Your Smart IOT

Gardening improves health and quality of life, connecting us to our local environment. Plus, you can eat organic fruits and veggies at very little cost. Yet for all these fantastic benefits, remembering to water can still take a backseat to our busy lives. Fortunately, home automation is easier than ever with inexpensive and accessible microcontrollers like the <a href="http://ift.tt/iRv29v" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Raspberry Pi</a> and <a href="http://arduino.cc/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Arduino</a>.
This tutorial details the construction process for a remotely controlled solenoid irrigation valve. In other words, a home computer controls the water flow of an outdoor hose spigot, or bib. The materials cost is about $30-40, excluding the Raspberry Pi (RPi). Cheaper parts can be found with patience and creativity.
The design is intended as a simple introduction to building a complete, personalized home irrigation system. It is also intended to encourage simple DIY solutions to everyday problems. Make modifications and upgrades to suit your needs, resources, and skill level. To conserve water, include drip irrigation and a<a href="http://ift.tt/WVWBoj" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">soil moisture sensor</a>.
Note: This project involves high voltage which requires extreme caution. Always check power connections before touching exposed wires.
<h2 id="step1" class="step-title">Step 1: Materials</h2>
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— <a href="http://ift.tt/1SCTbwy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Raspberry Pi 2 Model B</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1VbHL8M" width="1" />, <a href="http://ift.tt/1SCTcAE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GPIO Cable</a> <img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1VbHL8P" width="1" />, <a href="http://ift.tt/1SCTcQU" target="_blank">GPIO cable adapter + breadboard</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1VbHN0o" width="1" /> 
This tutorial assumes the RPi has all <a href="http://ift.tt/MJDb9S" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">GPIO libraries</a>. To install outdoors, the RPi also needs a WiFi adapter and to be accessible by <a href="http://ift.tt/1CmEdHi" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SSH</a> or other remote login.
— <a href="http://ift.tt/1SCTes0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">24 VAC Solenoid Valve 1″</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1VbHN0s" width="1" />
This tutorial uses a 24 VAC solenoid for a 3/4″ hose spigot.
Some background: there are two main types of solenoids: AC or DC.
An AC solenoid valve turns water on when voltage is applied, and turns it off when the power is off. The drawback is that it uses AC voltage, requiring an adapter to convert the wall voltage, 120 VAC, into the 24 VAC voltage needed to trigger the valve. Outdoor Installation likely requires an extension cord. 
A DC solenoid valve allows for a battery powered system. It can easily be modified to be wireless and powered by renewable energy using a medium solar panel (~10 W). However, most DC irrigation valves are <a href="http://ift.tt/1SCTcQY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">latching solenoids</a> and require switching the valve lead <a href="http://ift.tt/1boXSoZ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">polarity</a> to turn water on and off.
I chose an AC valve for the first prototype because I already had a few parts.. and adequate rechargeable batteries can be expensive.
— <a href="http://ift.tt/1SCTes2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Solid State Relay</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1VbHL8T" width="1" />
The Solid State Relay, or relay, is the intermediary switch between the RPi and the solenoid valve. This tutorial uses a Crouzet Model OAC5-315; its input is 3 – 8 VDC and its output is between 24 – 120 VAC at 1A.
— <a href="http://ift.tt/1SCTes4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">2N3904 NPN Transistor</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1VbHN0w" width="1" />
— <a href="http://ift.tt/1SCTcR4" target="_blank">4.7 kOhm Resistor</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1VbHN0o" width="1" />
— <a href="http://ift.tt/1VbHN0y" target="_blank">PCB Board</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1VbHN0o" width="1" />
Sized to fit the relay, <a href="http://ift.tt/1WLPAjr" itemprop="url" target="_bank" title="GPIO">GPIO</a> pins, transistor and resistor.
— <a href="http://ift.tt/1VbHL8Y" target="_blank">120 VAC to 24 VAC power adapter</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1VbHN0o" width="1" />
Use an extension cord and/or longer leads to install outdoors.
— 22-gauge stranded wire (insulated), min. 10 feet 
— Waterproof container
I used a leftover <a href="http://ift.tt/1SCTesa" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Waterproof Project Case</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1VbHN0A" width="1" /> wrapped with waterproof tape. Cheap/free containers are easy to find; Talenti ice cream containers are an example, and also happen to contain delicious ice cream. With small containers, be sure exposed AC connections are completely covered in epoxy to protect the RPi.
— Optional: Waterproof connectors, waterproofing tape/lots of duct tape
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Raspberry Pi Irrigation Controller

Gardening improves health and quality of life, connecting us to our local environment. Plus, you can eat organic fruits and veggies at very ...

Raspberry Pi Irrigation Controller

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