Irrigation & Rain8net

[alexvd]

I am rebuilding a new home. So I had to disable my lmce system.  I cannot remember if thier was a way to control irrigation controlers and set schedules  from LMCE.  I was planning to purchase a Rain8 controller. The different options they have are rs232, upb and x10.  I was going to purchase 2 controllers and hook them up via my globalcache 100.  

Does anyone know if their is a template in thier for Rain8.  I remember way back when pluto (aaron) saying thier was support.  Looking through the forums I think some people have tried but never got anywhere.  

I would be happy to send a rain8 net out to a developer if they can build a template.  

[totallymaxed]

I am rebuilding a new home. So I had to disable my lmce system.  I cannot remember if thier was a way to control irrigation controlers and set schedules  from LMCE.  I was planning to purchase a Rain8 controller. The different options they have are rs232, plcbus and x10.  I was going to purchase 2 controllers and hook them up via my globalcache 100.   

Does anyone know if their is a template in thier for Rain8.  I remember way back when pluto (aaron) saying thier was support.  Looking through the forums I think some people have tried but never got anywhere. 

I would be happy to send a rain8 net out to a developer if they can build a template.   

Hi,

The only irrigation device as far as I can see is 'Standard Irrigation Sprinkler' which is not really suitable. But looking at the WGL Associates Site and a brief look over their products I cant see it would be a problem at all to build a template for one of the rs232 controlled Rain8 controllers.

All the best


Andrew

[alexvd]

Thanks Andrew. I am going to go ahead an purchase a Rain8net for RS232.  I have never really built a template but I could give it a try.    That would cover support of the device.  However what about the actual software control.  I mean I suppose it could be as simple as once per day turn on this zone for 30 minutes. Then 15mins turn on this zone etc.  The other issue is what about integrating the rain sensor.  I dont want my sprinklers going off in the rain.   

 Is it hard to build another tab for irrigation?   This might be out of my league.    Your in the uk but it would be great if I could send one of these to Thom, Hari, Tim or someone who would be willing to build out more support for everyone.   I am kinda suprised you never had the request from one of your customers for irrigation. 

[Kezza]

This thread has some info http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=8024.0

Rain8 and rain sensor could be created as separate devices which could provide better information. So rain8 setup for controlling the irrigation and then something like the 1-wire rain gauge would monitor rain fall. This would then allow the system to monitor how much rain has fallen plus trigger events in LMCE as to whether irrigation should be turned on. Plus all the timed event functionality is already built.

Also you could use soil moisture sensors (also on 1-wire) to monitor moisture sensors in each irrigation section to control what is needing water depending on their requirements.

Regarding tap presuming you can get to your piping it is not too hard to do. Can get push together connectors which apparently is very easy to use (I'll hopefully be doing some over the next few weeks). Otherwise should be a fairly quick job for plumber.

1-wire devices I mentioned are currently not implemented but big thanks to Hari and Possy for doing the work they have on getting the controller working with temp sensors. It is a very cheap alternative to some of they others like KNX etc.

This is all off the top of my head so anyone feel free to smack me over the head where I'm going wrong

[totallymaxed]

Thanks Andrew. I am going to go ahead an purchase a Rain8net for RS232.  I have never really built a template but I could give it a try.    That would cover support of the device.  However what about the actual software control.  I mean I suppose it could be as simple as once per day turn on this zone for 30 minutes. Then 15mins turn on this zone etc.  The other issue is what about integrating the rain sensor.  I dont want my sprinklers going off in the rain.   

 Is it hard to build another tab for irrigation?   This might be out of my league.    Your in the uk but it would be great if I could send one of these to Thom, Hari, Tim or someone who would be willing to build out more support for everyone.   I am kinda suprised you never had the request from one of your customers for irrigation. 

Well get in touch with Thom, Hari or Tim... i know Hari likes new peripherals to experiment with so he might have the time. As for us getting a request for this type of control...we get  all the water we need from the heavens anyway here in the UK LOL! Joking aside we have had some projects with this type of functionality in but in each case a separate external controller was merely being triggered by Dianemo.

Look at the Events Handler->Timed Events in Web Admins side bar menu. That should allow you to build the kinds of logic/functionality you need.

All the best


Andrew

[hari]

Adding new 1wire sensor types to the OneWire device is quite easy. All the legwork is done already.

Br Hari

Ps: A rainnet device would be nice and could probably convince me to write a driver

[alexvd]

Hari I will send one to you along with the rain sensor.   Moisture probes would be outstanding if that could be done as well but not expecting that. 

I will jump into irc to get your information to send it to you.  I am in the US so will just have to figure out the best way to get it to you.  Unless you want me to just paypal you some dollars and I can do that too.

[alexvd]

Kezza,

Thanks for your reply as well.  The installation of the actual sprinkler heads and control box in the yard is relatively simple. Can you explain more about the 1-wire support and temperature. 

I have a very advanced radiant heat install from Uponor.  I have been struggling with how to integrate this into LMCE.  The options from Uponor and the company the oem for Thermostats Tekmar are expensive and not great.

I will start another thread to discuss.

[Kezza]

Check out www.hobby-boards.com for info on 1-wire and some devices available. While I have not got mine working yet other have http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=11328.msg79599#msg79599 has a pic of what the floorplan displays. Plus I think system can respond to events like when temp reaches X turn A/C on.

[alexvd]

Hello I have the Rain8 devices now.   Hari I have sent you an email and as soon as you get me your shipping address I will get you the device. 

[brake16]

Good Morning

I don't know if this will help or not, but it looks like there's already some Ruby code written for the RS232 pro model.  Otherwise, here's the protocol download page.

Bryce

[blackoper]

hmm watching this thread. Very interested in using the Rain8 device

[justdeb]

Also very interested in using this and it is Something that i can buy in Australia...... wahoooooo!

[alexvd]

All sent the device to Hari.  He should have it by now.   My hope is he will work on it when he can and we will all benefit.

[marrandy]

Wasn't there an Insteon solution for irrigation ?

OK - I googled   -      EZFloraIV1

I thought someone had done some work on this, but on searching the forum, maybe not.


Actually, I think its been renamed and was previously called   EZrain