LowPowerLab Forum

Hardware support => General topics => Topic started by: Witace12 on November 06, 2014, 01:35:23 AM

Title: 9V irrigation valve solenoid
Post by: Witace12 on November 06, 2014, 01:35:23 AM
I am interested in a Moteino interface to this solenoid.

http://www.digcorp.com/professional-irrigation-products/leit-2-s-305dc-solenoid

LEIT-2 S-305DC Solenoid

Electrical Specifications
Two-way magnetic latching, bistable, bi-directional pulse
Coil operating data:
Coil resistance 4.7 +/- 0.3 Ohms,minimum pulse 10 mS duration at 7-9 volts
Red + and white – to latch open
Red – and white + to latch closed
Leads: 18" (45 cm) AWM 1007 / 1569 16 AWG 300V VW-1- red/white

I have started using the DIG 710 and 740 9V contollers in my yard and
a Moteino based controller would be nice.

I have a ways to go before I work on this myself, but I thought others might
be interesed in this as well.
Title: Re: 9V irrigation valve solenoid
Post by: TomWS on November 06, 2014, 07:23:51 AM
Interesting timing...  I just released the Gerbers for just such a thing two days ago...  First time going SEEEDS route so I have no idea how long before I get the boards back but I have prototyped it.

Basically its a battery operated Moteino (2xAA) that will turn the solenoid on or off on demand and sits in a small Nema4 box inside the valve cover.  I won't get a chance to test the range until I get the board back, however.  Battery life is expected to be literally years as the quiescent current is that of the Moteino and RFM69 with a very low duty cycle on actual operations.

I didn't use or test the solenoid that you mentioned.  I've been testing a Hunter DC Latching solenoid, but if yours fires with a <=12V <1Amp pulse, this should control it.   The firing voltage is controlled in SW so it would be easy to tailor to your solenoid.

I also have a variation that includes a soil moisture sensor on the circuit.  This uses a Watermark sensor and I've used this circuit for years.

Are you planning this for a product or for your own home use?

Tom