Black & Decker PCS10 User Manual

PlantSmart - Digital Plant Care Sensor

Catalog

Number

PCS10

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

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INSTRUCTIVO DE OPERACIÓN, CENTROS DE SERVICIO Y PÓLIZA DE GARANTÍA. ADVERTENCIA: LÉASE ESTE INSTRUCTIVOANTES DE USAR EL PRODUCTO.

WARNING: Important Safety Warnings and Instructions

TO REDUCE RISK OF INJURY:

• Read all instructions before operating product. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire and or serious injury.

• Save these instructions and review frequently prior to use and in instructing others.

WARNING: When using electric gardening appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce risk of fire,

electric shock, and personal injury, including the following.

SAFETY GUIDELINES - DEFINITIONS

It is important for you to read and understand this manual. The information it contains relates to protecting YOUR SAFETY and PREVENTING PROBLEMS. The symbols below are used to help you recognize this information.

DANGER: Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. WARNING: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury. CAUTION: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.

CAUTION: Used without the safety alert symbol indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in property damage.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents ...................................................2

PlantSmart: A New Way to Garden............................2

What is PlantSmart....................................................3

What PlantSmart Does...............................................3

Quick Tips...................................................................3

Getting Started...........................................................3

Recommend Mode.....................................................4

Monitor Mode.............................................................4

Water Mode ..............................................................5

Visual and Audio Feedback.......................................5

My Plants & My Readings......................................... 6

Glossary......................................................................6

Care and Maintenance...............................................6

Other Notes................................................................7

Warranty.....................................................................7

PlantSmart: A New Way to Garden

The PlantSmart Sensor is a revolutionary product that makes it easy for you to select and grow thriving plants. PlantSmart takes the guesswork out of gardening through its powerful sensor coupled with specialized technologies that interpret the collected data – itʼs like having your very own botanist. Have you ever wondered why two plants – very close to one another—fare differently? The answer is pretty obvious when you look at the world from a plantʼs perspective: different spots in your garden experience different conditions based on how the sun moves through your yard, how well your soil drains, and how trees and plants shade areas of your garden. The PlantSmart Sensor and website will assist you in choosing plants that will thrive in specific locations in your home or garden. We recommend that whenever you want to buy a plant for your yard or home that you use your PlantSmart Sensor first so that you can garden with confidence.

PlantSmart is a complete solution that you can use over and over to:

• Recommend plants that will thrive in each location

• Diagnose what is wrong with an ailing plant

• Tell you on-the-fly which plants need watering

• Provide additional plant & plant care information on over 6,000 plants

What is PlantSmart? PlantSmart is comprised of two basic elements: The PlantSmart Sensor helps you select the right plants for each location and to monitor existing plants. The reusable indoor/outdoor plant sen-

sor logs sunlight, temperature, moisture, soil conditions and more—in any location where it is placed. Also includes a fertilizer sensor that can be activated for an additional charge.

The PlantSmart Website (http://myplantsmart.com): The data collected by the PlantSmart Sensor is uploaded to the website via a USB port on your computer (Please note: Always use the provided USB cable when connecting to a computer). PlantSmartʼs exclusive plant science software then processes the data, taking into account your geography, the local weather conditions on the day(s) that the garden sensor was in use, and how weather is expected to be during different periods of the year. The PlantSmart website also includes forums where you can learn and share information with other users. You can also find and save plants you own or want to own to your personal database (My Plants) and consult the entire PlantSmart plant database for plant care information.

What PlantSmart Does

The PlantSmart Sensor and website can be used in three modes:

• Recommend: In this mode, PlantSmart will find the optimal plant for each location where you do a reading. Leavethe plantsensor out for a minimum of 24 hours in any place where you want to put a plant.Then, plug the sensor into yourcomputer and the website willlaunch revealing a listing of the optimal plants for that location.

