Open-source sprinkler controller keeps your lawn looking great

posted Oct 9th 2011 4:01pm by Mike Nathan
filed under: arduino hacks, home hacks

open_source_sprinkler_controller

[Ray] wrote in to share a great project he just recently wrapped up, an open-source sprinkler valve controller. Built in collaboration with Wired Magazine’s editor-in-chief [Chris Anderson], the sprinkler controller is designed to replace the limited commercial sprinkler timers that typically come with a new home sprinkler setup.

Their system greatly expands on the idea of a standard sprinkler timer, adding Ethernet connectivity, web-based scheduling, and 8 separate controllable zones. At the heart of the controller is an ATmega328 running the Arduino bootloader, which means that the system is easily tweakable to fit your specific needs. The controller works off a standard 24V AC sprinkler transformer, which means that the controller can easily act as a drop-in replacement for your existing system.

The pair sells kits through the web site, but you can always simply download the schematics, PCB layout files, and BoM to build one yourself. Whichever path you choose, be sure to swing by [Ray’s] site and take a good look around – there is an incredibly detailed assembly and programming guide there that will be a great resource as you go along.

Continue reading to see a video of the sprinkler controller in action.

Comments [8]

tagged: arduino, ethernet, open source, sprinkler controller

8 Responses to Open-source sprinkler controller keeps your lawn looking great

Matt says:

October 9, 2011 at 5:48 pm

awesome. very nice build.
I want to know more about the case!

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tantris says:

October 9, 2011 at 6:18 pm

i don’t know what the blocking voltage of the triac is, but maybe an optocoupler would be extra nice. if you set up a sprinkler system, lots of outside wiring can pick up lots of stray voltage in a thunderstorm. wifi is a nice idea though: it is a far worse connector for lightning than standard ethernet…

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Jonathan says:

October 9, 2011 at 7:02 pm

This is a great setup but it does not work correctly!! In a real automatic sprinkler setup you would not have all valves on due to the water pressure at the water supply. Rainbird and other automatic sprinkler system have the “zones” set to come on one after another. I really like this and would probably get one but it not configured correctly.

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CoreyAR says:

October 10, 2011 at 6:15 am

From looking at the settings there is a Multi-Valve option that will limit the number of open valves…on the website they say that the commercial ones do it for current flow not water flow.

Since not all sprinkler setups are alike having multiple valves open at the same time might be suitable for the layout, considering coverage with reduced flow and the duration.

And like other open source stuff you should be able to configure control algorithms yourself for your setup.

Features to add would be forecast awareness where it wouldn’t water if rain was expected. Also a rain gauge that would give an approximate rainfall so that the system could supplement nature when rain was lighter then optimum.

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Gerg says:

October 10, 2011 at 5:51 am

All good sprinkler controllers will allow two solenoids open at one time. On many systems, opening a third will exceed the transformer’s output even if water pressure allows otherwise.

On many systems, solenoid #1 is frequently used to act as a master valve, which is especially important for people who have a gray water system. Accordingly, in this configuration, you must have valve #1 plus whatever zone is active, open.

I do agree allowing more than two solenoids is asking for trouble and allowing more than three is downright broken.

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Peter says:

October 10, 2011 at 3:36 pm

Nice project. I agree on the optocouplers. Long horizontal runs of unshielded copper tend to pickup close lightning induction and then theres shorts. This project would be great with a wireless bridge and a good web interface with stats, logging, etc. Perhaps some weather sensor inputs even. I was thinking an old wrt54g running something like ddwrt to base a basic two or three valve controller. You wouldnt have a screen though. Guess you could add one of the ddwrt screen hacks. Again, top work.

I like the see through case btw.

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Matt says:

October 28, 2011 at 8:19 am

The reason he allows multiple zones to be opened at once is because this is meant as a multi-purpose controller. Many people have different uses for a networked timer, and would want to use each output independently. I am using one to build an aquarium controller to turn lights on, co2 injection, and automate water changes. Some of these would require simultaneous use. As stated above you can limit the number of zones active at once through programing. Not a big deal..

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John says:

May 23, 2012 at 10:54 pm

Hmm, I have not played with any projects like this but I think I would like to see:

Zone moisture sensor network.
Ultrasonic people detector, so I dont’t soak the dog walkers.
The opposite principle in the backyard to soak any unwelcome critters. Maybe even triangulate the target.
A real splash screen, some fancy synchronised water works at start up.

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