How to Maintain LoRaWAN Solar-Powered Soil Sensors

As a crucial device for modern agriculture and environmental monitoring, the LoRaWAN solar-powered soil sensor requires special attention to the maintenance of key components such as the solar power supply system, soil probes, and data transmission modules. Below is a professional maintenance guide for this type of sensor:

1、 Key points of daily maintenance

Sensor position check

• Check the depth and Angle of the sensor inserted into the soil monthly to ensure good contact with the soil

• Check whether the fixing device is firm to prevent displacement caused by wind, rain or animal activity

• Ensure that there is no large plant root system around the sensor to avoid interference with the measurement

Surface cleaning and maintenance

• Use a soft brush to regularly remove dirt and debris from the sensor surface

• For stubborn stains, use a soft cloth lightly and avoid using chemical cleaners

• Pay special attention to the surface of the cleaning sensor in contact with the soil

2、 Maintenance of solar power supply system

Solar panel maintenance

• Check the surface of the solar panels every quarter to remove dust, bird droppings and other obstructions

• Increase cleaning frequency to ensure charging efficiency before winter or rainy season

• Check whether the solar panel bracket is stable to avoid angle deviation caused by strong wind

Battery system maintenance

• Check the battery health once every six months by measuring voltage and current output

• Replacement should be considered when the battery capacity is less than 70% of the initial capacity

• In extreme temperature environment, take insulation or heat dissipation measures to protect the battery

3. Professional maintenance of soil probes

Probe cleaning method

• The probe is removed from the soil every quarter and wiped clean with a soft cloth

• Increase cleaning frequency for saline-alkali land or areas where fertilizer is used frequently

• Use a special probe cleaner to treat stubborn stains and avoid using metal tools to scrape

Probe calibration check

• Probe calibration should be performed at least once a year to ensure measurement accuracy

• Use a standard solution to check the response curve of the conductivity probe

• The temperature probe should be compared with the standard thermometer regularly

4、 LoRaWAN communication module maintenance

Radio system inspection

• Check monthly whether the antenna connection is firm, no loosening or oxidation

• Ensure that there is no metal object around the antenna to block the signal transmission

• In areas prone to thunderstorms, check whether the lightning protection measures are perfect

Network connection testing

• Regularly check the connection quality between devices and gateways

• Record the trend of signal strength (RSSI) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) changes

• When communication abnormalities are detected, check the device ID and network settings

5、 Seasonal maintenance strategy

Special maintenance during rainy season

• Check if all seals and waterproof measures are intact

• Ensure unobstructed drainage holes to prevent water accumulation

• Check whether the equipment works normally after rainstorm

Winter maintenance focus

• Adding insulation layer to equipment in cold regions

• Check the performance of the battery at low temperatures

• Prevent snow from covering solar panels

• Strengthen equipment heat dissipation inspection to prevent overheating

• Increase probe cleaning frequency in high-temperature and arid areas

• Check the working condition of solar panels at high temperatures

6、 Professional maintenance tools and spare parts

Recommended maintenance toolkit

• Digital multimeter (used to detect voltage and current)

• Insulated screwdriver set

• Anti static cleaning brush

• Probe calibration toolkit

List of commonly used spare parts

• Same model battery (recommended to keep 1-2 spare)

• Sealing ring and waterproof tape

• Backup probes (quantity determined by usage environment)

• Solar panel cleaning kit

Through the maintenance of the above system, the LoRaWAN solar soil sensor can ensure long-term stable operation and provide accurate soil monitoring data. It is recommended to develop a detailed maintenance calendar, recording the content of each maintenance and the problems discovered, and forming an equipment maintenance file. For key agricultural application scenarios, it is recommended to equip backup equipment to cope with sudden failures