Kitronik 5699 - Smart Greenhouse Kit for BBC micro:bit

Description

Smart greenhouse kit for BBC micro:bit enables users to explore the relationship between environmental conditions and plant growth and build systems that automatically respond to sensor data. The structure includes a two-part plastic greenhouse with space for plants and a water reservoir. The included pump enables automatic watering, while the Mini Prong sensor monitors soil moisture. The ZIP Stick can be used as a programmable light source and visual indicator of measured parameters.

The central component of the kit is the Kitronik 5697 Environmental Control Board for BBC micro:bit. The board uses a BME280 sensor to measure temperature, barometric pressure and humidity, while a separate RTC real-time clock supports time-dependent operations. It provides two 1 A outputs, three status ZIP LEDs, a ZIP LED expansion output, servo output, piezo buzzer and P0, P1, P2, 3 V and GND connections. BBC micro:bit V1 or V2 plugs directly into the integrated edge connector.

The included components allow a complete measurement and control system to be assembled. The Environmental Control Board can monitor environmental conditions and soil moisture and then control the water pump and ZIP Stick according to the programmed logic. Five crocodile clip leads and a ZIP extension cable are included for making connections. The supplied guide covers assembly and programming, while seven MakeCode tutorials introduce functions including temperature visualisation, automatic and timed watering, lighting control, water level sensing and data logging.

Programming is carried out in Microsoft MakeCode using the dedicated Kitronik Smart Greenhouse extension. The kit is compatible with BBC micro:bit V1 and V2, but the BBC micro:bit board is not included. Power can be supplied by 3 AA batteries or through the 2.1 mm DC jack on the Environmental Control Board. Seeds, growing medium, water, a web browser and an Internet connection are also required to begin the experiments.

Features

• Measurement and automation
  
  • Temperature measurement using the BME280 sensor
  • Barometric pressure measurement
  • Air humidity measurement
  • Soil moisture measurement using the Mini Prong sensor
  • RTC real-time clock
  • Automatic control based on sensor data
  • Automatic watering support
  • Scheduled watering support
  • Environmental data logging
  • Programmable ZIP LED lighting
• Kitronik 5697 Environmental Control Board
  
  • 2 x 1 A high-power output
  • 3 x status ZIP LED
  • ZIP LED expansion connector
  • Servo output
  • Piezo buzzer
  • BBC micro:bit pins broken out: P0, P1 and P2
  • 3 V and GND pads for crocodile clips
  • Integrated BBC micro:bit edge connector
  • Holder for 3 AA batteries
  • 2.1 mm DC power jack
  • Maximum DC input voltage: 5 V
  • Power switch
• Programming and compatibility
  
  • Compatible with BBC micro:bit V1 and V2
  • Programming in Microsoft MakeCode
  • Dedicated Kitronik Smart Greenhouse extension
  • 7 MakeCode tutorials
  • Assembly and programming guide
• Required components
  
  • BBC micro:bit V1 or V2
  • 3 x AA battery or suitable 5 V power supply for the 2.1 mm DC jack
  • Seeds
  • Growing medium
  • Water
  • Web browser
  • Internet connection
  • BBC micro:bit is not included

Kit includes

• 1 x Kitronik 5697 Environmental Control Board
• 2 x moulded plastic greenhouse enclosure part
• 1 x water pump
• 1 x Kitronik ZIP Stick
• 1 x Mini Prong soil moisture sensor
• 5 x crocodile clip lead
• 1 x ZIP extension cable
• 1 x screwdriver
• 1 x user guide booklet