MadgeTech SMR101A Quick Start Guide

SMR101A

Soil Moisture Recording System

Quick Setup Guide

Page 1 of 2

DOC-1247019-00 Rev. 1

Installation of the SMR101A

The SMR101A comes fully assembled out of the box. The full
system includes (1) SMR101A data recorder, (1) soil moisture
probe, and (1) weatherproof enclosure.

PC and Interface Cable Setup

A PC running Windows with MadgeTech Software v2.06.3
(or higher) installed and an IFC200 Interface Cable from
MadgeTech is required in order to setup the system. To install
the software and cable, consult the “Data Logger and Software
Operating Manual” that comes with the interface cable or refer
to the MadgeTech web site (operating manual): http://www.
madgetech.com

Once the software is installed and the hardware IFC200 Interface
Cable is connected to the PC, communications with the SMR101A
can now be established. To accomplish this, the stainless steel
plug must be unscrewed from the enclosure. Insert the 3.5mm
plug of the IFC through the hole in the enclosure and completely
into the data logger. Within the software, click the Communication
Menu; choose the Auto Configure Port option. The software
will identify the device as a Bridge101A.

Launch the SMR101A

The SMR101A comes programmed to record the volumetric
water content saturation (in VWC), but can be changed when
the device is started. To start the device, select from the menu
bar“Device | Start Device”, and the following screen should
appear:

Probe Insertion

When placing the probe in the soil, the user must place it in a
spot which is completely surrounded by soil. Air between the
soil and probe can affect the readings. Do not place the probe
near any large metal objects as that can distort the readings.

Orientation: Place the probe so the flat side is facing left or right
(not up or down), horizontally perpendicular to the surface of
the soil.

EC-5: Insert the probe into the soil so that the prongs and black
over-molding are buried completely. Do not force the probe into
the soil. Use water or a shovel to loosen the soil.

Probe Removal

When removing the EC-5 probe, pull it out using the black over
molding. If there is difficulty, loosen the soil. Do not pull the
probe out using the cable.

Wire Configuration

The SMR101A comes pre-wired out of the package. If for any
reason the wires need to be taken out, MadgeTech has provided
a detailed wiring diagram of the SMR101A.

Removing the sensor cable:

1. Use an 11mm wrench to loosen the dome nut on the cable
fitting.

2. Remove the 4 screws from the enclosure using a 3/32” hex
key.

3. Once the lid is removed, the screws of the green terminal
block can be accessed with a small flat-head screwdriver.
Loosen the screws enough such that the wire leads are free to
be pulled out. At this point the cable can be carefully pulled
free of the enclosure.

Modify any changes to the start method/parameters as desired
and click the start button. Wait for a dialog box to appear that
indicates that the device has been started successfully, unplug
the interface cable, and replace the stainless steel watertight
plug. The device is now running and may be installed at the
monitoring site.

Inserting the sensor cable:

Re-insertion of the sensor cable into the enclosure must be done
carefully to ensure the device remains watertight.

1. Verify that the dome nut on the fitting is loose.

2. Feed the stripped wire leads carefully through the fitting.

Push the cable through so that the cable’s outer jacketing
is just visible through the backside of the fitting.

3. Use an 11mm wrench to tighten the dome nut down to

compress the seal around the cable.

4. The electrical connections can now be made.

The white wire is screwed into the Exc. Out.

The red wire is screwed into In (+).

The unsheathed wire is screwed into Ground, with a jumper
from Ground to In (-).

SMR101A

Soil Moisture Recording System

Quick Setup Guide

Page 2 of 2

DOC-1247019-00 Rev. 3

Engineering Units Examples:

m3/m3 for SMR101A-5

Engineering Units

Standard Engineering Units

All SMR101A’s are programmed by the factory with the default
engineering units of % volumetric water content.

If a different engineering unit is desired, for example m3/m3 vs.
% VWC, the engineering units gain will have to be
reprogrammed into the device. To do this, click the “Start
Device” button, than “Engineering Units”. Follow the wizard’s
prompts to accomplish the following:

1. Enable use of portable units; click on the “Portable Units”
tab, check the box marked “Use portable units on this
device”.

2. Enter an appropriate description and label (m3/m3 or %)

3. Enter the Offset and Gain values (see below)

4. Enable Engineering Units; check the box marked “Enable
engineering units on this device”.

Click the “Finish” button to save the units to the device.

The Engineering Units are based on a linear conversion of the
measured data; y = m*x + b, where m=gain, b=offset,
x=measured value and y=value in engineering units.

Engineering Units Quick Reference for SMR101A

Unit
Description Unit Label

VWC % -0.0004 0.119

VWC m3/m3 -0.0004 0.00119

1. The SMR101A-5 units are applicable for virtually all soil types.

SMR101A-5
Offset

SMR101A-5
Gain

% for SMR101A-5