Recommendations for Wi-Fi watering system

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Recommendations for Wi-Fi watering system

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#2998207 18-Nov-2022 20:49

Eva888: I note the dimensions are in inches will ask the vendor if there are metric adaptors included. At that price it would still be worth it since a tuya zigbee hub is about $48 from Dick Smith. New learning curve.

Normal taps are not metric thread, they are 3/4" one with a washer to seal (not tapered)

Richard rich.ms

snowfly

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#2998235 18-Nov-2022 21:21

If you want to buy something local, perhaps look at the Holman WX1 tap timer and Wifi hub.
Can buy at Bunnings, $144 for 1 timer + hub, or there is a timer + hub on Trademe for $99.

There is a dual tap model, WX2, but this is only available in Australia (unless you buy online and have it shipped over).

Similar to that aliexpress one mentioned earlier in thread, and from an Aussie review on youtube it appears to run on tuya.

I'm only mentioning the Holman wx1 because I stumbled across it online a week ago, and just like you, I am also looking for a simple wifi watering system.
(I haven't got one yet, still deciding)

Handle9

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#2998244 18-Nov-2022 21:29

snowfly:

If you want to buy something local, perhaps look at the Holman WX1 tap timer and Wifi hub.
Can buy at Bunnings, $144 for 1 timer + hub, or there is a timer + hub on Trademe for $99.

There is a dual tap model, WX2, but this is only available in Australia (unless you buy online and have it shipped over).

Similar to that aliexpress one mentioned earlier in thread, and from an Aussie review on youtube it appears to run on tuya.

I'm only mentioning the Holman wx1 because I stumbled across it online a week ago, and just like you, I am also looking for a simple wifi watering system.
(I haven't got one yet, still deciding)

It looks like a white badged version of some of the other units available on Aliexpress. They mostly seem to get decent reviews on there.

Eva888

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#2998285 19-Nov-2022 08:30

snowfly:
If you want to buy something local, perhaps look at the Holman WX1 tap timer and Wifi hub.
Can buy at Bunnings, $144 for 1 timer + hub, or there is a timer + hub on Trademe for $99.

There is a dual tap model, WX2, but this is only available in Australia (unless you buy online and have it shipped over).

Similar to that aliexpress one mentioned earlier in thread, and from an Aussie review on youtube it appears to run on tuya.

I'm only mentioning the Holman wx1 because I stumbled across it online a week ago, and just like you, I am also looking for a simple wifi watering system.
(I haven't got one yet, still deciding)

Reading the mixed reviews it’s a lot to pay for a potential problem and the hassle of time spent setting up and then returning to shop. Some trade me ones come direct from China at a higher price so you may as well get the cheaper Allie express one which is what I am leaning towards now.

Tinkerisk

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#2999526 22-Nov-2022 00:59

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Handle9

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#2999527 22-Nov-2022 01:05

Handle9:

What are you looking for? Multiple zones/programs or one irrigation run with drippers?

I'm in the process of setting this up. I'm integrating it directly to Home Assistant / HomeKit via Zigbee2MQTT and all seems pretty solid so far. I'm not using the app, which appears to be Tuya based.

I only need 1 or 2 zones max to run drippers into flower beds so it's perfectly fine. If I wanted something with multiple zones and mains powered then I'd be looking for a different solution.

I'm not at a point where I'd recommend this. It keeps dropping off the Zigbee2mqtt network even though it seems to have an ok LQI. I'll try it with a tuya gateway and see if that's any better.

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Eva888

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#2999606 22-Nov-2022 09:20

Maybe then something mechanical with a timer is going to be the answer until these become more reliable. Pots don’t hold moisture for long in summer so unsure I wouldn’t like to risk going away and trusting a smart one as would be gutted to return to everything dead. I still like the idea but only for convenience when it can be checked on while at home. I have two taps that can be used so could have mechanical on one and a smart on the other to use while lazy at home. Seems they are hit or miss and dependent on luck.

richms

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#2999679 22-Nov-2022 10:48

The problem with mechanical or dial ones is that you end up with them running when it rains unless you add in a moisture probe, and those are not maintence free. Wifi ones have weather data available to predict if it will rain and not water if it will.

