Lets make an automatic watering system. This project is an extension of our prior experiment, where you learned how to connect moisture sensor to Arduino. This time we are also going to connect a relay and water motor to the Arduino. We will then write a program to take input from soil moisture sensor and switch on or switch off the water motor based on the data received from soil moisture sensor.
What is Automatic Watering System for plants?
The automatic watering system helps you to water plants at your home, garden or farm in your absence. It uses technology to detect the moisture level of the soil and automatically water the plant when there is no moisture detected in the soil.
Can I make one myself?
Yes, this is what learn by watch do, helps you to learn to do things yourself. We have created a video and this post to show you the procedure to make it on your own. If you will follow both carefully you will be able to make it yourself. If you face any problem as in the comment. You can also ask us for the paid services.
How long does it take to make an automatic watering system myself?
It depends on your prior knowledge and experience with Arduino. If you are new to that and follow the video and instructions given in this post, you should be able to make it within a day. But if you are planning to showcase in some science exhibition, We recommend you to start at least one week prior to the deadline.
Prerequisites
What are the required components?
The required components are given below. We have also provided links to buy the components from Amazon and Flipkart so you do not have to waste your time in search for the right component.
- Arduino Uno R3: http://amzn.to/2srIMT3 | https://goo.gl/MkGoQC
- Soil moisture sensor: http://amzn.to/2sQLiCJ | https://goo.gl/B9ewV6
- Buzzer: http://amzn.to/2sXK2sz
- 4 Channel Relay for Arduino: http://amzn.to/2s09f8s | https://goo.gl/Dtd7Xb
- Jumper wires: http://amzn.to/2s9wfkc | https://goo.gl/QK5BN4
Source code
int ACWATERPUMP = 13; //You can remove this line, it has no use in the program.
int sensor = 8; //You can remove this line, it has no use in the program.
int val; //This variable stores the value received from Soil moisture sensor.
void setup() {
pinMode(13,OUTPUT); //Set pin 13 as OUTPUT pin, to send signal to relay
pinMode(8,INPUT); //Set pin 8 as input pin, to receive data from Soil moisture sensor.
}
void loop() {
val = digitalRead(8); //Read data from soil moisture sensor
if(val == LOW)
{
digitalWrite(13,LOW); //if soil moisture sensor provides LOW value send LOW value to relay
}
else
{
digitalWrite(13,HIGH); //if soil moisture sensor provides HIGH value send HIGH value to relay
}
delay(400); //Wait for few second and then continue the loop.
}
Frequently Asked Questions
Required Material to make it yourself
plz help me!! When I am Uploading the program there is an error.the error states that “expected initializer before ‘WATER’. PLZZZ HELP ME
Hi, there was a problem in first line. Replace AC WATER PUMP with ACWATERPUMP and the program should work. Infact you can remove first two lines of the program and it should work perfectly.
what language you are using for the code
Arduino uses its own programming language. It comes with an IDE you have to learn how to write a program and how to upload it to arduino. Watch this tutorial: http://www.learnbywatch.com/how-to-connect-an-arduino-to-pc-or-laptop/
Hii sir actually we are doing a project similar to your’s. That we can water a plant at regular intervals of time including detection of moisture. briefly, if you have a habit of watering plants daily at 5 pm even in your absence the motor should on automatically and water the plants. The amount of water should be watered to the plants are based upon the moisture content in the soil. Please help us sir as early as possible.
You need to write code for this logic:
If it’s 5 PM //read date / time from real time clock module ( http://amzn.to/2o8Hs69 )
{
if water need water // read data from soil moisture sensor
{
water the plant for 1 min // start the motor and stop it after 1 minute
}
}
I hope it will be helpful. Let me know if you face any problem.
Thank you so much sir…we are very happy for your help. If you don’t mine may we contact you through Gmail.
My mail id is
vamsikrishnan150808@gmail.com
you can contact me here: yogendra.pal3@gmail.com
hi sir
i want to supply water without using water sensor and i want to supply water daily at 9pm for 5mins. can u please give me the program for that i am very poor in programming.you can mail me at azmiabdullah2013@gmail.com
You can send us your mail id to my mail so that we can Contact you if there any urgent need. I assure you that your mail id will be safe and not be misused.
