Wireless valve

When you hear “wireless valve,” the first thing that comes to mind is an expensive toy for Western agricultural holdings. But in practice, it is more of a working tool, which has already ceased to be exotic even for medium-sized farms about five years ago. The main misconception is that wireless control is only needed to save time. In fact, the possibility of point control of soil moisture is more important, especially in the conditions of Shandong, where plots are often scattered over complex terrain.

Why old systems don't stand up to criticism

I remember how in 2018 we tested pneumatic drives with mechanical adjustment on slopes - the result was disastrous. The pressure dropped with changes in altitude, and one could forget about precise dosing of water. It was then that it became clear that the future waswireless valveami with a digital protocol. By the way, Shandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology LLC used valves with two-way communication in projects for terraced fields - not just “turn on and off”, but with confirmation of command execution.

People often ask why not use GSM modules instead of LPWAN. The answer is simple: in the outback the connection is unstable, and one missed signal can cost the harvest. Last season we lost three hectares of corn due to a delay in the SMS command - the equipment worked, but six hours late. After that, we switched to Mesh networks with repeaters.

By the way, about the choice of manufacturers. Chinese analogues, like those used by https://www.lyzhihuinongye.ru, are sometimes more reliable than European ones - not because they are more technologically advanced, but because they are initially designed for difficult conditions. They have IP68 dust protection and a temperature range from -30 to +70. Although in the first batches there were problems with sealing the connectors, the seals had to be modified.

How to integrate valves into existing infrastructure

The most common mistake is trying to create a system from scratch. Much more efficient to embedwireless valves into already operating circuits. For example, in a project for a vegetable growing cooperative in Liaocheng, we left the old main pipes, but replaced the control elements. We saved about 40% of the budget, while achieving irrigation accuracy of up to 92% versus the previous 60-70%.

An important nuance that is rarely written about in specifications is protocol compatibility. If soil moisture sensors operate via LoRaWAN and valves via ZigBee, gateways will be required. We usually use universal controllers from the same Shandong Linyao LLC - although they are more expensive than specialized ones, they eliminate the headache of connecting equipment.

When installing, I always advise you to provide a 20-25% reserve for battery power. In theory, the manufacturer indicates 5 years of operation on one battery, but in practice, in cold weather or with frequent power cycles, the resource is halved. It is better to immediately install heated lithium batteries - they are more expensive, but in three years not a single replacement was required.

Real cases and pitfalls

Last year, we were setting up a system for a greenhouse complex near Jinan. It would seem that ideal conditions - flat terrain, stable temperature. But it turned out that the metal frames of the greenhouses shield the signal. We had to install repeaters in every second span. Conclusion: Always test the radio signal on site before purchasing equipment.

But a good example is a vineyard in the foothills of Tai'an. Therewireless valveThey work in tandem with soil moisture sensors and weather forecasts. The system itself adjusts the watering schedule if precipitation is expected according to the forecast. Interestingly, farmers were initially skeptical about 'automation', but after saving 30% of water per season, they began to scale the system to other areas.

Speaking of water, don’t forget about filtration. Even the most expensive valves will fail if there is sand in the system. We always recommend installing disc filters with automatic flushing, especially if water is taken from open sources. The catalog https://www.lyzhihuinongye.ru has good options with a backwash function - 15-20% more expensive, but maintenance is easier.

Prospects and limitations of technology

We are now actively testing valves with a self-diagnosis function - the device reports not only accidents, but also a decrease in performance. For example, if water flow drops by 15% with the same settings, the filter is probably clogged or the mechanism is worn out. While such systems are a bit expensive, they already pay for themselves for large projects.

The main limitation is power consumption. Solar panels solve the problem only partially - in cloudy weather the batteries discharge faster. It may be worth taking a closer look at hybrid solutions, where in addition to the solar battery there is the possibility of connecting to a 220V network. Shandong Linyao LLC just announced such a model for the fall.

Another trend is integration with weather stations. Not with those that show the general temperature in the area, but with local sensors in the fields. The difference in readings sometimes reaches 3-4 degrees, which is critical for calculating moisture evaporation. We are experimentally installing such systems at three sites - so far the results are encouraging, but at least two more seasons of observations are needed.

Practical recommendations for selection and maintenance

When choosingwireless valveand always look not at the price, but at the cost of ownership. Cheap models require annual replacement of membranes and batteries, while high-quality ones work for 3-5 years without intervention. The criterion is simple - if the manufacturer provides a warranty of less than 2 years, it is better to look for another option.

Service is a separate issue. Once a season, be sure to check the tightness of the connections and clean the radio modules from dust. By the way, many people forget about anti-vandal protection - in rural areas you can also find curious hands. We usually install protective covers, although this adds 7-10% to the cost.

And lastly, don’t skimp on staff training. Even the most advanced system is useless if the operator does not understand how it works. We always provide at least two days of training for local technicians - this reduces the number of false calls and extends the life of equipment. By the way, at https://www.lyzhihuinongye.ru there are good educational materials in Russian - albeit with some rough edges in the translation, but the essence is conveyed accurately.