When HN users recommended it
1 HN user recommended this in 2022, in one comment.
20072026
Each tall tick is one HN user's first recommendation. A short tick is the same user again. Click a tick to jump to the comment.
1 HN user recommended this in 2022, in one comment.
Each tall tick is one HN user's first recommendation. A short tick is the same user again. Click a tick to jump to the comment.
The thing you have to understand is that controlling an irrigation system is easy, the valves work just like light switches but on lower voltage.
The cost of an irrigation system is making it user friendly for a customer.
Example: https://www.amazon.com/Hunter-Sprinkler-XC400-4-Station-Cont...
Like the OP's solution, it is a microcontroller hooked up to a relay array, but it also has:
* AC/DC Transformer
* Real-Time-Clock
* Battery backup
* User Interface
* Secure, weather proof housing
* Printed Instructions
And it costs less than $90. They're making a profit on them, so the BOM is probably closer to $20-30.
The solution is completely plug-n-play compared to building from scratch, setting up a home automation system, and programming a microcontroller.