Hydroponic 12 volt timer
 

Hi Ron
We put together a hydro unit several weeks ago using 4” PVC pipes 5’ long with small gravel.
The unit is at the back of the property and I didn't want to run AC wiring through the back yard. We have utilized a 12 volt motorcycle battery, bilge pump w/ float switch shutoff, a small solar panes to recharge the battery.
The only thing missing is a 12 volt timer to automate the watering cycles any Ideas?
I also am just completing your 11 plant garden and want to hook it to the same 12 volt system. By the way Zucchini Squash grows extremely well in hydroponic’s the plants stay reasonably small with a huge yield.
Will send pictures within the next couple of weeks.
Eric

I have had the same thought about your battery powered garden.
Some yard watering timers run on a lower voltage and might be modified to work.
If anyone knows of a battery powered timer please let us know.
Ron

I am an electrical by trade and researched the equipment available for remote 12vdc applications.
It's possible that I missed something but I spent lots of time and searched a bunch of catalogs.
For around a hundred dollars you can get either a programmable cycle timer or programmable multi-setting timer. These are normally panel mounted units. My idea was to install a photocell - to shutdown the system at night - then use the cycle timer to set the feed evolution. It could get a bit complicated.
By the time everything was figured it was just about as expensive (and I would get higher capacity equipment) to install a small 12VDC to 120VAC inverter an regular digital timer and a good Pro or Little Giant submersible pump. Also, a deep-cycle, higher capacity RV or boat battery will probably give better service.
Sorry guys, I don't mean to burst any bubbles (like mine was!) but there ain't any way I can figure to get off cheap on this one.
Ron K.hygro@gte.net

dc powered pump
 

so i have a small ac pump plugged into a ac timer plug into a 200 watt inverter connected to a battery charge controller to a deep cycle battery,which is connected to a 45 watt solar panel. this works great for off the grid gardening. the cost $450.00 holy cow !!! this is not cost effective compared to 12g wire and a gfi outlet. but it does work good.(i collected my set up for free) so i hope this helps ,andy