RE: Request for Guidance on Automated Irrigation System for Remote Greenhouse Project

kmikemoo — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 00:42:54 GMT

[mention:db822009242b4c55851c5e6bc639e298:e9ed411860ed4f2ba0265705b8793d05] I have no expertise, so this is just a suggestion. If possible, use the sub-irrigated planter technique similar to Earthbox. This way, your watering system doesn't need to be precise. Once you fill the sub-base reservoir, the excess water drains out of the overflow port(s) and can be reclaimed. You can't over-water the plants. The sub-base reservoir also allows you some latitude as to when you pump water - as in "pumps when the solar array powers the pump". If you use a greenhouse storage tank to pump the water from, you can use the change in level/replenishment cycle to track your water consumption and further fine tune the system. Start out pumping into the sub-base reservoirs on a timer. If you see a lot of return/overflow, decrease the pumping time or increase the time interval between pumping events. Replenish the water storage tank with a float switch.
If you want to add a drip irrigation system, you can as it won't be the only source of irrigation. It drips when the pump fills the sub-base reservoirs, so it supplements but doesn't saturate.

This should help minimize the need for the perfect pump motor as you can now use a smaller (or available) pump and just run it as long as necessary to fill the reservoirs. After the first fill, you will just be doing "top offs".