Pump control — sprayer filling and crop irrigation
In this installation, Autolejek controls a water pump used for filling sprayers and irrigating crops. The power and control assembly is shown in the photo below.
In the photo above, from left to right: a miniature circuit breaker, terminal blocks, a relay, a power socket and a 24 V DC power supply.
In this configuration, Autolejek runs on 24 V DC. The relay coil uses the same voltage, allowing the controller to switch the water pump through the relay. The socket makes it easy to connect and disconnect the pump.
The farm uses two types of sprayer: a conventional trailed sprayer and a specialist sprayer for strawberry crops. Autolejek makes filling them easier: the user sets the required water volume, and the controller measures it and stops the pump when the target is reached.
This season, Autolejek also controlled irrigation of a cucumber plantation. Measuring volume allowed the plants to receive a specified amount of water. Controlling pump running time alone does not deliver the same volume when the flow rate changes.
This installation uses one of the first Autolejek prototypes, shown below.
Experience with the prototype informed the next version. Its enclosure was redesigned to be considerably more rigid. According to the user, there are no further concerns about using the device following this change.
Next season, the plan is to connect Autolejek to an engine-driven pump used to irrigate strawberries.