I have an early Beta unit from 2023. Serial #333HGC
This unit was removed during the winter and reinstalled this spring. It has been in and out of training mode several times, as you can see in this screenshot (taken today)
Now the msg is “invalid readings” and suggestions to clean/lubricate the gasket. I did that when I re-installed the device about a month ago and have no desire to do that again.
Take a close look at the screenshot. It appears that over the course of about five days, the device has been in training, disabled, normal, limited, back into training (I told it to re-learn the soil), normal, disabled, training, limited, and now normal. If it is now normal, why do I still have the “invalid reading” message?
Knowing where this device is located (in a front foundation bed), I’m guessing that the wide swings in temperature may be triggering the “invalid reading” message. The device is about one foot from a brick wall, and it is not uncommon for the surface temperature to hit 120 degrees F.
Again, this is one of the early 2023 Beta units. Perhaps it will never work well with all the updates that have been made.
Looking at the wild moisture swings you are experiencing, this is actually a classic sign of moisture damage inside the device.
The reason the status keeps changing is because the AI is trying to make sense of the erratic data. However, it inevitably reaches the conclusion that the data is physically impossible, which is why you’re seeing the “invalid readings” message.
You can definitely try to keep the device there for a couple more days to see if the readings resolve themselves.
However, as you mentioned, this is an early 2023 Beta unit. If water did breach the seal, the hardware may be permanently compromised. Let’s give it a few days and if it remains stuck on “invalid readings,” let us know!
We haven’t heard from you for a while now. I’m going to assume you’re able to use this device, but if you need anything, please just reply and we’ll go from there.
That is not a safe assumption to make. The device is not usable at this time.
This device (serial #333HGC) is currently out of the ground. After six weeks of repeated “max moisture” notifications and “still in training mode” and suggestions that there was moisture in the battery compartment, I removed it from the soil. I saw no signs of moisture in the battery compartment.
It is currently in the house, “drying out”. It has been 48 hours, and I will wait another day or two to reinstall it. I want to be doubly sure that it has had more than enough time to dry out.
For the record, this device was out of the ground over the winter. When I reinstalled it in April, I replaced the o-ring and followed all the instructions for doing so.