• Monitor: PlantSmart tellsyou how your plants are doing. It can tell youif they need more or less water, if the soil is not draining well, or if the spot is too sunny/shady forthe plantyou placed there. It then suggests corrective action as necessary. In addition, your sensor is able to recommend thebest fertilizer for all of your plants.The fertilizer capability is available for an additional charge.

• Water: In this mode, you get instant feedback as to whether your plants needwater or not. Set the sensor to Water mode, turnit on, and move from plant to plant as you insert the sensor into the soil; if it chirps, water the plant. Itʼs thatsimple!

Note: If you open the battery door, PlantSmart will switch to Water mode without connecting to your PC or MAC.

Quick Tips

The following are a few recommendations for getting the best resultswhen using the PlantSmart Sensor.

• When placing the PlantSmart Sensor in yourlawn, garden or within a container, make sure thatthere is nothingblocking or overhanging the top of your PlantSmart Sensor. If leaves are obstructingit, your reading will not be as accurate. Also makesure yoursensor is completely upright to ensure accuracy.

• If the sensor (bottom) cannot easily be inserted intothe soil,you may need to loosen the soil.Also, the soil sensor needs to be placed all the way into the soilso you cannot see the black portion.

• Plug the USB extension cable that was provided into the port, and then plug your plant sensorʼs USB controller into the USBextension cable.

Getting Started

1. Open a web browser. Type: http://go.myplantsmart.com in the address bar and press the enter key.

2. Fill in the registration information on screen.

3. After registering, you will be taken to the PlantSmart Companion Software download page. Select the

Companion Software to download that corresponds to your operating system - PlantSmartSetup.exe (windows) / PlantSmartSetup.mpkg.zip (MAC).

4. When asked to Run, Open or Save the file, choose Run or Open. Your PlantSmart Companion Software will

then install automatically. (If Save is your only option, choose Save, and save the file to your desktop. Then open the PlantSmartSetup file on your desktop). During software installation, make sure to use the same login information that you entered in Step 2.

5. Remove the battery compartment cover. Insert 1 fresh 1.5 volt AAA alkaline battery making sure to match (+)

and (-) terminals correctly. You should hear two rapid beeps that let you know the battery is installed correctly. Replace battery compartment cover.

• WARNING: Battery can explode, or leak, and can cause injury or fire.

To reduce this risk:

• Carefully follow all instructions and warnings on the battery label and package.

• Always insert battery correctly with regard to polarity (+ and -), marked on the battery and the equipment.

• Do not short battery terminals.

• Do not charge battery.

• Remove dead battery immediately and dispose of per local codes.

• Do not dispose of battery in fire.

• Keep batteries out of reach of children.

• Remove battery if the device will not be used for several months.

“Transporting batteries can possibly cause fires if the battery terminals inadvertently come in contact with conductive materials such as keys, coins, hand tools and the like. The US Department of Transportation Hazardous Material Regulations (HMR) actually prohibit transporting batteries in commerce or on airplanes (i.e. packed in suitcases and carryon luggage) UNLESS they are properly protected from short circuits. So when transporting individual batteries, make sure that the battery terminals are protected and well insulated from materials that could contact them and cause a short circuit.”

6. Insert your plant sensor into the USB port using the USB cable that was included. If you are using Windows, when you plug in your PlantSmart

device into the USB port, you may get the “Found New Hardware” wizard. Click through the wizard, select “Search files or the Internet for drivers” if

asked, and click “finish” at the end. You are now ready to start using the PlantSmart Sensor! In the future, when you insert your PlantSmart Sensor intothe USB port on your computer,the PlantSmart website will be launched automatically.

Recommend Mode SET UP

To get an accurateplant recommendation, your PlantSmart Sensor needs to record 24 hours of environmental data. Follow these steps:

1. Begin by plugging your plant sensor into the USB port on your computer using the USB cable that was included. You will be taken to the MY

PLANTSMART Dashboard page.

