Where buy electrically-controlled outdoor tap?

A

Arthur

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Anyone know where in SA I can buy an electrically-controlled faucet / gate valve / tap for outdoor use?

I'd like to be able to top-up a swimming pool while away from the house. Plan is to vpn into my local network and then use a Sonoff wifi switch to open a garden tap. I have the wifi switch, just need something to open & close an outdoor tap. Getting 240VAC to/near the tap isn't a problem

Would very much appreciate any ideas.
 
Daruk said:
Cool! Unfortunately ith a solenoid, there would be a bit of work involved setting it all up, but I'm sure someone retails a nice complete solution - try the hardware shops who sell sprinkler systems perhaps? If you use 220v in, make sure you insulate it all very nicely and earth any metal parts!
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Good idea. Thanks. Will see what's available next time I go to George.

You're right - it's a good idea to insulate it properly. We both know that water itself doesn't conduct electricity - it's the impurities and ions in ordinary tap water that do it. ;) Once saw a PC running underwater, bare motherboard. De-ionised distilled water.
 
What about going old school, and using a ball valve? you could make a portable one that fits on a garden hose perhaps. Just a thought.
 
Arthur said:
Anyone know where in SA I can buy an electrically-controlled faucet / gate valve / tap for outdoor use?

I'd like to be able to top-up a swimming pool while away from the house. Plan is to vpn into my local network and then use a Sonoff wifi switch to open a garden tap. I have the wifi switch, just need something to open & close an outdoor tap. Getting 240VAC to/near the tap isn't a problem

Would very much appreciate any ideas.
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I just bought a gardenia timer.

Runs off a 9v battery and connects directly to the tap.

No problem with it.
 
Arthur said:
Anyone know where in SA I can buy an electrically-controlled faucet / gate valve / tap for outdoor use?

I'd like to be able to top-up a swimming pool while away from the house. Plan is to vpn into my local network and then use a Sonoff wifi switch to open a garden tap. I have the wifi switch, just need something to open & close an outdoor tap. Getting 240VAC to/near the tap isn't a problem

Would very much appreciate any ideas.
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Took a quick pic before I lose the light.
b4ef37f0b1c68553b08fb414efe96b63.jpg
 
maumau said:
Getting 2/3cm evaporation per day in JHB lately.
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spiff said:
I lecture at engineering colleges around SA. Next week I'm away for 8 weeks in Pretoria

So who going to check on my pool?

Also if you have solar water pool heating then the water level drops quite a lot.
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Why are you heating a pool you're not using?

Fill the pool to the brim before leaving.

And then the most important part: put a proper floating cover on it.

Zero evaporation.
 
MightyQuin said:
Why are you heating a pool you're not using?

Fill the pool to the brim before leaving.

And then the most important part: put a proper floating cover on it.

Zero evaporation.
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Cause I like warm water. Late evening swims are awesome.

Most pools have the following
Pool cover
Pool cleaner
Salt water chlorinator

so why not auto top up?
 
spiff said:
Cause I like warm water. Late evening swims are awesome.

Most pools have the following
Pool cover
Pool cleaner
Salt water chlorinator

so why not auto top up?
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You're not having late night swims when you're away for 8 weeks, now do you?

"Most pools" do have all that stuff, yes.

So why are you going for the gimmick instead of putting a floating cover on your pool?

You are also wasting water...of which there is little enough as it is on this country...
 
MightyQuin said:
Why are you heating a pool you're not using?

Fill the pool to the brim before leaving.

And then the most important part: put a proper floating cover on it.

Zero evaporation.
Click to expand...

Might have to look at a cover. People who used bubble wrap say the plastic breaks down - don't want that.

Wonder how a few sheets of polystyrene would work.
 
MightyQuin said:
You're not having late night swims when you're away for 8 weeks, now do you?

"Most pools" do have all that stuff, yes.

So why are you going for the gimmick instead of putting a floating cover on your pool?
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My pool has all that.

But since you are bored and chose to miss the point - let dumb it down for you.

It's convenient.
 
maumau said:
Might have to look at a cover. People who used bubble wrap say the plastic breaks down - don't want that.

Wonder how a few sheets of polystyrene would work.
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Those people bough the cheap stuff. The proper covers do not break down.

Polystyrene will rub against each other and your whole pool will be a mess as the sheets crumble and deteriorate.
 
spiff said:
My pool has all that.

But since you are bored and chose to miss the point - let's dumb it down for you.

It's convenient.
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An ironic FIFY...

You sound like an arrogant twat that likes to waste water, because it's "convenient".

If you really had a pool cover, it wouldn't be necessary to top up the pool while you're away "lecturing".

726132
 
MightyQuin said:
An ironic FIFY...

You sound like an arrogant twat that likes to waste water, because it's "convenient".

If you really had a pool cover, it wouldn't be necessary to top up the pool while you're away "lecturing".

View attachment 726132
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Listen man keep your derogatory remarks to yourself

My pool runs off rain water from my 5000l Jojo tanks plus a 1000l flow bin for recycling my backwash. Which gets me through summer.

I even have an "water from air" machine for drinking and cooking water to lessen my burden on the main water system on top of that I had all vegetation removed from my property removed to reduce my dependency on mains water even further.

So don't come talk shyt to me about wasting water due to "convenience" You know fark all about saving water!


Assumption is the mother of all fark ups so get your facts straight before you come talk shyt to me OK!
 
spiff said:
Listen man keep your derogatory remarks to yourself

My pool runs off rain water from my 5000l Jojo tanks plus a 1000l flow bin for recycling my backwash. Which gets me through summer.

I even have an "water from air" machine for drinking and cooking water to lessen my burden on the main water system on top of that I had all vegetation removed from my property removed to reduce my dependency on mains water even further.

So don't come talk shyt to me about wasting water due to "convenience" You know fark all about saving water!


Assumption is the mother of all fark ups so get your facts straight before you come talk shyt to me OK!
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More BS....
 
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