Help with automatic watering systems

I don't know what part of the forum I should post this in but, here goes. I want to set up automatic watering system that only waters when the soil gets dry. I have been looking around but most systems seem to just work with a timer and let you adjust how much water you feed for a set amount of time which you can adjust. I want a system that only sends water when its needed or when the soil dries to a certain extent. The only thing I can find is DIY Arduino kit with a separate irrigation kit that comes with soil monitors. It can be expanded to monitor temp and humidity also plus a lot more. I'm using water only soil so i hope I don't have to worry about ph swings to much. Has anyone tried this? Is there a better way? I know I dont need to do this but to a certian extent it helps me embrace my inner geek. Also if I can pull it off I get a useable cool factor for my set up.





Weewooday 8 Pieces IIC/ I2C/ TWI LCD Serial Interface Adapter and LCD Module Display Backlight Compatible with Arduino R3 MEGA2560 (LCD 1602 16 x 2, Blue)


Gowoops 2 pcs DHT22 Temperature Humidity Sensor Module for Arduino Raspberry Pi | Digital Measure DHT Sensors

It’s definitely a low budget solution, I know there are products that can do it out of the box but they cost more.

Honesty a properly timed pumped is the easiest, cheapest most reliable. All depends on your true knowledge of your method.

Best wishes.

Blumats

I think you should go for it. You never know where your new knowledge may lead you.

xtsho said:

Blumats

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I have no idea. Blue and floor scare me.

I could use some examples of some of the systems out there. They may be more expensive, but I need to see prices and features in order to make a cost verses convenience choice. The cheapest and easiest way is to do it manually so I'm not necessarily looking for cheap I want to be able to walk in the room and look over at my tent and see real time soil conditions (dry vs moist vs soaked, I also want to see inside and outside temp and humidity all on a easy to read LCD. I also want to be able to add to the system (automate the fans, lights, AC) and I want to be able to do it little by little as far as cost go. I dont want to sound snarky, but I want this to be part of a fun hobby, part of my man cave.

Why the cost and complexity. I'm confused.

Fahn2k said:

I could use some examples of some of the systems out there. They may be more expensive, but I need to see prices and features in order to make a cost verses convenience choice. The cheapest and easiest way is to do it manually so I'm not necessarily looking for cheap I want to be able to walk in the room and look over at my tent and see real time soil conditions (dry vs moist vs soaked, I also want to see inside and outside temp and humidity all on a easy to read LCD. I also want to be able to add to the system (automate the fans, lights, AC) and I want to be able to do it little by little as far as cost go. I dont want to sound snarky, but I want this to be part of a fun hobby, part of my man cave.

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Look at your plant. Best real time display to date. Wondering as to you now?

Are you familiar with Rasberry Pi and coding, or are you starting from scratch?

PJ Diaz said:

Are you familiar with Rasberry Pi and coding, or are you starting from scratch?

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Again why the programming via software and kerrnels? Duh?!

Earthbox

Gemtree said:

Earthbox

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Bow to you but a simple digital timer does this for how many watts? Thats x times pumps. Private your shiny chitt is pointless sorry.

MICHI-CAN said:

Again why the programming via software and kerrnels? Duh?!

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Because knowledge is power. The OP wants to get his inner geek on, so why not? Who knows, he might end up making a better product than Pulse does, and quit his day job. I have a robotics kit with a raspberry pi I just got for my kids. I know nothing of how to program or code it, but by then end of the courses, my kids will know how to write custom code for it, and have their own robot. Sure, they could just buy a robot at the store, but they wouldn't gain the same knowledge.

PJ Diaz said:

Because knowledge is power. The OP wants to get his inner geek on, so why not? Who knows, he might end up making a better product than Pulse does, and quit his day job. I have a robotics kit with a raspberry pi I just got for my kids. I know nothing of how to program or code it, but by then end of the courses, my kids will know how to write custom code for it, and have their own robot. Sure, they could just buy a robot at the store, but they wouldn't gain the same knowledge.

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I back the thought. But walk before you fly. Expensive in RC. LOL. Tech fails. My point beyond price and complexity.

MICHI-CAN said:

I back the thought. But walk before you fly. Expensive in RC. LOL. Tech fails. My point beyond price and complexity.

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This is the set of kits I'm working on with my kids..

just throwing this out there especially since you are using soil. I went down this rabbit hole. bought tubes pump, adafruit soil rh temp sensors etc. looked at controllers, writing my own software etc. never wound up using it.

recently discovered SIPs and decided to try a low tech solution instead. personally using Earthbox Jr. let the plants decide when they want to drink. no computer chips or electronics involved. easiest grow cycle ever. am buying some more to keep moms in. never going to garden any other way the growth is phenomenal. check out this whole SIPs thread for a ton of info. or jump to the more recent posts to see what ppl have been doing DIY and using commercially available ones too.

MICHI-CAN said:

Why the cost and complexity. I'm confused.

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Speaking of complexity would a capillary set up be suitable for a soil application?

if you decide to stick with building an automated system check these out:

software for raspberry pi for hydro system automation.. lots of automated build tutorials and most flexible system

these guys made a microcontroller board and have some plug and play QB lights fans etc. All their software is open source too.

PJ Diaz said:

This is the set of kits I'm working on with my kids..

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I love it. Tried to et mine into drones and autonomous movement. More coding and 3D texturing to his liking. But push it.