I’ve finally configured my garden and landscaping on drip irrigation, but I’m using some dumb valves hooked up to my house hose spigot.

I would absolutely love a smart valve that I can have better control of the schedule, or respond to sensors.

After some looking around, it seems like “Rachio” is the only integration I can find for something like this. It’s a bit pricy ($99 per valve), and it looks like it needs a wifi hub to work. Has anyone used this integration successfully?

Is there any other options? There seem to be lots of “Bluetooth” controllers available in the big box stores, but I’m guessing they will need an app or something?

  • macrocarpa@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    In australia there is a brand called Holman which does WiFi enabled smart valves. Starting at battery powered valves you attach to the tap all the way up to full solenoid valves which need a controller. There is then the Holman app which hooks into your home automation suite.

    Not sure if it’s available in the US, and any mains powered unit would be on a different voltage. But the battery powered ones seem OK. Just chews through a lot of batteries apparently.

    I have the Holman WX 8 controller paired with a bunch of online solenoid valves. It is a decent setup although quite expensive and took a long time and lot of effort to set up (running lines to solenoids, setting up water lines, dripper hoses etc) . It makes a huge difference in irrigation tho. Absolutely zero effort to get water exactly where the plants need it. Id say I broke even on effort the first summer. Cost wise longer term.

    • Nimrod@lemm.eeOPEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I think this is the end game. But for now, I’m looking to get more dialed in control on just the simple on/off.

      I got my garden rigged up with the different rate emitters based on what is in the different beds. So it’s configured to handle a single zone, but in the future I would love to have it broken down into more granular control.

      • macrocarpa@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        I have been through a fair amount of the various timer solutions, to be honest, the simplest most reliable thing I’ve found is the old rotary dial tap timer…

        The reason I use the WiFi version is I can control it remote if I’m away from home.