I kill plants so I decided to have my own crack at a self-watering plant. I call it ESPlanty.
Key features:
- Solar/battery powered
- No plumbing required - Concealed water reservoir
- Moisture and light monitoring (light is handy for solar tracking too)
- Tank and battery level monitoring
More details:
- Photo’s of the base
- Irrigation rings I designed and printed
- Enclosure details (version 2, version 1 is in post above it)
- The jade plant cuttings seem to be going well!
- ESPHome config
- Description of it’s operation
Todo:
- Long term testing
- Some of my battery tracking / power production sensors aren’t quite working yet.
- Still not 100% convinced by the mositure readings and how they relate to the plant needing water. To watch…
- Maybe do a logic diagram or at least a simple description of it’s operation
A few credits: ssieb, jesserockz and rradar over on Discord helped with various bits. And I’ve linked to few other sources in my config.
Legacy Post below this. Kept for completness
Draft System diagram:
- The mobile base with conceal water reservoir has been built.
- Work-in-progress ESPHome config is here.
- I’m tinkering with irrigation rings
I’m considering adding a light sensor and water level monitoring (ToF).
Various resources (parts, similar projects)
Power manager’s I’m looking at:
-
Sunflower: Solar Power Manager 5V (current favourite)
- TP4056
- Solar Power Management Module
Solar Panels:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2255800219532400.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.0.0.1dc91802t7zvLM&gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt
Moisture sensor:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2251832646223934.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.0.0.32021802daZKsE&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt&_randl_shipto=US
Light sensor:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2251832818478675.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.0.0.2ca41802BWvmkf&gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt