Automation Controller for Growers

This project aims to create a single controller that automate and control most of the aspects relevant to plants growing. It features control of Temperature, Humidity, Light, Irrigation, Ventilation. The Software is Open Source and the Hardware is based on Raspberry. The system can be connected to internet and be reached using its web interface.

Unlike several other systems based on micro-controllers, the Hydrosys4 does not require any programming skills to be implemented, it is designed to be quite general purpose with a nice web interface.

The following functions are currently implemented:

- Precise irrigation timing, monthly irrigation scheduling,

- Conditional irrigation based on the temperature and humidity

- Conditional irrigation according to the Soil moisture sensor feedback

- Control up to 16 irrigation lines

- Supported Sensors:

• Air Temperature
• Soil moisture (up to 8 independent probes)
• Light intensity
• Atmospheric pressure
• Air Humidity

- Remote access via internet connection

- Email notifications and alerts

- Connection to webcam with schedule of daily photos.

- AUTOMATION:

• Support control of up to 2 stepper motors to open/close windows according to temperature
• Relay activation according to temperature
• Relay activation according to light intensity
• Relay activation according to air Humidity
• Periodic relay activation during a daily time interval
• Relay activation according to soil humidity

For more details please refer to:

https://hydrosysblog.wordpress.com/configuration/

Step 1: Download the SW and Connect to the System

Unlike several other systems based on micro-controllers, the Hydrosys4 does not require any programming skills to be implemented, it is designed to be quite general purpose with a nice web interface.

The Raspberry PI does not require to be connected to a monitor, it is only required to have a PC or smartphone that can connect to a WIFI network, this is because the system will generate its own WIFI network (in AP mode). After initial setup the System can be configured to connect to the home wifi network.

To download the SD image to be used with raspberry please go to this site:

https://hydrosysblog.wordpress.com/configuration/

The SW is open source hopefully everybody can contribute to it.

Step 2: Connect the Hardware

The Controller hardware is based on the raspberry pi3 and raspberry zero W. The user interface is based on web server hosted on the raspberry itself.

Hardware can be equipped according to the functions that are required to e supported.

Here a short list of additional HW that can be connected to the Raspberry PI:

• Arrays of Relays (Up to 16 relays)
• DHT22 (AM2302) Air Temperature and humidity sensor,
• DS3231 Hardware Clock
• BMP180 Atmospheric Pressure sensor
• BH1750 Light intensity sensor
• MCP3008 ADC, analog to digital converter (8 channels) used to measure soil moisture
• Servo Motor
• Stepper Motor + Arduino Motor Hat
• Raspberry Camera or USB camera

The project is designed to be cheap and easy to implement. For the remote access, there is no external server, connection is made directly to the raspberry server.

Step 3: Configure the System

With the Graphical interface, Configuring the system should be just a matter of seconds and experience.

You can check the below video to have an idea:

Step 4: Build Your Own Setup

I'm currently using the Controller for my mini-greenhouse.

The Features implemented so far are:

1) Temperature control using Fan and automatic control of the window via a stepper motor

2) Irrigation based on Moisture Sensors feedback

3) Light control based on the Light sensor feedback

4) Water Spray using the feedback from Air Humidity

5) Liquid fertilizer dosing

Whatever is your setup, a simple irrigation or a more complicated scenario, hope you can enjoy using this system.

Step 5: