyping connections.

• Tubing and Water Reservoir: To deliver water from the reservoir to the plants.

2. Software:

• Arduino IDE: For writing and uploading the code to the Arduino board.
 • Libraries: Some Arduino libraries might be helpful, such as the DHT library for
sensors or LiquidCrystal for LCD screens.

3. Power Source:

• DC power supply (5V or 12V, depending on the pump’s requirements).

• Solar panel (optional) for more sustainable operation.

6. Challenges and Limitations

1. Calibration of Soil Moisture Sensor:

• Soil type and temperature can affect the moisture readings. Regular calibration and
possibly multiple sensors at different depths can ensure more accurate readings.

2. Water Pressure Issues:

• If using a larger garden system, ensuring that water pressure is sufficient to cover all
areas can be a challenge. You may need a more powerful pump or a pressurized water system.

3. Limited Coverage:
• The system can be limited in terms of coverage area. To expand, consider adding
additional moisture sensors or pumps for larger areas.

4. Maintenance Requirements:

• The system requires periodic maintenance to clean sensors, check for clogging, and
ensure the pump and tubing are working efficiently.

7. Skills Used to Complete the Task

1. Electronics:

• Knowledge of wiring and connecting sensors, actuators, and controllers.

2. Programming:

• Writing and debugging code to read sensor data and control external devices like the
pump.

3. Problem Solving:

• Troubleshooting issues such as sensor inaccuracies, pump malfunctions, or system

timing problems.

4. System Integration:

• Combining different components into a cohesive system, ensuring they work

together seamlessly.

8. Alternative Ways to Complete the Task

1. Using Wireless Technology:

• Implement wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) to remotely monitor

and control the system. This could be expanded to include smartphone apps for more convenience.
 2. Smartphone Integration:

• Use IoT platforms like Blynk or ThingSpeak to control the system and receive
notifications on watering status via a smartphone or web interface.

3. Using Solar Power:

• Power the system using solar energy, especially if it’s an outdoor system. This will
reduce energy consumption and make the system more sustainable.

4. Automated Scheduling:

• Set up a scheduling system that activates watering at specific times each day, based
on plant needs and weather conditions.

9. Suggestions and Recommendations

1. Enhance System Accuracy:

• Use multiple moisture sensors at different soil depths to get a better sense of soil
hydration.

2. Incorporate Weather Data:

• Integrate weather APIs to adjust the watering schedule based on rainfall or

temperature.

3. Monitor System Performance:

• Regularly check the moisture sensor’s calibration and clean the pump and tubing to
avoid malfunctions.

4. Expand the System:

• For larger setups, add more sensors and water delivery lines to cover the entire
garden or greenhouse.

10. Conclusion

The automatic plant watering system is a valuable project that introduces automation and efficiency
into everyday gardening tasks. By integrating sensors, microcontrollers, and water pumps, the system
can optimize plant care and reduce manual effort. With further refinements, it can be expanded for
larger garden setups, made more sustainable with solar power, and even integrated with IoT
technologies for remote control. The project provides a hands-on learning experience in electronics,
programming, and system integration, and can easily be adapted for a wide variety of plant care
applications.