v1rtu0s1ty
Senior Member
Awesome rules from that link!
But that image is awesome. What app is that?
Thank you so much!
But that image is awesome. What app is that?
Thank you so much!
poor man's garden sprinkler
- Thread starter v1rtu0s1ty
- Start date
wuench
Senior Member
That screenshot's from my CQC setup. (www.charmedquark.com). You should give it a try, it has a 30 day trial. It has supported the ElkM1 for years, but the latest beta includes features to update custom values (the durations on the right on the screen shot).
Here is a link to the rest of my screenshots:
CQC BlueGlass Theme
v1rtu0s1ty
Senior Member
OMG, that is a real nice kick ass interface!!! I should definitely try it!
Thanks again!
purple_motion
Member
I got mine in today and started playing around with it. As Gordon stated in posts above, you have to pulse the valve with a pretty hefty DC supply source to get it to "toggle". I used two nine volt batteries in series.
The tip and center of the 1/8" connector are toggle points and the base is ground.
I ordered some capacitors in the tenths of farad range to see if I can charge them to trip the solenoid with a smaller source/wall wart. Either way, it looks like it's going to be a hassle as you will need external components other than a wall wart to get this thing to work, plus I don't see off hand how you can use less than two digital control outputs (plus they have to be "momentary") to turn this valve on and off.
Seems the easier way may be to just use a conventional valve and deal with only having to purchase an additional adapter as was mentioned above!
Any more information on this valve? I grabbed one and I am going to try playing with it as well. If it is truely 4 ohm coil resistance it needs something like 3A @ 12V to toggle the valve. I would be nice to know the pulse duration (any ideas?). I might start with the assumption of 100ms as a start.
BraveSirRobbin
Moderator
I gave up on this a while ago. Can't remember the exact reason, but I believe after testing, there would be just to much effort to create a pulse with the necessary drive to control this valve.
erasei
Member
I just wanted to chime in to this very old thread and thank the people who commented and shared this great idea. I just implemented this on my own over the weekend and it turned out great! I wrote up a full post on it on my own garden blog over at erasei.com.
As you can see in the photo, i'm using X10 and my own linux server, not an Elk, but it works great no matter how you turn it off and on. The blog posts goes into detail, but that wiring was just temporary for testing, it has been moved inside the garage and the wires run through a hole nearby.
Thanks again!
As you can see in the photo, i'm using X10 and my own linux server, not an Elk, but it works great no matter how you turn it off and on. The blog posts goes into detail, but that wiring was just temporary for testing, it has been moved inside the garage and the wires run through a hole nearby.
Thanks again!
I want to put a couple of 24v valves to control my sprinklers using EtherRain controller.
But all "classic" tutorials I found call to put valves into buried sealed box, while I would prefer simply "hanging" 'em just as on the post above.
While I can put the controller inside, the valve will be outside - I'm a bit concerned about bare electrical contacts (on the valve) in wet environment - rains, occasional leaks from the faucet, etc?
What do you think?
But all "classic" tutorials I found call to put valves into buried sealed box, while I would prefer simply "hanging" 'em just as on the post above.
While I can put the controller inside, the valve will be outside - I'm a bit concerned about bare electrical contacts (on the valve) in wet environment - rains, occasional leaks from the faucet, etc?
What do you think?
I wouldn't worry about the solonoid wires being exposed. Now, the above pic with the X10 module and wallwart shouldn't be exposed as the author advises he subsequently moved those indoors.
The solonoids are made for outdoor usage. Most even come with gel cap connectors suggesting connection in the outdoors.
The solonoids are made for outdoor usage. Most even come with gel cap connectors suggesting connection in the outdoors.
BraveSirRobbin
Moderator
You should be fine as that is low voltage (24 volts AC). You may want to protect the wires if they are exposed to a large amount of UV from the sun. Also, if you are concerned about electrical damage you can always place an in-line fuse to the valves right off from the controller (an amp or so fuse should be ok).
WayneW
Senior Member
It is always something.... my sprinkler valves are above ground and I have never had a problem with the wiring or simple wire nut connections (just make sure they open down)... but the darn squirrels (or something? armadillos? opossums?) likes to chew on the solenoids
Once they chew enough plastic to expose metal or wire, then things start to rust and eventually fail, then I have to replace the solenoid (easy). I had to make a simple wood cover to keep the varmits off.Easiest way is a hole saw on your drill, although you could get away with a large diameter drill bit if you're running thin wire.
As far as sealing it, caulk works like a champ. I know some who swear by plumber's putty, too.
v1rtu0s1ty
Senior Member
Good morning folks. I never got the manual turning to ON/OFF to work. I think I got it to work but only for one OUTPUT using Task, using F4 key and TOGGLE.
Is it possible to capture what number is pressed on the keypad? I would like to do this kind of rule so I can tell which OUTPUT I like to turn ON
If pressed key = F4 and number = 1, then TURN ON output 9 for 30 mins
If pressed key = F4 and number = 2, then TURN ON output 10 for 30 mins
...
or can we store a value to a variable when a digit is pressed on the keypad? Let's say I pressed button 1, what I would like to do is store it on a variable called zone. So the rule would be
if pressed key = F4 and zone=1, then TOGGLE output 9
if pressed key = F4 and zone=2, then TOGGLE output 10
Is it possible to capture what number is pressed on the keypad? I would like to do this kind of rule so I can tell which OUTPUT I like to turn ON
If pressed key = F4 and number = 1, then TURN ON output 9 for 30 mins
If pressed key = F4 and number = 2, then TURN ON output 10 for 30 mins
...
or can we store a value to a variable when a digit is pressed on the keypad? Let's say I pressed button 1, what I would like to do is store it on a variable called zone. So the rule would be
if pressed key = F4 and zone=1, then TOGGLE output 9
if pressed key = F4 and zone=2, then TOGGLE output 10
v1rtu0s1ty
Senior Member
It's ok folks. Brad of Elk gave me instructions on how to implement. This is good enough for me :huh: I can see the name of the output on the LCD panel. Then I just press # to toggle ON/OFF.
From Brad
#1 Automation Menu through the keypad
* From the keypad press the ELK Key, screen should display 1-View/Control Automation Fncts.
* Press the Right Arrow Key
* Press the 3 Key, Screen should display 3-Outputs
* Press the Right Arrow Key and then enter the Output number for example 009.
* To Toggle the state of the output press the "#" key
From Brad
#1 Automation Menu through the keypad
* From the keypad press the ELK Key, screen should display 1-View/Control Automation Fncts.
* Press the Right Arrow Key
* Press the 3 Key, Screen should display 3-Outputs
* Press the Right Arrow Key and then enter the Output number for example 009.
* To Toggle the state of the output press the "#" key
