Insanely affordable, cheaper than most similar products in local stores. Possibly the best water irrigation control system, made in Germany. I bought two, and they work perfectly.
Much cheaper than the local bunnings store.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/gardena-select-water-computer_p0…
CamelCamelCamel.
https://www.watercorporation.com.au/Waterwise/Waterwise-offe…
The available models are here that can be claimed.
This is a simple timer.
How is this downvoted? It's a good question…
Says it is normally $83.07? 8% discount?
Not sure if that is right though.
Camels are not always correct, sometimes they dont track properly.
Got this one but it will decrease the water pressure if you planning to use this on pop up sprinklers system.
Not sure what you mean by this. Are you saying it has an inbuilt pressure reducer that is not configurable? If so, what pressure does it output?
Found the same. No inbuilt pressure reducer, but it restricts flow - probably due to the opening size.
If you're using pop ups you really need a back flow preventer fitted downstream of your meter.
Why is that?
As pop ups finish and retract they can suck in surface water from the lawn, potentially drawing in contaminated water to the mains supply. Any fixed retic needs to have one installed if your property doesn't already have one. https://www.watercorporation.com.au/Developing-and-building/…
@banana365: You're referring to a professionally-installed system, not one that simply attaches to the tap fitting. Only plumbers should note what you're saying, not consumers like nearly everyone here.
@Meconium: That page was linked to as it gave the reason for why they're needed. The fact that it attaches to a tap is irrelevant. That link mentions the relevant legislation if you feel like looking further. Squirty bum guns are the same - they're only attached to a tap, but you still need a back flow preventer. For the same reason too - water contamination risk.
For recycled water? 🤷♂️
Bunnings refused to price beat due to the item coming from overseas - they said the warranty might be different.
Just get price beat. You just need to aim for right person who are careless of bunnings
Interesting, I bought this same one a month ago for $87 from Bunnings, Amazon had it from overseas at that price and evidently the local store was matching it - wasn’t listed at that price online but marked down on the shelf
That’s a new one. Maybe from page 58 of their Excuses Not To Honour Price Beat That We Advertise Constantly book.
This is just a tap timer though, not an irrigation controller.
Not bad for what it is.
No connectivity in these.
It is a lot easier to have a wifi/BT/zigbee connected solenoid. Then you can set a schedule from your phone, control based on weather, remote manual etc.
You could use a cheap smart-socket, plus 12V power supply, 12V wiring to the tap, and a 12V solenoid.
Or something like:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005424218662.html
Just watched the product video and 8s in the camera man let out a huge burp, awesome marketing haha
p.s. I would not recommend that particular kit, unless you are competant with waterproof 240V appliance work. Stick to 12V!
If you use the garden solenoid valves from Bunnings etc, you need a 24VAC supply. Safe, but outdated tech. DC is cheaper and easier to find a power supply.
How is it easier if you need all the wifi/BT/zigbee setup and range?
All depends on your use case.
Not hard to setup. Way easier to program. No batteries to change.
And in my experience, those plastic outdoor electronic controllers have a very limited lifetime.
How about something like this for you?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006115651646.html
$44 "FUJIN irrigation WiFi Bluetooth 2-Way Water Timer Garden irrigation Smart Solenoid Valve Wireless Phone Remote Controller"
Wasn't saying it's hard. I was saying it's not "It is a lot easier", like you stated.
Good on you if you have the whole setup ready or time and enthusiasm to build it. My gran doesn't.
Oh boy. I've been in the market for a ….Tuya Wifi Normally Close Energy Saving Electric Solenoid Valve DN15 DN20 220AC With Smart Switch Google Assistant Smart Wireless. How about you? Do you have a Tuya Wifi Normally Close Energy Saving Electric Solenoid Valve DN15 DN20 220AC With Smart Switch Google Assistant Smart Wireless?
Even better is OpenSprinkler and if you've got a raspberry pi around the house, check out their OSPi version.
Was considering pulling the trigger on this but I can see some options that look alright on AliE and much cheaper. Obviously not German quality but generally these are more than good enough.
$32.34 - Eshico HCT-322 Automatic Water Timer
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005065439181.html
$30.45 - Rain Seer Large LCD Display Water Timer
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005946798724.html
and a cheaper looking one
$22.29 - Garden Watering Timer Electronic Automatic Irrigation Controller
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005905981071.html
All with good reviews.
