Hello everyone.
I just discovered arduino.
At the base I am a computer scientist oprion programmers.
Indeed I want to realize a project of control of my irrigation system. For that I saw that arduino could help me to optimize the watering of my farm.
I wanted first to know a list of materials and components to buy to do some practical work to understand this world of electronics.
Can you tell me what I need to buy to do exercises and understand how the communities on arduino works?
Also I saw on amazon some kits for arduino but I am not sure if they are adequate for my situation of beginner.
Thank you for your collaboration.
I'd suggest finding a good houseplant watering project and emulating it to get your feet under you.
Kits are ok for general exploration, but you have a singular focus. For you buying individual parts is probably better.
After you get the waterer working you can start to play with options.
Scale up a bit at a time and eventually you will reach your goal and be comfortable doing so.
Thanks for your advice. It is indeed a good option.
At the risk of being wrong about the choice of components, could you list or give me the link of the components I can buy online?
You've caught me with my coffee. I'll see if I can find a good project for you.
1 Like
My water plant project using a ESP32.
#include <ESP32Time.h>
#include <WiFi.h>
#include <PubSubClient.h>
#include "certs.h" // include the connection info for WiFi and MQTT
#include "sdkconfig.h" // used for log printing
#include "esp_system.h"
#include "freertos/FreeRTOS.h" //freeRTOS items to be used
#include "freertos/task.h"
#include <driver/adc.h>
#include <SimpleKalmanFilter.h>
////
WiFiClient wifiClient; // do the WiFi instantiation thing
PubSubClient MQTTclient( mqtt_server, mqtt_port, wifiClient ); //do the MQTT instantiation thing
ESP32Time rtc;
////
#define evtDoParticleRead ( 1 << 0 ) // declare an event
#define evtADCreading ( 1 << 3 )
EventGroupHandle_t eg; // variable for the event group handle
////
SemaphoreHandle_t sema_MQTT_KeepAlive;
SemaphoreHandle_t sema_mqttOK;
////
QueueHandle_t xQ_RemainingMoistureMQTT;
QueueHandle_t xQ_RM;
QueueHandle_t xQ_Message;
////
struct stu_message
{
char payload [150] = {'\0'};
String topic;
} x_message;
////
int mqttOK = 0;
bool TimeSet = false;
bool manualPumpOn = false;
////
// interrupt service routine for WiFi events put into IRAM
void IRAM_ATTR WiFiEvent(WiFiEvent_t event)
{
switch (event) {
case SYSTEM_EVENT_STA_CONNECTED:
break;
case SYSTEM_EVENT_STA_DISCONNECTED:
log_i("Disconnected from WiFi access point");
break;
case SYSTEM_EVENT_AP_STADISCONNECTED:
log_i("WiFi client disconnected");
break;
default: break;
}
} // void IRAM_ATTR WiFiEvent(WiFiEvent_t event)
////
void IRAM_ATTR mqttCallback(char* topic, byte * payload, unsigned int length)
{
// clear locations
memset( x_message.payload, '\0', 150 );
x_message.topic = ""; //clear string buffer
x_message.topic = topic;
int i = 0;
for ( i; i < length; i++)
{
x_message.payload[i] = ((char)payload[i]);
}
x_message.payload[i] = '\0';
xQueueOverwrite( xQ_Message, (void *) &x_message );// send data
