Fully automatic watering circuit for flower pots


Posted on Sep 18, 2017

Many times for various reasons we forget or can not water the plants that we have in our homes. And many humidity sensors units just notify us with a beeping sound or with a flashing light, that the pot needs watering. But what if we are away from home? This circuit comes as a solution to this problem. Depending on humidity of the pot at different levels, this device can decide when the plant need water as well as how much water should be added each time and does the job for us. Without using a micro controller, rather regular chips, this circuit will solve your watering problems of your favorite pots for ever.


Fully automatic watering circuit for flower pots
Click here to download the full size of the above Circuit.

This "automatic watering" is used in conjunction with two moisture meters, placed at the bottom and at the top of the pot. These meters alert us to the fact that the two most extreme situations, namely adequate water and too little water, have emerged and that we have to take the appropriate measures for each one. These measures consist of activating or shutting down an electric water pump that brings water from an auxiliary pot to the pot. An additional overflow sensor at the top of the pot keeps us safe so that if for some reason the upper sensor does not work, there is no overflow of water. If the water level drops to the bottom of the pot, the sensor mounted there notifies a central control unit that turns on the water pump. When the water level reaches the second sensor, the control plant undertakes to stop the pump, since the pot already has enough water. The device can also be driven manually by means of switches, likewise it can be used with an auxiliary relay for the operation of a drill pump or a solenoid valve.

 

autowatering example diagram 1

 

The Sensors

As sensors two copper conductors are placed on one piece of board, which are separated and insulated from each other. It would be advisable for the ducts to have branches, to cover a larger surface. The resistance we can measure between pipes is influenced by the existence of water or not, due to the high conductivity of the latter. The drive assembly contains electronic circuits which react to variations of this resistance and produce the signals required to drive the pump. 

 

autowatering example diagram 2

 

One of the two contacts of the sensor is connected to the output of an oscillator. The more fluid the environment around the sensor is, the higher the signal level of the oscillator is transmitted to the second contact. The sensor and resistor R form a voltage divider. The voltage at the splitter node is significantly higher if the sensor is surrounded by water. When the overflow sensor or the indicator that sufficient water passes into a conductive state, a corresponding large current will flow from the oscillator to the rest of the device and cause the pump to stop. In theory, the device could work even if we fed the sensors with a constant voltage, but in practice this is not done because the electrolysis phenomenon that would be present would render the electrodes useless.

 

The Schematic

The rectangular oscillator we mentioned earlier is IC1a. Through connection B the oscillator signal is transferred to the potting water. This duct is down in the pot.

If there is no water in the tank, the oscillator signal does not reach either the connection A or the connection C. The D1 and the C3 are intended to smooth the alternating voltage. When the sensor is dry C3 ceases to accept a new load through of D1, resulting in discharge through the R6. This results in the output of the IC1c comparator going to zero. This voltage drop is converted by C4 and D3 into a short negative pulse, which ends at the input of the IC1d comparator. This pulse leads the output of IC1d to "1", transistor T1 in conductivity and pump relay on actuation. Resistance R14 gives the required lag to IC1d comparator.

The pump starts to work (as shown by D5) and the water level in the tank rises. When the resistance between connections B and C becomes low, C3 starts to re-charge and D1. When the voltage of capacitor C3 reaches a certain value, the output IC1c output value again changes to "1". This, however, thanks to the D3 passage has no effect on the IC1d comparator and so the pump still remains in operation. However, if the water level rises so much that the electrode B is not only connected to contact C but also to A, then there is enough water in the container. In this case, electrode A flows through capacitor D2 through a current to capacitor C5.

Comparator IC1b has analogous function to IC1c. with the difference that the D4 diode has a reverse polarization relative to D3. For this reason, when we have a change in the condition of comparator IC1b, a positive pulse occurs that causes the output of IC1d to return to its original state. T1 stops running and the relay stops feeding the pump (D5 stops shining). The device can also be controlled manually without the sensors, with the help of switches S2 and S3.

 

The Bridges

By using the two bridges JP1 and JP2 we can determine whether we want to give priority to the signal that is triggering or to the one that stops the pump. If JP2 is mounted and JP1 is not, then the value "1" at the output of IC1b ensures that D4 will go on continuously (assuming sensor A is wet). Regardless of whether there are short negative pulses in the rise of D3, IC1d remains in the same steady state. The IC1b signal interrupting the pump always has priority.

The following example shows how important this feature is, if for some reason the cable connection to sensor C is interrupted. C3 will be discharged even if the tank is full up with water (if the sensor A is wet). At the input of IC1d there is a pulse. If the JP2 bridle is not installed, the pump remains constantly in operation due to its pulse and even for as long as it is needed until the IC1d receives through the C6 a stop pulse. But this pulse is not going to occur, since the sensor A is already in the water. JP2 ensures that after stopping the pump at the input of IC1d, a continuous voltage is displayed, so that we never go into overflow situations.

 

Construction of the Circuit

The board shown in next figure includes, in addition to the electronic components and five sensors, which must be separated before fitting the components from the board equipment.

 

autowatering pcb and parts

 

The large sensor you see includes the moisture electrodes A, B and C. The other two are smaller and placed as extra protection against possible overflow. Placing the components on the board does not cause any particular difficulty. The D5 indicator light is on the digital switch S2. If you do not want to work manually, you need to place JP2 on the board. We do not use JP1. Before the device is commissioned, the copper paths of the sensors must be tinned to protect them from corrosion.

The device together with the pump is powered by a power supply, which can cover the relatively high pump operating current. Try the sensor connection cable to be as durable as possible. A small test before starting normal operation would not hurt. Put the water in the pot until the sensor A is covered. If this does not automatically stop the pump, turn S3 as an emergency switch. In this case, check if all the sensors are connected correctly and there is a cut cord.

The two excess sensors can be placed either at the top of the pot (for overflow control) or at a random point in the feed pipe to control possible leakage. This security electrodes are connected in parallel to the K2 connections. If the pot is smaller than the large electrode. then we have to use smaller ones. If we put the JP1 bridging in the set, then we are sure that accidental noise due to a pulse at the pump inlet A will not cause the pump to stop. We take this opportunity when we want to empty very large containers. Never, however, have to place both bridges at the same time.

 

Components

Resistors

R1, R2, R12, R15 = 100k
R3, R4, R8, R11 = 470k
R5, R13, R16, R19, R21 = 1k
R6, R9 = 47k
R7, R10 = 10k
R14 = 1M
R17 = 330Ω
R18 = 5k6
R20 = 6k8
R22 = 390k

Capacitors

C1 = 2n2
C2, C3, C5, C8, C9, C11, C12 = 100n
C4, C6 = 220n
C7, C10 = 100μ / 16V

Semiconductors

D1-D4 = BAT85
D5 = LED 3mm red
D6, D7 = 1N4001
D8 = LED 3mm green
T1 = BC547
IC1 = TLC274
IC2 = 7805

Other

JP1, JP2 = bridges
K1 = slot for editing the board
K2, K3 = triplicate RM5 terminals
S1 = single-pole pushbutton
S2 = digital switch with working contact, large shape
Re1 = single-contact 6V relay
Water pump 12V or electric valve, etc





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