Are these reliable? I got fed up with tap timers breaking within 1-2 years. If I was lucky it was under 12 months and easy refund at bunnings. Where do you have to send this one back to?
I moved to a wired irrigation controller, solenoids and rain sensor last year and haven’t looked back. No more batteries, no more flooded yards.
@orza What tech/brands did you use for your irrigation controller and solenoids?
I'm where you were and kinda fed up with these things having a 1-2 year lifespan.
I went with Hydrawise Pro-HC 12 zones and Irritrol 2500MT solenoid with flow control, great for fine tuning the pressure for the veggie garden sprinklers. Tavlit 4-way manifolds, very easy to assemble. Sunshoweronline has a great site for browsing the different parts (great service too) All up was around $1000 for 7 zones. Could have saved some money with a cheaper controller but no regrets and SO is happy. Hydrawise has a steep learning curve but very controllable, also considered b-hyve 6 or 12 zone. Can PM you my parts list if you like.
Yeah i learned by lesson and photod the receipt so i could return it just to make a point. I have about 5 timed taps so I was going back about every 3 months to return one.
Does anyone use linktap? Thoughts?
I have got 2 of them. I am not an expert in this but i can say its very reliable and never actually given me trouble.
Went few overseas trips with them running in schedule never missed a beat.
Link tap is only as good as it's app. If the company goes under, it's over. In saying that I have a friend who has had them for more than 6 years I think.
Thats true actually.
LinkTap's hub uses standard MQTT and HTTP interfaces. LinkTap has fully documented these.
Right now, you can use them entirely locally with HomeAssistant (with a bit of fiddling), but I'm sure if LinkTap was to go under, these integrations would get a lot more attention.
So, compared to most IoT products, it's pretty low-risk.
I didn't know that you can use it locally.
I use Rainmachine. The company has gone under but it's perfectly functional locally. With fiddling you can get remote acces but I don't need it because it's just irrigation for some plants. It's not life and death.
@Naigrabzo: Here's a HomeAssistant integration using the local web server running on the LinkTap hub:
https://github.com/sh00t2kill/linktap_local_http_component
Here's the full local MQTT documentation. Certain functions require the app, but all the core watering functions can be controlled locally:
https://linktap-static.s3.amazonaws.com/manual/LinkTap_Gatew…
I have had a couple of LinkTaps for a few years now. One went down after 18 months and the company sent me out a brand new one straight away. But apart from that, no trouble at all.
I'm really happy with mine.
I went through a variety of cheaper tap timers over the years that had issues (one failed open, leaving the system watering for hours!) or poor usability, and finally gave in and went with the Linktap option.
It's flawless, and it's great to be able to integrate it with weather forecasts or adjust watering schedules without needing to even go outside.
Another vote for the LinkTap units here, amazing units. I've tried 3/4 other units and share had some issues, but I've had my setup now for 6 months and no hassles at all… And an Aussie company as well, designed by a team in Canberra if I'm not mistaken.
Linktap has been great. I like their "Eco" option - where they switch watering on/off in set intervals.
It has its limitations - but I like the idea.
Also, Linktap schedule is set on-device. So it works without being "online"
I bought and installed a LinkTap outdoors just over 2.3 years ago. I set up a schedule and … it just works. Nothing to report which is a good thing.
It can talk to Home Assistant locally but I didn't bother setting it up as I only had a very basic schedule, once a day.
Just one hose. I bought one with 4 hoses(other brand).
Tap dat hass.io
Straight off the tap? That’s not how you set up retic in 2024.
That's just a fancy tap timer, I'd like to see how it's going to handle Aussie 40c+ heat lol
I've been using it since last Xmas, and it has performed well until now.
haha you need a few Xmas with Adelaide summer :)
It won't and will struggle when it's winter in some areas. Will be fine if you can keep it in shade or just cover it from the direct sun.
Yeah this is my issue. I go through them way too quick.
I just buy the cheap holman ones now and replace them every 6 months or so lol
At that price and feature it's not much of a deal. Just get an inkbird and a couple solenoid valve and you will have a lot more control on your water.
