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Control of solenoid valves and RGB lighting in the fountain with 9 jets

blazej2 1914 13
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  • #1 17042444
    blazej2
    Level 14  
    Posts: 178
    Help: 1
    Rate: 7
    I am looking for a proven solution to control the solenoid valves. The solenoid valves will be used to regulate the water flowing to the fountain jets. There will be 9 jets in the fountain. Our budget is about 4000 zł. It is the budget that governs our ability to control the solenoid valves. I was thinking of timing relays. Additional at each nozzle will be RGB lighting. Does anyone have a good way of doing this?
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  • #2 17043078
    rogerrrr
    Level 13  
    Posts: 44
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    Write down what you have and what you need to buy. If you have solenoid valves then give the model, coil parameters. As for RGB, I definitely prefer RGB but lamps with built-in DMX controller - more expensive lamp by about 40-50 PLN but less wiring and mega possibilities, including control of valves and possibly pump inverters.
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  • #3 17043083
    technikabasenowa
    Level 33  
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    I also think DMX has more options
    What size solenoid valves? and voltage?
  • #4 17043854
    bhtom
    Level 39  
    Posts: 4480
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    Rate: 600
    Welcome,

    If I were you, I would think about a PLC.

    Regards.
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  • #5 17044390
    blazej2
    Level 14  
    Posts: 178
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    I don't have the solenoid valves selected yet. A 16mm PE pipe will be laid.
  • #6 17044399
    technikabasenowa
    Level 33  
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    blazej2 wrote:
    I do not have the solenoid valves hired yet. A 16mm PE pipe will be laid.
    .

    What are the nozzles, I run 40-50mm pipe to the nozzles in the fountains?
  • #7 17044430
    pafciowaw
    Automation specialist  
    Posts: 2439
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    PE 16 mm .... this to one point ... SPRINKLER - for automatic watering of the lawn!
  • #8 17045377
    blazej2
    Level 14  
    Posts: 178
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    Foaming nozzle, thread diameter 3/4; head: 1.5m (0.6bar, 61l/min)
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  • #9 17045408
    technikabasenowa
    Level 33  
    Posts: 2324
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    blazej2 wrote:
    Foaming nozzle, 3/4 thread diameter; lift height:1.5m (0.6bar, 61l/min)
    .

    Pipe diameter too small
    This is only for one nozzle or feeds all ?
    What kind of circulating pump? With 9 nozzles it is already about 40m3 - a good pump for this is about 5-6 thousand PLN.
    It sounds brutal, but I can hardly see :cry: .
  • #10 17045744
    blazej2
    Level 14  
    Posts: 178
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    Rate: 7
    We have now come down to another topic. On to the hydraulics department. He is looking for a controller for solenoid valves.
  • #11 17046072
    pafciowaw
    Automation specialist  
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    And how do you want to control them? Some fixed time sequences, or something programmable to add different scenes?
  • #12 17046224
    technikabasenowa
    Level 33  
    Posts: 2324
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    We still don't know what voltage?
  • #13 17046340
    blazej2
    Level 14  
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    The solenoid valves will be in a technical well, so the power supply can be 230V. Sequences for the solenoid valves depends on cost. What will be the cost with a programmable controller (proven and reliable)?
  • #14 17046903
    pafciowaw
    Automation specialist  
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    If it is 230 Vac and there is room, semiconductor relays may be used as an executive element (no sparking of contacts during "zero" detection; semiconductor - no changeover contacts - you may count on many years of failure-free use); the cheapest ones cost several dozen PLN each.
    Having a "power stage" in the form of 9 SSRs, it is easier to choose some kind of PLC with transistor outputs, which can be programmed for different sequences at different times (real-time clock); or to select "action sequences" through different/dedicated physical inputs.
    The PLC itself is a cost of approx. 600-800 net (Everyone will use what they like and know; I'm thinking here of FATEK 24 MA -> 10 outputs)
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion focuses on controlling solenoid valves for a fountain with 9 jets and integrating RGB lighting at each nozzle within a budget of approximately 4000 zł. The solenoid valves are intended to regulate water flow through 16mm PE pipes feeding 3/4" threaded foaming nozzles operating at 0.6 bar and 61 l/min. Key considerations include valve coil parameters, voltage (230 VAC power supply available in a technical well), and pipe sizing concerns for adequate flow. Control solutions proposed include timing relays, but more advanced and flexible options such as PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) with transistor outputs are recommended for programmable sequences and real-time control. Semiconductor relays (SSRs) are suggested as reliable power stages for switching 230 VAC loads without contact sparking, enhancing durability. For RGB lighting, lamps with built-in DMX controllers are preferred despite higher cost (~40-50 PLN more) due to reduced wiring complexity and expanded control capabilities, including potential integration with valve and pump inverter control. The FATEK 24 MA PLC is cited as an example of a cost-effective controller (~600-800 PLN net) with sufficient outputs for the application.
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FAQ

TL;DR: Use DMX RGB fixtures (+40–50 PLN each) to simplify wiring; "I definitely prefer RGB with built‑in DMX controller." That setup can also coordinate valves and a pump inverter. [Elektroda, rogerrrr, post #17043078]

Why it matters: This FAQ helps builders of a 9‑jet fountain choose reliable, budget‑aware control for solenoid valves and RGB lighting.

