poor man's garden sprinkler

[Squintz]

AWESOME!

I have been wanting a sprinkler system for a long long time but it just has not be at the top of my list. Now it is.

I just received 2 Z-Wave In-Wall receptacles. I am going to do something similar to what Dan is currently doing. Except instead of using an X10 Appliance Module I am going to use the Z-Wave Devices.

I'm wondering though if there are 24VAC OUTDOOR transformers that I can plug into the outlets. I'll be looking into it more.

 

[WayneW]

I stopped at two home depots tonight & cant seem to find the orbit valve (or any 24v valve).

Do you mean your Home Depots don't sell ANY irrigation supplies? These valves are in the irrigation (buried lawn sprinklers) section, not in the traditional toilet/sink/shower plumbing section. Lawn Genie, Toro & Rain Bird would be other brands to look for.

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

BraveSirRobbin.....Thank you very much for the great HOWTO....YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!

 

[ginigma]

I stopped at two home depots tonight & cant seem to find the orbit valve (or any 24v valve).

Do you mean your Home Depots don't sell ANY irrigation supplies? These valves are in the irrigation (buried lawn sprinklers) section, not in the traditional toilet/sink/shower plumbing section. Lawn Genie, Toro & Rain Bird would be other brands to look for.

It's interesting. I have 2 HD's near by. One has an irrigation section and the other one doesn't. Strange.

Anyway, someone asked for model numbers. I'm using a Toro 3/4" In-Line Electric Valve Model 53380. I found it in HD and it was the only one there on the shelf.

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

I stopped at two home depots tonight & cant seem to find the orbit valve (or any 24v valve).

Do you mean your Home Depots don't sell ANY irrigation supplies? These valves are in the irrigation (buried lawn sprinklers) section, not in the traditional toilet/sink/shower plumbing section. Lawn Genie, Toro & Rain Bird would be other brands to look for.

It's interesting. I have 2 HD's near by. One has an irrigation section and the other one doesn't. Strange.

Anyway, someone asked for model numbers. I'm using a Toro 3/4" In-Line Electric Valve Model 53380. I found it in HD and it was the only one there on the shelf.

By the way, I was at Menards this afternoon. I found out that they also sell RainBird 3/4" sprinkler valve. I've from my neighbor in our old house that there are few brands that are really reliable and one of them is RainBird. Since Menards carry Orbit and Menards and price difference is really minimal(80cents), should I go with RainBird?

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

By the way, I was at Menards this afternoon. I found out that they also sell RainBird 3/4" sprinkler valve. I've from my neighbor in our old house that there are few brands that are really reliable and one of them is RainBird. Since Menards carry Orbit and Menards and price difference is really minimal(80cents), should I go with RainBird?

Based on what a little bird told me, you may want to hold off on your purchase till tomorrow night!

 

[RAM]

Based on what a little bird told me, you may want to hold off on your purchase till tomorrow night!

Just what did this little bird tell you????

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

By the way, I was at Menards this afternoon. I found out that they also sell RainBird 3/4" sprinkler valve. I've from my neighbor in our old house that there are few brands that are really reliable and one of them is RainBird. Since Menards carry Orbit and Menards and price difference is really minimal(80cents), should I go with RainBird?

Based on what a little bird told me, you may want to hold off on your purchase till tomorrow night!

Ok Sir! Thanks again!

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Just what did this little bird tell you???? :blink:

That you might want to wait for THIS!

 

[ginigma]

Posting a pic and description of my valve here.

I used a different valve than the How-To write-up. It's a Toro 3/4" on both sides, which is the same as standard (US anyway) garden hose. On the incoming (left side) I have a female-female converter so I can connect the valve assembly to the hose bib. On the output (right side) I have an adapter for funny pipe (1/4" tubing). My application is for automated watering of hanging baskets on our deck. Huge WAF! This lets me continue with my own HA projects.

The second pic is of one side of the deck with the plants. I don't have the spray ends on the hose yet. That will be one of these nights. I ran the tubing from the hose bib/valve assembly along the bottom of the deck, and then up the poles (found them at Walmart). Using a tee, I am able to water both plants. I will be using an Insteon ApplianceLinc (hopefully the 24VAC transformer doesn't burn that out!) and PowerHome for the automation.

This was a simple project with a huge WAF.

 

[shastri]

The bare copper is probably earth ground.
The Red is probably positive.
The Green is probably negative.
What voltage power supply are you using? I'd try something in the 3-6V range. They do look like real thin wires.
On wall warts, usually the inside diameter is positive, while the outer is negative, or ground.

..very interesting thread thanks
I am about to one those orbit online kits (1 timer, 2 valves) and have been thinking of using that timer to not only water plants, but also control patio lights..
(I hope to get my kit soon and hope to hack it to do 2 jobs instead of just one, so your findings would be of great help to me)

Not sure if you folks had success with using the just the valve..can you please update this thread when possible.. TIA


Best Wishes

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

The bare copper is probably earth ground.
The Red is probably positive.
The Green is probably negative.
What voltage power supply are you using? I'd try something in the 3-6V range. They do look like real thin wires.
On wall warts, usually the inside diameter is positive, while the outer is negative, or ground.

..very interesting thread thanks
I am about to one those orbit online kits (1 timer, 2 valves) and have been thinking of using that timer to not only water plants, but also control patio lights..
(I hope to get my kit soon and hope to hack it to do 2 jobs instead of just one, so your findings would be of great help to me)

Not sure if you folks had success with using the just the valve..can you please update this thread when possible.. TIA

Hmm, if you mean this orbit kit mentioned here, I'm not sure it will control lighting. It just sends pulses for the valves. Maybe you can adapt but I'm thinking it is to much of a hassle

 

[shastri]

Thank you Sir
Yes, it is the same Orbit kit that's discussed in the thread (http://orbitonline.com/lib/media/62032-24ErE_001098.pdf)

And thanks for saving me from day-dreaming further on this idea (of using that same timer for lights - till I brush up my electric/electronics a bit, at least )
Will read the 'How to' (just found it -- am very new to this site) to come up to speed..

Best Wishes
-Ravi

 

[v1rtu0s1ty]

Hi BSR,

I've ordered the M1RB and few connectors. For the Orbit items, Menards carries the Orbit 24vac transformer 57040 but it's a special order(not available locally) and it's $22. Will I be missing anything if I buy the Elk-TRG2440 instead?

Thanks,

Neil

EDIT:

I just finished ordering Elk-TRG2440.

I'll start my poor man's sprinkler project sometime third week of May. It's still raining good here.

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

Hi Neil;

That should work fine!