# Irrigation timer issue **URL:** \ **Category:** Questions & Help\ **Created:** [August 8, 2020, 7:21am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/irrigation-timer-issue/33382 "2020-08-08T07:21:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RobvandeGoor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robvandegoor/32/20328_2.png) [@RobvandeGoor](https://community.homey.app/u/RobvandeGoor)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 7:21am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/irrigation-timer-issue/33382/1 "2020-08-08T07:21:08Z")
To water my garden I use a Rainbird controller with Wifi link. I know that it is possible to control the Rainbird via an API. Unfortunately, there is no Homey app for that and I do not have the knowledge to create one. There is an integration made for Home Assistant and something is made for PyRainbird. I am trying something now with an 8 channel relay card and an ESP with Tasmota. Controlling the valves goes without any problems. What I can’t figure out is the following: If I want to operate a valve manually, I want to be able to specify a time (in minutes that the valve should be active). So actually being able to set a time for the hourglass. Does anyone know if there is a solution for this within Homey to enter or select a number before the flow continues? I thought I could use a virtual dim button (there are no visual numbers) or a virtual thermostat (can only be used between 5-50) . Maybe some slider wil work where you van define a min and max. i.e. 0 - 120 min. Any help, support or suggestion is welcome. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Rocodamelshekima](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/rocodamelshekima/32/8209_2.png) [@Rocodamelshekima](https://community.homey.app/u/Rocodamelshekima)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 7:30am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/irrigation-timer-issue/33382/2 "2020-08-08T07:30:35Z")
Use a timer app. WHEN valve open THEN start a timer for 100 minutes. WHEN timer empty THEN close valve. ---
**Author:** ![RobvandeGoor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robvandegoor/32/20328_2.png) [@RobvandeGoor](https://community.homey.app/u/RobvandeGoor)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2020, 7:40am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/irrigation-timer-issue/33382/3 "2020-08-08T07:40:19Z")
I use a timer app and created timers for the automatic irrigation schedule. The challenge is that I have 8 zones (8 valves) and also want to operate them manually. In that case I need to enter somewhere the amount of minutes. For my current Rainbird controller I do the same: I select i.e. Zone 1. Then I enter of slide a bar to enter the time. After confirming this the valve will be on/open for the time I have selected. The time I enter is not always the same. Therefore I need to enter it manually. ---
**Author:** ![RobvandeGoor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robvandegoor/32/20328_2.png) [@RobvandeGoor](https://community.homey.app/u/RobvandeGoor)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2020, 3:35pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/irrigation-timer-issue/33382/4 "2020-08-09T15:35:58Z")
I have solved the problem with Siri Shortcuts. With Siri Shortcuts I was alble set manual enter the Zone number and the amount of minutes. On top of it, it works also voice controlled. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Hartley](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/darryl_hartley/32/30099_2.png) [@Darryl\_Hartley](https://community.homey.app/u/Darryl_Hartley)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 3:13am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/irrigation-timer-issue/33382/5 "2020-10-16T03:13:49Z")
Hey glad you worked it out as I’ve spent quite a bit of time getting nowhere! I’m new to Siri shortcuts and have been trying to command my 6 zone Rainbird TM2 (Only 4 connected at this stage) using this method. I can call up the Rainbird app using Siri but it’s selecting menus is where I’m stuck. I would like to start and stop manual watering on each of the zones if possible. Any help on how to do this would be much appreciated. Cheers Darryl. ---
**Author:** ![RobvandeGoor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robvandegoor/32/20328_2.png) [@RobvandeGoor](https://community.homey.app/u/RobvandeGoor)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2020, 9:33am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/irrigation-timer-issue/33382/6 "2020-10-16T09:33:27Z")
Hi Darryl, I’ve sold my Rainbird controller because it is not compatible with HomeKit and I could not link it to Homey. I bought an OpenSprinkler Irrigation controller and I am able to link it to Homey and control it via Siri Shortcuts. For me was the Rainbird a never ending story of issues. ---
**Author:** ![Ben\_Busser](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ben_busser/32/13446_2.png) [@Ben\_Busser](https://community.homey.app/u/Ben_Busser)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2022, 10:54pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/irrigation-timer-issue/33382/7 "2022-01-04T22:54:55Z")
How did you connect Opensprinkler to Homey, can u please explain? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![RobvandeGoor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robvandegoor/32/20328_2.png) [@RobvandeGoor](https://community.homey.app/u/RobvandeGoor)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 8:27am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/irrigation-timer-issue/33382/8 "2022-01-05T08:27:13Z")
Hi Ben, I make use of MQTT in Homey and made a script in Homey to link with the OpenSprinkler. For me it is also possible to use Siri to turn on/off sprinkler zones and add a duration to it. The flow which triggers the script is very simple: [Script Flow OpenSprinkler](https://homey.app/f/hS-iFU/) This is the script I made to read the zone number and duration: _if (args[0] == undefined) {_ - console.log (‘Missing argument’)\* - return false;\* _}_ _let bl = await Homey.apps.getApp({ id: ‘net.i-dev.betterlogic’ } );_ _if (!bl) {_ - console.error(‘Better Logic not installed!’)\* - return false;\* _}_ _const [full, topic, message] = args[0].match(/(\S+)\s+(._)/);\* _ZoneNumber = Number(topic.match(/\d+$/)[0]);_ _obj = JSON.parse(message);_ _bl.apiPut(“ZoneStatus/” + obj.state);_ _bl.apiPut(“ZoneDuration/” + obj.duration);_ _bl.apiPut(“ZoneNumber/” + ZoneNumber);_ _console.log('Zone Number: ’ + ZoneNumber);_ _console.log('Zone state: ’ + obj.state);_ _console.log('Duration: ’ + obj.duration);_ To get this script working you nee to add 3 vars in Better Logic: - ZoneNumber {number} - ZoneDuration {number} - ZoneStatus {number} The next 2 flows are for Zone On/Off Flow 1: [Zone On](https://homey.app/f/boskFU/) Flow 2: [Zone Off](https://homey.app/f/-eTkFU/) With Siri Shortcuts I made 3 flow: - Turn Zone {X} on for {Y} time - Turn Off Zone {X} - Turn Off All Zones I hope this helps you a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Ben\_Busser](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ben_busser/32/13446_2.png) [@Ben\_Busser](https://community.homey.app/u/Ben_Busser)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 8:54am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/irrigation-timer-issue/33382/9 "2022-01-05T08:54:24Z")
Hi Rob, Dank je !! Ben Busser [Mod break: removed private information -caseda] ---
**Author:** ![Ben\_Busser](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/ben_busser/32/13446_2.png) [@Ben\_Busser](https://community.homey.app/u/Ben_Busser)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 12:13pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/irrigation-timer-issue/33382/10 "2022-01-05T12:13:06Z")
Rob, Thanks for removing the info ---
**Author:** ![Tjar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/tjar/32/61177_2.png) [@Tjar](https://community.homey.app/u/Tjar)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2023, 5:19am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/irrigation-timer-issue/33382/11 "2023-06-04T05:19:00Z")
Why not using Shelly plus 1 devices for controlling your valves, additional using the Shelly addon for measuring the soil moisture level? > **[Using Shelly Plus Add-on to measure soil moisture with a capacitive sensor](https://kb.shelly.cloud/knowledge-base/using-shelly-plus-add-on-to-measure-soil-moisture-)** > > This guide describes how to monitor the soil moisture and control an irrigation system using Shelly Plus Add-on and the Cytron Technologies Maker soil moisture sensor. Its fail-safe, because you can configure the Shelly devices to auto-off after certain period.