Guidance please: Zone watering with pumps and solenoid valves.

hi,

i have made zone watering opens instructs 2 solenoid valves , pump open , close in sequence follows:

• first solenoid valve opens
• pumps turns on
• waits 10 seconds
• second solenoid valve opens
• wait 2 seconds
• close first solenoid
• wait 10 seconds
• switch off pump
• close second solenoid
• wait 12.5 minutes

at moment using ready made 4 relay board following sketch:

code: [select]

// declare constants
#define relay_on 0
#define relay_off 1

//declare variables
#define pump_1 10
#define relay_1 11
#define relay_2 12
//#define relay_3 13

//setup turn off relays

void setup()
{
digitalwrite(relay_1, relay_off);
digitalwrite(relay_2, relay_off);
//digitalwrite(relay_3, relay_off);
digitalwrite(pump_1, relay_off);

pinmode(pump_1, output);
pinmode(relay_1, output);
pinmode(relay_2, output);
//pinmode(relay_3, output);
}

//loop

void loop()
{
digitalwrite(relay_1, relay_on);
digitalwrite(pump_1, relay_on);
delay(10000);
digitalwrite(relay_2, relay_on);
delay(200);
digitalwrite(relay_1, relay_off);
delay(10000);
digitalwrite(pump_1, relay_off);
digitalwrite(relay_2, relay_off);
delay(750000);
}


i powering arduino nano using 12v @ vin , gnd - know produces heat , want able add voltage regulator give 5.5v feed needs efficiently.

the pump 12v 5a diaphragm pump.
the solenoid valves 12v 0.5a
the transformer 10a 12v transformer

the program cycles solenoids no problems when run without pumping water under running conditions pump running, arduino resets beginning of loop when second solenoid activated.

i loving arduino not electrical engineer, once hang of it, virtually never leave armchair!

my questions are:

1. how regulate power feed board 12v 5.5v without producing heat?

2. board stalling because power supply being swamped because pump , solenoid drawing power or because on heating 12v @ vin pin?

3. want expand idea want go on using transistors switch pumps , solenoid valves in next project, how choose correct transistor or mosfet switch  that switch gates directly off output pins of arduino?

4. there way make code smarter can add digit loop declare how many relays there can vary spray time of every zone?

5. best way solder wires directly onto arduino board? can them on joint fails.

i hope makes sense , appreciated.

all best,

jason

a lot of questions !  try , answer some.

1. nanos regulator running hot, find bit surprising if running nano 12v.   do have other direct 5v load on nano such leds etc.
have measured current on 12v line nano, in case else shorting etc ?

2. nano "swamped" if the  pumps etc draining much  power transformer, 220 or 470 or 1000uf across 12v close nanos vin should that.
however suspect pump/solenoids/relays creating lot of both switch on , switch off 'noise' reset micro.
any long , loose wires amplify problem, particularly if have input switches long wires.

3. moving mosfets along flyback diodes , capacitors on pump should make big improvement on mechanical relays.
use logic  level type of mosfets, irl , similar types, not irf  ones see diagrams for.

4. have not looked @ code in detail, there ways improve design.

5. sounds not running soldering iron hot enough or enough flux make decent joint.  suggest 3 second rule, solder, count 1, 2, 3, if joint not made then, stop , let area cool, rather risk damaging tracks or components.

like arduino code, soldering 1 of things needs practice.

what type of iron using ?


edit 4  - looking @ code, @ moment simple  sequence of on , offs.
as project develops find restricting; plus surely wanting watering reference real time clock ( aka ds1307 or ds3231 modules) , perhaps level / moisture sensors ?

adding variable timing each action done, either preset variables or , example, 10k  pots on input pins.

like opening timig sequence, write out , can consider hardware , code needed; 1 step @ time though !

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