Sonoff Irrigation system

Doom5003 said:
Check this out on takealot: Switch Mode Power Supply In=220v Out=24v @ 4.5a

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www.takealot.com www.takealot.com

Could I use one of these to power the controller and solenoid?
Click to expand...
Forgot to consider the AC and DC load difference
 
I went this exact route, my existing irrigation controller was essentially a dumb dial, no way to connect it to wifi and thus HA.

The rainbird Wifi module pricing was extortionate and I got 2x Sonoff 4CH for less than the cost of just the rainbird controller (I would then still need to buy the WiFi module).

1. 240v into the 100-240v inputs
2. 24v into the COM ports which are daisy chained.
3. Each solenoid is connected to a NO port.
4. 24v also goes to the solenoids. I don't know the wiring for this as I just replaced my existing controller and did not need to touch the wiring to the solenoids. But I am assuming this is daisy chained to each solenoid.


1000159642.jpg
 
Syphonx said:
I went this exact route, my existing irrigation controller was essentially a dumb dial, no way to connect it to wifi and thus HA.

The rainbird Wifi module pricing was extortionate and I got 2x Sonoff 4CH for less than the cost of just the rainbird controller (I would then still need to buy the WiFi module).

1. 240v into the 100-240v inputs
2. 24v into the COM ports which are daisy chained.
3. Each solenoid is connected to a NO port.
4. 24v also goes to the solenoids. I don't know the wiring for this as I just replaced my existing controller and did not need to touch the wiring to the solenoids. But I am assuming this is daisy chained to each solenoid.


View attachment 1822893
Click to expand...
Same route I went. Only thing missing is weather checks and forecasts to see if it should water or not.

I also used single channel sonoffs to control the borehole pump to my tanks (connected to a float switch to turn on and off automatically or bypass with the Sonoff channel) - and another single channel sonoffs for my main pump. That combination allows for both automatic irrigation and manual.
 
Tokolosk said:
Same route I went. Only thing missing is weather checks and forecasts to see if it should water or not.

I also used single channel sonoffs to control the borehole pump to my tanks (connected to a float switch to turn on and off automatically or bypass with the Sonoff channel) - and another single channel sonoffs for my main pump. That combination allows for both automatic irrigation and manual.
Click to expand...
Get the openweathermap integration.

It's free for 1000 api calls / month.
 
Stephan Maritz said:
RainPoint can also be set according to weather forecasts, but those are not always accurate, and I've missed irrigation cycles because of it when it didn't rain.

How reliable is openweathermap?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately forecasts will never be accurate, does not matter which system you use but you can use actual data to automate the system, for example let's say your sprinkler turn on at 7am. You can use an automation to grab the rainfall figure up until that point and if it exceeds xmm then do not turn on as the ground has already received sufficient watering.

This is how I have mine done.

As for the accuracy of the actual data from OWM, it appears to be pretty accurate. The difference between the temperature it says and my weather station is 0.5C.
 
acidrain said:
Unfortunately forecasts will never be accurate, does not matter which system you use but you can use actual data to automate the system, for example let's say your sprinkler turn on at 7am. You can use an automation to grab the rainfall figure up until that point and if it exceeds xmm then do not turn on as the ground has already received sufficient watering.

This is how I have mine done.

As for the accuracy of the actual data from OWM, it appears to be pretty accurate. The difference between the temperature it says and my weather station is 0.5C.
Click to expand...
Yes, there are many ways, and this is one I did not think of haha.

I now use the RainPoint rain gauge and temperature meter for this, but I still have to fine tune the scenes.
 
I dont want to start a new thread as this one is already active.
I am thinking of having about 4 popups for the lawn.
Were wondering if anybody used something like this before
www.geewiz.co.za

SONOFF Zigbee Smart Water Valve (SWV-BSP)

Smart irrigation timer for automatic watering Control via mobile app Compatible with Alexa & Google Assistant Uses Zigbee 3.0 for reliable connectivity Requires Sonoff Zigbee Bridge Ultra Ideal for garden and lawn watering automation
www.geewiz.co.za www.geewiz.co.za

My thinking is to actually just connect it to a dedicated tap outside running to the 4 popups.
While having the tap open at all times and the actual controller will control the time to open and close again.

As I said it will be a simple 4 popup for the lawn.
The only downside I see is that you will have to get an additional hub like a Sonoff iHost or Zigbee hub.
 
upup said:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com

View attachment 1822812
Click to expand...
I've had one of these for a while now (from https://henractech.co.za/shop/smart-4ch-irrigation-controller-tuya/)

It honestly hasn't skipped a beat since owning it, quite impressed.
 
Anyway my 6 station orbit (old school) allows me to control a pump via the master valve controller to a relay.

Is there an elegant solution for this?
 
rh1 said:
I see it goes up to 12 zones, can 1 zone be programmed to switch on when any of the other zones go on, i.e. a master type zone, as I can then connect to a pump via a relay?
Click to expand...
You could do that in Home Assistant, I'm not sure about the Tuya app as I don't use it.

It's essentially just a box with multiple relays in it, each one (zone) shows up as a different switch so they can be controlled independently. In Home Assistant (or other automation software) you can just check if any of the switches are activated then do what you need to.
 
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rh1 said:
Anyway my 6 station orbit (old school) allows me to control a pump via the master valve controller to a relay.

Is there an elegant solution for this?
Click to expand...
You could leave the pump on, and fit a pressure regulator and a solenoid valve.

That way, the controller opens and closes the solenoid valve/master valve and the pressure controller will switch the pump on.

You need a reliable valve, because any leak or pressure drop will cause the pump to run. Usually it's not an issue.
 
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