Turn off sprinkler programs when it rains

[jmed999]

I have 2 EZFloras. One has 4 zones being used and the other has 5 zones being used. I have the weather module but the closest weather station with an accurate rain gauge is still too far away from my house to get good results for my home. With that said, what other options do I have to turn off/delay my sprinkler programs due to rain at my home and used in conjunction with the ISY?

 

Thanks!

[GregE]

Did you see this?

 

http://www.smarthome.com/24950A3/I-O-Linc-INSTEON-Rain-Sensor-Kit/p.aspx

[Brian H]

The later EZFlora units have a auxiliary input connector for a Rain Sensor and a Single Pulse Per Revolution water meter.

Not sure if it would be of use in your case. Maybe someone with an EZFlora can elaborate on the inputs uses.

If yours don't have the connector. Maybe things have changed again.

[jmed999]

Did you see this?

 

http://www.smarthome.com/24950A3/I-O-Linc-INSTEON-Rain-Sensor-Kit/p.aspx

 

Thanks for the reply. I did see that but the reviews aren't that great and I don't recall reading about anyone here using it. I may have to give it a try though. I'm really looking for other ways to turn off the sprinklers when it rains.

[jmed999]

The later EZFlora units have a auxiliary input connector for a Rain Sensor and a Single Pulse Per Revolution water meter.

Not sure if it would be of use in your case. Maybe someone with an EZFlora can elaborate on the inputs uses.

If yours don't have the connector. Maybe things have changed again.

 

This is very interesting. I just bought mine a couple weeks ago but it only has 2 ACxmr, 2 Comm, and Zone 1 - 8. It doesn't have a pass through and I haven't seen an aux input. I would love to know more about this though.

[Brian H]

It is shown on the second page of the command set document.

http://www.simplehomenet.com/Downloads/ ... %20Set.pdf

 

Since they now have no pass through outlet. It may not be a feature anymore.

I have no personal information on it. It looks like when the sensor has rain in it. It stops the zones from going On when commanded.

[LeeG]

The lack of passthru outlet is the result of using the 2413 Dual Band shell (rather than the 2412 shell now discontinued). The RJ45 jack is located behind the green connector. The ISY does not support the pulse meter or the rain sensor.

[Brian H]

Do we know if the new 2413 PLM base EZFlora even supports the options jack anymore?

Since the old 2412 PLMs had a power transformer in them and the 2413 based PLMs have a high efficiency power line derived one. Maybe external connections to 5 volts and common signal ground are no longer there.

[LeeG]

Confirmed. There is +5v and the pulse water meter connection does count pulses. The shell has to provide power for the daughter card. Do not have a rain sensor to test. No reason to think that would not work with the pulse counter working.

 

EDIT: confirmed with a pullup resister, the rain sensor also works.

 

All of this is relative to the EZFlora with an I2CS internal PLM. It can be identified by the lack of a passthru outlet

[jmed999]

So what rain sensors can be used with the RJ45 jack? Will those ever be supported by the ISY?

 

Is this one supported by the ISY? http://www.smarthome.com/24950A3/I-O-Linc-INSTEON-Rain-Sensor-Kit/p.aspx

 

Thanks!

[Brian H]

That kit is an I/OLinc and a water sensor that changes state when a certain amount of water is in the sensor.

You should be able to use the I/OLinc's sensor input state through the ISY interface to trigger or inhibit watering.

If you want to read about the sensor in the kit and some of the users feedback.

http://www.smarthome.com/3107RS/Claber- ... ers/p.aspx

 

I don't know how sophisticated the EZFlora's water sensor works. Could just inhibit the EZFlora valves or actually send date to the ISY for processing.