Kids OK with adultArduino NanoLevel 2/3
Smart Plant Watering
A soil sensor reads moisture and a small pump waters the plant through a 3D-printed drip ring, even while you're away.
Kids OK, with an adult
DIY project. Children must build this only with an adult (16+ years) beside them at all times. Not suitable for children under 8 years.
Keep the electronics above and away from the water.
Strictly follow the description given with this video.
Video
The video link will be added here soon.
How it works
- The capacitive sensor reads soil moisture; the OLED shows it.
- Below 35% the pump runs in short bursts until the soil reaches 60%.
- Water drips evenly from the printed ring around the stem.
- A float switch stops the pump when the tank is empty, so it never runs dry.
Parts you need
- Arduino Nano× 1Buy
- Capacitive soil moisture sensor× 1Buy
- 5V mini submersible pump + 1 m silicone tube× 1Buy
- Logic-level MOSFET module× 1Buy
- Float switch× 1Buy
- 1N4007 diode× 1Buy
- 5V 2A adapter× 1Buy
Kit for this projectPrice on request
Get the kitWiring
PowerGroundSignal
| # | From | Connect to |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Power | Adapter +5V | 5V rail |
| 2 Ground | Adapter GND | GND rail |
| 3 Signal | Soil AO | Nano A0 |
| 4 Power | Soil VCC / GND | 5V / GND |
| 5 Signal | OLED SDA | Nano A4 |
| 6 Signal | OLED SCL | Nano A5 |
| 7 Power | OLED VCC / GND | 5V / GND |
| 8 Signal | MOSFET SIG | Nano D9 |
| 9 Power | MOSFET IN+ | 5V rail |
| 10 Ground | MOSFET IN− | GND rail |
| 11 Power | MOSFET OUT+ / OUT− | Pump + / − |
| 12 Signal | 1N4007 diode | Across the pump, stripe to + |
| 13 Signal | Float switch A | Nano D2 (INPUT_PULLUP) |
| 14 Ground | Float switch B | Nano GND |
3D print files
- drip_ring.stlPETG · 0.2 mm · 20% · no supports · ~1 h 30 minLink at launch
- sensor_stake_pump_clip.stlPETG · 0.2 mm · 30% · no supports · ~1 h 10 minLink at launch
Code
The tested Arduino / ESP32 code for this project will be posted here, ready to copy.