Simple Solar Powered Plant Watering Alarm Circuit tell us how to make small device that gives water to plant when plant need it.
Furthermore, there are many ways to use solar energy but it should be clean and should not cost much, but the device used in this circuit is mix of solar power and electronics which is very interesting.
What is a Simple Solar Powered Plant Watering Alarm Circuit:
To begin with, simple solar plant watering alarm circuit is small electronic device it check if plant soil is dry or not, if soil get too dry then it make sound or light to tell us.
Also, this circuit uses solar panel to take energy from sun and give power to parts, which can show alarm with LED light or buzzer sound so user know when to give water to plant.
Formulas:
Here, we can use voltage divider formula to find voltage at potentiometer:
Vpot = Vin × Rpot / (Rpot + Rtotal)
where:
- Vpot is voltage at the potentiometer.
- Vin input voltage coming from solar panel.
- Rpot is resistance of the potentiometer.
- Rtotal is total resistance in whole circuit.
How to Build:
Below are the steps to build a simple solar plant watering alarm circuit.
- First, take one cardboard and draw where parts will connect and this is base for our circuit.
- Next, cut small holes on lines for putting component pins.
- Then, put all parts on cardboard same like in circuit diagram.
- After that, solder all parts slowly and properly so connections stay strong.
- Next, connect solar cell carefully to the circuit.
- Finally, we have done everything, test the circuit to see if it works fine.
Circuit Working:
Parts List:
| Components | Values | Quantity |
| Resistor | 10k 1/4 watt | 1 |
| Potentiometer 100k | 1 | |
| Semiconductors | Transistors BC547 | 2 |
| Solar Cell 9V 500mA | 1 | |
| Buzzer 9V Piezo | 1 | |
| Battery 9V PP3 | 1 |
To begin with, this simple solar plant watering alarm circuit help to check and keep soil wet for plant.
Next, the solar cell takes sunlight and makes electric power, we can use a 100k potentiometer to set how dry the soil can get before the alarm starts.
Furthermore, when soil get more dry than this level circuit turn ON and circuit check voltage from potentiometer and compare with fixed voltage.
As a result, if soil is too dry then voltage from potentiometer goes down and when voltage goes below the limit then circuit turn ON the buzzer to make sound.
Finally, NPN transistors make voltage changes stronger and LEDs show what circuit is doing.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
Advantages:
- Circuit uses solar power so it does not harm the environment.
- Moreover, it is cheap and good way to take care of plants.
- In addition, we can change moisture level setting for different types of plants.
- Finally, it is good project to learn about solar energy and electronics.
Disadvantages:
- Circuit only work good when sunlight is there.
- Buzzer sound may not good in quiet places.
Conclusion:
Simple solar plant watering alarm circuit is smart way to give water to plants without using normal electricity.
This low-cost DIY project teaches solar power and electronics, helps save time and labor and builds a better future.
Finally, with small changes and testing we can improve this circuit to fit our own needs.