Misting Automation Question

[MadOrchidist]

I am looking to add automation to a misting setup in my new greenhouse. I am going to stick with the hose-threaded low pressure system, but don't want to operate it manually.

I was thinking that I could use a lawn sprinkler solenoid valve to feed it and then just tie it into my existing sprinkler system/controller (which has unused "zones"). All I really need is for it to spray a few times during the hottest hours of the day. Most of the simple threaded battery-powered timers won't confine their cycles to a specific time of day, and I don't want misting at night!

Has anyone tied their greenhouse system to an existing sprinkler system? Is there some reason why this wouldn't work?

The first drawback I can see is that if I hit "rain delay" for my lawn, my greenhouse also won't get sprayed, but it shouldn't be super-hot on rainy days . . .

[cdayinflorida]

In reality it should work. I sell solenoid valves and it should work. But there are timers you can add to existing hose bib that you can set several settings. They are pretty reliable.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Be sure to take photos of your setup to share with us. I look forward to following your discoveries in this process.

cheers,
BD

[CVHorticulture]

How did everything work out? I irrigated my greenhouse using lawn irrigation solenoids and timers. It is definitely do-able. How close is your lawn timer to your greenhouse? Depending on the length of run you might have to worry about voltage drop, but that is easily solvable.

[MadOrchidist]

After tinkering with the solenoid for a while, I stumbled across a nice battery powered (2 9-volts) Orbit hose timer. It has fine resolution control and even day-of-the-week options. I set it to mist a couple of minutes each hour during the hottest hours of the day, and stop in time to be dry at night. The mist heads run down the center of the roof peak (over the aisle), so the nozzles don't spray directly onto the plants too much. So far I am very happy with the temperature reducing and humidity raising results. At about twice the price of most hardware store hose timers, I am hoping this one lasts a long time . . .

[CVHorticulture]

Sounds like you got it nailed. Have any pictures of the set-up?