I need to run multiple sensors 6-8m around the garden and greenhouse. It would appear I will end up needing 100m worth of cable. Any suggestions on what cables to use that won’t break the bank?
I am using unshielded 3-wire cable in the greenhouse as well as the garden. The price is just below 1 USD/meter and so far is is working fine for me with lengths at 10 meters. Have a look here (Danish websire, but most specs in English): https://elektronik-lavpris.dk/p87285/liyy0314-control-cable-3x014mm-grey/
I am using it for the Hydrosys digital mousture sensors as well as reed-switches. I reckon the gauge is too small to drive the valves.
The 5v and GND can be common to all sensors, so you may need one wire for each sensor plus the 5V and GND. The sensors have very low power consumption, actually they can work even if the tension drops to 4v. As the transmission protocol between the sensors and the raspberry uses relatively low frequency (that's why slowwire), there should be no need for shielding.
no not shielded, but right now I'm using this cable only to drive valves. I'm hoping to connect a sensor soon to test as well, the cable is about 20m at its longest point so it will be interesting to see how the sensor works, but I'm expecting for the low current usage it will be fine.
Try using a multicore cable and split it out at various points for your sensors. And don't over estimate the gauge of the wire required, the sensors are low current and very light gauge will suffice. I used a multicore cable I purchased at Bunnings, I'm in Australia but you should find something similar at any hardware store.
why don't you try using the ESP8266 for the sensors to give data input using wireless?
Thank you everyone for your responses.
I am using unshielded 3-wire cable in the greenhouse as well as the garden. The price is just below 1 USD/meter and so far is is working fine for me with lengths at 10 meters. Have a look here (Danish websire, but most specs in English): https://elektronik-lavpris.dk/p87285/liyy0314-control-cable-3x014mm-grey/
I am using it for the Hydrosys digital mousture sensors as well as reed-switches. I reckon the gauge is too small to drive the valves.
The 5v and GND can be common to all sensors, so you may need one wire for each sensor plus the 5V and GND. The sensors have very low power consumption, actually they can work even if the tension drops to 4v. As the transmission protocol between the sensors and the raspberry uses relatively low frequency (that's why slowwire), there should be no need for shielding.
no not shielded, but right now I'm using this cable only to drive valves. I'm hoping to connect a sensor soon to test as well, the cable is about 20m at its longest point so it will be interesting to see how the sensor works, but I'm expecting for the low current usage it will be fine.
Try using a multicore cable and split it out at various points for your sensors. And don't over estimate the gauge of the wire required, the sensors are low current and very light gauge will suffice. I used a multicore cable I purchased at Bunnings, I'm in Australia but you should find something similar at any hardware store.