Mechanical Tensiometers Operation Services
Tensiometer's construction; The tensiometer consists of 3 main parts: a) Main body, made of a plastic tube, with a transparent part ('Window') at the upper part b) A Ceramic cap attached to the bottom edge. In the standard model, the ceramic cap is replaceable and screwed to the main pipe. c) A Mechanical Vacuum gauge. (The standard range is 0-100 cb. but sometimes we also supply gauges for 0-60 cb, 0-250Mb, or 100 Mb.) When filled with water, the Tensiometer must be hermetically closed to keep the vacuum inside.
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Operation Principal:
When the Tensiometer is in the soil, the soil water is linked to the Tensiometer's internal water, through the porous ceramic cap and the vacuum created is displayed by the gauge on top. The dryer the soil, the bigger is the vacuum value.
Preparation for operation:
- Dip the device vertically in free water, for 1-2 hours. The water level should be just a little higher than the ceramic cap. The Ceramic cap will absorb the water to release captured air.
- Fill the pipe with clean water about 1 cm below the edge.
- Add a few drops of Home Chlorine solution into the device in order to prevent algae development.
- Alternatively, it is possible to cover the upper part by an opague to light, material, such as aluminum foil, to block sun light from the transparent part.
- Add water up to the edge of the pipe.
- Screw the vacuum sensor on top and close firmly. The closure should be done manually without mechanical tools. Hold only the plastic adaptor below the gauge and not the gauge itself.
- After filling water it is helpful to leave the Tensiometer in open air, for a while until the vacuum starts to build-up. This will help us to ensure that the device is well sealed with no air penetration.
- Now dip the filled Tensiometer vertically in free water (just a little over the ceramic cap) and read the vacuum value. The obtained value is called the 'Zero Value'. We advise to mark this Zero value by a marker on the gauge cover. The Zero Value should be deducted from the readings at the future. (Mechanical gauge for low tension, have a special calibration screw to deduct the zero value).
- The Tensiometer is ready now for installation in field.
Installation in the soil:
- location: Select a healthy plant/ row of plants, that represents most of the tested field. Not too close to the field's edge. The location near the plant should be where we expect good roots development. Not right under a drip emitter. We recommend to drill a hole in a distance of about 10-15 cm. from the emitter.
- Depth of installation: It generally depends on the type of plant (if its roots are shallow or deep) or type of soil. Normally it is recommended to install Tensiometers in 2-3 depths at each test point in order to follow water capacity in different layers.
- Insertion in the soil: Drill a hole of about 20 mm diameter, best recommended by our manual drill. Drill about 5 cm deeper than the desired measuring depth.
- Pour a small amount of water to the hole and add some loose soil in it to create a soft, muddy environment at the bottom of the hole.
- Insert the Tensiometer carefully into the hole to the desired depth (until the depth sticker reaches the land surface). The ceramic cap should be pushed into the muddy bottom to create a perfect touch with the surrounding soil.
- Special note: Do not insert the device with force, or shake it horizontally in order to prevent breakage of the ceramic cap.
- Fill the spaces around the device with loose soil and tighten it as much as possible, leaving no air pockets around the device. 7. Your Tensiometer is now working. Wait about an hour to start reading the soil moisture.
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