Automation update; Got a PLC and it's bricked or something. Even the IT/PLC guy at work couldn't do anything with it. It's on a boot screen and refuses to accept the downloading of a new operating system which is what it needs.
Bought a second one that still had a Aquafine Corporation company's automation program. Deleted all their data and display screens and put my own start up display screen on it, Little Bitty Acres. More display pages can be made. Typically, the start up screen would show for several seconds and then it would go to a status screen. Then there might be a menu to select one of several other screens to see more info or change settings etc.
At the bottom left is the junk one with stock faceplate. The blue one is the new one with a custom made faceplate by Unitronics for Aquafine Corporation. I'm going to swap faceplates to take it back to the stock Unitronics version.
For now, my first project will be to push a button on the PLC that will turn on the drip system for an hour and shut off. Then I might get fancy and have it do Pulse Watering aka Pulse Drip Irrigation as mentioned here not too long ago. I'll need to make the pump wiring goat proof before I can leave it out all the time which a pulse watering schedule would require. My little front yard garden is 15 foot from the house so the PLC can be in here. In the tunnel, the PLC will get installed in the door of a NEMA enclosure rated for outdoor use.
This is the system I'll probably be going with in the end. ControlByWeb SMART Relays and I/O Controllers. Doesn't require any programming language and has a set of web pages built in for setup and monitoring. They have an online demo with live controllers/relays/sensors at their location for people to try out. Typically, it would be accessible via your local/home network only.
The below X410 unit should be here within an hour or two via USPS
This is what the web pages for setup/control/monitor look like.
I/O Setup - Relays (original names were Relay 1, Relay 2 etc. I renamed for tunnel drop down sides.
I/O Setup - 1-wire Sensors (temp/humidity)
Control Logic - I set sides to open when >68 and sides to close when <40 degrees
Monitor Page - Since it's 77 degrees in their facility where the 1-wire temp sensor is, the sides are open.
It has four 1 amp repays.. One amp isn't enough so I'll have to use these internal relays to actuate four Bosch automotive relays which will run the motors that open the tunnel sides. Automotive relays can handle heat/cold/moisture and last for years and they're cheap.
It has four digital inputs which are on/off, true/false etc. I can connect those to a proximity sensor at the 80% closed position for the tunnel sides. That way if it's windy but 95 degrees, I can close the sides most of the way.
It has up to 16, 1-wire sensors for temp/humidity and I think it will work with the wind speed sensor aka anemometer.
The control logic will be a little more complex for the wind speed + temperature combo plus that third mid-position for the sides compared to just temp based open/close.
Bought a used X410 to try it out but would be better off with all new stuff. They're fairly affordable and have a 5 year warranty, plus I'd get support. Beyond the control logic page, you can add your own BASIC programming language scripts and I'd need some help with that. That and probably connecting the anemometer.
Between this X410, the Unitronics PLC, and a $15 temp sensor, I'll have sides that open/close based on temps and be able to run whatever irrigation schedule I want, including pulse watering. Add a $60 anemometer and I should be able to control sides based on temp vs wind. That'll do for quite a while. Less than $500 for an automated high tunnel ain't bad. There's only one good brand of soil moisture sensors and they're pricey so I probably won't bother as it would be another $500. A finger works fine.
Mailman just showed up. Figured he'd be later being a Monday. The other goodies he brought are two camlock fittings to connect to those IBC tanks. Just need a few basic plumbing fittings to add to those. I have plenty of spigots here.
No playing with gadgets today. I have stuff to do outdoors and the weather is nice with mid-high 70s. I can fiddle with the tech at night.