SOLAR POWERED AUTOMATIC PLANT WATERING AND SHELTER SYSTEM

Presented to

The Faculty of Computer Engineering Department

University of Mindanao

Presented by

Jon Bon Jovi Carasco

Alvien Maloloy-on

Marc Bacus

October 20, 2014Abstract

In a very fast-paced and modernized world, watering plants at home can be easy, yet a very tedious job to do. Gardening, in both micro and macro level requires definite essentials to grow plants such as the watering and shelter system, which can be financially and physically sacrificial.

This study introduces the Solar Powered Automatic Plant Watering and Shelter System which is designed to help people water their plants easily without any physical effort and save monetary expenses from electricity bill. It also protects the plants or gardens from being damaged or destroyed in occasional cases like daily intense sun heat or frequent heavy rainfall.

This project uses a solar powered device as our main source of electricity using two pre-set timers for sprinklers to automatically activate at seven oclock in the morning and five oclock in the afternoon. The researchers also used humidity sensor for upcoming heavy rainfalls and also to stop the sprinkler from watering when the soil is too wet and for the sheltering system which means if it is too hot or it is prolonged under the sun, sheltering system will automatically activate by the use of the thermistor sensor. The researchers used DC motor to activate the sheltering system. Afterwards sensors will automatically turn off when they cant sense any humidity and too much heat.

This Powered Automatic Plant Watering and Shelter System Project seeks to be beneficial on specific areas like residential houses, schools, parks, largely landscaped buildings, and other agricultural and architectural fields.Chapter 1INTRODUCTION

I: Background of the studyA garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The most common form today is known as a residential garden. Food-producing gardens are distinguished from farms by their smaller scale, more labor-intensive methods, and their purpose (enjoyment of a hobby rather than produce for sale). Most people usually spends time to water their plants and gardens during their most available time. However, there are times we are busy doing our daily routine work that we somehow forget to do some house chores like watering our garden and plants. There also scenarios of sudden climate change which heavily destroys and damages our plants and gardens like in extreme hot/high temperature or too much water exposure from heavy rains. If only there is something we can do to prevent further damages and something which could aid us from doing the work of watering the plants every day.II: Statement of the ProblemThese are the following problems, which people may encounter if they are busy or doesnt have time to water and take care of their plants and gardens:

Plants and Gardens left unattended may wither, dry up or rot on some cases that has fruits or vegetables

Coping up with sudden change in climate if left unattended

Frequent heavy rain or immense sunlight heat damaging the plants

Costly to buy another set of plants and flowers or renewal of gardens

Another cost to hire a person for its daily maintenance

III: Block Diagram

IV: Scope and Limitations Time based project that will activate on specific time.

Solar powered, may not work on rare cases if no sun shows up on recurring days

Time is fixed and cannot be set

Shelter roof may not entirely cover 100% of the whole area that has plants and gardens and may leave a few unprotected from heat and rain

This project can only be deployed on places that has plants and gardens

Not intended on large area of plants and gardens, limited area due to roofing system

Sprinkling system has limited area to water the plants dependent on water pressure

The project device should be set up on a certain time

V: Significance of the Study

This project entitled Solar Powered Automatic Plant Watering and Shelter System will be designed to help people water their plants easily without any physical effort and save money from electric bill cost since it doesnt use electric power from outlet but instead uses solar energy to power up the project device. It also protects the plants or gardens from being damaged or destroyed in occasional cases like daily intense sun heat or frequent heavy rainfall.Chapter 2METHODOLOGY

I: ProcedureOnce the project device is placed on a certain area and on a designated time, the solar panel will generate enough electricity to power the whole device. It will then automatically starts the clock timer with help of a 555 IC timer or Oscillator Crystal from wall clocks. It will start watering the plants by sprinkler system on time interval 7am and 5pm for a duration 10 minutes then turned off afterwards. Two sensors are present, one is a specific thermistor which will check the current temperature. If weather is has a high temperature around 34oC, thermistors resistance will drop, automatically allowing a current to pass sending a high output to lower down the shelter roof with a particular motor to cover down the plants. A drop in temperature will open up the shelter roof. The second will be a humidity sensor, which will check to see if it rains. Once it rains, the sensor will trigger to send a high output to lower down the shelter roof. A basic logic gate will be used to avoid short circuit between the two sensors and will react simultaneously depending on the climate.

