Plant Tender

An automatic plant watering, lighting, and alert system.

 

 

 

 

Background

Several automatic watering systems exist, but none with the complete scope of the plant’s health.  For some expensive landscaping and enthusiastic horticulturists, the plant’s condition is vital, and for expensive plants, a PlantTender system will more than pay for itself.

Most attempts at automatic watering systems are consumer-oriented, low-cost solutions that only address watering, with little sophistication and no control over lighting, and no alerts available to know when something has gone wrong.

Watering and lighting are linked directly, naturally, to plant growth cycles.  By having control over both watering and lighting, the PlantTender can imitate seasons for the plant to spurn natural growth cycles.

These systems are often set up in office buildings and restaurants where the person in charge of plant care visits infrequently.  But if a problem exists, an expensive plant may die.  Personnel nearby rarely give attention to plant maintenance, so warnings are rarely given to the person tending the plants.  But with the PlantTender, warnings are issued using various tones to alert anyone nearby that the plants need attending.

The University of Niagara developed a similar system using moisture probes to determine watering needs.  Their full study was published to the Internet at:

http://www.technology.niagarac.on.ca/students/blisck/automaticplant.html

 

Major Reasons for Automatic Plant Maintenance (ways to save money with the plant tender):

·         Keeps plants in ideal conditions with little attention (saves valuable plants).

·         Saves energy by turning on lighting only when needed.

·         Alerts low temperature conditions to save valuable plants from freezing.

Features:

·         Automatic Watering (Measured Amounts, Programmable).

·         Fertilizer can be automatically added and distributed over time.

·         Low/High Temp Warnings.

·         InfraRed Control using standard TV remote control.  IR Remote control can water plans and turn on/off light.

·         X10 Lighting interface to coordinate lighting.  Lighting can be programmed to supplement ambient lighting (i.e.: turns on lamp when lighting is dim).

·         Soil moisture sensor can be programmed to add extra water when moisture is low.

·         Optional external water inlet; no refilling needed, but still allows controlled feeding.

·         3.5 Gallon Water Capacity.

·         AC Powered (no batteries).

·         Interfaces to a home automation system via the X10 Powerlinc interface (through AC wiring).  X10 control buttons may be programmed to start the watering cycle.

·         Uses standard ¼” tubing and micro-jet water outlets available at most hardware and nursery stores.

 

 

PlantTender Mechanical and Packaging Details

The packaging for the PlantTender uses inexpensive liquid containers with modifications as appropriate.

Water to the plants is provided with standard ¼” micro tubing used in irrigation, and is available at most hardware stores.

Other plumbing is provided using standard, off-the-shelf plumbing supplies found at hardware stores.  The optional water inlet for an external water source is a standard toilet water valve.

Mister Landscaper (www.misterlandscaper.com), available at Lowes, makes a great kit for drip watering using micro-tubing.  Very easy and complete, it includes everything else you need.  I used a common garden Y valve to control the flow a bit, but this is not required.

 

PlantTender Hardware

The access point controller is a GSI-2 embedded controller.  Connections to the various components are provided on connectors at the back of the box.  The box should be small enough to fit into a standard electrical box that may be mounted on the water tank.

The hardware is self-contained, including any necessary power supplies.  Interfaces to various security/automation equipment are via standard connectors (e.g.: DB-9 for serial, RJ-11 for X10).

Interface to the AC power line and the Pump switch is via standard terminal blocks.

A standard marine bilge pump provides the watering.  Shown here:  360 GPH pump by Rule Industries (http://www.rule-industries.com/) that uses 2.1 Amps, 12 Volts. You can get a power supply at Jameco (www.jameco.com) to run the bilge pump (make sure it can handle the amps required by the bilge pump).  All wiring is low voltage.  The bucket is a standard pail (3.5-gallon, but larger could be used) available direct from M&M industries or McMaster-Carr (404-346-7000; http://www.mcmaster.com/).  The other plumbing and wiring is commonly available at almost any hardware store.

 

A couple of stainless screws connected to the GSI-2 analog input make up the soil moisture monitor.  If the soil appears dry, extra water is added during the watering cycle.

 

A standard X10 module (available at Radio Shack or Smarthome http://www.smarthome.com/) is used for the plant lighting.  Available for less than $5, it is an inexpensive way to control the lighting.  The X10 module MUST be on the same electrical phase as the PlantTender (or risk needing phase couplers and filters).

 

One added feature is that the lighting may be programmed to automatically turn on dim at night for effect.

 

 

PlantTender Software

The software for the PlantTender is actually the Gunn Systems SimpleRulez software with a specific set of rules programmed for it (ask for the PlantTender configuration when you order the GSI-2 unit).  Also shown below is the GSI-2 Utility running on a PC (under Microsoft Windows) that can monitor the condition of the plants and operation of the plant care equipment.  With a connection to the serial port (using a serial port cable up to 100’--or with a wireless modem even further!) the lighting levels can be graphed (as seen in the screen shot). Soil may also be monitored.

 

Note that the PC does NOT need to be connected for normal operation.  The GSI-2 unit handles all the functions on its own.

 

Functions of PC Software:

The GSI-2 Utility, shown with the normal SimpleRulez configuration for the PlantTender application.

 

 

A Note about Applications for the GSI-2

 

These are just suggested applications.  These are NOT complete products manufactured by Gunn Systems.  All technology is offered with no warranty or assumed liability.  USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.