Irrigation System with Pump using Sonoff 4CH

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1

Hi
I am planning to make irrigation system using a wifi controlled board from SONOFF. I have watched Csongor Varga YouTube tutorial (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdRpPAsQbIaVpn_vS2_omPw) and planning to do the same thing with small modification.
since our valves working on 24VAC so I had to use a transformer from 240VAC to 24VAC.
The hardware to be used are:

  • Sonoff 4CH PRO R3
  • Sonoff Basic R3
  • Transformer 240v/24v AC
  • 4x Valves
  • 240v AC MCB
  • Water Pump in my case

I have made the following drawing to easy understand my project.
I am seeking expert comments on my design from electrical point of view. because I am not familiar with electrical wiring . or maybe you have improved recommendation to this design.

Thanks

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2

That looks fine and thats what i done with my 4 ch sonoff, and i use Kloggs My Garden Irrigation which works a treat, and never looked back.

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3

Thanks @andie_will5 for sharing your project. looks awesome.
have you made a looped wire on the COM ports of SONOFF 4CH ?

4

Hi mine is wired the exact same as above but using 12 volt and minus the sonoff basic…

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5

Thanks for clarification

6

Just be mindful of the perils of WiFi/cloud. Turning on a valve and there is some sort of melt down - your valve stays open… I use a similar idea except with zigbee relays but include a hardware deadman switch to limit run time to 30 minutes. To overcome some of the limitations mentioned on the video you might want to consider this project:

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7

very good idea to avoid forgetting/loss connection of opened valve.

8

Hello

This topic isn’t new, but I just recently got a garden which I’m now trying to water in a smart way.

I bought the valves and the sonoff and while the software part will be an issue of future me, I’m currently struggling to purchase the right hardware to power everything.

Could you kindly guide me to a) a 24v ac power supply which can handle 3 valves (Gardena) and b) let me know which fuse should be used to make this save?

My current plan is to draw 230v from a power plug in my cellar and connect this as shown to the sonoff as well as the fuse while also using a 24v trafo for the valves.

While I’m aware that anything discussed is my own risk, I only find 24v ac parts that might do well for a doorbell, but not for this use case, but I could be wrong.

Thanks so much for any help!

9

You can find easily a power supply on Digikey. I do not know where you live but they deliver in 48h anywhere in Europe from their USA warehouse. I use the Mean Well power supplies since many years for electric actuators in a green house (very hot and a lot of moisture !!) and they are all still working well. They have a range which is IP68, 100% waterproof.
I tried to find the watt or Amp of the Gardena valves but I didn’t succeed to find it. I guess this will be maximum 1 Amp per valve. Count 1.5 Amp to be sure. So, for 3 valves, you are OK with a 5 Amp power supply ;).

For the fuse, go for a 10 Amp as this will be for short cuts and/or overheating circuit.

I hope this answer your 2 questions

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10

Sorry to wake this thread.

I am interested in doing exactly the same with the Sonoff 4CH pro (Without the Basic as well)

My question is regarding that transformer (CUB1), does it hold up though? I see it is only rated at 8VA .

I have 4x Rainbird HVF valves and as per their datasheet the maximum inrush current is 0.29A per valve so if I would be switching all of the zones on simultaneously you are looking at about 27.84VA (0.29A x 4 x 24V).

Even at holding current of 0.091A per valve you are looking at 8.736VA (0.091A x 4 x 24V)

Would it not be better to use at least a 30VA transformer for this application? Would the 8VA transformer not burn it’s coils operating all zones?

11

Love the idea of the hardware deadman switch, could you describe how you set this up and what hardware was used? Thank you!