Getting started on Valve Automation with Arduino

Hello,

I am looking for a guide or advice to help get started on automating valves (for flow rate adjustment and emptying tanks) on my aquaponics system. I have an arduino uno board and looking to utilize it for this purpose. My programming ability is amateur at best, but I am a fast learner. My first goal is to use a solenoid valve to empty a swirl filter on a daily basis.

I am hoping for schematics to wire a solenoid valve to the arduino and some sample code to get started on programming.

Thanks

There is a lot of good material on instructables.com. Try searching google for garduino, gardening + Arduino.


Arduino code is pretty basic. There are some great tutorials on the web but it can be difficult to figure out were to start. I found the Vilros Starter Kit to provide a good introduction. It is $55 on Amazon and comes with some components. I really like the tray that a bread board and Arduino can attach to, it makes developing so much easier.

http://www.amazon.com/Arduino-Ultimate-Starter-Includes-Instruction/dp/B00BT0NDB8


Most solenoid valves need more pressure than a tank of water can provide to work. There are 0 pressure solenoids though. This link has a discussion about it.

http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=238723.0

For my project I ended up going for a small half amp pump since my goal was to have everything run off of a solar panel.


Also if you are working with water there is a quick and dirty moisture sensor that you can use to detect a leak and shut things down. Among other things this link has instruction for making the sensor and the code.

http://makezine.com/projects/make-18/garduino-geek-gardening/


Happy tinkering!

- Just adding a 2nd vote to check out the good people who post their projects at Instructables.com. A Very good resource that appears to be underutilized here

at Permies.com, It is also a No Trolling / No Flaming allowed site ! Big AL

Late note : Nick Every time a new thread is created our permits computer looks at the post for Keywords repeated in other postings. It then creates a lost of Similar Threads

at the bottom of this page. As this happens with every Original post -it is another way you can come here 24 / 7 and get valuable information ! A.L.

Thanks Ryan! Great resources. I did order a similar starter kit from:

http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/ardx-the-starter-kit-for-arduino-p-1153.html?cPath=138

Working through the modules help build a little confidence, but the guide and code comments lacked a sufficient explanation for my low level. I'll check out your link.

Running a solar power system sounds like where it's at. Kudos! I hope to be experimenting with that soon. I thought about a DC pump that can be adjusted, but I worry about it loosing power and having to occasionally tune it to meet a constant flow rate. I have found some valves that will self adjust. Haven't tried them yet. But I will share the results.

To be continued...

Thanks Allen. Looking forward to exploring the topics.