2. Click on the “RECOMMEND” button at the far left of the screen.

3. When instructed, remove the top sensor from the USB cable and connect the top sensor and bottom sensor so that both pieces fit firmly and there is

not visible gap.

If you are conducting an outdoor reading, place your PlantSmart sensor

into the soil in the desired location. Insert the sensor into the ground so

that the black prongs are fully covered by soil. Make sure the sensor if fully

upright. If the soil is hard, loosen the soil with a garden tool or screwdriver.

If you are conducting an indoor reading, place your PlantSmart sensor into

a flower pot in the desired location. The pot should have soil in it to ensure

that the sensor is upright.

4. Press the START/STOP button on the plant sensor to start the collection. The plant sensor light will blink green rapidly five times and the plant sensor

will emit three ascending tones to let you know the data collection has started. The light will continue to blink once every 5 seconds to let you know it

is collecting data.

Recommend Mode GET YOUR RESULTS

5. After at least 24 hours, press the START/STOP button on the plant sensor to stop collecting data. The sensor will make three descending tones

and the yellow light will blink five times.

• Plug the plant sensor into your USB port using the USB cable that was included.

• The web site auto-launches and a dialog box opens for you to save your reading.

• Name the location where you had the plant sensor (such as “front window” or “left corner of front planter”.) This information helps you keep track

of where you have placed the plant sensor.

• Select whether the location was INDOORS or OUTDOORS.

• Click the SAVE button.

• You will be taken to the TOP RECOMMENDATIONS tab within My Readings.

• PlantSmartʼs web site runs analysis that interpret the data recorded by the plant sensor. The analysis corrects for any weather conditions, and

takes into consideration where you live. The website will recommend plants that will thrive in this location. You can also view the sunlight, temperature, moisture, and soil condition information collected by the plant sensor on the PLANTʼS VIEW tab.

6. You can narrow the recommendation results by choosing plant characteristics that are of interest to you. For example, when you specify

Bloom Color, Bloom Season, etc., the recommendations will change to match the specific characteristics you selected.

7. Click on any of the plants of interest to learn more about the plant.

8. When you find a plant you would like to remember, or one that you have purchased, click on “ADD TO MY PLANTS”, within that plantʼs page.

Monitor Mode SET UP

If you have a plant that is not doing well, you can use the PlantSmart Sensor to diagnose it.

1. Plug your plant sensor into the USB port on your computer using the USB cable that was included. You will automatically be logged in to the

My PlantSmart Dashboard page.

2. Click on the “MONITOR” button in the middle of the screen.

3. Find the type of plant that you would like to monitor. If it is a plant you previously saved to “MY PLANTS”, click on “MY PLANTS”, and select

the plant you would like to monitor from the list. Alternately, you can use the search option by typing the name of the plant into the search box

in the dialog. If you do not know the exact name of the plant, thatʼs fine—the common name will work (e.g. enter “fern” or “rose”, etc.).

4. Once you have selected a plant, follow the on screen directions to finish putting the plant sensor into MONITOR mode for that specific plant.

5. When the website instructs you, remove the plant sensor from the computer, put the plant sensor (top and bottom) together & place it in the soil near

the plant that you want to monitor.

6. Press the START/STOP button on the plant sensor and it will begin collecting data. The light on the sensor will blink green 5 times and the sensor will

make 3 ascending tones to let you know the device is working.

7. Water your plant well (this allows the PlantSmart Sensor to characterize how well your soil holds water over time). If you do not water your plant, the

plant sensor will emit an audible alarm any time the soil moisture is too low for that plant for an extended period of time.

8. The plant sensor needs a few days to gather soil moisture data to let you know when your plant needs watering. This is because the plant sensor is

determining how well your soil holds water. We recommend that you go through one watering cycle which could last anywhere between several days

to a week. Note: A “watering cycle” is the time between when you first water your plant until when PlantSmart tells you to water again (chirps with yel-

low light)." Note that during periods of heavy outdoor precipitation, the watering cycle may be very long. If the watering cycle has exceeded two

weeks, then remove your PlantSmart and upload the data without waiting for the watering signal.

