Re: Garden hose automation - suggestions?

[Jack Edin <nospam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Joerg,

I just returned from HD with my Orbit watering kit, which includes 2 of
the inline garden-hose valves, like below.

I spoke to the company's technician Ryan this morning. He said they
require a 200ms pulse at 13 volts to toggle the valve's position.

Okay, if you say so...

He also said it was a two wire affair, yet as pictured my valves have a
3 wire connector. It is a 3.5mm stereo mini-headphone jack...

After a cool drink, I plan to jump in and figure out what it really needs.

As for battery operation - not gonna happen. I will bring it's signal
from my Elk panel. Whatever I need to do to interface the valve will be
done inside the panel box. So if I need to provide 4.5 volts, or 13
volts... I'll make it happen without the use of batteries!!

One concern I have is not knowing if it is open or closed... And no way
to absolutely set it's state one way or another! I can't imagine their
engineers built such a device... Ryan was wrong on 1 point, hopefully
he's wrong about this too..!

Otherwise this looks ideal, and I'll come back and inform the group how
it worked out.

By for now...

Jack
:)

> Hello Jack,
>
>> I looked at the HD website, trying to figure-out which valve Jeff
>> suggested, and see two inline valves that are 3/4". One has both male
>> threads, the other's are both female...
>
>
> The web sites of hardware stores are, well, not very good. You have to
> go to the store to see what they have. Probably 10-20 different valve
> style including inline for 24VAC. You just need to get some cheap
> adapters from the plumbing aisle.
>
>> Neither one is designed to work on a hose, but as you said - adapters
>> are available, etc.
>>
>> I just discovered this:
>>
>> http://www.orbitonline.com/index.cfm?fa=sunmate.product&productid=33
>
>
> I do not like battery operated hose controllers at all. Tried it out
> eight years ago, never again. The batteries were always dead, plants
> died etc.. Also, if the valve is latching as Dan said that would scare
> me. Yes, yes, they usually claim that the low battery detection will
> always make sure there is enough juice left to close it. But what if
> there isn't? Will they pay for the clean-up if most of your soil has
> washed downhill into a neighbor's garage?
>
> Regards, Joerg
>
> http://www.analogconsultants.com