Atlas WiFi Hydroponics Kit Setup Guide

This tutorial will show you how to set up the WiFi Hydroponics kit from Atlas Scientific. The meter measures pH, conductivity, and temperature. Data is uploaded to the ThingSpeak platform, where it can be monitored remotely via a mobile device or computer.

For detailed information on this kit, refer to its datasheet by clicking HERE.

WARNINGS:

• Atlas Scientific does not make consumer electronics. This equipment is intended for electrical engineers. If you are not familiar with electrical engineering or embedded systems programming, this product may not be for you.
• This device was developed and tested using a Windows computer. It was not tested on Mac, Atlas Scientific does not know if these instructions are compatible with a Mac system.

Step 1: Setup a ThingSpeak Account

Because the sensor data is stored/viewed on ThingSpeak, you will need to set up a ThingSpeak account. Create your ThingSpeak account by clicking HERE.

Step 2: Create a Channel

Your data is uploaded to ThingSpeak through a ‘Channel.’ Select New Channel

Fill out the highlighted boxes. (Be sure to click on the checkboxes to enable fields 2 and 3) For reference, this is what we entered.

Name Atlas Sensors

Field 1 pH

Field 2 EC (μS/cm)

Field 3 Temp (°C)

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Save Channel.

Step 3: Get ThingSpeak API keys

After you saved your channel settings, you will be redirected to your channel page. Click on API keys.

Be sure to save your Channel ID and Write API Key we are going to need these, in the next few steps.

Step 4: Make sure your Arduino IDE libraries are up to date

A. Make sure you have the correct path for the Esp32 library

In the IDE, go to File > Preferences

Locate the Additional Boards Manager URLs text box

Make sure this URL is in the textbox

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/gh-pages/package_esp32_index.json

Click OK.

B. Update the esp32 board

In the IDE, go to Tools > Board > Boards Manager

In the search bar of the Boards Manager, lookup esp32. Update to the most recent version if you don’t already have it. (Version 1.0.5 is not the most recent version)

C. Download the ThingSpeak library for Arduino

Click HERE to download the latest version of the ThingSpeak library.

Don’t unzip it!

Import the.ZIP file into your Arduino IDE by going to Sketch > Include Library > Add.ZIP Library

D. Add the EZO I2C Library

To download the EZO library.ZIP file click HERE.

Don’t unzip it!

Import the.ZIP file to your Arduino IDE. To import the.ZIP file go to Sketch > Include Library > Add.ZIP Library

Step 5: Flash the Hydroponics meter with the correct code

A. Select, open, and adjust the code you want to use for your Wi-Fi Kit

File> Examples> EZO_I2C_lib-master> Examples> IOT_kits>hydroponics_kit

B. Fill in your Wi-Fi / ThingSpeak credentials

Fill in your Wi-Fi name and password, along with the Channel ID and Write API Key to the code.

C. Choose enable pins

D. Setting up your pump

If you do not have a pump attached, you can just skip this part. The code is rather self-explanatory. You set what parameters will trigger the pump to engage.

Step 6: Setting Up the HUZZAH Board

A. Set the target CPU to flash

Tools> Board> ESP32 Arduino > Adafruit ESP32 Feather

B. Adjust CPU Settings

Make sure the CPU settings on the Adafruit HUZZAH32 are correct. To adjust the CPU settings, click Tools.

For reference, this is what Atlas Scientific set the CPU settings to.

(Your options may not be exactly the same, just try and match them as closely as possible)

C. Compile and upload

Compile and upload the code.

Step 7: See the readings

Open your Arduino serial monitor. (You must have the serial monitor set to the com port from the Adafruit HUZZAH32)

Set to carriage return and 9600 baud.

The Wi-Fi Hydroponics Meter will always attempt to connect to ThingSpeak on bootup.

If it cannot connect to your Wi-Fi you will see this:

Entering the poll command will stop the Wi-Fi Hydroponics Meter from uploading the readings to ThingSpeak, while you debug your Wifi problems.

Step 8: Sensor Calibration

Atlas Scientific created a list of calibration commands that are built into the library. Type in help to see a list of commands.

A. The poll command

Send the command poll; This will let you see the readings once per second and it will stop uploading to ThingSpeak while you calibrate.

B. Calibrate pH

When calibrating pH, you must always calibrate to pH 7 first.

Remove the soaker bottle and rinse off the pH probe. Remove the top of the pH 7.00 calibration solution pouch. Place the pH probe inside the pouch and let the probe sit in the calibration solution until the readings stabilize. This will take about 1 – 2 mins.

Rinse off the probe and repeat this process for both pH 4.00 and pH 10.00.

C. Calibrate Conductivity

The K1.0 probe is being calibrated below.

Make sure that the probe is dry before issuing this command ec:cal, dry

Once the dry calibration has been completed, place the probe into a small cup of the 12, 880μS calibration solution. Shake the probe to make sure you do not have trapped air bubbles in the sensing area. You should see readings that are off by 1 – 40% from the stated value of the calibration solution. Wait for readings to stabilize.

Rinse off the probe before calibrating to the high point. Pour a small amount of the 80, 000μS calibration solution into a cup. Shake the probe to remove trapped air. Again, the readings may be off by 1 – 40% Wait for readings to stabilize.

D. Calibrate Temperature

Calibrating the PT-1000 temperature probe is not required. However, if you want to, a simple method to calibrate the probe is to place the PT-1000 into boiling water. Then issue command rtd:cal, t where t = temperature value.

Step 9: Almost done

Once you are finished with calibration, issue the datalog command to resume taking a reading every 15 seconds and uploading it to ThingSpeak.

To see the data on your phone, download the ThingSpeak app.