I love your DIY videos! Keep up the great work! The Shed videos were nice, but these videos where you get into the nitty gritty are so much more fun , to me anyway. It's so cool to see how you keep gradually adding and making improvements to your solar box. Can't wait to see more of your projects see fruition.
Great design. The only issue. The garden hose. Having to leave the water in the on position in order for the system to work creates a failure point at the hose. I would take the time to make a PVC solution (even using some flexible pvc) or use a braided stainless steel hose (similar to washing machine hose) You are great with PVC so I know it would be a breeze for you.
This is fantastic. I love your implementation of this dry season automated top off solution. I've followed the progress of your rain water, watering solution from the early stages and have enjoyed watching it evolve. Nicely done. I built something similar for my aquarium to automate top-offs and help with water changes. I've been thinking about installing some rain barrels to capture some free water and I will be taking a number of ideas from your installation. Keep up the great work!
Brilliant idea...All the tools and small electrical accessories that you explain in your videos are very useful and a great learning experience...very neat setup 👌👌👌
Great work overall. Love your vids. However that short bit of garden hose is a disaster waiting to happen. Garden hoses cannot withstand constant pressure and will eventually bulge and then blow out. Please try using a braided washing machine hose instead.
@@GreenTechTown I was about to make my own comment but this seems like a better spot. If you intend to ever use this while you're not around, I would suggest one of those automatic safety devices they use for washing machines hookups. They're designed so that if a hose bursts while you're not around they will eventually cut off the water.
You do good work, dude! All your projects look so nice and neat and simply functional. And good vids with good ideas, too! Beautiful stuff, man. You rock!
First I must say, great video and exellent channel; I always learn something new. On the other hand I have to say that you overcomplicated things by 1000. I have a similar set up, but with two 250 gallon totes. I have a water float valve 12 inches from the bottom of the tank. My water level never goes below that level when it doesn't rain. Simple, but extremely effective, no electricity required. Works just like a toilet 😅
I am a programmer by trade and recently got into gardening. I love the higher tech aspects of what you're doing. It gives me a lot of ideas for making fully automated gardening systems. Ever considered mass producing any of these systems that you've built? Seems you have an engineering background or are just really handy. Love it!
Thanks the feedback! And no, never thought of mass producing these systems since I'm still learning as I go. I do want to try to automate as much as possible though, so that's something I'm still looking into.
Very nice job my only thought is that you because you put a float switch in all you needed to do was put that in series with your valve and send power to it turning it on and off from the Internet is really doesn’t have a purpose anymore because you don’t know the water level of the barrels so if you’re out of town you don’t know whether you want to turn it on or off the float switch is going to do that for you automatically just wire the power to it and let it go and it will automatically keep those barrels full good job though looks great you did a nice job❤️🇺🇸
I would change the way the float switch works so that if it triggers it keeps the valve shut when the water level goes down rather than opening the valve back up.
Instead of a ball valve have you considered a magnetic check valve? Have you also considered expansion room in your storage in case of overheating or freezing?
I haven't look much into the magnetic check valve, but so far I really like the ball valve and the low power consumption. Regarding the storage, I typically empty my barrels in the winter to prevent freezing issues, and I due to where I have the barrels located, I haven't experienced any overheating issues.
All of those wire strippers don't work worth a 'f'. None grip and all slip. Then need deeper and sharper grips and cutter. Why do people use channel locks backwards? Never ceases to amaze me. You have a nice setup. For me, I would not want bluetooth controls. It is possible that someone else could turn your stuff on remotely. Just a redundant float switch (pair) setup is probably the more secure way. It can auto fill and auto shutoff both.
This is excellent, however, I think a ball/float valve installed low down in the tank would have continually supplied water when required without the need for electricity/tech etc. ( genuinely dont mean to be a buzzkill, I'm a programmer and really like automation projects - but unnecessary tech/complexity never sits right with me - just my personal opinion, not intended to disparage )
@@Vegan123It's not illegal in any state to collect rain water, but there are restrictions on what it's collected in, how it will be used & how many gallons are alowed. Check your state or local regulations before installing a system.
This is just the type of DIY, not overly complicated, wizardry channel I was looking for!
Not going to lie, pretty smart my dude.
I love your DIY videos! Keep up the great work! The Shed videos were nice, but these videos where you get into the nitty gritty are so much more fun , to me anyway. It's so cool to see how you keep gradually adding and making improvements to your solar box. Can't wait to see more of your projects see fruition.
Great design. The only issue. The garden hose. Having to leave the water in the on position in order for the system to work creates a failure point at the hose. I would take the time to make a PVC solution (even using some flexible pvc) or use a braided stainless steel hose (similar to washing machine hose) You are great with PVC so I know it would be a breeze for you.
This is fantastic. I love your implementation of this dry season automated top off solution. I've followed the progress of your rain water, watering solution from the early stages and have enjoyed watching it evolve. Nicely done. I built something similar for my aquarium to automate top-offs and help with water changes. I've been thinking about installing some rain barrels to capture some free water and I will be taking a number of ideas from your installation. Keep up the great work!
