Garden Sentry 12V-13

We still have water leaks so back to the workshop!

The bottom section that connects to the hose is leaking! These barb connectors are used with poly pipe so we'll swap out that bit of hose.

Garden Sentry 12V-16

We still have leaks and the penny just dropped!

This is a flashback photo to show how the solenoid is not sitting flush on the timber. I was aware of that - she'll be OK.

Garden Sentry 12V - Part 15

Found a chocolate tin to use as a battery container.

No need for any photo descriptions.

Garden Sentry 12V-17

 Another addition to shield the sensor from water spray.

Water spray from the top of the impact sprinkler can sometimes keep triggering the sensor extending the ON cycle. I have extended the shield further out over the impact sprinkler.

Garden Sentry 12V-14

More additions!

Sprinkler shield made from the lid of a Peter's Ice Cream container to deflect water away from the irrigation solenoid electrical connections.

Garden Sentry 12V-12

We have connector water leaks so back to the workshop workbench.

Cut the cable ties so we can access the assembly.

Garden Sentry 12V-11

After painting yesterday it actually took a while to reassembly everything this morning.

Which bit go's where...lol

Garden Sentry 12V - Part 10

 Prepping for painting all the timber so stripped down the unit.

First thing is to remove the stand.

Garden Sentry 12V - Part 9

Making a stand for the cat motion sprinkler.

Found some plywood discs left over from another project.

White Legs - Another Visit

White Legs was back again this morning and my new Garden Sentry 12V was not setup in the front yard!

I was doing some refinements on the 12V motion activated sprinkler late yesterday afternoon and thinking it's been quiet the last few mornings decided to leave it in the workshop to finish today.

Interesting that White Legs avoided the back yard (picture memory - been water zapped in the back yard a few times) and did a U turn back towards the front.

Garden Sentry 12V - Part 8B

As posted pity I didn't have this setup in the front yard for this morning to ambush (scare & wet) White Legs. Anyway in the workshop this morning before it gets too hot to do some more refinements the main one being a system test switch.

It turns out that it's a PIA to setup the motion sprinkler every time it'd going to be used. The sensor LUX has to be turned towards DAY so I can trigger the system to adjust water pressure after which  the LUX control has to be turned back towards NIGHT. If I don't get it right I get sprayed going out to put the lock on the front gates lol.

Went through some of my stuff and found a bag of SPDT Centre Off Rocker Switches.

Garden Sentry 12V - Part 8A

In this session we are boxing the 18650 batteries.

Garden Sentry 12V - Part 7

 Weather cover for the PIR sensor plus some thoughts about solar charging.

For the weather cover we are using a sweets container lol

Garden Sentry 12V - Part 6

 From Part 6 yesterday we are now doing some modifications and tidying up the wiring.

Decided to move the unit down the support post a bit further away from the sensor to reduce the likelihood of top overspray triggering the sensor.

Garden Sentry 12V - Part 5B

 In this session were doing the electrical wiring.

Wiring is fairly easy the only thing to keep in mind is that the PIR sensor has a negative switched output - a bit weird.

Garden Sentry 12V - Part 5A

Mounting the water solenoid with irrigation fittings.

In the previous session we made the spacer block and here just drilled two holes for cable ties that will secure the assembly.

Garden Sentry 12V - Part 4

In part we we made and assembled the sensor and dashcam camera mount. The next thing to mount is the water solenoid with irrigation fittings.

On the left is the completed PIR sensor head assembly. Moving along...

Garden Sentry 12V - Part 3

Back from Bunnings with the irrigation fittings I need so we can now start building the low voltage motion activated sprinkler.

From left PIR Sensor, Impact Sprinkler, 15mm Female To Female Rural Poly Irrigation Coupling , Irrigation Solenoid, 15mm Female To Female Rural Poly Irrigation Coupling, 13mm Tail x 15mm BSP Male Director, then garden hose (phew).

Garden Sentry 12V - Part 2

 In Part 1 we determined the switched sensor output could handle @ 12V a current load up to 4 amps. Not sure about that? more research (is possible) is needed.

Having said that the 12V irrigation solenoid (still waiting for delivery) is rated @ 0.3A or 300mA. Anyway for the sake of fiddling I want to hang a relay off the sensor output so went looking for one.

Found these two PCB's with relays, the top one is 24V the bottom is 12V so let's grad that one.

Garden Sentry 12V - Part 1

Back from Bunnings with the irrigation fittings I need so we can now start building the low voltage motion activated sprinkler.

I am always prompt to check stuff like this so I know it's not DOA.