Instruction manual
HS2 and HS2P 
5.3.1  Height  
Handle to bottom of sensor:   82.3 cm (32.4 in) 
Top of display to  
bottom of sensor:  96.5 cm (38 in) 
5.3.2  Weight 
With display and sensor:  1.4 kg (3 lb) 
Without display:  1.1 kg (2.4 lb) 
6.  Operation 
6.1  Assembly and First Use 
This information is provided in Section 3, Quickstart. 
6.2  Measurements 
The HydroSense II presents two distinct data sets. One data set includes 
volumetric water content expressed as percent (%) and period (μs). The second 
data set includes an estimate of relative water content relative to pre-measured 
wet and dry references, and water deficit. Water deficit provides an estimate of 
applied water required (in mm) to return the soil to the “wet” water content. 
By default, only water content data are displayed. Using the configuration 
menu (p. A-1), water deficit data can be enabled to display side-by-side with 
water content data.  
6.3  Water Content Data 
Volumetric water content (VWC) and period (PER) data are retrieved from the 
sensor.  The HydroSense II sensor uses a proprietary technique to determine 
water content over widely varying soils while correcting for a range of bulk 
electrical conductivities.  Volumetric water content (labeled “VWC” on the 
display) and period (labeled “PER” on the display) data are requested from the 
sensor via SDI-12 serial protocol. 
Soil consists of three main constituents – mineral particles (sand, loam, or 
clay), water and air.  Air and water occupy the spaces or pores formed between 
the mineral particles.  In agricultural soils, these pore spaces typically make up 
approximately 50% of the soil by volume, with water and air together making 
up the remaining 50%. As a result, water content normally ranges from 0% to 
50%. In some conditions, the sensor is unable to determine the soil water 
content. In these cases an out-of-range symbol (---) is displayed.  
Even when the sensor cannot determine the VWC, the signal 
period measurement will always be displayed.  In special media 
this value can often  be used with a soil specific calibration to 
estimate water content.  
NOTE 
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