Graph

[thezwap]

I really just wanted to say thanks very much for developing sprinklers_pi. I've modified it a bit to work with my h-bridge arduino shield controlling some DC latching relays. I've documented the process here: http://designandmotion.net/new-post/irrigation-for-geeks-how-i-built-my-fully-automated-open-source-watering-system/

One thing I'm still a bit lost with, is the graph. I can't seem to figure out what the axes represent, or where to go to modify them. Is there anything documented about the graphing?

All in all, a great little piece of software, cheers!

[tony-osp]

HI thezwap, this is cool project - thanks for sharing!

The graphing feature in sprinklers_pi allows graphing irrigation time by zone, with selectable time scale and aggregation. E.g. you can see distribution of watering runs by the hour of day etc. Horizontal line represents time dimension, vertical - run time.

... I have my own version of the irrigation controller, initially derived from sprinklers_pi but the software evolved a lot, this version can also collect data and graph sensors data (humidity, temperature etc), water metering (water flow sensor), and I'm finishing up multi-station version (uses Xbee RF link to talk to remote stations).

Like your setup I'm also using DC latching valves (actually a mix of regular 24VAC and DC latching valves), but instead of H-bridge I'm using simple hardware circuit (http://tony-osp.dreamwidth.org/1157.html), driven by the multi-station controller(s). The benefit of this simple circuit is inherent resiliency - power loss or other problem will automatically turn off the valve.

[thezwap]

Thanks for the info. I'll look into the graphing a bit further but I couldn't find any configuration or options in my first attempt.

Your switching circuit design is SO simple! I never thought of being able to use the discharge through the capacitor to reverse the direction of the current flow across the valve. So simple once you've seen it. I really like the failsafe operation with that method, like you mention. I might have to modify mine to work like that. My system is only 12V but I guess it should still work.

Is your implementation of the software with inputs from sensors etc something that you'd be willing to share? I have a moisture sensor on the way, but I'm not sure what is required to interface it yet.

[tony-osp]

Is your implementation of the software with inputs from sensors etc something that you'd be willing to share?

Actually the version with working Sensors code is already available: https://github.com/tony-osp/OpenSprinkler-experiments/tree/master/sprinklers_avr,

Sensors.cpp is the main sensors polling code, and sdlog.cpp handles sensors readings storage (CSV files on MicroSD card) and visualization using HighCharts.

I'm also finishing up the multi-station stuff and was planning to publish the code once it is more or less complete. The multi-station version allows Master station to control irrigation zones and collect sensors data from both local (physically connected to Master) and Remote (connected via RF link) nodes.