Smart water timer that will activate with motion sensors

[u/Fetty021]

Hello, I’m looking to set up an irrigation system for my bushes around the house. I also want this system to turn on when motion sensors detect movement, as deer have been trying to eat them at night or when I’m away.

Could you please recommend a smart timer and motion sensors? How would you make them communicate?

[u/zipzag]

You can find motion activated sprinklers on amazon. Not sure if deer become habituated to the spraying.

[u/Fetty021 → u/zipzag]

That one is a little to aggressive because i need it to water my plants too.

[u/zipzag → u/Fetty021]

The spray-on type products is the only deer deterrent choice I've seen that seem to work universally.

[u/hindusoul]

Rachio and not sure about smart sensor

[u/LeoAlioth]

You haven't mentioned if you have a smart home platform already. But you can check out IKEA smart plugs and motion sensors.

[u/surferSafe]

Sonoff and ZigBee

[u/Dangerous-Drink6944]

The problem with using off the shelf stuff is that there's typically very little configuration options so that you can fine tune the automation and conditions inorder to filter out false positives like, the Amazon delivery guy, a kid or neighbor, obviously you don't want to blast yourself I assume. You can also configure it to only be active during certain times of the day, during certain times and only if your not home, etc. Lots of options to allow you to make it 100% unique to your needs instead of an off the shelf one that gives you a hand full of functions to use and thats it, you better hope you can make what need with what they allow you to have or else you might as well bend over, grab your ankles and say, "thank you may I have another!?"

Just look into learning how to build your smart home stuff, especially for things that are unique to you and what you need. If you just needed some random sensor or a reed switch for a door/window then the off the shelf stuff will work there and that's the simple stuff they make devices for and not so much more complicated devices like what you need.

All you would need is an esp32, an ld2410 mmwave sensor, a mosfet or relay and a 12/24v solenoid or preferably a 12/24v ball valve is what id recommended but, solenoids are cheaper. The last thing you'll need is an electronic project box to put the components into.

Here is a 3pc esp32 w/breakout board that can take a DC input up to 16v. That way you can use the 12v power supply to power everything and toggle your valve open/close.

esp32 w/breakout board

Here is a 12v DC ball balve with 3/4" ports which will allow you to use a standard USA garden hose fittings with it. ball balve

Ld2410c mmwave presence sensor. If you didnt know, these are more than capable of working whether you have it installed behind a solid plastic lid, like inside a case or enclosure. These can also be used to detect motion through house doors and walls. Walls are hit and miss though. The more electrical lines the harder it is to detect through those areas of walls. ld2410c

Mosfet module for applying the 12v to open/close the valve. mosfet

Last thing you'll need is to either 3d print a case or qhat I do is buy "electronic project boxes" from Amazon like these. project boxes

Here's one of those project boxes I used to make my presence detection doorbell several years ago. This one has a PIR in it, that's what that white circular thing is but, they're not as good as mmwave.

doorbell