On Mon, Oct 09, 2006 at 10:46:58AM -0700, Richard W. Ernst wrote:
> Two part question.
>
> If I wanted to control a sprinkler setup from my computer, linux
> preferably, but windows is ok at this point as well, what would I
> need/where would I go for the hardware end of it? Ideally, I don't want
> to have to run the computer all the time for the controls, just to
> modify settings.
>
> Most fancy controllers I've seen in my web research, use wireless, or
> serial connections, nothing usb by default. I'd like to avoid the
> wireless and X10 interfaces, but serial is easy and cheap. So, part two
> of my question is how does linux see a usb to serial adapter, since many
> systems don't come with serial ports any more.
>
> Thanks,
>
What are you doing this for? Work? Or a home project?
I explored doing home control of my biodiesel. I concluded that it was
impractical, wildly expensive, and perhaps dangerous. Who wants 29 gal
of hot used fry oil dumped on his garage floor while he's at work
because he <gasp> wrote a bug? (And electrically controlled 3/4" gate
valves are stunningly expensive. How many do I have? 7? 8?)
You might ask yourself the same question: How am I going to exhaustively
test this for everything, including power failure and restore, to
prevent inappropriate sprinkling.
If the question is fire risk, physical systems are made where a glass
plug breaks from heat.
But if you're talking lawn sprinkling, the hazards may be far lower.
But I would also personally never embark on such a project unless I had
priced out the commercial solutions unless intangibles (learning, sense
of accomplishment) outweighed going that route.
--
Lan Barnes
Linux Guy, SCM Specialist
Tcl/Tk Enthusiast
To conceive extravagant pretensions from success in war is to forget how
hollow is the confidence by which you are elated. For if many
ill-conceived plans have succeeded through the still greater fatuity of
an opponent, many more, apparently well laid, have on the contrary ended
in disgrace.
- Thucydides
--
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