electric plant watering?

[Ray]

Originally Posted by fooferdoggie

she will have to fill the bucket with the gallon jugs instead of using them to water the orchids. we have a large tub in the tub that lets the water de chlorinate and that bucket has to sit on a heating mat in winter. but I should have it up and running Tuesday.

If your water supply is chlorinated with chloramine (most municipalities use it, these days), sitting around isn't doing anything to reduce its level.

[Swimmingorchids]

I think my idea of a pump switch got buried in the post.

An aquarium pump cannot pump water through an entire hose - not enough pressure.

You want to get an inexpensive pump from a hydroponic retailer and even those can only pump about 2 meters.

The problem with the amazon nozzle is that the pump will be churning away while not watering and will still have to be unplugged every time.

A switch to turn the pump on and off is easier with simple hose.

[Ray]

Or... Get a "demand pump".

Such pumps have internal pressure controls. When you close the valve on the water wand, the back-pressure in the line increases and when it reaches the setpoint of the pump, it shuts off and an internal check valve prevents the pressure from backflowing out. Open the watering wand valve and the back-pressure drops, restarting the pump.

[fooferdoggie]

the water source is 65 feet from the plants so its not practical. plus the tubing would freeze in really cold days.
but your right on the pump it may drain a bit when she stops it. it wont hurt the pump to not move water. this is one setup that would work but u may not move much water but it is all setup nd she does not need a ton of speed https://www.amazon.com/Dispenser-Dis...ateway&sr=8-16
I was planning on using a pug controlled by siri and alexa. then she can turn the pump on without fumbling for the switch.

[Ray]

Watering is going to be painfully slow through a 1/4" tube, unless that pump has one hell of a lot of pressure, which is doubtful.

How much room is there in he growing area? An Alexa-controlled outlet with a submersible pump in a plastic drum uses the same logic, but would have more capacity, both in terms of water storage and delivery.

Your local car wash might be happy to give you a free plastic 30- or 55-gallon drum.

[fooferdoggie]

I will be hooking a 1/2" coiled hose to it. so it will be a little faster. but my wife is blind she does not need a lot of water at once she needs ease of use and control. . with this she can either use a 5 gallon bucket or just put it in the 1 gallon jugs. at most she only needs a gallon or two a day.

[Ray]

Well... If you want to be a really good husband (and go overboard, as I often do), you'll rent a ditcher and run utilities underground for her!

[fooferdoggie]

Originally Posted by Ray

Well... If you want to be a really good husband (and go overboard, as I often do), you'll rent a ditcher and run utilities underground for her!

there you go. but I think Now she can fill things from the sink and let them sit that would be easier for her. should have it all up and running for her tonight if amazon delivers.

[fooferdoggie]

well amazon was slow and got it to me a day late. but after a fast trip on my electric scooter to Home Depot for fittings to take 1/4" tubing to garden hose its up and running. its not super fast but plenty fast for her its got a lot of pressure so it fills the hose in a few seconds. I put a watering wand on the end of it so she can control it better. I also hoked it up to Alexa and also smart things so it will turn off if we leave or go to bed if she forgets to turn it off. so we don't have to worry about accidents. I am getting a bigger bucket. here is a video of how much water we get out of it. iCloud

[SouthPark]

That's nice. Nice set up. It's along the same lines as my setup for when I go on holidays, except mine is an outdoor one, using a solenoid valve for letting water through from the water mains (supply) connected to main tube, with tap points along the tube leading out to the various pots. Can be messy, but workable - especially for holidays.

The main thing to design for is reliability...... good quality valves and connection points --- to cut down or eliminate on chances of connectors or hoses bursting from water pressure. And ensuring good quality reliable timer systems --- ones that are battery backup .... and properly tested over long periods ----- to see if any hiccups or glitches occur.