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Step 7Getting started with the functions
Sourcing the materials
As with the parts list, I'm going to split this section into two sub-sections. Electrical and plumbing. I'm hoping that this is the best way to write this up and that there will not be any confusion here. We will start with the electrical.
This circuit is very simple. We control a solenoid valve by pressing a momentary switch in the form of an arcade button. There are four buttons and everything operates on 12vdc. Everything shares a common ground.
I ordered the buttons, switches and protective covers from Tornado Terry's in Keller, TX. The covers were pretty simple to install, after I got the hang of it. It simply slides over one end and then you stretch it over the rest. It provides a really nice waterproof seal for all of the electrical & mechanical components underneath it. I didn't even have to caulk the outside. To install the buttons into the wood panel, simply insert them into the 3/4" holes we previously drilled and tighten with the plastic nut. This should be tightened pretty well to ensure there is a good seal with the button cover. The switch installs by attaching the small connector nubs from the bottom of the button into the switch itself and then swinging it into the upper nubs.
When I first received the shipment of my solenoid valves, I wanted to test this out to see how my daughter would react. I built a really quick test 'cannon' out of a few PVC parts and the solenoid valve. We sat on our front steps and shot the water off a few times into my recently cleared flower bed. I really just wanted to see how much interest she would have in controlling water with a little button. See for yourself:
She loved it! At this point I knew that I was onto something special. I was even more fired up to get this thing completed. Also, she's wearing her big sister shirt here because she was very proud of her 6-day old baby sister.
As with the parts list, I'm going to split this section into two sub-sections. Electrical and plumbing. I'm hoping that this is the best way to write this up and that there will not be any confusion here. We will start with the electrical.
This circuit is very simple. We control a solenoid valve by pressing a momentary switch in the form of an arcade button. There are four buttons and everything operates on 12vdc. Everything shares a common ground.
I ordered the buttons, switches and protective covers from Tornado Terry's in Keller, TX. The covers were pretty simple to install, after I got the hang of it. It simply slides over one end and then you stretch it over the rest. It provides a really nice waterproof seal for all of the electrical & mechanical components underneath it. I didn't even have to caulk the outside. To install the buttons into the wood panel, simply insert them into the 3/4" holes we previously drilled and tighten with the plastic nut. This should be tightened pretty well to ensure there is a good seal with the button cover. The switch installs by attaching the small connector nubs from the bottom of the button into the switch itself and then swinging it into the upper nubs.
When I first received the shipment of my solenoid valves, I wanted to test this out to see how my daughter would react. I built a really quick test 'cannon' out of a few PVC parts and the solenoid valve. We sat on our front steps and shot the water off a few times into my recently cleared flower bed. I really just wanted to see how much interest she would have in controlling water with a little button. See for yourself:
She loved it! At this point I knew that I was onto something special. I was even more fired up to get this thing completed. Also, she's wearing her big sister shirt here because she was very proud of her 6-day old baby sister.
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