Quick Facts

What’s a practical control architecture for nine solenoid valves?

Use a small PLC with transistor outputs driving a bank of nine SSRs. The SSRs handle 230 Vac coils without contact wear. Program sequences in the PLC and trigger scenes via inputs or a real‑time clock. This scales cleanly to nine jets. [Elektroda, pafciowaw, post #17046903]

Should I choose RGB fixtures with built‑in DMX controllers?

Yes. They cost about 40–50 PLN more per fixture, but you run less wiring and gain rich effects control. The same DMX ecosystem can also coordinate valves and even a pump inverter. This simplifies integration for shows. [Elektroda, rogerrrr, post #17043078]

Can I use 230 Vac solenoid coils in a technical well?

Yes. The valves will sit in a technical well, so a 230 V supply is acceptable in this design. With that decision, you can plan the control stage and wiring layout around mains‑rated actuation. [Elektroda, blazej2, post #17046340]

What’s the best way to switch 230 Vac solenoid valves?

Use solid‑state relays (SSRs). They offer zero‑cross switching and long life. Pair them with a PLC’s transistor outputs. As one expert noted, "no sparking of contacts," which reduces wear and maintenance over time. Size SSRs for coil current. [Elektroda, pafciowaw, post #17046903]

Which PLC fits nine valves, and what does it cost?

A PLC with at least 9–10 outputs fits. One cited option is a FATEK 24MA with 10 outputs. The stated cost range is approx. 600–800 PLN net. That covers scheduling via a real‑time clock and scene selection via inputs. [Elektroda, pafciowaw, post #17046903]

How can I program different sequences or scenes for the fountain?

Use the PLC’s real‑time clock for timed sequences. Create additional scenes and select them through dedicated inputs. This lets you run different patterns at different times or on demand. It’s flexible without adding extra hardware. [Elektroda, pafciowaw, post #17046903]

Is 16 mm PE pipe adequate for these nozzles?

No. 16 mm PE is suitable for lawn sprinklers, not high‑flow fountain nozzles. Using it will constrain flow and performance. Plan larger distribution lines to avoid starving the jets. Treat 16 mm only as a tiny branch if ever used. [Elektroda, pafciowaw, post #17044430]

What pipe sizes are commonly run to fountain nozzles?

Installers report much larger feeds to nozzles. As one practitioner put it, "I run 40–50mm pipe to the nozzles in the fountains." Upsizing reduces pressure drop and preserves jet shape. Size per your nozzle spec and run length. [Elektroda, technikabasenowa, post #17044399]

What flow and pressure were stated for the chosen nozzle?

The shared spec was a foaming nozzle with a 3/4" thread. It lists about 1.5 m lift at 0.6 bar and 61 l/min. Use this to estimate total flow and pump demand across nine jets. Validate with vendor curves. [Elektroda, blazej2, post #17045377]

How large might the pump need to be for nine such nozzles?

One expert estimated that with nine nozzles, you’re around 40 m³ total, needing a strong pump. They suggested a good pump might cost about 5–6 thousand PLN. Budget this early to avoid shortfalls. [Elektroda, technikabasenowa, post #17045408]

How do I wire a PLC, SSRs, and 230 Vac valves? (3 steps)

  1. Choose a PLC with enough transistor outputs and a real‑time clock.
  2. Wire each PLC output to an SSR input; wire each SSR output to a valve coil (230 Vac).
  3. Program time‑based scenes and input‑triggered modes; test each SSR channel under load. [Elektroda, pafciowaw, post #17046903]

Can DMX also control valves and a pump inverter along with RGB?

Yes. Selecting RGB fixtures with integrated DMX simplifies lighting. The same approach can integrate valve control and possibly a pump inverter. This unifies show control under one protocol for synchronized effects. [Elektroda, rogerrrr, post #17043078]

What should I document before buying parts?

List what you already have and what you must buy. If valves are chosen, record the model and coil parameters. This ensures the controller, SSRs, and power supplies match real loads and wiring constraints. [Elektroda, rogerrrr, post #17043078]

Are timing relays enough, or should I use a PLC?

A PLC gives more flexibility for scenes, scheduling, and expansion. It was explicitly recommended over simpler approaches here. As one expert advised, "I would think about a PLC." That suits multi‑jet fountains well. [Elektroda, bhtom, post #17043854]
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