Step-by-Step Guide

Verify Which Sensor and Zone You're Testing

Before troubleshooting, confirm which sensor is installed in the ground and which irrigation zone waters that area. This ensures you're testing the correct sensor and running the appropriate zone.

1. At the controller, turn the dial to the Self-Test position.

2. Highlight the menu option Test Single to Our Device and press Enter to open that menu.

3. Scroll through the list of devices until you find the sensor you want to test (for example, Moisture Sensor 1).

4. With the sensor highlighted, press Enter to start the test and note the current moisture reading displayed.

Test for Moisture Change by Running Irrigation

1. Manually run the irrigation zone that waters the area where your moisture sensor is installed. If you cannot run the irrigation zone, wetting the area with a hose will work.

2. Run the zone for a few minutes, then return to the controller.

3. Run Test Signal to Our Device again and look for a moisture change in the reading.

If you see a moisture change, the sensor is working properly. This means you may have been trying to wet the sensor by running a zone where it isn't actually installed. Review the test results to confirm the sensor is communicating with the controller—you should see both a moisture percentage and a temperature reading, which indicates proper communication.

If you tested the correct zone and the moisture reading did not change, continue with the troubleshooting steps below.

Field Test: Remove and Dry the Sensor

1. Go to the field location where the soil moisture sensor is installed.

2. Carefully dig up the sensor, taking care not to damage it.

3. Remove the sensor from the ground, dry it off completely, and clean it.

4. At the controller, run Test Single to Our Device again and check the moisture content reading.

With the sensor out of the ground and dry, you should expect a reading close to zero percent moisture. If the reading is not near zero, continue with the next steps.

Remove the Sensor Wire Properly

If you need to remove the sensor, avoid cutting the wire too short. Instead, remove the wire all the way back to the box where the original splice was made, preserving the entire wire length. Industry standards call for splices to be made in a pull box with 18 inches of slack. Taking the time to do this now will make reinstalling your device easier later.

Inspect the Sensor for Physical Damage

With the sensor out of the ground, inspect it carefully for damage. Look for issues such as:

• Damaged blades (a sensor with a damaged blade may still read moisture temporarily)
• Water intrusion damage (if water has gotten inside the sensor, it is unlikely to read moisture accurately)

Direct Connection Test at the Controller

This test connects the sensor directly to the controller, bypassing all field wiring and splices, to determine whether the sensor itself is functioning.

1. Power down the controller using one of these methods:

• Unplug the controller
• Turn off the circuit breaker
• Disconnect the orange plug on the control board

2. With power off, disconnect the existing wire path from the red and black 2R terminals and set those wires aside.

3. Connect the soil moisture sensor directly to the red and black 2R terminals, making it the only wire connected to the controller. If you're working on a conventional wired system, connect the black sensor wire to Common and the red sensor wire to terminals A1, A2, B1, or B2 (these are the only conventional wire terminals that look for a moisture sensor).

4. Before testing, wet the moisture sensor by placing it in a bucket filled with water.

5. Power the controller back up and return to Test Single to Our Device.

6. Re-run the test on the moisture sensor and review the results.

Keep in mind that the sensor measures volumetric moisture content. A sensor fully submerged in water should read approximately 35 percent moisture. If the controller can find moisture on the sensor while it's directly connected, this eliminates the device as the issue. The problem is then either due to installation problems, the wire path, or splices on the wire path.

If the controller could not find moisture in the sensor while it was directly connected, the sensor itself is likely the issue. Contact Baseline support via email or phone to see if your device is eligible for warranty replacement.

Check Sensor Installation Depth and Soil Contact

If the direct connection test showed the sensor is working, review the installation to identify potential problems.

Installation depth: Refer to the installation details that came with the sensor or consult the Baseline website. Proper installation typically requires only a few inches of soil cover over the sensor. If the sensor is installed in turf but placed two feet deep in clay soil, it won't see much moisture change, which can lead you to think there's a problem when the issue is simply installation depth.

Soil contact: Ensure the sensor has soil touching it on all sides. Air pockets or rocks touching the sensor will result in inaccurate readings.

Troubleshoot the Wire Path and Splices

If the sensor installation was correct but the sensor still doesn't register moisture changes in the field, the problem likely lies in the wiring. Spend time carefully inspecting:

• Wire splices for proper connections
• Wire integrity along the entire path
• Any visible wire damage

Address any issues found with the wire path or splices, then retest the sensor.

Video Walkthrough

Video originally published October 2022.

If you have questions, here are 3 ways to get answers:

1. Search within this HydroPoint knowledgebase

2. Visit the HydroPoint support page

3. Call 800-362-8774 or email support@hydropoint.com, hours are Mon-Fri 3:00 AM – 6:00 PM PT and Sat 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM PT.