} // void mqttCallback(char* topic, byte* payload, unsigned int length)
////
void setup()
{
x_message.topic.reserve(150);
//
xQ_Message = xQueueCreate( 1, sizeof(stu_message) );
xQ_RemainingMoistureMQTT = xQueueCreate( 1, sizeof(float) ); // sends a queue copy
xQ_RM = xQueueCreate( 1, sizeof(float) );
//
eg = xEventGroupCreate(); // get an event group handle
//
sema_mqttOK = xSemaphoreCreateBinary();
xSemaphoreGive( sema_mqttOK );
//
gpio_config_t io_cfg = {}; // initialize the gpio configuration structure
io_cfg.mode = GPIO_MODE_INPUT; // set gpio mode. GPIO_NUM_0 input from water level sensor
io_cfg.pull_down_en = GPIO_PULLDOWN_ENABLE; // enable pull down
io_cfg.pin_bit_mask = ( (1ULL << GPIO_NUM_0) ); //bit mask of the pins to set, assign gpio number to be configured
gpio_config(&io_cfg); // configure the gpio based upon the parameters as set in the configuration structure
//
io_cfg = {}; //set configuration structure back to default values
io_cfg.mode = GPIO_MODE_OUTPUT;
io_cfg.pin_bit_mask = ( (1ULL << GPIO_NUM_4) | (1ULL << GPIO_NUM_5) ); //bit mask of the pins to set, assign gpio number to be configured
gpio_config(&io_cfg);
gpio_set_level( GPIO_NUM_4, LOW); // deenergize relay module
gpio_set_level( GPIO_NUM_5, LOW); // deenergize valve
// set up A:D channels https://dl.espressif.com/doc/esp-idf/latest/api-reference/peripherals/adc.html
adc1_config_width(ADC_WIDTH_12Bit);
adc1_config_channel_atten(ADC1_CHANNEL_3, ADC_ATTEN_DB_11);// using GPIO 39
//
xTaskCreatePinnedToCore( MQTTkeepalive, "MQTTkeepalive", 10000, NULL, 6, NULL, 1 );
xTaskCreatePinnedToCore( fparseMQTT, "fparseMQTT", 10000, NULL, 5, NULL, 1 ); // assign all to core 1, WiFi in use.
xTaskCreatePinnedToCore( fPublish, "fPublish", 9000, NULL, 3, NULL, 1 );
xTaskCreatePinnedToCore( fReadAD, "fReadAD", 9000, NULL, 3, NULL, 1 );
xTaskCreatePinnedToCore( fDoMoistureDetector, "fDoMoistureDetector", 70000, NULL, 4, NULL, 1 );
xTaskCreatePinnedToCore( fmqttWatchDog, "fmqttWatchDog", 3000, NULL, 2, NULL, 1 );
} //void setup()
////
void fReadAD( void * parameter )
{
float ADbits = 4096.0f;
float uPvolts = 3.3f;
float adcValue_b = 0.0f; //plant in yellow pot
uint64_t TimePastKalman = esp_timer_get_time(); // used by the Kalman filter UpdateProcessNoise, time since last kalman calculation
float WetValue = 1.07f; // value found by putting sensor in water
float DryValue = 2.732f; // value of probe when held in air
float Range = DryValue - WetValue;
float RemainingMoisture = 100.0f;
SimpleKalmanFilter KF_ADC_b( 1.0f, 1.0f, .01f );
for (;;)
{
xEventGroupWaitBits (eg, evtADCreading, pdTRUE, pdTRUE, portMAX_DELAY ); //
adcValue_b = float( adc1_get_raw(ADC1_CHANNEL_3) ); //take a raw ADC reading
adcValue_b = ( adcValue_b * uPvolts ) / ADbits; //calculate voltage
KF_ADC_b.setProcessNoise( (esp_timer_get_time() - TimePastKalman) / 1000000.0f ); //get time, in microsecods, since last readings
adcValue_b = KF_ADC_b.updateEstimate( adcValue_b ); // apply simple Kalman filter
TimePastKalman = esp_timer_get_time(); // time of update complete
