Deakin Irrigation Automation
Welcome to Deakins Knowledge hub on Irrigation Automation, your ultimate destination for revolutionizing your farm irrigation. Our platform is your go-to resource for crafting a personalized automated irrigation system that perfectly suits your farm layout and your irrigation practice. With our easy-to-follow tutorials, expert insights, and carefully curated tips, you’ll be able to bring your irrigation to the next level, effortlessly sustained by the power of technology and innovation.
Our solutions
WiFi Pods
The WiFi Pod is easy to construct and includes a Wi-Fi radio positioned atop the structure, along with a solar panel, battery, and the option for a 4G dongle. Extensive testing has demonstrated that a single pod can effectively cover > 250 hectares of a circular area in flat conditions, providing reliable coverage even at the edges.
Automation ALFIE
The Automation ALFIE are low cost wi-fi enabled ‘brains’ which allow the actuators to be controlled remotely through a mobile phone or to be linked to float sensors to automatically control gates based on water presence or water height.
Smart Float
The Smart Float is a water level sensor that can be built for sense the upper level (single float) or upper and lower (dual float).
Low cost
$1600 per WiFi Pod capable of covering up to 150ha (typically $20-30/ha). $600-$650 per Automation ALFIE or $100/ha on a 6 ha bay. $52 per Smart Float.
Build it, Own it, Fix it
All the components to build your WiFi Pods, Automation ALFIE, and Smart Float can be easily found in stores like Jaycar, Collier&Miller, Bunnings, and provided by Deakin Uni.
Flexible
You can automate outlets like Bruno Altin, MIL Cast, Padman, Slide doors, and Tarp inserts.
Smart
Fully integrated with mobile app for remote monitoring and control. Also possibility to connect Automation ALFIES with Smart Floats for seamless irrigation operations. Integrates with common digital assistants – Siri, Alexa, Google Home.
Automation Tutorials
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Building a Farm Wi-Fi pod
See how provide internet in your farm in just few steps…
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Building an Automation ALFIE
On this tutorial you will learn how to wire an Alfie…
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Building Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Water Floats
See how to build a floater with a single sensor or…
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Configuring Smart Wi-Fi enabled Water Floats
How to add the floater’s contact sensor into the app. For…
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Configuring an Automation ALFIE
How to add Alfie in the app and control the automatic…
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Configuring Farm Wi-Fi Pods
This tutorial will guide you step by step on how to…
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Configuring Farm Wi-Fi pods for SIM card use
To configure the communication pod, you will need to configure two…
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Creating Smart Scenes for Irrigation Water Control
See how to create irrigation automation scenes in just few steps.…
What irrigators are saying
“We feel irrigation automation and aerobic rice has got real benefits, particularly tangible benefits for our bottom line. Moving into drier seasons this automation approach may increase the area we are able to plant when water price is high.”
Chris Morshead – Rice Irrigator, Amberley Pastoral, Widgelli
“We have introduced Deakin automation to our watering system to reduce time and aim to minimise our water usage when watering our cereal crops. The automation on our rice water is saving time, bay heights are being maintained as required. The costs of the automation is good and it lets you expand the system as you can afford it, building it yourself.”
Garry Knagge – Rice Irrigator, Bimbil, Whitton
Visit us
458 Research Station Rd, Hanwood NSW 2680
Get in touch
j.hornbuckle@deakin.edu.au
Irrigation Automation 