I want to create a system able to water the garden after x hours.
I need an idea of how to stop and start the water.
I was thinking to connect something to the water valve. The valve would be always opened and the 'thing' would be able to allow the water to flow at specific times for x minutes.
So what can i use for that 'thing'?
Also, if someone has a better idea, lmk.
Read through this discussion:
http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=394443.0
I found that some of the online garden/lawn product companies sell irrigation valves activated by latching solenoids, and I bought some. Effectively, you pulse the solenoid with 12 v. for a moment, and it's open. No more power required until you shut it off by pulsing it with 12 v., opposite polarity. I've powered such a system using Nanos, driving power MOSFETS to provide enough current to activate the valve. Takes a little design work, but the result is stone simple, and uses very little power.