What the TrolMaster WCS-2 Water Content Sensor Reads
The WCS-2 is a five-prong substrate probe that measures three things at once: water content, EC and temperature in the growing medium. It pushes into soil, coco or a rockwool block and wires back to a TrolMaster controller. TrolMaster lists it for the Aqua-X, the Aqua-X Pro and the Hydro-X Pro. An Aqua-X Pro (NFS-2) or Hydro-X Pro (HCS-2) takes up to 50 of these sensors, and the original Aqua-X (NFS-1) takes up to 8. EC reads from 0 to 5 mS/cm at 0.01 resolution, within plus or minus 0.2 mS/cm. Temperature reads from 0 to 122 °F at 0.1 degree resolution, within plus or minus 1 °F. Water content accuracy is plus or minus 2 percent. The sensor runs on 10.8 to 13.2 V and draws about 140 mA at 12 V. An LCD and an addressing button sit on the sensor head. The box holds the sensor, a 16 ft RJ12 cable and an RJ12 T-splitter. The package measures 275 by 164 by 65 mm and ships at 1.26 lb. It carries CE, FCC and ETL marks, a three year warranty and the distributor part number TRCWCS2.
Using a Crop Steering Sensor Without Fooling Yourself
A crop steering sensor turns irrigation from a schedule into a response. Watching water content fall overnight and climb after each shot shows how hard the plants are drinking. EC in the root zone shows whether salts are building up or being flushed. Insert the prongs horizontally, about a third of the way up from the bottom of the container or block. Every prong needs full contact with the medium. An air pocket around one prong reads dry and can trigger a shot nobody needed. Calibrate the sensor to the actual substrate and nutrient mix before trusting the numbers. Place it in a plant that represents the room, not the one beside a dripping emitter or a door. Rooms with several strains or container sizes read better with one sensor per group. Set alarm limits in the TrolMaster or TM+ app for each reading so a dry block sends a phone alert. Pull the probe out gently at harvest and rinse the prongs before the next crop. One sensor reads one spot in one container, so it tells the trend rather than the whole room.
Key Features
- Three readings: Water content, EC and temperature from one five-prong probe.
- EC range: 0 to 5 mS/cm, plus or minus 0.2 mS/cm.
- Temperature range: 0 to 122 °F, plus or minus 1 °F.
- Controller fit: Aqua-X, Aqua-X Pro and Hydro-X Pro.
- Scales up: Up to 50 sensors on an NFS-2 or HCS-2, up to 8 on an NFS-1.
- App alarms: Limits per reading with alerts through the TrolMaster or TM+ app.
- Cable set included: 16 ft RJ12 cable and an RJ12 T-splitter.
- CE, FCC and ETL: Three year warranty from TrolMaster.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | TrolMaster |
| Model | WCS-2 |
| Distributor part number | TRCWCS2 |
| EAN | 6970207971967 |
| Measures | Water content, EC, temperature |
| Probe | Five prongs |
| Water content accuracy | ±2% |
| EC range | 0 - 5 mS/cm |
| EC resolution / accuracy | 0.01 mS/cm / ±0.2 mS/cm |
| Temperature range | 0 - 122 °F |
| Temperature resolution / accuracy | 0.1 °F / ±1 °F |
| Compatible controllers | Aqua-X (NFS-1, up to 8), Aqua-X Pro (NFS-2, up to 50), Hydro-X Pro (HCS-2, up to 50) |
| Supply voltage | 10.8 - 13.2 V |
| Current | 100 - 200 mA input, 140 mA typical at 12 V |
| Operating range | 32 - 122 °F, humidity 90% or less |
| Storage temperature | 0 - 140 °F |
| In the box | 1 x sensor, 1 x 16 ft RJ12 cable, 1 x RJ12 T-splitter |
| Package size | 275 x 164 x 65 mm |
| Shipping weight | 1.26 lb |
| Certifications | CE, FCC, ETL |
| Warranty | 3 years |