SE01-MS Soil Moisture and EC Mesh Node
1. Introduction
1.1 What is the Dragino Mesh Soil Moisture and EC Sensor?
SE01-MS is a solar-powered Dragino Mesh Node for monitoring soil moisture, soil temperature, and soil electrical conductivity in agricultural and landscaping applications.
The soil probe uses the frequency-domain reflectometry (FDR) method to determine volumetric soil moisture, with compensation from soil temperature and conductivity. It is factory calibrated for mineral soil and is intended especially for saline-alkali and loamy soil.
The node sends its measurements to a Dragino Mesh gateway. Communication can be direct or relayed through other Mesh Nodes when the installation is outside the gateway's direct radio path.
Installation quality and soil conditions remain important because the probe measures the soil volume immediately surrounding its sensing rods.
1.2 Features
- Measures soil moisture, soil temperature, and soil conductivity with one integrated probe.
- FDR moisture measurement with temperature and conductivity compensation.
- Temperature-compensated conductivity measurement.
- IP68 soil probe for permanent underground installation.
- LoRa Mesh communication with multi-hop relaying between nodes.
- S-type outdoor enclosure, solar panel, and 3000 mAh rechargeable lithium battery.
- Automatic scheduled measurement, Mesh reporting, and low-power sleep operation.
- Soil measurements, battery information, and device status displayed on the Mesh gateway.
- Firmware upgrade support through USB serial or PC BLE.
1.3 Specifications
Common DC characteristics
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Main unit operating voltage | Approximately 2.5 V to 3.6 V |
| Main unit operating temperature | -40 °C to 85 °C; battery operating temperature is subject to the battery specification |
Soil moisture
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Range | 0 to 100.00 % V/V |
| Resolution | 0.01 % V/V |
| Accuracy | ±3 % from 0 to 53 % V/V; ±5 % above 53 % V/V |
| Measurement method | FDR with temperature and conductivity compensation |
Soil temperature
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Range | -40.00 °C to 85.00 °C |
| Resolution | 0.01 °C |
| Accuracy | Less than 0.3 °C from -10 °C to 50 °C; less than 0.6 °C outside this range |
| Measurement method | Calibrated RTD measurement |
Soil conductivity
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Range | 0 to 20000 µS/cm at 25 °C |
| Resolution | 1 µS/cm |
| Accuracy | 2 % FS |
| Measurement method | Conductivity measurement with temperature compensation |
Mesh main unit
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| MCU | STM32WLE5, 48 MHz ARM Cortex-M4 |
| Flash | 256 KB |
| RAM | 64 KB |
| Radio | STM32WLE5 integrated sub-GHz LoRa radio |
| Power supply | Solar panel + 3000 mAh rechargeable lithium battery |
| Local interfaces | 3.3 V UART, BLE |
| Antenna | Sub-GHz LoRa antenna matching the shipping Region |
Soil probe
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Probe operating voltage | 5 V to 24 V |
| Current while powered | Peak less than 30 mA; average less than 10 mA |
| Communication | RS-485 / Modbus RTU |
| Response time | Less than 1 second |
| Measurement stable time | Less than 2 seconds |
| Protection rating | IP68 |
| Operating temperature | -40 °C to 85 °C |
| Approximate measurement volume | Cylinder 7 cm in diameter and 10 cm high, centered on the probe's central pin |
1.4 Applications
- Irrigation monitoring in fields, greenhouses, nurseries, orchards, and landscaping projects.
- Root-zone moisture and temperature monitoring for crop management.
- Soil conductivity monitoring for changes related to salinity, fertilizer, and irrigation conditions.
- Remote agricultural sites requiring solar power and multi-hop wireless coverage.
1.5 Sleep Mode and Working Mode
In the sleep state, the node disables most functions and remains in low-power standby until its next scheduled wake-up or a user action wakes it.
After enrollment, the normal working cycle is:
Reach scheduled time -> Wake up -> Power and read the soil probe
-> Send measurements to the Mesh gateway
-> Wait for a short communication window -> Sleep
While the node is asleep, it cannot receive or relay data in real time. Mesh coverage therefore depends on node wake-up times as well as gateway coverage, installation position, antenna height, and obstructions.
1.6 Button Operations and LED Status
Button operations and LED indications are common to Dragino Mesh Nodes. See 3.1 Button Operations and LED Status in the Mesh Quick Start for sleep, wake-up, manual reporting, restart, reset, and firmware-upgrade actions.
1.7 BLE and Local Interfaces
SE01-MS provides 3.3 V UART and BLE local interfaces. BLE can be used for normal APP firmware updates from a PC through PC BLE in FirmwareUpdateUtility.
