Smart Home Garden Irrigation Project
Garden Irrigation System Summary MY project to make a bespoke irrigation system for my home garden, which comes in at under £10 per zone including the actual water delivery method, and is made with relatively easily sourced components. I am a mechanical engineer by training, but not an electrician so interested in hearing pointers on how to make it better. Some of the component and tool links…
This project aims to create a custom irrigation system for a home garden, costing less than £10 per zone, including the water delivery method. The author, a mechanical engineer by training, wants to make it better and is interested in receiving pointers, as they are not an electrician. Some component and tool links are affiliate links, and the author earns a small commission if readers purchase through them. The guide covers everything the author actually bought and used.
The project began as the author wanted to automate watering for their vegetable patch and flowers during hot summer days. They initially tried a Wi-Fi-controlled tap but found it unsuitable due to low flow rate, limited scalability, and reliance on battery-powered solutions. The author then decided to experiment with creating their own devices using development boards and other components.
The author emphasizes using standardized components, quick delivery, modularity, and building something from little. The water path includes an outside tap, a 4-way splitter, and a 12V solenoid valve per zone, while the electrical path consists of a 12V power supply, a WiFi relay, and Home Assistant controlling when each channel goes on.
The build process involves working on the electrics indoors first, followed by plumbing outside. The author stresses the importance of using the same components as much as possible, speed of delivery for experimentation, and modularity. They also mention that everything can be achieved at any cost, but building something from scratch adds to the fun.
Key components include ½ inch water pipes, connectors, a standard UK hose, ¾ inch threaded tap, push-fit hose connectors, 4-way hose splitter, a 12V water solenoid, a Tuya/WiFi smart switch/relay, spade connectors or pre-assembled spade connectors, a 12V fuse box, 1.5A fuses, 22 AWG 12V DC female connector, a 12V DC power supply unit, a 5L clip-top box or an IP67 waterproof enclosure, a fork crimp connector, a .75 ferrule crimp, an 18 AWG electrical cord, and tools such as a ferrule/boilermaker crimper, connector crimper, wire strippers, a mutli-meter, a drill with 6mm and 18mm wood drill bits.
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