Thankyou sir for your support
Hi Vamsi, Please share your project story with us once you submit it. You can use images, videos, text etc and we will show it in our blog. You can submit your story at learnywatch@gmail.com
Plz help us sir as we have less time to submit our project
Can i use dc pump of 5 to 12 v with relay
A relay is an electromagnetic switch operated by a relatively small electric current that can turn on or off a much larger electric current. So, you need relay only if you want to operate AC devices. You can directly send the signal (current) to DC motor, you do not need relay for that.
Let me know if this is helpful.
Thank you for your support
Hello sir, i use aquarium pump instead of the motor. Is it okay of i didnt use the relay?
A relay is an electromagnetic switch operated by a relatively small electric current that can turn on or off a much larger electric current.
So, if you want to give power to an AC device, use relay otherwise not.
sir actually we are doing an project similar to this but we want to know how to change the angle of the water pipe if we have 2 or more plants so that it can water the plant which has less moisture.
Sir please reply to my comment.
sir, i followed your steps and connected all components and wrote program too..but it works opposite to what you have showed when i place soil moisture sensor in wet soil the motor is on and when i remove nothing happens plz help ..
finally i solved my problem sir i just changed this values
{
digitalWrite(13,HIGH); //if soil moisture sensor provides LOW value send LOW value to relay
}
else
{
digitalWrite(13,LOW); //if soil moisture sensor provides HIGH value send HIGH value to relay
compare this with original program
this is working for me
when i remove the sensor from the wet soil the motor is on state and off when i place it in wet soil
anyway thx for program
sir,,
Hi. Can you help us? We are using this code but it didn’t work we are using a dc motor while the sensor is humidity sensor. Thankyou
Hi can you add some code to control the power of the pump ?
If i want to make more than plant which components should add? A higher motor?plz reply i’m working for school project.
Sir,can we add more than two plant for watring system using one motor..plz give me a code for that..plz help us
Instead of ac motor we use dc motor
Is it working in automatic watering system for plants.
When we don’t put soil sensor inside the soil water flow from pump but we put sensor inside the soil it will not work water is flowing continue instead of stoping
Plz help me what can i do.
Plz reply to my comment
where and how to connect buzzer?
Sir how to connect the rtc module on the circuit plsss explain it
can i ask for a papers sir?thanks..
sir may i get documentation of this project…?
In a same area it will dry in some part and wet in some part.In such condition s how can use make of this sensor
Great project. really enjoyed it. Could you do a project where you control this type of thing via wifi or app?
Hi, I am receiving the reverse for the output…..when the soil moisture sensor is placed on dry soil then water is not flowing while water is flowing when the soil moisture sensor is placed in wet soil…How to overcome this?
Hi, please help me. When I compile the program at the beginning there is no error but when I want to upload it to the board it says that it can not as if it did not detect it.
Then, I got a 3-6 v motor and I connected it to a cell phone charger like in the tutorial but I checked all the connections and it does not work. I hope you can answer fast
Hello
I am trying to write a code for two soil sensors using python. i got it work for one sensors , but i could not do it for two sensors, so my question is there a specific loop for two sensors ??BTW, I am using Raspberry pi
Please share your code.
GPIO.setup(16, GPIO.IN)
GPIO. setup(18, GPIO.OUT)
GPIO.setup(7, GPIO.IN)
GPIO.setup(7, GPIO.IN)
try:
while True:
if GPIO.input(16)==1
GPIO.ouput(18, True)
if GPIO.input(7)==1
GPIO.ouput(15, True)
else:
GPIO.setup(18, GPIO.OUT)
GPIO.output(18,GPIO.OUT)
GPIO.setup(15, GPIO.OUT)
GPIO.output(15,GPIO.OUT)
I have coded the arduino and done all the connections as shown in the video but the pump isn’t coming on.can I get some help on making it work
Can anyone tell me wat is the order in which v have to connect the wire in the relay
help me how to connect pizzo buzzer in the arduino and code for buzzer
Can i use 5v dc or 12 dc motor seam relay
Hi, I am a complete beginner. How to use this device for multiple plants at once? I mean if I use 2 motors and soil sensors, how to make it work for both?
Hi
I am Pratham
The coding you gave in the videos not working can I ask for the correct coding I used 1 channel relay board instead of 4 channel relay board and other things are same
Thank you
Please post the errors.
how to link this device with a gsm module
The things working reversly ..like the water is being pumped when there is moisture and not being pumped when no moisture..please help me regarding this…
send me the code of this project… pls..
Good stuff ! I’m willing to do this project but I have small query. What if water from source get empty ? Because if there is no water to suck, the motor can fail or damage. How to overcome this small issue?