Automated control done easy

[Smokinguitars]

Somewhat related, my lawn sprinkler timer went bad and I replaced it with the RainMachine 8-zone unit. Wi-Fi unit with full phone integration with the ability to support multiple programs and timers. After hookup I had 4 unused zones. The dim bulb lightened up and I thought, how about make my pumps, lights and waterfall a zone of their own and control it with this unit? Within a few days I had my relays in hand and multi conductor wire dug and ran out to the pump pad. It works! I reside in CA and am on a time of use PG&E plan.
6AM to 10:00AM, the high speed pump zone runs
10:00Am to 2:00PM the low speed pump zone runs
7PM to 9PM the high speed zone runs again (usually when I check my Chems)
pool/spa lights I have timed from 8:30-11 Friday and Saturday

if you manually want to run any zone, open your phone and turn it on. I really dig that you can program multiple stage timers to work around peak hours.

 

[Texas Splash]

Nice! On a side note, you have to share the story of your username.

 

[Paul & Crystal]

I want that.

 

[pooldv]

Nice! On a side note, you have to share the story of your username.

Maybe he is ace frehley. :-D

 

[CJadamec]

I've been working on a very similar project but found this lil gem.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Orbit-B-...or-Sprinkler-Timer-with-Wi-Fi-57950/206638406

12 relay outputs, outdoor rated enclosure, wifi enabled, automated program schedule with phone based app control. Just gotta get the data cable for my superflo pump and I can have more control of my pool than any sane person ever needed haha.

 

[kevreh]

Who woulda thought, sprinkler controllers?! Only thing is finding the relays. Name brand ones are a little spendy, like $30 or so. However, plane old electronic relays that accept low voltage and control line voltage are cheap and easy to find.

 

[CJadamec]

Relays with 24Vac coils

https://www.amazon.com/General-Purpose-Power-Relay-Socket/dp/B00PZXGHZY/ref=pd_sim_328_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00PZXGHZY&pd_rd_r=JT7QR1NK8QWM9Y2S0YVH&pd_rd_w=oESrl&pd_rd_wg=ppU6X&psc=1&refRID=JT7QR1NK8QWM9Y2S0YVH

Dual pole motor contactor with 24Vac coil

https://www.amazon.com/Packard-PACK...rd_wg=OHNJ7&psc=1&refRID=RZVRQP3GEM18C437YX0V

 

[CJadamec]

For those of us with a superflo pump the control inputs can be wired right to the 24vac relay outputs on the timer board. The superflo pump will accept 5-30V ac/dc inputs for the speed signals. Just wish that darn comm cable for the pump was cheaper, and of course Pentair claims they used a non-standard plug end connector for it.

I'm hoping by the time I'm done I will be able to tinker together a system to remotely operate all of my equipment including a solar controller with automated valve for under 300.

 

[kevreh]

Relays with 24Vac coils

https://www.amazon.com/General-Purpose-Power-Relay-Socket/dp/B00PZXGHZY/ref=pd_sim_328_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00PZXGHZY&pd_rd_r=JT7QR1NK8QWM9Y2S0YVH&pd_rd_w=oESrl&pd_rd_wg=ppU6X&psc=1&refRID=JT7QR1NK8QWM9Y2S0YVH

Dual pole motor contactor with 24Vac coil

https://www.amazon.com/Packard-PACK...rd_wg=OHNJ7&psc=1&refRID=RZVRQP3GEM18C437YX0V

Thanks for the links. Didnt know sprinkler boxes sent out an AC signal, thought it was DC.

 

[pooldv]

You can add an Intellicomm II to an intelliflo and it will accept 24vdc inputs same as the Superflo.

 

[slickraft]

I don't need or want all the smartphone connectivity so I use an old Rainbird sprinkler timer to actuate my Jandy valves and my CL pump. I got it at a garage sale for a few dollars. Works exactly that way I want and still has three zones open for future projects. The 24VAC transformer on the sprinkler timer directly powers the Jandy actuators so no relays needed. I use a tiny power converter inside the timer box to run the 12VDC peristaltic pump so again, no relay needed. My VSP program handles all the pump on/off/RPM commands. Very few parts and points of failure for low maintenance in the future.

 

[kevreh]

I like the idea of using a basic sprinkler controller to run pumps, lighting, etc... Is there a way to use them with temp probes to do things like control the heater, switch a solar valve if the temp at the solar panels is at a certain point, etc...?

 

[CJadamec]

I'm using this to control the solar valve to open and close when the solar valve when the panels are warm. Its very basic but I don't need a lot of the capabilities of off the shelf solar controllers.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011VGASLW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1