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[tony_osp]

Some time ago I started experimenting with IoT (Internet of things), using primarily Arduino. This blog is a simple diary of my experiments.

As the base project for my experiments I'm working on the SmartGarden - an intelligent multi-station irrigation and environment monitoring system.

Initially I started from just irrigation part, using OpenSprinkler design, later on moving to the more advanced Sprinklers_pi (running on Arduino Mega) firmware, adding to it more and more features and capabilities. As I was adding more and more new things - multi-station support using RF network of nodes, sensors data collection and logging etc, I've rewritten large parts of the code and changed hardware design.

Currently the project reached v1.0 release (running my home irrigation system since May 2015). The system is stable and reliable.
It is still work in progress, with some fit-and-finish required (WEB UI improvements etc), but it is good enough to use.

Also I'm working on the next generation of hardware and firmware (v1.5). As of mid-Oct 2015 v1.5 is nearly-ready, I will be upgrading my setup to it before next watering season starts.

Source code for my project (both hardware schematics and firmware source) is available on GitHub: https://github.com/tony-osp/SmartGarden.

Comments

Current for 24vdc

[will2710]

This is a great project you're developing here. I was initially looking at Ray's as well since I have the Orbit 91592 Valve. Like you, however, I felt it was overly complicated for my needs.

What I'm trying to sort out at the moment is that since I don't have a traditional 24vac irrigation power supply, shouldn't I just start with a 24vdc power supply? It would seem that would save me from having to build a rectifier. The max distance from the 16 channel relay module to the valves is 50 ft. Is that a concern for the current pulse? If I can go with 24vdc, what current is best? I have a couple old laptop power supplies at 19.5vdc and 4.6 amps, and recycling is fun but that seems like too much current.

Re: Current for 24vdc

[tony_osp]

Yes, you can certainly use 24vdc power supply.

You would still want to have simple R-C circuit to limit the peak current (to avoid overload protection triggered in the power supply) and support the peak with capacitor, but actual power supply can be DC.

19.5vdc power supply should work - Orbit valves work quite reliably from 18 volt power source, and many of them seems to work even with 12 vdc.

Orbit valves are operated using pulse of current - very short but high current pulse, capacitor is an easy way to support it.

Re: Current for 24vdc

[will2710]

Thanks for answering my questions. I was looking in the Hardware folder in the repo for SmartGarden and I'm not seeing the parts that control the valve (RC circuit, relay, etc). Could you add the Eagle files for that?

Re: Current for 24vdc

[tony_osp]

I don't have Eagle file for this part handy, but it is an extremely simple circuit. You can check it out here: http://tony-osp.dreamwidth.org/1157.html

Specific circuit of interest is this one:


If using DC power supply, you can replace left part of the circuit with it, and leave only resistor R1 and capacitor C2.

Please consider ESP 32 and Xiaomi 4in Flora 1 BLE sensor

[(Anonymous)]

Dear Tony,
You are so great to create this project. Please consider ESP 32 and Xiaomi 4in 1 BLE sensors. This combination is the cheapest.

https://www.banggood.com/Original-Xiaomi-4-in-1-Flower-Plant-Light-Temperature-Tester-Garden-Soil-Moisture-Nutrient-Monitor-p-1068369.html

Khoa Nguyen khoa@camchau.com +84932999555