montycompostco

Thank you so much for these questions! For clarity, I’ll copy and paste the question for each response:

Q: Can your sensor product feed data to open-source software for hobbyist and professional agriculture?

A: Yes, our sensors can definitely feed data into open-source platforms, making them a great fit for both hobbyist and professional agriculture setups. The guide offers a helpful starting point for integration. Additionally, data collected by the sensors can be exported as a CSV through our consumer app. This makes it easy to process the information or import it into FarmOS or other open-source tools you might be using.

Q: Where is the identifier on the sensor? How does the user scan the visually-confirmable sensor barcode or QR code or similar and associate that with a garden bed or a container?

A: Each sensor uses its unique MAC address as its name. To make setup even easier, each device features a visually confirmable barcode or QR code. Once connected, the sensor’s indicator lights confirm the connection status, so you’ll know right away when it’s properly associated.

Q: How does it notify of low battery status; is there a voltage reading to predict the out-of-battery condition? Is there a configurable polling interval?

A: For low battery notifications, the device features a red indicator light that activates when the battery is running low. Additionally, you can poll the device over Bluetooth to get the current battery level.

Q: How do I find a sensor unit with a dead battery; is there a low-power chirp, or do I need a metal detector or very directional wireless sensors and triangulation or trilateration?

A: A low battery is signalled by the sensor’s lights turning orange, while a dead battery is indicated by the absence of flashing blue lights. If the sensor still has some power, you can poll it via Bluetooth to check its battery level.

Q: Are there nooks and crannies in the casing?

A: Yes, if you’re thinking of something specific for this — please let me know! I’m happy to chat further :)

Q: How to replace the battery?

A: Currently, the battery in our sensors is not replaceable. However, when the device reaches the end of its life, we’re committed to sustainability. We plan to offer users a significant replacement discount and take back the module and responsibly recycle it into new Montys. Interestingly, the original Monty design included a removable battery pack. Through testing, we discovered that most connectors weren’t durable enough to withstand the tough composting environment, so we shifted to a sealed design to ensure long-term reliability.

Q: Can they be made out of compostable materials? E.g. carbon with existing nanofabrication capabilities

A: We’ve trialed biodegradable plastics in the past, but we found that they degraded in the field. Instead, we’ve opted for a 100% recyclable plastic material to ensure that it is able top withstand harsh compost conditions.

Hopefully, I’ve covered everything here—if you have any further questions, just let me know!

Great questions!

We opted not to use oxygen sensors because they tend to be less reliable, require frequent calibration, and are significantly more expensive. Instead, we focus exclusively on TVOCs, as the technology is more advanced and offers a broader view of compost activity. During our early design stages, we found TVOCs correlate well with microbial activity, much like oxygen, while also capturing changes in the pile that oxygen levels alone might not immediately reveal.

Yes that’s valid. For a lot of setups, this approach works really well.

In terms of the big benefit - faster breakdown, better nutrient retention, and fewer emissions. Without extra monitoring, you might still get to a finished product eventually, but analytics can help speed up the process while ensuring the compost is as nutrient-rich and eco-friendly as possible.

This definitely isn’t a one-size fits all solution but many people do find it to be a helpful tool!

I agree with everything else that has been said in this thread!

Just to add on, proper composting helps retain more nutrients in the final product, which is great for soil health, and it also reduces harmful emissions like methane that occur when the process turns anaerobic.

We use sensors from Bosch and Sensirion in our systems. They’re reliable and durable, even in tough environments like compost piles, where heat, moisture, and microbial activity can put tech to the test. Finding the right sensors took a lot of trial and error for us, especially since composting conditions are so unforgiving.

Let us know if you decide to pick up the project— we’d love to cheer you on or compare notes!

Oh wow, thanks for sharing! We’ll definitely drop a post in there :)

For Monty’s system, we use sensors from Bosch and Sensirion. During our initial prototyping phase, we tested around 20 different types of sensors and found they had the most workable results across a range of composting environments.

Feel free to share more about your project ideas— happy to dive deeper if it helps!

Great question— thanks for asking!

Verifying the metabolic processes in composting is a bit of a mix between understanding composting fundamentals and interpreting the data we collect. The processes are highly dependent on factors like feedstock type and volume. For example, a sudden spike in temperature might be due to an addition of nitrogen-rich materials or a recent turning of the pile—both of which can accelerate microbial activity.

While our sensors provide 24/7 data on temperature, gas composition, and more, there are always factors we can’t directly see or control for, like the exact distribution of materials within the pile. That’s where a bit of interpretation comes in: matching what the data is telling us with the fundamentals of composting.

By combining real-time monitoring with an understanding of what’s happening in the pile, users can make informed decisions to keep their composting process on track. It’s not an exact science, but the extra data helps a lot!

You’re absolutely right— a temperature gauge is a fantastic tool for monitoring for many composters who are focused on the basics of maintaining an active hot composting pile.

Where our system shines is when you want to go a little deeper. For example, adding data on gas, moisture levels, and air pressure allows users to troubleshoot or optimise their process more effectively. Is the activity aerobic or anaerobic? Is your moisture level tipping the pile too far one way or another? These kinds of insights can help when composting setups or inputs get more complex, or when things stall and you’re not sure why.

That said, we totally get that not everyone needs all the bells and whistles—sometimes a reliable temp gauge and your composting instincts are all you need to make amazing, healthy compost!

Not yet, but maybe you? :)

To dive into the utility of the sensor readings-- The main gas we monitor is Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs), which act as a general proxy for decomposition activity. Combined with temperature data, this gives a strong indication of whether the activity is aerobic (a healthy compost pile) or anaerobic (not ideal and potentially smelly!). For example, a spike in TVOCs with decreasing oxygen availability often flags anaerobic conditions.

In terms of air pressure, this is used as part of our pile turn events detection in our companion app Monty Mobile. The app also analyses other data to assess how changes in conditions (e.g., moisture levels, turning frequency) affect decomposition. For most users, though, the general proxy is plenty— by identifying when a pile is “active” or “stalled,” they can tweak their process (e.g., adding browns, adjusting moisture, or aerating).

Compost is incredibly diverse, and the results will vary depending on the setup (tumblers, bins, worm farms) and inputs (manure, food scraps, garden waste). That said, 24/7 data from our system helps streamline the behaviour-change process. Rather than relying on a “try-wait-try-again” approach, users get immediate feedback, which can be a game-changer for both beginners and seasoned composters.

As for me, Monty has been a massive learning tool. Using the Monty Mobile app has personally helped me engage more with my compost pile and remember to add feedstock to adjust the pile when needed. It definitely makes me feel more in tune with what’s going on!

I hope this clarifies things! Happy to chat more :)