User's Guide
Plantmate G2 (PMWC-02) User Guide & Quick Setup — Firmware v5.0.1
Detailed User Guide & Quick Setup
This guide covers the current G2 hardware and the major behavior changes introduced through firmware v5.0.1: up to two independently monitored plants in Sensor mode, multi-plant watering through split tubing in Timer mode, the redesigned local web dashboard, safer editing and manual-stop behavior, sensor tune-up, ten OLED information screens, recent activity, microSD logging, Telegram controls, and the current reset procedures.
Document revision: 2.2 · August 2026. The two-page quick guide is designed as a double-sided, three-panel retail-package insert.
Guide contents
- What is in the box
- Device overview
- Assembly
- First-time Wi-Fi setup
- Dashboard and plant setup
- Watering modes and defaults
- First supervised test
- Sensor tune-up and WATER ERROR
- OLED screens, buttons, and lights
- History, microSD, and Telegram
- Maintenance and resets
- Troubleshooting and support
1. What is in the box
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| PMWC-02 main control unit | 1 |
| Soil-moisture sensors | 2 |
| Submersible water pumps | 2 |
| Water tubing | 2 lengths |
| Halo water rings | 2 |
| Support sticks | 6 |
| USB-PD 9V power adapter | 1 |
| USB-C cable | 1 |
| Quick Setup Guide | 1 |
Prepare a stable 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network, a phone/tablet/computer, a clean water container, and scissors for cutting tubing. A FAT32 microSD card up to 16 GB is optional.
2. Device overview
PAGE
Wakes the OLED and advances through Screens 1–10. On Screen 10, tap to select a reset option and hold for four seconds to execute it.
RESTART
Restarts the controller without erasing Wi-Fi, plant settings, calibration, recent activity, or history.
Indicator lights
A blinking blue Water light means at least one plant has a Sensor-mode water error. The white Wi-Fi light is on while connecting, in setup mode, or offline.
Power
Use the included USB-PD 9V adapter and USB-C cable. Keep the controller, cable connection, and all sensor and pump connectors dry.
3. Assembly
Timer-mode setup for many plants
G2 has two independently controlled pump channels. In Timer mode, either pump line can be split with branch fittings to supply several pots, so one G2 can water many plants. Use one nozzle or water-ring outlet per pot, keep branch lengths similar, and balance the flow so every outlet receives enough water. The practical number of pots depends on tubing length, pump lift, branch balance, and outlet restriction.
4. First-time Wi-Fi setup
The temporary setup network remains available for about three minutes. If it times out while Screen 1 says WiFi: NOT SET UP, hold PAGE for four seconds to reopen it.
5. Dashboard and plant setup
The dashboard is served directly by G2; no app installation is required. It has four main pages:
| Page | What it is used for |
|---|---|
| Dashboard | Live temperature, humidity, light, plant moisture/status, Pause or Resume, Water all, and recent activity. |
| Plants | Plant name/icon, enable switch, Sensor or Timer mode, target or schedule, flow, duration, manual watering, and sensor tune-up. |
| History | 7-day or 30-day moisture history, environment trends, watering events, statistics, and optional SD-card file browser. |
| Settings | System basics, Wi-Fi and web name, local time, Telegram, sensor offsets, SD storage, device information, updates, and reset tools. |
Configure each pump channel
- Open Plants and select Plant 1 or Plant 2. Confirm the physical pump and sensor numbers match.
- Choose a short name and icon.
- Choose Sensor or Timer mode and review the target/schedule, flow, and duration. A Sensor-mode channel monitors one plant; a Timer-mode channel may feed several pots.
- Save, then switch Auto-watering on for that channel.
- Repeat for the other channel, if used.
6. Watering modes and defaults
Sensor mode
Monitors one individual plant per channel and starts when its moisture is below the target. While watering, G2 checks the soil about every three seconds and can stop early at the target plus five percentage points. It then waits 30 seconds and verifies the original target. Up to three unsuccessful attempts create a WATER ERROR for that plant.
Timer mode
Waters at a chosen local time every 1–30 calendar days. A channel can feed several pots through split tubing, allowing G2 to water many plants. It runs for the selected duration and does not verify each pot’s moisture or detect an empty tank.
| Setting | Range | Shipping default |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Sensor or Timer | Sensor |
| Moisture target | 0–100% | 92% |
| Pump flow | Low / Medium / High (Strong) | High |
| Sensor-mode duration | 3–30 seconds | 8 seconds |
| Timer-mode duration | 3–300 seconds | 8 seconds |
| Timer schedule | Local time every 1–30 days | 08:00 / 7 days |
Start with High flow and an eight-second run for the first supervised test, then adjust gradually for the pot size, soil, pump lift, tubing layout, and outlet flow. For a branched Timer setup, confirm that the most distant and most restricted outlets receive enough water without overwatering nearer pots.
7. First supervised test
- Confirm the correct pump, sensor, tubing, and outlet or ring are connected to the selected channel. For a branched Timer setup, inspect every pot and nozzle.
- Tap Water now. Each pump begins with a one-second full-power start, then uses the selected flow level.
- Watch the full water path for leaks, kinks, air locks, a loose ring connection, or the wrong pump.
- Tap STOP immediately if anything is wrong. A manual stop prevents that plant from restarting automatically for ten minutes.
- If the tubing was empty, the first run may mainly prime the line. Inspect the container and tubing before testing again.
