Installation Step 2 – Assembling the TIAO Sprinkler System Un-mount the old sprinkler system from the wall.Disconnect all five wires plus the two black AC power wires and remove the old sprinkler system.I only have 4 zones and the mobile app/web interface allows you to name the zone, so it really didn’t matter if I mark them or not The other four wires are the four zones.Installation Step 1 – Removing the old Hunter Sprinkler system If your sprinkler is DC, you should check out the OpenSprinkler DC system. ** Note this is for a 24 volts AC Sprinkler System. Originally, I didn’t have the memory card installed and so I wasn’t able to retrieve the log of run history. This is needed for the system to store the logs. Note – You need a router that can run in client mode. TP-LINK TL-WR702N Wireless N150 Travel Router (~$15).Before I get to the actual install, here is the list of parts: I ordered my controller from DIYGADGET.COM and because I was about to go on a trip, I didn’t have time to research a different box and without knowing how deep the box should be, I elected to pick the same box as John ( BUD Industries NBF-32012 ). I hope you find the information informative. I referenced John’s blog to install my system but I decided to write this blog to to capture my installation experience and also to cover security topic with OpenSprinkler software. I went with the non-pi version because for $10 more, I get the LCD display and I can save my Raspberry Pi for other project. I question if it is truly compatible with the OpenSprinkler system and can be upgraded to newer firmware? After more research and reading the “ Finding the perfect Irrigation Controller ” blog by johnzink, I decided to go with the TIAO Smart Sprinkler system because the price was right and hey, John got it working. I was worried about selecting the TIAO as there was very little information and some of the information is incorrect (board size on Wiki is of by one decimal place it should be 4.82 x 3.42) or is out of date ( last post before I order was May 15, 2015). They runs the same firmware/software and are compatible with the same OpenSprinkler mobile application. The TIAO Sprinkler systems are fully compatible with the OpenSprinkler systems. TIAO also makes the Smart Sprinkler Pi for $50 and can also control up to 16 zones. Just as I was about to order the OpenSprinkler Pi, I came across the TIAO Smart Sprinkler for $60 that can control up to 16 zones. I am still looking for a cheaper solution and since I already have a Raspberry Pi and I like tinkering, I thought of going with the OpenSprinkler Pi, which is only $78. My house only has 4 zones so I don’t need the expansion board but for $160 plus a $16 wireless Wifi router ( TP-LINK-TL-WR702N ), it cost almost as much as the Rachiro system, which I feel is a better and nicer looking system. The OpenSprinkler system ($160) has 8 zones built-in and can be expanded to 56 zones by adding three additional expansion boards, each board adds 16 additional zones and cost $58. Other systems don’t support that many zones or is expensive to support that many zones. Another co-worker elected to go with the OpenSprinkler system because his sprinkler has 23 zones. My brother-in-law and a co-worker have the Rachiro system (Amazon best seller) and they are happy, but I didn’t want to spend $200. My second smart device is the EcoBee smart thermostat which I got for free with free installation from SDG&E through their Reduce Your Use Rewards program.įor the smart sprinkler, there are many products on the market and they typically cost over $200. I love being able to open my garage door when I am driving my own car and being able to remotely open the garage door for my kids. MyQ allows me to monitor and control my garage door from remote location via my phone (iOS and Android). Note, the MyQ product is also sold under the Chamberlain brand and as far as I know, they are the same product. The 888LM is needed if you have older LiftMaster garage door opener. The LiftMaster MyQ solution consist of two modules, an 828LM Gateway and 888LM Garage Door Opener. I now have three smart devices (LiftMaster MyQ, EcoBee Smart Thermostat and Smart Sprinkler). I have always wanted a good way to monitor and control my garage door I even attempted a DIY solution with a Raspberry Pi and a relay board until my brother in law recommended the LiftMaster MyQ (I also learned about the EcoBee Smart Thermostat from him). There are too many devices and I am not quite sure which one to invest my time and money on. I am a beginner in the smart devices market.
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