i2c soil sensor not working

[mchmnd]

I recently purchased a Seesaw i2c soil sensor (order 2633056-3792068442) https://www.adafruit.com/product/4026

I've got it wired up, and it's not showing up on the i2c bus (via the i2c scan sketch) nor does it appear to be powering on with either 3.3v or 5v input. I have other sensors that are working with the same wiring and sketch with no issue.

[mchmnd]

bump bump, bump it up.

[mikeysklar]

@mchmnd,

Can you post a photo of your wiring between the soil sensor and controller.

If you have done any soldering please post photos of that.

If you are using a STEMMA cable please note the source.

[mchmnd]

photos attached. the stemma cables are from adafruit, https://www.adafruit.com/product/3950 and https://www.adafruit.com/product/3955 neither worked. I also tried bypassing the connector, as well as jumping the address pins to see if that would jog it loose. I also ran the i2c scanner with different baud rates. So far no response from the sensor.

[mikeysklar]

Okay, there is a lot going on here.

Let's strip your setup down just to the soil sensor running with the Huzzah32 running our example code.

Do not use extenders as short i2c connectors can make a difference.

Do not use USB or 5v this all needs to be 3v3. The Huzzah32 is not 5v safe.

[mchmnd]

I've stripped it down to just the soil sensor, and still nothing. I've run the included example script, and it actually doesn't output anything via the monitor. If I'm reading it correctly, it should output something be it error or sensor output. Not sure if there's an issue with the included

Code: Select all

Adafruit_seesaw.h

but it seems like maybe something is busted at a higher level in that sketch. Prior to the previous post I was using the 3.3v output, and I only jumped to the USB output once I had added the relays in as the needed a little more juice. (they'll power off a separate source in the final project)

That said, I ran an i2c scanner sketch and it also doesn't show any trace of the soil sensor. I can swap in a BME688 and that shows up as expected, alone or when chained in with the soil sensor. "no sensor found" is all I get out of that sketch with the soil sensor.

this is the scan script I used https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/ab ... ino-eaadda

[mikeysklar]

Thanks for stripping things down. Wiring looks great. Last thing to check.

When you run the i2c scanner or our example code which should be the following. Can you make sure to firmly press the stemma connector on the soil sensor into the socket? I want to confirm the plug is firmly pressed on the soil sensor.

Code: Select all

#include "Adafruit_seesaw.h"

Adafruit_seesaw ss;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);

  Serial.println("seesaw Soil Sensor example!");
  
  if (!ss.begin(0x36)) {
    Serial.println("ERROR! seesaw not found");
    while(1);
  } else {
    Serial.print("seesaw started! version: ");
    Serial.println(ss.getVersion(), HEX);
  }
}

void loop() {
  float tempC = ss.getTemp();
  uint16_t capread = ss.touchRead(0);

  Serial.print("Temperature: "); Serial.print(tempC); Serial.println("*C");
  Serial.print("Capacitive: "); Serial.println(capread);
  delay(100);
}

https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_Se ... xample.ino

[mchmnd]

sorry for the slow response it's been hectic. I double checked the stemma connection as well, both by pressing and jumping to the back of the connector directly. Still nothing showing up on the i2c scanner.

[mikeysklar]

Okay, it has been two months so getting you a replacement might be an issue. However, you did open this issue within the 30-day time frame of purchase so let's try.

Please send an e-mail to [email protected] requesting a replacement i2c soil sensor.

Thank you for your patience.