Control Systems

BigDaDDY wrote on Wednesday (28/01/2004) :

That would be a fairly trivial project for someone who knew what they were doing, but not something for the newcomer to tackle in the most sophisticated form you mentioned.

Ground moisture levels can easily be detected and set to maintain a pre-set level.

You might look at some circuits such as sump pump controllers which use probes instead of float switches. DIY flood sensing circuits intended to be placed under washing machines. I have even seen DIY circuits able to trigger car windscreen wipers when it rains. Simply adjust the sensitivity of one of these circuits and reverse its operation to enable a solenoid valve when dry. Replicate the circuit plus solenoid valve for each sprinkler head you want to independently control. Add a timing mechanism to have it only operate between set times.

If you do not know the difference between a Class 2 circuit and a power limited circuit or what a separately derived AC system is then hire someone, or spend about 5 years learning how to design these systems then do it yourself.

Nah! This stuff is easy. Just limit the power stuff to readily available (and UL approved) X10 components. Then play with the sensors and control algorithms to your heart's content.

Thanks, a voice of reason

About moisture sensing and sprinkler control systems -- most often gypsum blocks are used as sensors, check out Irrometer Co, Soilmoisture Equipment Co, or Supersensors, all located in California.

If you call your local golf courses you may find somepeople who are actually doing this stuff. I looked into it about 6 years ago, the references are that dated. It's also pretty interesting to learn how ununiform water distribution is. It's an intersting project. ajw.

Sure, I run into your radio shack engineering everyday. You think you know what you are doing but end up with a mess. You know garbage in, garbage out.

Oh, my! We have a "REAL ELECTRICIAN" (TM) here that thinks he knows everything. You haven't a frappin' clue.

X10 stuff is perfectly safe and very flexible. If one wants to play with mains switching it is the perfect way to go. Much can be done with simple *PLUG-IN* modules, again perfectly safely. The control stuff can be done on a PC, again *PERFECTLY SAFELY*.

You holier than thou electricians make me laugh. Most of your type shouldn't be left near anything larger than a "D" cell. The wiring in my house shows that I'm right!

Get down off your high-horse and you'll find that you too can be replaced by another idiot with little more than common sense.

The good news about this guy is that Darwin was right...and sooner or later his flippant attitude about "perfectly safe" electrical components in the hands of the untrained will eventually eliminate him and his kind from the gene pool. :-)

...another stupid over-paid, under-worked, sparky heard from.