The mobile upgrade workflow is still under development.
1.8 Enclosure and Mechanical Reference
The following images show the pin definitions, solar-powered enclosure, soil probe, mechanical dimensions, mounting points, and cable outlets used by SE01-MS.
Pin definitions
Solar enclosure dimensions and mounting reference
Soil probe dimensions
The probe's approximate measurement volume is a cylinder 7 cm in diameter and 10 cm high around the central pin. Rocks, large roots, buried metal, or air gaps within this area can make the reading less representative of the surrounding soil.
1.9 Understanding the Soil Measurements
The three readings describe different properties of the same soil volume and should be interpreted together. Moisture affects the movement of ions through the soil, so a conductivity change may be related to water content as well as salinity or fertilizer conditions.
| Reading | What it represents | Practical interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Soil moisture | Volumetric water content around the sensing rods | Used to observe drying and wetting cycles and support irrigation decisions |
| Soil temperature | Temperature of the soil around the probe | Useful for root-zone and seasonal soil monitoring |
| Soil conductivity | Overall electrical conductivity of soluble ions around the probe | Indicates changes in the ionic condition of the measured soil volume; it does not identify individual nutrients |
The standard calibration is for mineral soil, especially saline-alkali and loamy soil. For other soils or growing media, compare the installed probe with a suitable local reference before defining project thresholds.
1.10 Installation in Soil
Correct installation means placing the probe at the intended measurement depth while preserving firm, continuous contact between the sensing rods and the soil.
Do not hammer, bend, twist, shake, or force the probe against rocks or other hard objects. Physical deformation or air gaps around the sensing rods can damage the probe or make its measurements unrepresentative.
1.10.1 Selecting the Measurement Point
Choose a position that represents the area being monitored. Avoid placing the probe directly beside an irrigation outlet, fertilizer deposit, drainage channel, large root, pipe, or buried metal unless that specific condition is the intended subject of the measurement.
For comparisons between sites, use the same installation depth and method. Differences in soil layer, compaction, and water distribution can otherwise be larger than the differences caused by the monitored treatment.
1.10.2 Temporary Measurement
Use vertical insertion for spot measurements or site comparison.
Open soil to the target depth
-> Insert the probe vertically and steadily
-> Restore firm soil contact around all rods
-> Allow the reading to stabilize
Preserve the original soil density as much as possible and do not shake the probe during insertion.
1.10.3 Permanent Installation
Use horizontal insertion into an undisturbed soil wall for long-term monitoring.
Dig an access hole larger than 20 cm
-> Insert the probe horizontally at the required depth
-> Remove air gaps around the sensing rods
-> Backfill the hole and restore the soil density
Route the probe cable without tension or sharp bends. Install the enclosure above ground with the cable outlet facing downward and provide a drip loop so water does not run toward the enclosure connection.
1.10.4 Installation Check
After installation, trigger a new report and confirm that moisture, temperature, and conductivity values appear on the Mesh gateway. Abnormally low, fixed, or unstable values usually indicate poor soil contact, an unsuitable measurement point, or a probe connection problem.
2. Use SE01-MS with a Mesh Gateway
2.1 How It Works
The node can communicate directly with a Mesh gateway or relay its data through other awake Mesh Nodes.
After enrollment, SE01-MS follows the reporting schedule provided by the Mesh gateway. During each scheduled cycle, it powers and reads the soil probe, sends the current values, waits briefly for pending Mesh configuration, and then returns to low-power sleep.
After a completed measurement cycle, the Mesh gateway presents:
- Soil moisture in
% V/V. - Soil temperature in
°C. - Soil conductivity in
µS/cm. - Battery level or battery status.
- Device online status and data update time.
The gateway displays decoded values; the user does not need to parse the raw sensor frame. Display names and page layout depend on the Mesh gateway version.
2.2 Quick Guide to Connect SE01-MS to a Mesh Gateway
2.2.1 Preparation
- Confirm that the product label shows
SE01-MS. - Install the LoRa antenna before powering or waking the node.
- Place the solar panel where it receives stable, unobstructed sunlight.
- Place the node near the Mesh gateway for the first network test.
2.2.2 Enrollment and Before-Burial Test
For the complete gateway and enrollment procedure, see 2. First network test.
- Configure the node and Mesh gateway for the Region corresponding to the installation country and confirm that their Region settings match.
- Add the node to the Mesh gateway with its Dev EUI and App Key.
- Wake or restart the node so that it sends enrollment requests.