Does anyone have any good recommendations on the soaker hoses to use? I've tried different brands and types from Bunnings but they all end up bursting at the ends after a couple of weeks usage. Thanks..
If you're looking to nerdify your garden watering, then you can't go far wrong with an OpenSprinkler controller https://opensprinkler.com/
I replaced our traditional retic controller with one of these and it's great
my orbit one has lasted about 10years
Anyone know how they go in full sun? I go through timers like nothing else, the sun just destroys them in no time
We use hydrawise
Much easier with a Bluetooth Tap Timer.
How long does it last outdoors? I have not used anything like these can last many years.
Not long. Especially in direct sun. These are designed by people who have never seen the sun in Australia. Usually somewhere dark in Germany etc.
I use a similar gardena timer I bought as a package off amazon with mini irrigation system.
That pack comes with a pressure regulator. I'm not happy with the quality of the inline drip heads as they aren't able to control pressure so I would recommend adjustable drip heads so you can crank the tap and regulate pressure at each attachment.
I would also protect the timer from the sun, they don't fare well with ongoing UV exposure.
I bought the LinkTap Gateway & Wireless Water Timer in 2018, still going as new. A bit expensive but worth every cent. Connected to Wifi, I can even keep an eye on my watering and control it while being overseas, the app that comes with it, is super user friendly. The bluetooth one I bought from Bunnings prior to this one was very unreliable, even connecting was weak and unstable.
Will last 10 months in Aussie sun. Or less. It will becom more brittle than your typical snow flake these days.
lol most likely. I am trying to find a good one
Other option is you build a simple shroud that will protect it from the sun/rain. Ozito tools will help you. ;)
@Naigrabzo: Yeah I was thinking that, but would need to expose the solar panel only. Its cheap though so may till give it a go. I need two. One to water the plants, another to scare/drench the neighbours cats away from my backyard. Prob utilise motion sensors etc for trigger….lol.
@Mrsash: Can you tell me more about the cat setup?? I need something that really scares them…. Preferably semipermanent scare.
@Naigrabzo: Pretty simple really. I have a smart home with zigbee network but if you dont you can buy the wifi or Bluetooth versions
I only have a single tap outside so will use https://kinet.com.au/products/1-2-3-4-4-way-garden-tap-conne…
then the zigbee solar unit mentioned earlier on one to water the plants with appropriate drip nozzles etc
Another zigbee solar unit and I will lay down additional hose, most likely ones supporting pressure around the boundary of my backyard.
The triggering mechanism can be either a motion mmwave sensor with shortened range in settings (mostly the 5.8G ones) to eliminate people etc
You could also trigger it with the tuya app or assign the task to a zigbee/wifi button
I am still fleshing this out. Hate the cats getting into my yard and pooping in the veg gardens.
@Mrsash: Hmm. That's interesting. Thanks for the information.
You'd really want to test those sensors in an outdoor environment though.
@Naigrabzo: Yup 100%. I have a spare zigbee sensor but am keen to build esphome sensor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPac-9K2xEc&t=33s. The interesting thing here is the defining of area to monitor. I will need water proof housing, long usb c cable etc to go with it. Most likely need to ignore sensor for the period of water being sprayed in the automation and also when it rains.
@Mrsash: Maybe build shroud around it to protect from rain. Like a U shape.
Great project though. Amazing how you can define those zones.
Thanks for the information.
@Naigrabzo: Yeah I got a quote for 3D prints(one from the youtube video) from PCBway. OMG the delivery is more expensive(5 times) than the chips/parts I will be using. Might just wrap it in plastic and call it a day. lol
@Mrsash: HAHA I hear ya.
I live in Canberra and if I wrap it in plastic, it will freeze in winter and then melt in summer. :)
In saying that, my Rainmachine has been fine in the full sun but inside an Hunter enclosure which I insulated. It has been 5 years now. Fingers crossed.
@Naigrabzo: Noice. Basically I will be testing it with most likely a plastic takeaway box. lol If it is viable with all the testing I might even buy a 3D printer considering how cheap they are these days or make do with sacrificing the chips to the rain gods since they are so cheap from Ali express…..
Is it climate controlled and eligible for the WA $300 rebate?