The new SW release now supports expansion of the GPIO outputs using the MCP23017 chip. Each chip can add 16 ports. As this chip can be set for up to 8 different I2C addresses, the total expansion capacity with 8 chips will be 16x8 = 128
Well, I temporarily stopped shipping to US due to this COVID situation which messed up the Italy post office and the logistic system in general.
Anyway as Italy is restarting tomorrow, I'll also restart shipping to US. I expect delays in delivery as things will take time to get back to normal.
Back to the point, Two systems have no integration so you will get two interfaces and two IP address (which you can save as favorite in the webbrowser).
As the irrigation hat supports "only" 12 lines, I think the correct way is to go with the Automation HAT which supports 16.
If you do not need all that interfaces for sensors and analog inputs, but just the relay connections, I might provide you a stripped down version of the board, so you can save some bucks. (if you are interested we can discuss it by email).
Your project looks very interesting with all that raised beds, If you can provide some update of the progress in the future that will be great.
Well, being the cost of a raspberry ZeroW not so high you can consider to implement two systems with 16 zones each. In this way in case of fault of one board you still have half of your garden going on automatically.
You can assign two different IP addresses to the two systems so they can stay in the same wifi network.
Probably in this way it will be also easier to manage the large number of irrigation lines.
Could your app be modified to control both Pi(s) or would I need to access them individually?
It appears that the Irrigation Hat is out of stock. Should I go with the The Automation Hat board? I would need two if I were to do the two (2) Pi systems.
What relay control board would I need to purchase? I would need 4x8 relays.
What power supply do you recommend?
"OH BOTHER" - Winnie The Pooh. I just discovered that you do not ship to the U.S.
Can you make recommendations for hardware and relay that I can purchase. Feel free to email me.
Thanks again for all your time. What you have done looks really nice.
currently the SW can support the max GPIO pin provided by the Raspberry, I think it is about 20. For further expansion it is required a specific implementation and Hardware.
I'd be interested to understand the use case of such big number of watering lines.
Its for a DIY raised bed garden system. 30 total beds (for now) My goal is to live year round off of what I grow. Garden is being rebuilt from the ground up and the only thing being reused are the beds and any salvageable pipe. Previously had 5 zones broken out into a maze of buried pipes and hoses going to each bed. It worked and looked like a well designed science project but I'm looking to streamline everything and reduce the number of pipe runs significantly.
To achieve this I see no other way than to go 1:1 by placing a irrigation valve at each raised bed. More money in valves and wire but greatly reduces number of pipes and my time to construct plus it will give me greater control of which and when to water specific raised beds.
UPDATE:
The new SW release now supports expansion of the GPIO outputs using the MCP23017 chip. Each chip can add 16 ports. As this chip can be set for up to 8 different I2C addresses, the total expansion capacity with 8 chips will be 16x8 = 128
The system is now supporting the MQTT protocol, it opens a whole lot of expansion possibilities.
You can check some examples configurations in the link here.
Hi There in US :),
Well, I temporarily stopped shipping to US due to this COVID situation which messed up the Italy post office and the logistic system in general.
Anyway as Italy is restarting tomorrow, I'll also restart shipping to US. I expect delays in delivery as things will take time to get back to normal.
Back to the point, Two systems have no integration so you will get two interfaces and two IP address (which you can save as favorite in the webbrowser).
As the irrigation hat supports "only" 12 lines, I think the correct way is to go with the Automation HAT which supports 16.
If you do not need all that interfaces for sensors and analog inputs, but just the relay connections, I might provide you a stripped down version of the board, so you can save some bucks. (if you are interested we can discuss it by email).
Your project looks very interesting with all that raised beds, If you can provide some update of the progress in the future that will be great.
Regards,
Angelo
Thanks for the Information.
Well, being the cost of a raspberry ZeroW not so high you can consider to implement two systems with 16 zones each. In this way in case of fault of one board you still have half of your garden going on automatically.
You can assign two different IP addresses to the two systems so they can stay in the same wifi network.
Probably in this way it will be also easier to manage the large number of irrigation lines.
Hi There,
currently the SW can support the max GPIO pin provided by the Raspberry, I think it is about 20. For further expansion it is required a specific implementation and Hardware.
I'd be interested to understand the use case of such big number of watering lines.
Cheers,
Angelo