- Confirm that the Mesh gateway lists the node as enrolled.
- While the node is awake, hold the button for 1 to 3 seconds and release it to trigger a report.
- Before burying the probe, confirm that moisture, temperature, conductivity, battery information, and the update time appear on the gateway.
2.2.3 Installation and Final Check
- Select the measurement point and depth.
- Install the probe using the temporary or permanent method in Section 1.10.
- Secure the enclosure above ground, keep the cable outlet facing downward, and protect the cable from pulling, crushing, and sharp bends.
- Trigger another report after installation and confirm that the readings are plausible for the site conditions.
2.3 Mesh Payload
The Mesh payload specification for this product will be added in a future documentation update.
3. Configure SE01-MS
3.1 Configuration Method
Common Mesh configuration is managed through the Mesh gateway. The gateway enrolls the node, provides its operating configuration, receives measurements, and sends pending configuration while the node is awake.
Use the Mesh Quick Start for the current Mesh configuration and enrollment workflow. Product-specific command configuration is not currently available for SE01-MS.
3.2 Region and Radio Preset
New units, factory-reset units, and units whose saved configuration has been cleared start with EU868 and the LONG_FAST modem preset (SF11 / BW 250 kHz).
Before deployment, configure the node and gateway for the Region corresponding to the installation country and confirm that their Region settings match.
3.3 Scheduled and Manual Reporting
After enrollment, the node follows the wake-up and reporting schedule provided by the Mesh gateway.
To request an immediate update:
- Wake the node if it is sleeping.
- While it is active, hold the button and release it within 1 to 3 seconds.
- Wait for the probe measurement cycle to complete.
- Confirm that the new soil values and update time appear on the Mesh gateway.
4. Battery & Power Consumption
Battery performance depends on the reporting interval, Mesh coverage, relay conditions, sunlight, solar-panel orientation, ambient temperature, and battery condition. Short reporting intervals increase the number of probe power-up and radio-transmission cycles.
SE01-MS use ER26500 + SPC1520 battery pack and SE01-MS use 3000mAh Recharable Battery with Solar Panel. See below link for detail information about the battery info and how to replace.
Battery Info & Power Consumption Analyze.
5. Firmware Update
Use only APP firmware built for SE01-MS and the device's shipping Region.
For the firmware preparation and upload procedure, see 2. How to upload the firmware.
The mobile upgrade feature is still under development.
6. FAQ
6.1 Can SE01-MS be used with different soil types?
The probe is factory calibrated for mineral soil, especially saline-alkali and loamy soil. For other soil types or growing media, compare the installed probe with a suitable local reference before defining project thresholds.
6.2 Why is the node enrolled but no soil data appear?
Check the probe connection, wake the node, and trigger a manual report. Allow the complete probe measurement cycle to finish before checking the gateway again.
6.3 How should abnormal soil readings be checked?
Check the reading together with the installation conditions:
- For moisture near zero, fixed, or changing abruptly, inspect soil contact, air gaps, rocks, recent soil disturbance, irrigation directly beside the probe, and the probe cable.
- If soil temperature does not represent the target depth, confirm that the sensing area is installed at the intended depth and is not affected by surface heating.
- For unexpectedly low conductivity, check probe contact and soil moisture; very dry soil can produce low conductivity readings.
- For unexpectedly high conductivity, check for saturated soil, recent fertilizer application, saline irrigation water, or contamination on the sensing rods.
- When comparing with another instrument, place both instruments at the same depth and in the same soil volume, and allow both readings to stabilize.
6.4 How should the probe and installation be maintained?
Inspect the installation periodically and after field work, irrigation-system changes, or soil excavation near the probe.
- Keep the solar panel clean and unobstructed.
- Check the antenna, enclosure mounting, waterproof connectors, cable, and drip loop.
- Do not pull the probe by its cable. Loosen the surrounding soil before removing a buried probe.
- Remove heavy soil deposits with clean water and a soft cloth or brush; do not direct a high-pressure water jet at the cable entry or connector.
- After moving or reinstalling the probe, verify soil contact and trigger a new report before comparing the result with earlier data.
For enrollment, Region, gateway connectivity, general power, or firmware-update questions, see the general Mesh FAQ.
7. Order Info
Ordering details and Region-specific part numbers for SE01-MS will be added when the product options are finalized.
8. Packing Info
Package contents, dimensions, and weights for SE01-MS will be added in a future documentation update.
9. Support
Dragino support is available Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00 GMT+8. When requesting assistance, provide the product model, firmware identification, Region, a precise description of the problem, and the steps required to reproduce it.
Contact: Support@dragino.cc