Richard rich.ms

Tinkerisk

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#2999929 22-Nov-2022 18:04

Eva888: Pots don’t hold moisture for long in summer so unsure I wouldn’t like to risk going away and trusting a smart one as would be gutted to return to everything dead.

I have a couple of pots with reservoir which can easily hold water for at least a week even in hot summer. There are different colors, styles, shapes and sizes available. Warning: expensive, but very high quality.

I’ve added a smart pump control to automatically refill their reservoirs by a installed inconspicuous and daisychained 4,6mm hose with T-joiners (from the Gardena micro drip system) from a big water barrel, since I don‘t have a tap on the balcony. So we can leave the plants alone for at least 4 weeks, even more when somebody comes along only to refill the barrel once after 4 weeks. It‘s very reliable since it doesn‘t use micro drippers which can calcify or clog after time.

Eva888

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#2999955 22-Nov-2022 19:40

Nice planters. My pots are round and various sizes made of clay. The double wall of yours Tinkerisk gave me an idea though of adding another slightly smaller plastic pot inside mine to create an airspace and stand the inner pot on stones. That would provide both coolness and a small reservoir. Not an easy ask to find such a perfect sized plastic pot.

Clever idea with the pump and water barrel but way past my capabilities without some very detailed instructions. Definitely need to get the tubes and jointers organised first for all options so suggestions for these also welcome.

markymarknz

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#3016095 2-Jan-2023 14:00

Eva888: Maybe then something mechanical with a timer is going to be the answer until these become more reliable. Pots don’t hold moisture for long in summer so unsure I wouldn’t like to risk going away and trusting a smart one as would be gutted to return to everything dead. I still like the idea but only for convenience when it can be checked on while at home. I have two taps that can be used so could have mechanical on one and a smart on the other to use while lazy at home. Seems they are hit or miss and dependent on luck.

Just thought I would mention I bought 2x of these as it seemed better to use Zigbee than wifi when running on batteries. Battery is still at 100% after a few weeks of running.

Finally setup the tubing and irrigation to my vege garden and connected the controller up with Zigbee2MQTT and home assistant.

Connectivity has been reliable for me, I did get another Zigbee router setup to help boost the range.

HA is good as setup automation to water based off sunrise with offset time and factoring in rain forecast.

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michelangelonz

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#3016287 2-Jan-2023 20:13

If you don't mind a bit of tinkering ESP32 with ESPHome and Home assistant works well. I built a watering system with an ESP32, a relay board, a solenoid valve box and transformer. ESPHome makes it easy to integrate into Home Assistant then you can automate it or programme it how you like.

Eva888

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#3016414 3-Jan-2023 12:04

With all the other dramas and visitors taking precedence, the watering system decision has been delayed somewhat but still in the grand plan.

snowfly

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#3016785 4-Jan-2023 12:37

Just finished setting up lawn irrigation, here is the initial setup:

Blueline mains pipe (20mm ID MDPE) is connected directly to incoming mains line to house - had this done as the pressure was too low at the end of standard garden taps (taps were usually 12/13mm pipes after many metres and bends of internal piping, causing pressure loss)
Rain bird 3500 popup rotor sprinklers
20mm low density pipe + 19mm poly pipe to sprinklers
2x pope 24vac solenoids (will add a 3rd soon to replace the non-smart green battery timer)
2x Shelly 1 Plus relays to switch solenoids
Home assistant with basic schedule

Can anyone recommend a simple/basic Home Assistant extension / custom feature that can factor in local weather forecast / rain? @markymarknz
At the moment I just disable/adjust schedule when there has been rain.

markymarknz

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#3017782 6-Jan-2023 12:41

Yes I have been looking into decent local weather forecast info incl rain for a while.

One I found with potential was this one:
https://github.com/petergridge/openweathermaphistory

However it uses OpenWeatherMap who have recently changed their free API access to not include historical info which breaks that integration.

I will investigate whether I can create a custom integration like the one linked but with Accuweather which seems to have better free API access to get both historical and future rainfall measurements.

At least for now I don't really need the irrigation system with all the rain!

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