9. The plant sensor will produce a chirp sound over time to let you know that you need to water your plant. Water your plant when you hear this sound.

10.After a full watering cycle, press the START/STOP button and insert the plant sensor (top) into the USB port using the USB cable that was includ-

ed. A report will be presented to you on screen, letting you know if the environmental conditions meet the plantʼs requirements or not. If you get a

“thumbs down” on any topic, read the information provided and make any changes necessary.

Monitor Mode GET YOUR RESULTS

11. After the watering cycle is complete, press the START/STOP button on the plant sensor to stop collecting data. The sensor will make three descending tones and the yellow light will blink five times.

• Plug theplant sensor into yourUSB port using theUSB cable that was included.

• The PlantSmart websiteautomatically launches and a dialog box opens for you to save your reading.

• Name thelocation where you hadthe plantsensor (such as “front window”or “left corner of front planter”.) This information helps you keep track of where

you have placed the plant sensor.

• Select whether the location was INDOORS or OUTDOORS.

• Click the SAVE button.

• You will be taken to the PLANT DOCTORtab within My Readings.

PlantSmartʼs web site examines thedata recordedby the plant sensor.The analysis corrects for anyweather conditions, and takes into consideration

•

hereyou live.The website will provide youwith easy-to-follow gardening advice to improve the health of your plant. You can also view the sunlight,

emperature, moisture, and soil conditioninformationcollected by the plantsensor on the PLANTʼS VIEW tab. View otherplants that would thrive in this

ocation by clicking on the TOP RECOMMENDATIONS andALL RECOMMENDATIONS tabs.

Water Mode SET UP

1. Plug your plant sensor into the USB port on your computer using the USB cable that was included. You will automatically be logged in to the MY

PLANTSMART Dashboard page.

2. Click on the “WATER” button at the far right of the screen to set your plant sensor to Water mode. Water mode quickly determines if your plants need

immediate watering or not. NOTE: Water mode does not work for cacti or orchids.

3. When instructed, remove the sensor from the USB port and put the plant sensor together (top and bottom).

4. Press the START/STOP button on the sensor to begin Water mode. HOLD THE SENSOR BY THE TOP. The sensor light will blink green and the

sensor will emit three ascending tones to let you know that it is in Water mode. The light will stay green while it is on.

5. Insert the soil sensor fully in the soil near the roots of the plant whose moisture level you wish to check.

6. If a plant needs water, the sensor light will blink yellow and will make a chirping sound. Water the plant well if you hear this sound. If the sensor light

stays green, then that plant does not need water.

7. You can then move on to another plant by lifting the plant sensor out of the soil, and placing it in the soil near a different plant.

8. Continue to move the plant sensor from plant to plant to determine if they need watering.

9. When done checking plants that might need watering, press the START/STOP button. There is no need to press the START/STOP button for every

plant.

Visual and Audio Feedback

Mode Event Visual Audio

Connected to Computer Companion Software not

installed

Inserting Battery Closing battery door No light Ba-beep Connected to Computer Sensor attached to USB Blink Green Up tone

Disconnecting from Computer

Sensor detached from

USB Recommend Mode Press start button Blink Green Up tone Recommend Mode Press stop button Blink Yellow Down tone Recommend Mode Taking a reading Blink green once every 5 sec No sound Monitor Mode Press start button Blink Green Up tone Monitor Mode Press stop button Blink Yellow Down tone

Monitor Mode Taking a reading Blink green once every 5 sec No sound Monitor Mode Needs watering Blink yellow Siren

Monitor Mode Too much water Blink yellow Warning Water Mode Needs watering Blink yellow Siren

Water Mode Doesn't need watering Blink green No sound

Solid yellow Up tone

No light Down tone

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