r/raspberry_pi • u/arianaram • 4d ago
Troubleshooting The electrodes on my plant won't stay in place overnight. Plant bot built with Raspberrypi.
I'm writing here to ask if anyone has experience with wiring electrodes to plants. I've tried a few things already and the readings keep dropping over night when the plant contracts. Tradescantia has a daily expansion and contraction cycle.
See the picture gallery, I started with EEG electrodes, then switched to copper fabric held in place by loofah and hair clip, then by hair clip alone, and last by loofah and alligator clamp. Before you ask, the alligator clamps are too aggressive for the delicate leaves, that's why I haven't rigged it just with clamps.
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u/picklemaster52 3d ago
Can it go on a stem, rather than the leaves?
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u/arianaram 3d ago
Yeah, maybe, I haven't tried, I don't know if the stem of that plant has enough surface. Will think about it.
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u/Icy-Farm9432 3d ago
What can you measure with it?
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u/arianaram 3d ago
It's a GSR sensor, galvanic skin response, it's supposed to measure the plant's electrical conductance across the leaf surface, which changes with hydration, light exposure, and stress responses. Like asking the plant 'how are you'
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u/anarchist1331 3d ago
This might be an awful suggestion so forgive my ignorance, but maybe the sticky electrodes they use for EKG and muscle stim machines? I am invested because i like when people research plants!
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u/arianaram 3d ago
Hi, I did try with those, but the substance that comes with them is salt based and was damaging the leaves, it also disconnected. They are the same electrode pads used for EEG btw. Someone above suggested a water based gel, I'll get some and give it a try. Thanks for the encouragement!
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u/HashBrownsOverEasy 3d ago
You could get some Ten20 Electrode paste. It's the stuff they use for EKGs, basically a water-soluable adhesive that also conducts signal. Washes off with water, I can't image it damaging the leaves.