RemainingMoisture = 100.0f * (1 - ((adcValue_b - WetValue) / (DryValue - WetValue))); //remaining moisture = 1-(xTarget - xMin) / (xMax - xMin) as a percentage of the sensor wet dry volatges
xQueueOverwrite( xQ_RM, (void *) &RemainingMoisture );
//log_i( "adcValue_b = %f remaining moisture %f%", adcValue_b, RemainingMoisture );
}
vTaskDelete( NULL );
}
////
void fPublish( void * parameter )
{
float RemainingMoisture = 100.0f;
for (;;)
{
if ( xQueueReceive(xQ_RemainingMoistureMQTT, &RemainingMoisture, portMAX_DELAY) == pdTRUE )
{
xSemaphoreTake( sema_MQTT_KeepAlive, portMAX_DELAY ); // whiles MQTTlient.loop() is running no other mqtt operations should be in process
MQTTclient.publish( topicRemainingMoisture_0, String(RemainingMoisture).c_str() );
xSemaphoreGive( sema_MQTT_KeepAlive );
}
} // for (;;)
vTaskDelete( NULL );
} //void fPublish( void * parameter )
////
void WaterPump0_off()
{
gpio_set_level( GPIO_NUM_4, LOW); //denergize relay module
vTaskDelay( 1 );
gpio_set_level( GPIO_NUM_5, LOW); //denergize/close valve
}
////
void WaterPump0_on()
{
gpio_set_level( GPIO_NUM_5, HIGH); //energize/open valve
vTaskDelay( 1 );
gpio_set_level( GPIO_NUM_4, HIGH); //energize relay module
}
////
void fmqttWatchDog( void * paramater )
{
int UpdateImeTrigger = 86400; //seconds in a day
int UpdateTimeInterval = 85000; // get another reading when = UpdateTimeTrigger
int maxNonMQTTresponse = 12;
TickType_t xLastWakeTime = xTaskGetTickCount();
const TickType_t xFrequency = 5000; //delay for mS
for (;;)
{
xLastWakeTime = xTaskGetTickCount();
vTaskDelayUntil( &xLastWakeTime, xFrequency );
xSemaphoreTake( sema_mqttOK, portMAX_DELAY ); // update mqttOK
mqttOK++;
xSemaphoreGive( sema_mqttOK );
if ( mqttOK >= maxNonMQTTresponse )
{
ESP.restart();
}
UpdateTimeInterval++; // trigger new time get
if ( UpdateTimeInterval >= UpdateImeTrigger )
{
TimeSet = false; // sets doneTime to false to get an updated time after a days count of seconds
UpdateTimeInterval = 0;
}
}
vTaskDelete( NULL );
} //void fmqttWatchDog( void * paramater )
////
void fDoMoistureDetector( void * parameter )
{
//wait for a mqtt connection
while ( !MQTTclient.connected() )
{
vTaskDelay( 250 );
}
int TimeToPublish = 5000000; //5000000uS
int TimeForADreading = 100 * 1000; // 100mS
uint64_t TimePastPublish = esp_timer_get_time(); // used by publish
uint64_t TimeADreading = esp_timer_get_time();
TickType_t xLastWakeTime = xTaskGetTickCount();
const TickType_t xFrequency = 10; //delay for 10mS
float RemainingMoisture = 100.0f; //prevents pump turn on during start up
bool pumpOn = false;
uint64_t PumpOnTime = esp_timer_get_time();
int PumpRunTime = 11000000;
uint64_t PumpOffWait = esp_timer_get_time();
uint64_t PumpOffWaitFor = 60000000; //one minute
float lowMoisture = 23.0f;
float highMoisture = 40.0f;
for (;;)
{
//read AD values every 100mS.
if ( (esp_timer_get_time() - TimeADreading) >= TimeForADreading )
{
xEventGroupSetBits( eg, evtADCreading );
TimeADreading = esp_timer_get_time();
}
xQueueReceive(xQ_RM, &RemainingMoisture, 0 ); //receive queue stuff no waiting
//read gpio 0 is water level good. Yes: OK to run pump : no pump off. remaining moisture good, denergize water pump otherwise energize water pump.
