Use a Sprinkler System That Responds to Motion to Defend Against Unwanted Guests

Do the neighborhood animals use your front yard as a bathroom when they need to relieve themselves? Do you have a lot of trouble with ninja assassins trying to break into your house? Using a sprinkler system that is actuated by motion will successfully deter these unwelcome guests. As soon as the person steps onto your lawn, a motion sensor that detects infrared passive light activates so that you may scare them away with a water system.

Step 1: Watch Video On Youtube

Step 2: Materials

The following is a list of the supplies that you will require in order to successfully complete this project.

• AC Outlet That Is Activated By Motion:
• Auxiliary Power Supply (preferably with three prongs on each end)
• AC Motion Detector with Infrared Technology
• Turn the Insulator Caps Four Times
• a Project Enclosure That Is Insulated
• Sprinkler Unit:
• Electric Sprinkler Valve with Connectors Measuring 3/4 Inches
• Adapter for Male Garden Hose Fittings of 3/4 Inches to Fit Pipes of the Same Size
• 3/4″ Female Garden Hose to 3/4″ Male Pipe Adapter
• 2 Garden Hoses
• Above Ground Sprinkler
• AC Power Adapter
• Flexible Heat-Shrink Tubing
• Extension cord for use outside (optional)

Step 3: Assemble the Motion Activated AC Outlet

We will need a motion-activated AC outlet in order to take control of the sprinkler system. These may be found at various places that sell hardware as well as on the internet. I fashioned it out of a decommissioned motion-detecting security light.

To get started, first detach the motion sensor unit from its housing and then remove it from the original housing. At this point, it is necessary for you to recognize each of the connecting cables. In this particular instance, the green wire functioned as the ground. The white wire represented the neutral position. The hot connection to the sensor was made using the black wire, and the hot connection to the sensor was made using the red wire. This color code can look different to you if you reside in a different part of the country.

At this point, you will need to connect the wires that came from the motion sensor to the wires that correspond to those on the power cable (s). To begin, cut the power cables and then separate each of the wires that are included within them. The insulation should then be peeled away from the ends of each of the wires. When joining the wires, you should always use insulated twist-on wire connectors for each and every connection you make. To begin, join all of the wires that are green together, as well as any wires that are bare. After that, you will need to connect one wire from the male power line and one wire from the female power cord to the white wire on the motion sensor. After that, connect the black wire on the motion sensor to the third wire coming from the male end of the power cord. In the final step, connect the red wire coming from the motion sensor to the third wire coming from the female power cord.

I encased all of the connections in an insulated plastic enclosure as a preventative measure against any hazards. You now have an electrical outlet that has the capability of being turned on by a motion sensor. To use it, just put the male power wire into an outlet on the wall, and then plug the female power cord into the appliance you want to use. It is expected that the motion sensor would be able to provide electricity to appliances that have a rating that is comparable to the original lights. In my situation, the initial lights were three halogen lights that each had a capacity of 100 watts. Therefore, it needs to be able to drive circuits with a power output of up to 300 watts.

Step 4: To locate an AC adapter that is capable of turning on your sprinkler valve

The majority of sprinkler valves get a signal of 24VAC voltage from their controller, which causes them to open. In order to switch this project on and off, I utilized a standard household AC power adapter. It is not necessary for it to produce 24 volts in order for it to function. Using adapters with outputs as low as 9 volts, I was able to successfully turn on the sprinkler valve. This is due to the fact that an unregulated power supply will produce voltages that vary, depending on the circuit that is being powered by the device. This is something that can be calculated, but for the sake of this project, we can get by with some simple trial and error instead. Simply connecting an adapter to the terminals of the sprinkler is the quickest and easiest approach to determine whether or not it will be compatible with the device. The sprinkler valve has been turned on when you hear a clicking sound.

You need to test it not just without the adapter, but also with the adapter plugged into the motion-activated AC outlet that you just installed. The voltage that is produced by certain motion sensors will be slightly lower than the voltage that is produced by a standard outlet. Therefore, you need to check whether or not the adapter can still turn on the sprinkler valve even after it has been plugged into the motion activated outlet.

Step 5: Connect the alternating current power adapter to the sprinkler valve as the fifth step.

Following this step, you will need to link the power adapter to the sprinkler valve. To begin, I severed the DC connector from the cord that was attached to the power adapter. After that, I disconnected the two wires and removed the insulation off the ends of the wires. It is now possible to connect these wires to the wires that are found on the sprinkler valve. I joined the wires together by using solder. Insulating the connections using either liquid electrical tape or heat shrink tubing is something that is strongly recommended in light of the fact that this apparatus will be used close to water. Be sure to place the heat shrink tubing onto the wires first before soldering them together if you are going to utilize heat shrink tubing.

Step 6: Select an Appropriate Location for Your Motion-Activated Sprinkler System

You need to look for a suitable location to install your motion-activated sprinkler system. To begin, you will need to choose the target region that you want the sprinkler to be able to reach. Then, place the sprinkler in such a way that it will cover this region while spraying water in the other direction, which will force the trespasser to leave your property.

The next step is to determine the optimal placement for the motion sensor. You want it to be properly disguised, but at the same time, you want to be able to see the target area clearly. You should also steer clear of anything that may mistakenly set off the sensor, such as leaves that move in front of it and generate a disturbance in the readings.

I opted for a comfortable location in the shade provided by a tree.

Step 7: Join Together All of the Components

The first thing that has to be done is to connect the two adaptor fittings to the sprinkler valve. The port labeled “IN” should have the fitting that has a female connection for a garden hose attached to it. The port labeled “OUT” is where you should attach the fitting that has a male garden hose connection on it.

Following this, you will need to attach the hose, the sprinkler, and the sprinkler valve to the faucet (s). I joined the sprinkler valve and the faucet together using a single hose connection. After that, I attached a second hose to the connection that goes from the sprinkler valve to the actual sprinkler. Because I was using two hoses, I had a little bit more flexibility in terms of where I could set the motion sensor and the sprayer. However, you may alternatively connect the faucet or the sprinkler directly to the sprinkler valve if you choose to do so. After you have finished making these connections, you should turn the faucet on all the way. While the pressure in the hose is being built up, there may be some flow through the sprinkler for a few seconds at a time.

Now that the components responsible for managing water have been installed, you may begin connecting the electrical components. Connect the AC outlet that detects motion to the electrical socket that is mounted on the wall within your home. After that, put the AC power adapter of the sprinkler valve into the outlet that is actuated by motion. You might potentially extend the range of your device by using an extension cable. Now, the sprinkler will automatically come on whenever the motion sensor spots any kind of movement.