Just found your channel. Love the ideas. You address so many of the issues I’m trying to solve. Thank you! Excited to follow your videos.
Your videos a d in depth directions are better than anyone else's ive seen so far. Greatly appreciate your time and effort.
I'm always thinking I should collect some of this rain water.
Brilliant idea...All the tools and small electrical accessories that you explain in your videos are very useful and a great learning experience...very neat setup 👌👌👌
Man, you make everything look so easy! Love the explanations, even for simple stuff that some of us might not know. Cheers!
Finally!!! A new video..
Awesome setup 👌🏾
Thanks for the feedback!
You sir are a genius! Love the videos!
You are the real mvp
Great work overall. Love your vids. However that short bit of garden hose is a disaster waiting to happen. Garden hoses cannot withstand constant pressure and will eventually bulge and then blow out. Please try using a braided washing machine hose instead.
Good point and great idea. Thanks for sharing!
@@GreenTechTown I was about to make my own comment but this seems like a better spot.
If you intend to ever use this while you're not around, I would suggest one of those automatic safety devices they use for washing machines hookups.
They're designed so that if a hose bursts while you're not around they will eventually cut off the water.
Nice work man, very professional!
You do good work, dude! All your projects look so nice and neat and simply functional. And good vids with good ideas, too! Beautiful stuff, man. You rock!
Stumbled on to the channel - really impressive production/delivery 🙂
all gems Mr. Greentechtown, impressive work
Good stuff. Love the solar and Wi-Fi implementation to run all the electronics.
Inspirational, ingenious and therapeutic. Love it!!!
First I must say, great video and exellent channel; I always learn something new. On the other hand I have to say that you overcomplicated things by 1000. I have a similar set up, but with two 250 gallon totes. I have a water float valve 12 inches from the bottom of the tank. My water level never goes below that level when it doesn't rain. Simple, but extremely effective, no electricity required. Works just like a toilet 😅
Good idea!
Super thorough. Amazing
Awesome to see another video of yours!
I love this channel, keep up the great work.
Another amazing project. That is going to be a HUGE value add to your system!
A lot of attention to detail
Great stuff!
I am a programmer by trade and recently got into gardening. I love the higher tech aspects of what you're doing. It gives me a lot of ideas for making fully automated gardening systems. Ever considered mass producing any of these systems that you've built? Seems you have an engineering background or are just really handy. Love it!
Thanks the feedback! And no, never thought of mass producing these systems since I'm still learning as I go. I do want to try to automate as much as possible though, so that's something I'm still looking into.
I appreciate your DIY videos. Keep it up.
Very nice job my only thought is that you because you put a float switch in all you needed to do was put that in series with your valve and send power to it turning it on and off from the Internet is really doesn’t have a purpose anymore because you don’t know the water level of the barrels so if you’re out of town you don’t know whether you want to turn it on or off the float switch is going to do that for you automatically just wire the power to it and let it go and it will automatically keep those barrels full good job though looks great you did a nice job❤️🇺🇸
Great video, as always!
Inspiring video
I would change the way the float switch works so that if it triggers it keeps the valve shut when the water level goes down rather than opening the valve back up.
Instead of a ball valve have you considered a magnetic check valve? Have you also considered expansion room in your storage in case of overheating or freezing?
I haven't look much into the magnetic check valve, but so far I really like the ball valve and the low power consumption. Regarding the storage, I typically empty my barrels in the winter to prevent freezing issues, and I due to where I have the barrels located, I haven't experienced any overheating issues.
Amazing!
Would you mind please providing a link for the waterproof cable gland you used for the float switch installation in the rain barrel lid?
Here you go: amzn.to/4bOcKlz
man of my dreams!!! You Married ? Great Job!!!
Thanks for the feedback! And yes I'm married :D
All of those wire strippers don't work worth a 'f'. None grip and all slip.
Then need deeper and sharper grips and cutter.
Why do people use channel locks backwards? Never ceases to amaze me.
You have a nice setup.
For me, I would not want bluetooth controls. It is possible that someone else could turn your stuff on remotely.
Just a redundant float switch (pair) setup is probably the more secure way.
It can auto fill and auto shutoff both.
This is excellent, however, I think a ball/float valve installed low down in the tank would have continually supplied water when required without the need for electricity/tech etc. ( genuinely dont mean to be a buzzkill, I'm a programmer and really like automation projects - but unnecessary tech/complexity never sits right with me - just my personal opinion, not intended to disparage )
I am a high tech 40+ yrs , retired/disabled . I need to touch base regarding rain water barrels…. Reply here how I reach you please.
nice bit technical for me
You might want to add, check where you live because in some states it is illegal to collect rainwater in barrels.
Surely it can not be an 'illegal' act to save rain water ?
@@Vegan123It's not illegal in any state to collect rain water, but there are restrictions on what it's collected in, how it will be used & how many gallons are alowed. Check your state or local regulations before installing a system.
@@cathyrowe594 If you are out in the rain and look up to the cloud and then open your mouth - are you doing something 'illegal' ?
👍🏿
👍👊
Too bad you can't route your grey water to water your plants.
That would be a good topic to look into.
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