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I am investigating the use of a PC to control my yard irrigation system. The research that I've done has only revealed one system with the (unfortunate) name of Irritrol.

Have you used your PC to control your yard irrigation system? If so, how did you do it?

I am considering hobbling something together with an X10 controller and writing some software to control it but don't want to dive into that if it's already been done...

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  • Well, it's also known among farming circles as Irritation... one of many puns on the truths of life.
    – Fiasco Labs
    Commented May 21, 2014 at 14:15
  • I just talk to Irritrol today 7-15-16, to replace my broken unit.They said they discontinued the pc controller last year.
    – user15331
    Commented Jul 15, 2016 at 20:47

4 Answers 4

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A company called Irrigation Caddy makes a great product that runs on an internal network, and even has mods for remote offsite management depending on your router and web skills.

http://www.irrigationcaddy.com/

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If you want to write software probably you are looking for customized solutions, you have imagination and you don't mind to do it yourself.

I suggest you try search with google: Arduino + Watering ( for example look at this document: THE GARDUINO GARDEN CONTROLLER

It is a simple open-source platform with which many hobbyists have already ventured and you can find a community willing to help.

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  • Thanks Ronda, that's a great read. Not quite what I'm looking for but very close and inspiring.
    – Guy
    Commented Aug 6, 2012 at 15:30
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    Add relay drivers and you'll be able to run standard servo sprinkler valves...
    – Fiasco Labs
    Commented May 21, 2014 at 14:17
  • Document Not Found :-(
    – dakab
    Commented Jul 15, 2016 at 23:01
  • @dakab thank you for the comment; I've just updated the link in the answer
    – Franco Rondini
    Commented Jul 16, 2016 at 9:42
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If you're techie enough to mess with code, feel free to use mine. I built an arduino-based solar powered one that cues off soil moisture levels instead of timing.

https://github.com/kolosy/irrigation

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    Used with low voltage, latching solenoids on the sprinkler control valves means no power draw needed to keep the valves on. Self-contained solar sprinkler system, I like it.
    – Fiasco Labs
    Commented May 21, 2014 at 14:34
  • thanks! yeah- i use a latching solenoid for this. works quite well for my roof deck, and the battery is charged in ~2 hours of sunlight.
    – kolosy
    Commented May 21, 2014 at 16:28
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I have used two wi-fi controllers for our irrigation from http://www.hottimesoftware.com/wifi-time-control.htm and are happy with the results. Uses the Raspberry Pi to operate the solenoids and can be set to auto or manual functions. I can now control from anywhere in the world with my smart phone. enter image description here

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  • In the Raspi theme, there's also OpenSprinkler: rayshobby.net/ospi which I'm currently looking at. This house has an electro-mechanical timer. Simple no-nonsense & reliable, but if I add a soaker then I'll need different day schedules for the different zones. A Raspi solution has a lot going for it...
    – winwaed
    Commented Jan 23, 2018 at 15:13

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