SDI-12 and HAI OmniPro II as aid to irrigation

[PABrad]

There exist a number of high quality (and low cost) soil moisture sensors. I am currently using several SMRT-Y Soil Moisture Sensor Kits (from Rain Bird although manufactured by Acclima)to manage irrigation of an 18 zone system.

These sensors have reduced my water usage by about 65% and have kept both turf and shrub landscaping looking great.

The sensors transmit the soil moisture content using SDI-12 protocol. I would like to be able to input this soil moisture value into the OmniPro II controller in the same way that an OmniStat thermostat communicates current temperature.

Does anyone out there know how to fashion an interface that would translate SDI-12 into an input that can be used in automation programming by OmniPro?

Given that resource reduction is so in vogue, perhaps we can encourage the very capable engineers at HAI to offer for sale a converter unit.

thanks

 

[AnthonyZ]

I think you'll find that it's likely not on HAI's radar. SDI-12 is a rather uncommon protocol and features are a function of "popularity" (ie: what's gonna be most profitable). There is only so much space for them to program firmware into.

The only way that I see you doing this is by having a device in series between your SDI-12 master and the HAI panel that converts to RS-232, spits out either HAI triggers or compatible ASCII messages programmed in the HAI system. You could then have the panel "react" based on those messages but, you're not going to be able to display data like you would for a 'stat or temp sensor.