Re: Watering the garden.. how it's done

[ian.bird@xxxxxxx]

Interesting. I am very nervous with 240 volt stuff and don't use it at all
in the garden. You can see how I do my watering on my site
(www.mollyology.com then projects then Garden Irrigation I think). I use
12v valves from RS components which are slightly cheaper but essentially
the same price. All my other hose stuff is also Hozelok and some micro
stuff from Wickes. The valves use about 230ma each so power draw is not
horrendous either.

The new relay board controller is a xAP (www.xapautomation.org) powered
device which will have the ability to control 8 relays and also have 8
inputs. All this stuff communicates over an RS485 multidrop bus so distance
is no problem. Humidity seems to be the holy grail of watering. If you can
find a humidity sensor which has a set point then digital inputs like these
will do nicely. If not you are down to rolling something analogue or
probably paying a fortune for something commercial. This latter analogue
one is on the project list but still many months or a year or so away.

Thanks

Ian

Ian Bird
CibaVision UK Ltd.
Direct dial 01489 775570
Fax           01489 779570


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"Nigel @ Sunims"
<nigel.reid

31/03/03 15:54
Please respond to
ukha_d

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To:       <ukha_d@xxxxxxx>                               =

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Subject:  Re: [ukha_d] Watering the garden.. how it's done       =

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The pipework is based on Hozelok irrigation system, but anyone could also
use the Gardena system to transport the water around.   I run the large
guage pipe to 4 separate areas and use 240Volt washing machine water valves
to control flow.  The valves are switched with AM12's built into waterproof
cases. I use the same single power line throughout the garden to switch the
240v decorative lighting using LM12's.  The exception to this is the
switching of the low voltage lighting which I switch by using light sensors
so they are essentially Dusk to Dawn based.  However the entire  garden
power circuit is also managed through a single AM12 so I can kill the low
voltage transformers that way. I don't keep the lights on all night.
I chose 240V system for the water as the valves are cheaper ( a single
replacement valve is =A315.50 and a double valve output (single input) is
around =A320.50).   240V AC is also cheaper to transport round a garden
tha=
n
low voltage as you only need 1 single cable.  The current draw is minimal
and you can tap off as many or as few AM12's or LM12's as you need.   The
240v lighting is based on GU10 base dichromic halogen bulbs with spot
profiles.  I created my own enclosures for them.  Whole system has been
installed for about 3 years now but I'm always tinkering with scenario's to
enhance it.
The next project is to come away from a regular watering schedule and rely
on watering on demand.
I need a good mositure sensor and bi-directional messaging for that.   Does
anyone know of any X10 protocol based moisture sensors available?

----- Original Message -----
From: <ian.bird@xxxxxxx>
To: <ukha_d@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2003 11:55 AM
Subject: [ukha_d] Watering the garden


>
> Hi Nigel
>
> How do you water your garden using HA? I am interested as I have built
a
> relay board to do mine and am in the latter stages of developing a PC
> interface for it.
>
> Thanks
>
> Ian