L e a f We t n ess Sensor
(#6420)
User G u i d e
The leaf wetness sensor is used to detect the presence of surface moisture on
foliage and calculate the duration of wetness. When moisture is present, the sensor
detects an electrical resistance change between the gold-plated elements of the grid.
When used with a Vantage Pro2™ (with Wireless Leaf & Soil Moisture /
Temperature Station, #6345) or the EnviroMonitor system (with EnviroMonitor
Node, #6810), this is reported as a value between 0 (dry) and 15 (wet).
Components
The leaf wetness sensor includes the following components. Please make sure you
have all listed components before continuing.
• Leaf Wetness Sensor with attached mounting bracket
• Includes an attached 40’ (12 m) cable.
Installation Hardware Kit
• One 1-1/2" U-Bolt • Two 1/4" Flat Washers
• Two 1/4" Hex Nuts • Two #8 Wood Screws
• Two #8 x 3/4" Machine Screws • Four # 8 Flat Washers
• Two # 8 Lock Washers • Two # 8 Hex Nuts
Tools and Materials Needed
• Medium Phillips Screwdriver
• Wrench
Installing the Sensor in a Wireless Leaf & Soil
Moisture/Temperature Station
1. Run the sensor cable up through the grommets on the bottom of the station
housing.
2. Insert the sensor cable modular plug into the Leaf 1 or Leaf 2 modular
connector.
Grommets
Leaf Wetness Sensor Cables Run Connecting Leaf Wetness Sensors
Through Grommets
When tightening
cable tie, make sure
Finish the Sensor cables are on top of
cable tie mount.
Cable Tie
Connections Cable Tie
Mount
1. Secure sensor cables to the cable tie
mounts located next to the
grommets.
Securing Sensor Cables in the Station
Installing the Sensor in an EnviroMonitor
Node
Use the EnviroMonitor app to see detailed instructions on how to connect the Leaf
Wetness sensor to the Node.
1. On your smart-phone, open the EnviroMonitor app and select the Node to which
you are connecting the sensor. Tap Add Sensor. From the menu, first select the
sensor type (Leaf Wetness), then select Davis Instruments.
2. For simplified wiring, use a Davis RJ Adapter, product number 6860. Or, you
can remove the plug and strip the wires, then follow the wiring diagram to
correctly wire the sensor into one of the 6-wire sensor connectors.
3. Insert the 6-wire sensor connector into the sensor junction indicated by the app.
4. Run the sensor cable down and our of the Node through the bottom. Make sure
it will be enclosed by foam when the Node door is closed.
2
Mount the Sensor
Mounting the Sensor On a Wooden Surface
Use the #8 wood screws to
mount the sensor on a wooden
surface as shown.
Mounting the Sensor Solar Panel
on a Pole U-Bolt
To mount the sensor on a pole,
stake, or pipe with outside
diameter between 1" and 1-1/4"
(25 mm and 31 mm), secure the
sensor to the pipe using the 1-1/
2" U-bolts, 1/4" flat washers, and
1/4" hex nuts as shown below.
Use a 7/16" wrench or adjustable
wrench to tighten the hex nuts.
1/4” Hex
1/4” Flat
Nut
Washer
Secure the cables
To prevent fraying or cutting of cables, secure them
so they will not whip about in the wind. Secure
cables to a metal pole by wrapping electrical tape
around them both. Make sure cables are secure by
placing clips or ties approximately every 3 – 5' (1 – Cable Clip
Cable Tie
1.6 m)
Note: Do not use metal staples or a staple gun to secure cables. Metal staples — especially
when installed with a staple gun — have a tendency to cut the cables.
3
Contacting Technical Support
For questions about installing or operating your Leaf Wetness Sensor, please contact
Davis Technical Support. We’ll be glad to help.
Note: Please do not return items to the factory for repair without prior authorization.
Online www.davisinstruments.com
See the Weather Support section for copies of user
manuals, product specifications, application notes,
software updates, and more.
E-mail [email protected]
Telephone (510) 732-7814
Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
Product Numbers: 6420 Leaf Wetness Sensor Document number: 7395.110 Rev. G1 10/3/19
This product complies with the essential protection requirements of the EC EMC Directive 2006/95/EC.
RoHS compliant.
Enviromonitor®, Vantage Pro®, and Vantage Pro2™ are trademarks of Davis Instruments Corp., Hayward,
CA.
© Davis Instruments Corp. 2019. All rights reserved.
Information in this document subject to change without notice. Davis Instruments Quality Management
System is ISO 9001 certified.
3465 Diablo Avenue, Hayward, CA 94545-2778 U.S.A.
510-732-9229 • Fax: 510-732-9188
info@davisinstruments com • www davisinstruments com