8. Sensor tune-up and WATER ERROR
Factory calibration works immediately. Use Sensor tune-up if readings remain unusually high or low, your potting medium is unusual, water has high mineral content, or a sensor has drifted.
- Open Plants, select the plant, expand Advanced, and choose Start tune-up.
- For the dry reading, remove the sensor, wipe it completely dry, and hold its sensing blade in air.
- For the wet reading, dip only the sensing blade/tip into clean water. Keep the connector and cable dry.
- Save, then reinstall the sensor close to the water-ring outlets.
A WATER ERROR means automatic Sensor-mode watering did not reach the configured target after three attempts. Refill the container; inspect the pump, tubing, and ring; and move the moisture sensor close to the nozzle or water-ring outlet so it is inside the wetted area. Correct the cause before clearing the error. Manual and Timer runs do not use automatic moisture verification.
9. OLED screens, buttons, and lights
Tap PAGE to cycle. The first tap after display sleep wakes the screen without changing pages.
| Screen | Information |
|---|---|
| 1 · System status | SD card, Wi-Fi state, IP address, local web address, browser activity, and paused status. |
| 2 · Live sensors | Temperature, humidity, light, and both plants’ current moisture/status. Plant 2 is on the left; Plant 1 is on the right. |
| 3 · Plant 1 settings | Mode, target or interval, flow, duration, and next timer run. |
| 4 · Plant 2 settings | Mode, target or interval, flow, duration, and next timer run. |
| 5 · Plant 1 history | Five most recent watering timestamps. |
| 6 · Plant 2 history | Five most recent watering timestamps. |
| 7 · Date and time | Current local day, date, and time. |
| 8 · System health | Uptime, Wi-Fi signal, network name, and firmware version. |
| 9 · Web-app QR | Scan to open the current local web address. |
| 10 · Maintenance | Reset Wi-Fi or perform a full factory reset. |
10. History, microSD, Telegram, and updates
History and microSD
- Dashboard Recent activity survives a normal restart. History also stores the last five watering times for each plant and longer trend data.
- An optional FAT32 microSD card up to 16 GB stores daily CSV sensor logs at 60-second intervals.
- Use History → SD card to browse, view, or download files. Formatting or factory reset permanently removes SD logs.
Telegram
Telegram is optional. Configure the bot token and owner chat ID under Settings. Available owner-only commands include /status, /plants, /water1, /water2, /waterall, /pause, /resume, /stop, /clear, and /help.
Firmware and filesystem updates
Open Settings → Basics → Firmware update. Upload only the matching G2 firmware and filesystem files. Keep power connected and do not close the page until the update finishes and G2 restarts. Firmware updates preserve Wi-Fi and plant settings; a filesystem update replaces the web files and clears recent on-device history.
11. Maintenance and resets
| Action | How to perform it | What it keeps or clears |
|---|---|---|
| Restart only | Press RESTART or use Settings → Basics → Device info → Restart. | Keeps Wi-Fi, plant settings, calibration, recent activity, and history. |
| Restart Wi-Fi setup | Disconnect power, hold PAGE, reconnect power while continuing to hold PAGE, then release after Plantmate starts. You can also select Reset Wi-Fi on OLED Screen 10, hold PAGE four seconds, and release when prompted. | Clears only saved Wi-Fi credentials. Plant profiles, calibration, and history remain. |
| Full factory reset | On OLED Screen 10, select Factory Reset, hold PAGE for four seconds, and release when prompted. Or use Settings → Factory reset. | Erases plant profiles, calibration, Telegram settings, on-device history, SD logs, and Wi-Fi credentials. |
12. Troubleshooting
Nothing waters
Confirm the plant is enabled, global watering is not paused, pump flow is not Off, and no WATER ERROR is active. Test with Water now while watching the correct pump.
WATER ERROR but the tank is full
Check that the pump is submerged, tubing is not kinked, and the ring is connected. Move the moisture sensor close to the nozzle or water-ring outlet so it sits inside the wetted area. Correct the cause before clearing the error.
Can G2 water more than two plants?
Yes. Sensor mode independently monitors up to two individual plants. In Timer mode, either pump line can be divided with branch fittings and nozzles to water several pots, so the two channels can serve many plants. Balance the branches and run a supervised test at every outlet; Timer mode does not verify each pot’s moisture.
The pump runs but no water arrives
Prime the tubing, check pump orientation and inlet, remove air locks, clean the pump and ring holes, shorten excessive tubing, and verify the correct pump port.
plantmate.local will not open
Use http://, confirm your phone/computer is on the same Wi-Fi, and enter the numeric IP address from OLED Screen 1. Disable mobile data or a VPN if it is routing traffic away from the local network.
The white Wi-Fi light stays on
G2 is connecting, waiting in setup mode, or offline. Check Screen 1. Restart Wi-Fi setup if the saved network name or password changed.
Timer mode waters at an unexpected time
Check the time zone, chosen local time, interval, and next-run display. Saving Timer settings clears the old schedule baseline; if today’s chosen time has already passed, watering may become due immediately.
Safety and support
- Keep the controller and all electrical connections dry. Never immerse the controller.
- Unplug power before cleaning, moving tubing, handling connectors, or servicing pumps.
- Keep pumps submerged while running and place the water container below the pots.
- Run a supervised test after setup, calibration, repotting, maintenance, or any setting change.
Support: plantmateinfo@gmail.com · plantmate.ca
View or download the complete manuals
The Full User Guide contains 16 print-ready pages. The Quick Setup Guide is a two-sided trifold designed for the retail package.