Hi, this is Wayne again with a topic “Motion Activated Sprinklers”.
Is your home plagued by unwanted visitors? Do you wish that you could keep the local animals off your lawn? Then you should build a motion activated sprinkler system. The first part of this project is making a motion-activated electrical outlet. You may remember this from my project on how to use motion sensors to automate halloween special effects. First, you need a motion sensor. That’S designed to work with ac. I got mine from an old security light start by identifying all the wires then connect the input wires on the sensor to a power cord with a male end and connect the output wires on the sensor to a power cord with a female end. Lastly, add a small project enclosure to house all the connections. Next, you need an electric sprinkler valve and a pair of fittings that can connect it to a garden hose, attach the female garden hose connector to the intake of the valve and attach the male garden hose connector to the output of the valve. Now you need to find an ac power adapter that can activate your sprinkler valve.
Most sprinkler systems use a 24 volt ac signal to activate the valves, but other voltages can also work. I was able to activate the valve using power adapters that were rated as low as 9 volts to test. It connect the wires from the valve to the power adapter and plug the power adapter into the motion activated outlet. When you wave your hand in front of the motion sensor, you should hear the valve make a clicking sound.
Once you’ve found an adapter that works, you can go ahead and solder it to the sprinkler valve, because you’ll be working around water. I highly recommend insulating the connections with either heat shrink, tubing or liquid electrical tape. Now you’re ready to set up the system in your yard, connect one hose between the faucet and the sprinkler valve and connect a second hose between the sprinkler valve and your sprinkler.
Next find a good place to hide the motion sensor. You want it to be somewhere in the shade and well away from any moving objects that might accidentally trigger it. Lastly, turn on the water to full power, and your trap is armed whenever a person or animal wanders into your yard, your motion activated sprinkler, will blast them with cold water and chase them away. That is unless they happen to like sprinklers, thanks for watching and check back soon for more diy hacks and how to’s .