IPhone Apps For Remote Switching

[pjphilli]

Hi

I am an electrical engineer and also fairly adept at things electronic.
I know little about the capabilities of IPhones but I see quite a bit of news about using them with the appropriate app to remotely turn on/off things such as washing machines, air conditioning etc.

I would like to remotely turn on/off my garden watering system.
So my question is: How could the above remote control be adapted to this purpose which involves turning on/off the watering system power. Are stand alone receiving devices (such as they have in washing machines etc) available to be adaptable to my purpose?

Cheers Peter

[gary]

Hi Peter,

To remotely switch on and off a 240V power point?

Like these types of things? :-
https://www.mwave.com.au/product/tplink-hs100-wifi-smart-plug-ab94103?gclid=CKzjo8GmltMCFYGWvAodQ nYEdg

[PCH]

I may be wrong but using a remotely controlled power point wouldn't work too well.

To quote Peter's example, if power were to be applied to a modern washing machine all that would happen is that the control panel would become active but the wash cycle wouldn't start until the various buttons were pressed.

You'd need one of the machines that have the old style rotary switches to set the cycle etc, so that as soon as power were applied the cycle would start automatically.

[Wavytone]

Peter,
The best solution imho for gardens is simple programmable timers readily available at hardware stores eg Bunnings. These operate off batteries and do not pose a safety hazard.

My next question is have you considered the consequences when this fails, with the water running ?

240V electricity and water don't play well so beware anything involving voltages above 3v dc.

The standard approach for remotely operated devices is that these things don't communicate directly with the phone. Usual solution is:

Install a proprietary app on iPhone,
iPhone connects to internet,
App communicates with a server in the cloud, operated by the company that manufactures the devices and app,
Server communicates with boxes that switch power, effectively a remote controlled relay.

The manufacturers are all determined to lock you in to their ecosystem and server. There are several downsides too, starting with these things being very vulnerable to hackers, and the whole lot being defunct when the vendor goes titsup - as most of them will.

Sticking proprietary software, the internet, and a server operated by somee company you don't own in between you and any gadget is frankly a really dumb idea. Just because you CAN doesn't make it a Really Good Thing.

[redbeard]

Hi Peter,

If I understand your question correctly, I'm thinking the same as Gary with the 240v remote switch.

What is cool with this method is the unit is cheap to buy, you install it via wi fi on your router and it sounds like it has a web server already running on it. The remote switch has it's own free app.

You will need to setup your router so the device can be seen from outside world eg port forwarding or DMZ, both easily done in the router settings.

Assumptions include:
Your watering system has a plug pack that currently plugs into normal GPO 240v.
Your watering system is simple so when power is on, water flows, power off, water stops.

Or

Go the technical way and do it with an arduino, network shield, relay(s) to switch 240 or other better ways, your own web server which means that you don't need any special apps to remote into it, you just use the web browser on your phone and type in the IP address. Fun but time consuming :D

Let me know if I didn't understand your question correctly.

Cheers,

Damien.

EDIT:
Oops, I just read about the Kasa app, cloud based does suck! You want your own direct control. DIY

[Boozlefoot]

[QUOTE=Wavytone;1304836]Peter,

My next question is have you considered the consequences when this fails, with the water running ?

240V electricity and water don't play well so beware anything involving voltages above 3v dc.
=================================== ===========

Firstly, when controllers fail, the valve will usually shut. 99% of irrigation control valves do not operate on 240VAC, but are mix of lower range DC voltages, usually 12VDC.

Back in the "good old days", we used a landline phone to command controllers on several irrigation projects and it cost a bomb! Nowadays this type of thing is actually off the shelf.

Try this mob!

http://www.hrproducts.com.au/product-category/controllers/web-based/

Cheers, Rod

[redbeard]

iBoot - power switcher, basic web browser interface, no cloud. I use these at work, but a bit more pricey than above or DIY.

[pjphilli]

Thanks everyone for this advice.
Lots to consider!
Cheers Peter