if ( RemainingMoisture >= highMoisture )
{
WaterPump0_off();
}
if ( !pumpOn )
{
log_i( "not pump on ");
if ( gpio_get_level( GPIO_NUM_0 ) )
{
if ( RemainingMoisture <= lowMoisture )
{
//has one minute passed since last pump energize, if so then allow motor to run
if ( (esp_timer_get_time() - PumpOffWait) >= PumpOffWaitFor )
{
WaterPump0_on();
log_i( "pump on " );
pumpOn = !pumpOn;
PumpOnTime = esp_timer_get_time();
}
}
//xSemaphoreGive( sema_RemainingMoisture );
} else {
log_i( "water level bad " );
WaterPump0_off();
PumpOffWait = esp_timer_get_time();
}
} else {
/*
pump goes on runs for X seconds then turn off, then wait PumpOffWaitTime before being allowed to energize again
*/
if ( (esp_timer_get_time() - PumpOnTime) >= PumpRunTime )
{
log_i( "pump off " );
WaterPump0_off(); // after 5 seconds turn pump off
pumpOn = !pumpOn;
PumpOffWait = esp_timer_get_time();
}
}
// publish to MQTT every 5000000uS
if ( (esp_timer_get_time() - TimePastPublish) >= TimeToPublish )
{
xQueueOverwrite( xQ_RemainingMoistureMQTT, (void *) &RemainingMoisture );// data for mqtt publish
TimePastPublish = esp_timer_get_time(); // get next publish time
}
xLastWakeTime = xTaskGetTickCount();
vTaskDelayUntil( &xLastWakeTime, xFrequency );
}
vTaskDelete( NULL );
}// end fDoMoistureDetector()
////
void MQTTkeepalive( void *pvParameters )
{
sema_MQTT_KeepAlive = xSemaphoreCreateBinary();
xSemaphoreGive( sema_MQTT_KeepAlive ); // found keep alive can mess with a publish, stop keep alive during publish
MQTTclient.setKeepAlive( 90 ); // setting keep alive to 90 seconds makes for a very reliable connection, must be set before the 1st connection is made.
TickType_t xLastWakeTime = xTaskGetTickCount();
const TickType_t xFrequency = 250; // 250mS
for (;;)
{
//check for a is-connected and if the WiFi 'thinks' its connected, found checking on both is more realible than just a single check
if ( (wifiClient.connected()) && (WiFi.status() == WL_CONNECTED) )
{
xSemaphoreTake( sema_MQTT_KeepAlive, portMAX_DELAY ); // whiles MQTTlient.loop() is running no other mqtt operations should be in process
MQTTclient.loop();
xSemaphoreGive( sema_MQTT_KeepAlive );
}
else {
log_i( "MQTT keep alive found MQTT status %s WiFi status %s", String(wifiClient.connected()), String(WiFi.status()) );
if ( !(wifiClient.connected()) || !(WiFi.status() == WL_CONNECTED) )
{
connectToWiFi();
}
connectToMQTT();
}
xLastWakeTime = xTaskGetTickCount();
vTaskDelayUntil( &xLastWakeTime, xFrequency );
}
vTaskDelete ( NULL );
}
////
void connectToMQTT()
{
// create client ID from mac address
byte mac[5];
int count = 0;
WiFi.macAddress(mac); // get mac address
String clientID = String(mac[0]) + String(mac[4]);
log_i( "connect to mqtt as client %s", clientID );
while ( !MQTTclient.connected() )
{
MQTTclient.disconnect();
MQTTclient.connect( clientID.c_str(), mqtt_username, mqtt_password );
vTaskDelay( 250 );
count++;
if ( count == 5 )
{
ESP.restart();
}
}
MQTTclient.setCallback( mqttCallback );
MQTTclient.subscribe( topicOK );
}
////
void connectToWiFi()
{
int TryCount = 0;
while ( WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED )
{
TryCount++;
WiFi.disconnect();
WiFi.begin( SSID, PASSWORD );
vTaskDelay( 4000 );
if ( TryCount == 10 )
{
ESP.restart();
}
}
WiFi.onEvent( WiFiEvent );
} // void connectToWiFi()
//////
void fparseMQTT( void *pvParameters )
{
struct stu_message px_message;
for (;;)
{
if ( xQueueReceive(xQ_Message, &px_message, portMAX_DELAY) == pdTRUE )
{
if ( px_message.topic == topicOK )
{
xSemaphoreTake( sema_mqttOK, portMAX_DELAY );
mqttOK = 0; // clear mqtt ok count
xSemaphoreGive( sema_mqttOK );
}
if ( !TimeSet )
{
String temp = "";
temp = px_message.payload[0];
temp += px_message.payload[1];
temp += px_message.payload[2];
temp += px_message.payload[3];
