I am supposed to design an irrigation system which is automated, there are a lot on the internet but i just cant go and copy and when it's time to defend get tough time defending it. i have created the block diagram after reviewing others and i don't want to use many components because of may factors back here.i will be using a soil moisture and humidity sensors in the project. i would appreciate any help as i would be expected to be done before end of march. i feel when someone put me through or help me as i recreate already near existing projects is better than just copying a whole project. thanks. i want to be able to defend what i do.
If you have to defend what you do, you must do the work yourself so you know how to defend "your" work.
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Thanks but that's what i meant when i say "i will feel better when someone put me through" and not "sending me the work." i have been reading all night and thanks to some basic understanding i get some meanings behind relays and its applications, possible power supplies to the micro controller board and hazards associated, amplifying current to enable the water be pumped out and other things.
How much experience in electronics and programming do you have?
An irrigation timer needs a clock, you need a RTC (real time clock).
Use your diagram to work out a basic program to turn one solenoid on and off at a specific time.
Weedpharma
I am sorry to disappoint you but I have no knowledge practically except for some soldering but theoritically average...All summed up, I am not one for it. . Thanks I read about the RTC and I think it shows the actual time when connected to the lcd which in turn will be connecter to the micro controller. The solenoid is the main attraction from your words and I got to know it's a two way thing which opens the way for fluid and it's electrically powered. I will connect it to the power supply, microcontroller and the pump.... is it ok to be able to use more than one power supply unit in this project? Any correction to my words? ??
Reading the above, makes me wonder why you are being asked to program an Arduino with absolutely minimal knowledge of the whole subject.
Surely whoever set this task expected you to have some knowledge to be able to do this project.
The RTC is independent of the LCD. Both are devices attached to the Arduino, one to be an input, the other to be an output. You need to read the RTC, if it is the time to turn on a solenoid, then do so. You need to use the LCD to output the settings and to see what settings you are making.
You will also need a means of inputting data to set the times.
What equipment do you have Arduino? RTC? LCD? Solenoid?
Maybe we need the text of the project as set by your teacher(?).
Weedpharma
Weedpharma thanks for your time. It's not like the question was thrown to us by the lecturer. A fellow student picked the topic randomly and I was patnered automatically with him. Now I being the underdog here get to do the work as he dodges the responsibility.. I was kind of having fears and doubts because it is new to me but from readings in the past few weeks, I have gathered up some knowledge about the topic. I bought an arduino uno.. I am reading on related sensors to know their differences and what's makes them preferably to one another. I think I get your point there, the Rtc will tell the solenoid when to open but I was hoping on letting the solenoid open based on the conditions of the sensor irrespective of the time I.e I don't want to fix so so and so time for it to be open until sensor meets condition..
Not sure what happened to my last post -in mid post, the server vanished! Anyway, you need to start by coming up with a set of requirements. In your case, this is tough because you don't have any previous experience here so you will need to go around the loop a couple of times. Write down what you need to do with the control system. Understand that the Aruino is the controller - things like the RTC and other sensors are simply things the Arduino can look at to make decisions on what it needs to do next. Once you have a basic set of requirements, draw a block diagram of how it all is going to work and find what hardware that is available out there can do what you need to do. It may take several times around the "loop" to get the pieces of the puzzle to all fit together. Then you can start addressing the issue of programming. Be sure and spend time studying the data sheet for the Arduino (the processor anyway) - recognize the processor does NOT have the power to drive relays, motors, solenoids etc. directly and you will need to have some sort of transistor or opto relay in between the "brains" (Arduino) and the peripheral devices. You have a steep learning curve in front of you, but it is a realistic project. I would definitely discuss up front with your professor the issue with your partner rather than going to him at the end and saying you didn't get any help. Be sure and explain what you have done so far so he understands where you fit into this. Good luck !! 
You may get some ideas from Planning and Implementing a Program
...R
Please give us a list of parts and links to them (not the Arduino).
We can then see what you have and what you need to do to make them work.
Weedpharma
A fellow student picked the topic randomly and I was patnered automatically with him. Now I being the underdog here get to do the work as he dodges the responsibility.
Evidently this is a class, and you are supposed to learn something from it. It sounds like you have failed to take some responsibility, as well.
Hi,
If it is a class project then ask questions of your instructor/teacher to show you are working on the project.
If he/she can see that your partner is dragging his feet and you are doing all the work, it may enable you to get some help.
If such a project has been proposed by your school, then there must be teachers/instructors who can provide you with the basic information needed to get you started.
We can help you but need more information about your project.
- Is the system an outside or inside irrigation system?
- How big is the area?
- How many valves?
- How many sensors.
- What type of valves?
- What type of sensors?
We understand you have been left with the main part of the project.
Tom....