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Irrigation system based on RF valves - can it be done?

funkymonkey

Hi all,

I'm looking at creating a zoned irrigation system for my garden where RF-valves can be run off a main water feed that runs around the garden.  Essentially a main box would send signals to each valve as it is needed to water a flowerbed.  Is anyone aware of RF battery operated valves that I might be able to integrate with Arduino or a Pi.  I have seen solutions using relay boards, but I am trying to see if there is a way I can do it without needing to run power cables all around the garden.  I am almost thinking of something like the Honeywell Evohome radiator valves but that will be waterproof.  Something that is truly wireless.  I would consider a wi-fi solution, but would prefer RF.

Many thanks for any pointers to RF valve solutions and transmitters anyone can offer!


Duncan

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    Hi Duncan,

    This sounds like a reasonable approach, it may work. You may find that (say) the valve doesn't fully open since they are not designed for high flow rates, but maybe that's not an issue, I don't know. It would need testing.

    A search reveals there are DC power operated latching solenoid valves for water on AliExpress, some intended for irrigation, and at a similar cost to the radiator valve method but they don't contain the wireless functionality etc, so for an almost ready-made but low-cost option, your idea could work.

    By chance I have some MiHome battery-operated devices intended for connecting on top of thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) so I could give it a shot at some point too, but probably not for a week or so. Weather extremes might cause issues with rubber seals etc, but I don't know. Some things not intended for outdoor use can still work remarkably well provided there is some basic shielding from elements.. some things will fail though.

    There are also battery-operated cistern/WC flush valves, that are very cheap on Aliexpress, but again they would require the wireless functionality to be added on.

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  • 0

    Hi Duncan,

    This sounds like a reasonable approach, it may work. You may find that (say) the valve doesn't fully open since they are not designed for high flow rates, but maybe that's not an issue, I don't know. It would need testing.

    A search reveals there are DC power operated latching solenoid valves for water on AliExpress, some intended for irrigation, and at a similar cost to the radiator valve method but they don't contain the wireless functionality etc, so for an almost ready-made but low-cost option, your idea could work.

    By chance I have some MiHome battery-operated devices intended for connecting on top of thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) so I could give it a shot at some point too, but probably not for a week or so. Weather extremes might cause issues with rubber seals etc, but I don't know. Some things not intended for outdoor use can still work remarkably well provided there is some basic shielding from elements.. some things will fail though.

    There are also battery-operated cistern/WC flush valves, that are very cheap on Aliexpress, but again they would require the wireless functionality to be added on.

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