You set up automatic irrigation in TapHome with a virtual device of type Multi-Value Switch that selects the active zone, a smart rule Sequencer that irrigates the zones one after another, and a smart rule Weekly schedule that starts the sequence at regular times. You need irrigation valves for the individual zones. The result is central irrigation control with a push button that starts the sequence and a manual override that returns to automatic mode after a set time. A manual blocking switch and a Limiting condition based on rainfall can stop automatic irrigation when it is not needed.

Weekly scheduleSmart ruleRun irrigationPush buttonSequencerSmart ruleIrrigation0123Multi-Value SwitchSet actions based on value of Multi-Value SwitchSmart ruleMZone 1MZone 2MZone 3Limiting condition(Block = 0) AND (Rainfall_3h < 10) AND (Rainfall_48h < 25)Rain gaugeRainfall_3hRainfall_48hBlocking automatic irrigationBlock

Creating central irrigation control

  1. Settings → Virtual Devices. Add device. Select Multi-Value Switch. Name the device “Irrigation”.
  2. We will design it so that the first value indicates that irrigation is off. The second value can turn on the first zone, the third value another zone, and so on.
  3. Add a Smart Rule to this device named Set actions based on value of Multi-Value Switch.
  4. In this Smart Rule, set actions for the individual irrigation valves. That is, if the value is off for the central control virtual device, then set all irrigation valves to the Off action. If the value is 1, then set the irrigation valves so that 1 is On and the others are Off. Do this for all zones.
  5. On the virtual device “Irrigation”, also set Manual override to Keep manual mode for a limited time, for example 20 minutes. This ensures that if a user accidentally switches irrigation manually to any of the zones, after 20 minutes it returns from manual mode back to automation, i.e., to the Off state.

Creating an irrigation sequence

  1. Now create a new virtual device of type Push button named “Run irrigation”.
  2. Create a Smart Rule Sequencer, and in the When sequencer is not running section set this “Run irrigation” button as the trigger.
  3. Each step of the sequencer will use the Multi-Value Switch, which we named “Irrigation” in the previous step.
  4. Set a duration for each step, i.e., how long we want to irrigate that zone.
  5. As the last step, set the “Irrigation” device to value 0, i.e., to Off.

Blocking automatic irrigation

Blocking automatic irrigation can be configured, for example, using a manual switch that we create as a virtual switch, and using rainfall measurement. More information on the page Rain measurement.

Creating manual blocking

  1. Settings → Virtual Devices → Add device → Digital output.
  2. Name: “Blocking automatic irrigation”.
  3. Text for "On": “Blocked”.
  4. Text for "Off": “Active”.
  5. Set icons to make it intuitive.

Automatic irrigation triggering

  1. Create a Smart Rule Weekly schedule, which will press the “Run irrigation” button at regular times.
  2. In the weekly plan, also set Limiting condition. Set it to type Formula.
  3. As variables, insert three values:
    • Blocking automatic irrigation (Block)
    • Rainfall volume, sum over 3h (Rainfall_3h)
    • Rainfall volume, sum over 48h (Rainfall_48h)
  4. The formula will then look as follows:
(Block = 0) AND (Rainfall_3h < 10) AND (Rainfall_48h < 25)

See also — Scheduler.