II: Tools and Materials

4 7490

4 7448

4 7-segment display

2 12v dpdt relay

2 1000uF 16v capacitor

3 12v spdt relay

3 6v spdt relay

1 lm35

1 tl072

1 20k potentiometer

8 7805

2 7427

1 7411

3 7432

4 7408

2 7414

2 spdt push buttons

4 10k 1/4w resistor

4 1k 1/4w resistor

2 10uf 16v capacitor

2 10nf maylar capacitor

2 0.1uf maylar capacitor

2 555 cmos timers

1 12v solenoid valve

2 1n4001 diode

pin headers & pin connectorsIII: Circuit/Logic diagramsSprinkler Timer CircuitOverheat Protection CircuitChapter 3

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

This section analyses the results of the project. The experiment went as expected with minimal to no unusual events that would have introduced error. The project is doing what is expected, it covers the miniature garden when exposed to rain or any types of water. Also, the heat sensor performs well and the roofing system covers the miniature garden.

The minimal unusual event that was mentioned is the timer which bounces at some times but not that frequent. The timer does work in most cases as wanted and turns on the solenoid valve to get the sprinkler going.

The collaboration with the other groups went pretty well. The source which was from the solar tracker from the other group was 100 percent compatible. Also, the other groups project which was the soil moisture indicator was also compatible and didnt made any errors.APPENDIX

I. Curriculum VitaePERSONAL BACKGROUND

Name: Carasco, Jon Bon Jovi R.

City Address: Boulevard, Davao CityContact Number: 09274337994Provincial Address: Brgy. Doyos, Carrascal, Surigao Del SurDate of Birth: January 10, 1994Civil Status: SingleHeight: 55Weight: 50 kgReligion: Roman Catholic

Citizenship: Filipino

Sex: Male

Zodiac Sign: CapricornMotto: Do or DieEDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Elementary:

Carrascal Central Elementary School(2006)High School:

Carrascal National high School(2010)College:

University of Mindanao (2010-present) Matina, Davao City

Course: BS Computer Engineering (undergraduate)I. Curriculum VitaePERSONAL BACKGROUND

Name: Marc A. BacusCity Address: Purok 26, Times Beach, Matina, Davao CityContact Number: 09212604281Provincial Address: Kidapawan City, CotabatoDate of Birth: January 27, 1994Civil Status: SingleHeight: 165cmWeight: 90kgReligion: Roman Catholic

Citizenship: Filipino

Sex: Male

Zodiac Sign: AquariusMotto: If you want peace, prepare for warEDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

2010-2011: Started taking Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering at University of

Mindanao (Davao City)

2010: Graduated from secondary education at Kidapawan City National High School

2006: Graduated from primary education at Kidapawan City Pilot Elementary SchoolI. Curriculum Vitae

PERSONAL BACKGROUND

Name:

City Address:

Contact Number:

Provincial Address:

Date of Birth:

Civil Status:

Height:

Weight:

Religion: Roman Catholic

Citizenship: Filipino

Sex: Male

Zodiac Sign:

Motto:

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Elementary:

High School:

College:

University of Mindanao (2010-present)

Matina, Davao City

Course: BS Computer Engineering (undergraduate)

7am/5pm

Sprinkler

Activated

Timer

Starts

Solar

Power

Source ON

Humidity Sensor

Thermistor

Sensor

Shelter System Activated

(Close)

Sensor

Off

Shelter System Activated

(Close)

Shelter System

Deactivated

(Open)