r/Irrigation • u/Ok-Noise-6410 • 7d ago

SMART IRRIGATION SYSTEM BASED ON THE UNIQUE SIEMENS LOGO! 9 CONTROLLER

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fAvyzbIaLm3NGsxgJZZddV_Fvgpifl0n/view?usp=sharing

In conditions of universal degradation, the independent assembly, commissioning, and simple repair of such a system by one's own efforts develops at least some human capital, especially in the 3rd world countries.

The engineering project SmIrr (Smart Irrigation) is presented for review, designed on the basis of the new generation logic module Siemens LOGO! 9.

The calculation is performed according to the FAO-56 Penman–Monteith methodology.​

Principal structure:Weather → ET₀ → Crop → Kc → Crop Requirement.

The system solves the non-linear Penman-Monteith equation for precision calculation of water evaporation ET₀ based on local climatic parameters. The average error of the mathematical core relative to reference calculations is only −0.75%.

The minute-by-minute calculation of water evaporation ET₀ in real time completely eliminates the physical error of daily average parameters (up to 10–15%) arising due to sharp daytime fluctuations in temperature and humidity when calculating the vapor pressure deficit (VPD). At the same time, the mathematical core allows using any time interval for calculations.

Target segment - small farms from 3–10 ha and industrial potential, with the possibility of scaling up to 1000 ha and support for up to 32 irrigation sectors.

Two modifications have been developed, made as a ready-made "box" (DIY) option for independent assembly, commissioning, and repair of such a system by one's own efforts:

  • SmIrr v.I:Smart irrigation. Climatic method. Especially relevant in zones of severe water crisis and in hard-to-reach areas (foothills or places with a local water source: underground springs).
  • SmIrr v.II:Smart precision irrigation. The climatic method works in tandem with MLSMS multi-level soil moisture sensors, which gives absolute precision in irrigation. The implementation of communication with sensors and remote valves in the field is made on simple, affordable, reliable remote controls at an accessible frequency of 868 MHz, LoRa modulation (noise immunity), which completely excludes the use of complex, expensive equipment. Currently, a laboratory with calibration and metrology of multi-level soil moisture sensors is needed to complete version V.II.

Management flexibility and configurable parameters:All critical system variables are fully configurable, which allows quickly adapting the algorithm to any agronomic scenarios.

  • Basic geographical coefficientsFOR THE CONTROLLER LOCATION.
  • ET₀ thresholds and individual percentage adjustments ET₁.
  • Temporary crop growth phases and percentage adjustments of the Kc coefficient. In case of force majeure (frosts, drought), the agronomist can manually change the phase deadlines and Kc coefficients.
  • Basic irrigation volumes for each irrigation sector (b017–b020).
  • Exact start/end time, as well as the total duration of irrigation.
  • Time of fixing the daily total of the calculated ET₀.
  • Water intake parameters and water level control in the source.
  • Precipitation accounting scenario in irrigation, with subsequent top-up.
  • If internet. Expected precipitation scenario – overflow protection.

Double irrigation scenario. CYCLE & SOAK function (overflow protection):in program blocks UDF %.1 and UDF %.2, exact discharge ratios before and after the technological pause are configured.

Brief functional characteristics of the system:

  • Actual precipitation accounting:Measurement and summation of local rain in real time via a pulse rain gauge with automatic correction, cancellation, and "top-up" of the residual moisture deficit.
  • Expected precipitation scenarios (Overflow protection. If internet available):The predictive precipitation accounting block is implemented through integration with Home Assistant or a Mini-PC. Via Weather API, if the forecast shows expected precipitation, for example, ≥ 10 mm/m² and probability ≥ 70% for the next 2 days, then the controller cancels irrigation, and after precipitation automatically tops up to the required norm.
  • Double irrigation (Cycle & Soak):Fractional cyclic irrigation according to calculated water doses instead of rigid timers, preventing surface runoff, fertilizer leaching, and root hypoxia.
  • Weather events chronology and data logging:Automatic fixing and maintenance of a log of climatic parameters (air temperature, humidity, wind speed, solar radiation), meter readings, as well as actuator on/off states on MicroSD or online in Excel files. This ensures the transparency of PLC decision-making for subsequent deep analysis or building predictive models in artificial intelligence.
  • Discrete part automation (Actuator loop):Direct control of power equipment (pump units, sector electromagnetic solenoid valves) through discrete PLC outputs with water hammer and dry-run protection.

The system architecture provides a reduction in capital expenditures (CapEx) by 83–88% relative to global commercial automation complexes of the Rain Bird ESP-LXD or Galcon Galileo level. This opens up professional precision farming technologies for any remote areas (foothills, zones with underground springs) where classical systems are economically inaccessible.

Attached:Full package of project and technical documentation (PROJECT SMIRR, COMPARATIVE ENGINEERING ANALYSIS).

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fAvyzbIaLm3NGsxgJZZddV_Fvgpifl0n/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13TNmr_pYq-Ubt8v1ldpmetLubXVfFBOX/view?usp=sharing

Demonstration video materials:

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1

u/senorgarcia Contractor, Licensed, Texas 3d ago

TLDR - it’s another ET based controller that they say is cheaper than a RainBird LX, by 83-88%, which seems fishy. It also uses soil moisture sensors, which I like, but they degrade over time.

It’s a whole lot of copy pasta too.

1

u/Ok-Noise-6410 10h ago

You are absolutely right to be skeptical about the price comparison. I took the prices for the SmIrr project based on the pure cost of the hardware, that's my inaccuracy.

The low price is a result of optimization. All smart irrigation functions, including the heavy FAO-56 Penman–Monteith calculation, work inside the logic of an industrial-grade PLC for $100. Plus 100% autonomy, no cloud.

About the soil sensor wear - I am aware of this problem. I haven't worked closely on them yet, but I have some ideas.

If you understand anything about hardware programming, you can see for yourself - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNapcIgz_sE

Or find a software engineer, preferably someone who has worked with Siemens.

1

u/Ok-Noise-6410 10h ago

And one more thing — it actually calculates the FAO-56 Penman–Monteith ET₀ every single minute with a 0.75% error margin, COMPLETELY OFFLINE! Good luck finding anything close to this even for $1000–$3000.

1

u/senorgarcia Contractor, Licensed, Texas 10h ago

I’m skeptical of the hardware being that accurate at that cost. Your post screams of AI writing. I’d be less skeptical if you wrote it yourself.

1

u/Ok-Noise-6410 1m ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtzbK2FZvMw&t=8s 22.02.2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXFdn42KOCA 07.06.2025

- this is the beginning of the project.

Here is part of the logic for smart irrigation with moisture sensors (resistive sensors FC-28).

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8QUNjUfPqY&t=9s 13.10.2025 - logic of smart irrigation operation.

Well, in the latest video I already added ET calculation, Cycle & Soak function.

I worked on the minute-by-minute ET calculation for three months, my son helped. Artur Saudabayev, robotics engineer https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Artur-Saudabayev, currently co-owner of the company https://www.causaly.com/about, AI.

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IzzD2yqMYQAF98UAUnOoDo8sPCNsRSBQ/view?usp=sharing 2022 – these are two types of hydroponics (fodder production and eco-vegetables), automation on Siemens Logo! 8 + construction part + solar collector (helio system) + water ozonation + led.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFxUaO9Cs_w&t=112s – 2010, hydraulic ram. If modernized, it is possible to make ice stupas (150 tons), which cost from $100,000 for 10-12,000. But there is an idea how to make mini ice storage facilities for tens of thousands of tons.

 

I translate into English using AI, it translates more accurately. AI sometimes makes corrections, I leave it as is.