How to automate everything in your yard - ESP8266 Arduino guide

I had some noisy goats who were making life miserable. My solution? Build a sophisticated system that can automate their food and water, plus control irrigation and provide video monitoring. In this video, I go through each part of the project, from setting up a WIFI enabled ESP8266 module in Arduino, to designing and building a largely 3D printed pet feeder and self cleaning water system. Everything is open source, so please follow the links below to use whatever is valuable to you.

My ESP8266 Arduino sketch: https://github.com/teachingtechYT/backyardAutomation
Printed parts on Printables: https://www.printables.com/model/367446-automatic-pet-feeder-and-self-cleaning-water-drink

0:00 Introduction

0:46 My scenario
Goat play equipment video: https://youtu.be/qEr2p4333o0

1:49 Key functionality of my system

3:02 ESP8266 module
Purchase NodeMCU ESP8266 board from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3imHzbd

3:58 Setting up ESP8266 in Arduino IDE
Arduino ESP8266 GitHub (with boards manager link): https://github.com/esp8266/Arduino
ESP8266 pins reference: https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp8266-pinout-reference-gpios/

5:21 Finding sketches to use as a basis
Beginner Arduino ESP8266 web server tutorial by Random Nerd Tutorials: https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp8266-web-server-with-arduino-ide/
AJAX Arduino ESP8266 tutorial by Donskytech: https://www.hackster.io/donskytech/nodemcu-esp8266-ajax-enabled-web-server-8b0744

7:05 Accessing away from home
OpenVPN tutorial for TP-Link routers: https://www.tp-link.com/au/support/faq/1239/

7:19 Adding OTA updating (over the air/wireless)

8:46 Electronics and hardware used
Home made PCB video: https://youtu.be/NgDXPWaA5Ic
Based on CHEP’s circuit design here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDXUHImA3Xc

11:27 Battery, enclosure and solar panel selection
Battery I used: https://www.jaycar.com.au/12v-12ah-sla-battery/p/SB2489
Enclosure I used: https://www.jaycar.com.au/large-abs-ip66-enclosure/p/HB6404
Solar panel I used: https://www.jaycar.com.au/12v-20w-solar-panel-with-clips/p/ZM9052
Solar charge controller I used: https://www.jaycar.com.au/miniature-12v-3a-pwm-solar-charge-controller/p/MP3762

13:09 Irrigation sprinkler control
Irrigation parts I used: https://www.bunnings.com.au/products/garden/watering-accessories/irrigation
Solenoid valves I used: https://www.bunnings.com.au/holman-25mm-solenoid-valve-with-flow-control_p3112814
Waterproof connectors: https://www.bunnings.com.au/toro-1-5mm-cable-connector_p0295428

Automatic pet feeder
36rpm geared 12V DC motor: https://www.jaycar.com.au/36rpm-12vdc-reversible-gearhead-motor/p/YG2734
Waterproof plastic container: https://www.bunnings.com.au/ezy-storage-waterproof-ip67-storage-box-32l_p0204841
Deutsch connectors (6 pin from this set): https://amzn.to/3Wc45B7

20:02 Self cleaning pet water bowl (aka the toilet)
Bully Liner waterproof coating video: https://youtu.be/34iHbWgAGWQ

22:02 Cameras, buzzers and other little bits
Google Nest Outdoor camera: https://amzn.to/3jZqgNC
Dlink pan/tilt wifi camera (indoor only): https://amzn.to/3II8NUu
Coding Workshop Ringtone Converter: https://download.cnet.com/Coding-Workshop-Ringtone-Converter/3000-2169_4-10071441.html

23:46 Conclusion

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