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[james]

How do I setup my sprinkler system on x10?
All ideas are accepted!

[SteveRF]

James,
I considered using X10 with my system but
abandoned the idea because of the CM15A
reliability. I have a geothermal heat pump
system that uses ground water and exits the
system via a 24vac valved sprinkler system.
Failure of a valve to open would shut down
the unit so I decided against it.  My home
system uses 2 CM15A's and 1 TM571 and the
reliability is pretty darn good but I was
just not convinced it was trustworthy enough
to commit my A/C and Heating system to it.  I
would be interested in your final design and
all the ideas that will eventually pop up
here.  There are lots of pretty savy folks on
this forum and I look forward to hearing
their comments.
Regards,
SteveRF  

[JimC]

James,

Using the CM15a you could set up a timer to
turn the sprinkler system on and off. Not
sure how your sprinkler system is wired in
but if the low voltage transformer plugs
into an outlet you could use an outlet
module as the switch. If it is hard wired
in and you have access to the low voltage
control wiring you could use a Universal
module as the switch. Because of the
perceived reliability problems with the
CM15a I would send several on commands when
you want the sprinklers on and several off
commands when you want the sprinklers off
This just adds a little insurance should
the first on or off not be received. . You
may even want to program the CM15a to send
several off commands during the day just to
make sure that the sprinkler system is not
running when it should be off.

I, for one, have found the CM15a to be
fairly reliable but others have experienced
reliability problems.

Good luck

Jim

[Brian H]

WGL makes a few variations of their Rain8
sprinkler controllers. They use X10 commands
to control up to 8 zones. Some Automation
dealers have them.
www.wgldesigns.com
Is where you can find details if you think
you are interested. The two way ones can be
polled to see their status, but I have no
idea if AHP could poll them

[jimmyb]

I use a drip irrigation system. Purchased a
12v solenoid to replace battery pack.
Purchased 12volt (AC) transformer, attached
screw-on male plug onto wires. Mounted that
transformer onto board and then plug into
an X10 appliance receptacle. Set timers for
daily routine. Also mounted stick on switch
which also can manually override this timer
for sprinkling. Of course it also controls
my outdoor speakers and overide for
fountain.

[AccessHA]

The Rain8 is an excellent solution. If you
are really concerned about reliability, go
with the RS232 version.

Access Home Automation
www.AccessHA.com

[roger1818]

I don’t have any direct experience with it,
but I gather the Rain8 system will
automatically shut off the sprinkler after a
pre-determined amount of time.  This way if
for some reason the off command(s) get lost,
the sprinklers will get turned off before
causing a flood.