int year = temp.toInt();
temp = "";
temp = px_message.payload[5];
temp += px_message.payload[6];
int month = temp.toInt();
temp = "";
temp = px_message.payload[8];
temp += px_message.payload[9];
int day = temp.toInt();
temp = "";
temp = px_message.payload[11];
temp += px_message.payload[12];
int hour = temp.toInt();
temp = "";
temp = px_message.payload[14];
temp += px_message.payload[15];
int min = temp.toInt();
rtc.setTime( 0, min, hour, day, month, year );
log_i( "%s ", rtc.getTime() );
TimeSet = true;
}
// manual pump control
if ( str_eTopic == topicPumpState )
{
if ( String(strPayload) == "off" )
{
WaterPump0_off();
manualPumpOn = false;
}
if ( String(strPayload) == "on" )
{
WaterPump0_on();
manualPumpOn = true;
}
}
}
} //for(;;)
vTaskDelete ( NULL );
} // void fparseMQTT( void *pvParameters )
////
void loop() {}
I used
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BZMPR4F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XDS142G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B079KCWPWQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MRVR9PS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
2 Likes
Sorry for that. Take your time.
I am ready to wait for you as long as possible. Ahahaha
Many thanks.
I will process on that.
There you go, trusty @Idahowalker beat me to it.
2 Likes
Noooooo. Your help will welcome.
I am beginner
He's super experienced, and a great contributor.
I'd start with his.
Keep this thread going with your questions as they arise.
2 Likes
Wow. I have lucky so. Thanks for that precision.
I'll answer most any questions you may have about this project.
The code is written for an ESP32 ported over from Arduino code.
This'll make a good learning project. You may want to start thinking about the full irrigation project too, there are quite a few questions that'll need answering.
How much land do you need to irrigate? How will you know when to do so and for how long? Where does the water come from? Will you want to know that water is actually flowing? Where should alarms be visible?
Will irrigation decisions be based on current weather? Forecast weather? Soil sensors?
Do you have a vegetable garden or small plot to test with? Your pumps and electrics will need to survive outside in all weathers, so making sure they do will be key before you do a larger setup.
I have 5 hectares divided between fruit trees, melon cultivation and market gardening.
The climate is hot with 45 degrees from March to May. The area is located in Mali.
My source of water is a drilling which feeds a basin with solar panel.
As I mentioned, I am a beginner on arduino so I would like to familiarize myself with the use of the components in my small workshop.
That means you can only water your farm during the daytime? Best to water at night to limit evaporation and waste. What will you use to make water pressure for your irrigation system? Have you thought about having an Arduino watch the and control the level in the water holding basin?
I haven't started watering yet but it will be done in the times when the sun is not very hot, so ideally in the evening and morning.
For the pressure I want to depend on the gravitation. But if these are not giving much pressure I will have to look for a solar booster.
Concerning the control of the level of the pool I had not thought of controlling it by arduino. A humidifier sensor could solve this problem no?
You can use a waterproof echo sensor or a float switch, or two, to track water level
Ok this is noted.
For now, I will make a miniature prototype to experimentation
First consider the size of the tubing hole for the water to exit. The surface tension of water makes it NOT want to go through a small hole. Pressure forces it out. Experiment!
1 Like