I recently came across the Monster Sprinkler Controller and decided to give it a try. As a homeowner with a small garden, lawn, and some decorative thuja trees, I was looking for a reliable way to manage my irrigation without constant supervision. Let me share my experience and insights after setting it up!
Why I Chose Monster
The Monster Sprinkler Controller caught my attention because it’s ESP32-based, runs locally without internet, and integrates seamlessly with Home Assistant. Plus, the ability to control up to four zones with customizable schedules sounded perfect for my setup.
Installation and Setup
I installed Monster near my irrigation system and connected it to four zones: “Golden Smaragd” (for the thuja trees), “Lawn”, “Garden”, and “Bushes”. Setting up the time via the LCD menu was straightforward, and the built-in real-time clock ensures everything runs smoothly even without internet access.
Creating schedules was a breeze. For example, I set the thuja to water three times a week at 07:00 for 15 minutes. The lawn gets watered twice a week at 06:30 for 20 minutes, and the garden once a week at 08:00 for 10 minutes. The shrubs have a daily schedule at 19:00 for 12 minutes. Each adjustment is confirmed with a sound, which adds a nice touch of feedback.
Autonomous Operation
The best part is how autonomous Monster is. I went on vacation for a week, and it handled everything perfectly. If it rains, I can easily activate the 24h Rain Delay with a long button press, which pauses irrigation for a day. The RGB LED even changes color to indicate its status, which is both functional and visually appealing.
Web Server and Home Assistant Integration
When I returned, I connected Monster to my Wi-Fi to check the web interface. The web server showed me the status of each zone, remaining watering times, and device stats like RAM usage and uptime. Integrating it with Home Assistant took no time, and now I can monitor and control everything from my smartphone.
Why You’ll Love It
- Time-Saving: Monster handles irrigation while you relax or work.
- Flexibility: Tailor schedules to your plants’ needs, from rare watering to frequent care.
- Reliability: Runs independently without internet or power (with a backup).
- Convenience: Choose local menus, web server, or Home Assistant for control.
If you’re looking for an irrigation solution that combines reliability with modern technology, Monster Sprinkler Controller is a must-try. It’s perfect for anyone who wants their garden to thrive effortlessly while they enjoy the fruits of their labor!
Check out the full details and code on GitHub: Monster-sprinkler-controller