TrolMaster WCS-3 Water Content Sensor - VWC Substrate Moisture Sensor

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£60.00

The TrolMaster WCS-3 Water Content Sensor is a three-prong Volumetric Water Content (VWC) sensor designed to provide real-time measurement of the moisture level within growing media.

Inserted directly into the growing medium, the WCS-3 measures water content from 0-100% and provides growers with live substrate moisture information. This makes it easier to understand irrigation performance, monitor dry-back between irrigation events and make informed adjustments to watering strategy.

The WCS-3 is suitable for use in growing media including coco coir, soil and rock wool. Rather than relying solely on irrigation timings or judging moisture from the surface of the substrate, growers can monitor changes in actual volumetric water content over time.

A built-in tap-to-wake LCD allows the current VWC percentage to be viewed directly at the sensor. When connected to a compatible TrolMaster controller, readings can also be monitored through the control system, with compatible connected systems providing historical data, alarm functions and mobile monitoring.

Why choose the TrolMaster WCS-3?

  • Real-time substrate moisture measurement - monitors Volumetric Water Content from 0-100%.
  • Three-prong VWC sensor - inserted directly into the growing medium for representative substrate measurement.
  • Supports crop steering strategies - useful for monitoring irrigation response and substrate dry-back.
  • Tap-to-wake LCD - view the current VWC percentage directly on the sensor without returning to the main controller.
  • Historical monitoring - compatible TrolMaster systems can record moisture data so changes in substrate water content can be viewed over time.
  • High and low alarms - compatible systems can notify the user when water content moves outside configured limits.
  • Multiple growing media - suitable for media including coco coir, soil and rock wool.
  • Daisy-chain capability - multiple WCS-3 sensors can be connected to compatible TrolMaster controllers.
  • Wide system compatibility - supports several Aqua-X, Hydro-X Pro and TrolMaster control platforms.
  • Expandable monitoring - multiple sensors can be positioned throughout larger growing areas to provide greater visibility of irrigation performance.

Monitor substrate dry-back & irrigation response

Knowing when irrigation has taken place is only part of understanding a crop's water management. The WCS-3 allows growers to see how the water content of the substrate changes following each irrigation event and how quickly that moisture level subsequently declines.

This dry-back information can help identify whether irrigation events are too frequent, too widely spaced or need adjustment as plant demand and environmental conditions change.

When readings are recorded through a compatible TrolMaster system, growers can observe moisture trends rather than relying on a single measurement. This is particularly useful when developing more precise irrigation and crop steering strategies.

Suitable growing media

The three-prong WCS-3 probe is inserted directly into the substrate being monitored. TrolMaster specifies the sensor for growing media including:

  • Coco coir - monitor water content and dry-back in coco-based production systems.
  • Soil & potting media - track changes in substrate moisture between irrigation events.
  • Rock wool - monitor VWC within compatible rock wool growing media.

Sensor placement is important. Position the probe in a representative part of the root zone and use consistent placement when comparing multiple plants or growing areas.

Water content monitoring for crop steering

The WCS-3 is designed to support crop steering irrigation strategies by giving growers visibility of the substrate's response to irrigation.

Instead of working from irrigation duration and frequency alone, VWC data provides another layer of information showing how much the substrate water content increases following irrigation and how it declines during the subsequent dry-back period.

This information can be used alongside plant stage, environmental conditions and other crop data when refining irrigation schedules.

Built-in tap-to-wake LCD display

The WCS-3 incorporates an LCD directly into the sensor body. The display can be activated by tapping or disturbing the sensor and shows the current VWC percentage at the measurement point.

This allows quick local checks without needing to return to the main controller. The same water-content information can also be viewed through a compatible connected TrolMaster control system.

TrolMaster controller compatibility

The WCS-3 is compatible with a range of TrolMaster control platforms and supports multiple sensors on compatible systems.

Aqua-X NFS-1 Up to 8 WCS-3 sensors
Aqua-X Plus NFS-3 Up to 20 WCS-3 sensors
Aqua-X Pro NFS-2 Up to 50 WCS-3 sensors
Hydro-X Pro HCS-2 Up to 50 WCS-3 sensors
Tent-X TCS-1 1 WCS-3 sensor

TrolMaster WCS-3 product details

Brand TrolMaster
Model WCS-3
Product type Volumetric Water Content substrate sensor
Measurement Substrate water content / VWC
Water content range 0-100%
Probe Three-prong substrate probe
Display Built-in tap-to-wake LCD
Input voltage 12V DC
Maximum input current 0.1A
Operating temperature 0-50°C / 32-122°F
Operating humidity Up to 90% RH
Suitable media Coco coir, soil, rock wool & compatible growing media
Typical applications Substrate moisture monitoring, irrigation analysis, dry-back monitoring & crop steering
Package dimensions 170 x 90 x 54mm

What's included?

Sensor 1 x TrolMaster WCS-3 Water Content Sensor 3
Connection cable 1 x 4ft M12 cable
Splitter 1 x M12 T-Splitter

TrolMaster WCS-3 Water Content Sensor FAQs

What does the TrolMaster WCS-3 measure?

The WCS-3 measures Volumetric Water Content (VWC), providing a percentage reading representing the moisture level within the growing medium.

What is VWC?

VWC stands for Volumetric Water Content. It provides a way of monitoring how the water content of a growing medium changes as irrigation is applied and as the substrate subsequently dries.

What is the measurement range of the WCS-3?

The WCS-3 has a specified water-content measurement range of 0-100%.

Does the WCS-3 measure EC?

No. The WCS-3 is specifically a water-content sensor. If substrate EC and temperature measurement are also required, TrolMaster offers other sensor options designed for those additional measurements.

Can I use the WCS-3 in coco?

Yes. TrolMaster specifically lists coco coir as a suitable growing medium for the WCS-3.

Can I use the WCS-3 in soil?

Yes. The three-prong probe can be inserted into suitable soil and potting media to monitor changes in water content.

Can the WCS-3 be used in rock wool?

Yes. TrolMaster lists rock wool as one of the growing media suitable for WCS-3 water-content measurement.

Can the WCS-3 help with crop steering?

Yes. TrolMaster describes the WCS-3 as crop-steering irrigation compatible. Monitoring changes in VWC can help growers understand irrigation response and substrate dry-back when developing a crop steering strategy.

Can I see the moisture reading on the sensor?

Yes. The WCS-3 has a built-in LCD that can be activated locally to display the current VWC percentage.

Can I monitor WCS-3 readings remotely?

When connected to a compatible TrolMaster controller with the appropriate network and app configuration, WCS-3 readings can be monitored through the TrolMaster system, including historical information and configured alerts.

Can the WCS-3 alert me if the substrate becomes too dry?

Compatible TrolMaster systems allow high and low water-content alarm settings to be configured, helping identify when readings move outside the desired range.

Can I connect multiple WCS-3 sensors?

Yes. The WCS-3 is designed for daisy-chain installation, with the number of supported sensors depending on the TrolMaster controller being used.

How many WCS-3 sensors can I connect to an Aqua-X?

The Aqua-X NFS-1 supports up to eight WCS-3 sensors. Other compatible TrolMaster controllers support different quantities, including up to 20 on the Aqua-X Plus NFS-3 and up to 50 on the Aqua-X Pro NFS-2.

Where should I position the WCS-3?

Insert the three-prong probe into a representative part of the growing medium and root zone. Consistent sensor positioning is particularly important when comparing readings between multiple plants, containers or growing areas.

What's included with the WCS-3?

The package includes one WCS-3 Water Content Sensor 3, one 4ft M12 cable and one M12 T-Splitter.

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£60.00