The Home Improvements Thread (2)

[WAslayer]

Smart device for irrigation. I have so much to learn

That's just smart based on WiFi and being able to set a timer..

If you want to go really smart, you set a timer according to season, early morning/early evening in summer etc and only of soil moisture level is such that whatever you are growing there, requires watering..

 

[Kung Fu Porkchop]

That's just smart based on WiFi and being able to set a timer..

If you want to go really smart, you set a timer according to season, early morning/early evening in summer etc and only of soil moisture level is such that whatever you are growing there, requires watering..

I remember opening and closing taps manually

 

[SAguy]

Looking at installing a controller with solenoid valves for the irrigation.
Now i know Hunter and Rainbird are very popular brands, but, i saw this:

Takealot

Anyone used it before ? Recommendations ?

I haven't - but wouldn't it be cheaper and more future proof to use a Hunter valve - but control it with a sonoff or shelly? Then you could control it via your phone, set up timers, etc.

Depends how DIY you want to get.

 

[SAguy]

Just finished connecting up my floodlight at my gate... Now I can switch it on/off via a button on my remote, via Google Assistant or by a switch inside the house!

 

[ElixirCoder]

Progress. Soon I’ll start my landscaping work, can’t wait. Was hoping to have been done by now but yeah, cape winters and contractors….

 

[HunterNW]

I haven't - but wouldn't it be cheaper and more future proof to use a Hunter valve - but control it with a sonoff or shelly? Then you could control it via your phone, set up timers, etc.

Depends how DIY you want to get.

I know fokol about sonof/shelly I do know how to connect wires and then push buttons.

 

[SAguy]

I know fokol about sonof/shelly I do know how to connect wires and then push buttons.

The less you know about Sonoff/Shelly the better... it's a exciting but all life consuming path to go down.

 

[HunterNW]

The less you know about Sonoff/Shelly the better... it's a exciting but all life consuming path to go down.

Hunter X2 Outdoor 4 Station Controller - Rainbow-Irrigation

The X2 controller continues the legacy set by the popular X-Core® with a similar set of reliable and highly efficient capabilities, but brings irrigation management into the next generation by providing the option to add Wi-Fi for remote management and advanced water-saving features using...

rainbow-irrigation.co.za

Think this will do. Connect wires, programme, done.

 

[The_Mowgs]

View attachment 1147284
View attachment 1147286
Progress. Soon I’ll start my landscaping work, can’t wait. Was hoping to have been done by now but yeah, cape winters and contractors….

My fok Margaret dit lyk netjies

 

[purple face]

^Drill out the rivets, tighten the handle rivet if it needs it and re-rivet.

the handle has broken off I have bought a new one but I don't know how to drill out the rivets

 

[WAslayer]

the handle has broken off I have bought a new one but I don't know how to drill out the rivets

With a drill and a drill bit..

Please call handyman service..

I don't think you are going to have a working window if you attempt this yourself..

 

[ToxicBunny]

My fok Margaret dit lyk netjies

Understatement of the year...

Dude, that looks fscking epic.

 

[SaucePlz]

Understatement of the year...

Dude, that looks fscking epic.

I thought I was looking at a render, not a pic of the actual thing.

 

[TedLasso]

Looking at installing a controller with solenoid valves for the irrigation.
Now i know Hunter and Rainbird are very popular brands, but, i saw this:

Takealot

Anyone used it before ? Recommendations ?

I am using a full hunter kit with their WiFi control. It's pretty decent and integrated with my home Assistant. I can't do much from HA to control them (actually haven't tried ) but the hydrawise app from Hunter allows you to do all the smart scheduling etc taking into Evapotranspiration etc so I just let it do the hard work and use the app if I want to do some manual watering.

All I use HA for now, is to tell the whole house via Sonos speakers speakers that irrigation has started.

As you can see from the screenshot times change daily based on forecasted temperatures etc in the area. Last week when we had 80% chance of rain, it did not turn on

 

[HunterNW]

I am using a full hunter kit with their WiFi control. It's pretty decent and integrated with my home Assistant. I can't do much from HA to control them (actually haven't tried ) but the hydrawise app from Hunter allows you to do all the smart scheduling etc taking into Evapotranspiration etc so I just let it do the hard work and use the app if I want to do some manual watering.

All I use HA for now, is to tell the whole house via Sonos speakers speakers that irrigation has started.

As you can see from the screenshot times change daily based on forecasted temperatures etc in the area. Last week when we had 80% chance of rain, it did not turn on

View attachment 1147580

Thanks for the reply. I'll go the Hunter way, without wifi. As long as i can programme each zone to do as i want, i'm happy.
80% chance of rain and it didn't turn on - DID it rain though ?

 

[D tj]

@46 The rivets can be tapped into the frame is another option, however in an earthquake they will rattle around.
Use an appropriate sized pin punch: 3, 4, 4.5 mm Dia. then re rivet.

 

[Kung Fu Porkchop]

I finally got fibre to the home yesterday. Now I can start planning everything I've been putting on hold, waiting for the installation.

 

[Off-The-Chart]

when you get someone to come give a quote on paving and adding a braai to a 90sqm piece, getting told that he will be away for the next week and booked in advance for 6 weeks but that he will send a quote over the weekend (came by on Friday), and you are still waiting almost 2 weeks later now.....

it really puts you in a depressing mood to even try and find someone else, thinking the same will be done and wondering if it is because the job was maybe too small

 

[I.am.Sam]

when you get someone to come give a quote on paving and adding a braai to a 90sqm piece, getting told that he will be away for the next week and booked in advance for 6 weeks but that he will send a quote over the weekend (came by on Friday), and you are still waiting almost 2 weeks later now.....

it really puts you in a depressing mood to even try and find someone else, thinking the same will be done and wondering if it is because the job was maybe too small

Yeah i also dont understand some contractors

i thought people will be willing for work

the most willing though is some foreigners

 

[SAguy]

when you get someone to come give a quote on paving and adding a braai to a 90sqm piece, getting told that he will be away for the next week and booked in advance for 6 weeks but that he will send a quote over the weekend (came by on Friday), and you are still waiting almost 2 weeks later now.....

it really puts you in a depressing mood to even try and find someone else, thinking the same will be done and wondering if it is because the job was maybe too small

Yip, I've been in contact with 3 different contractors to fit a new gate motor - all of them just don't follow through.

Clearly these contractors are all so rich they don't actually need the work.