Backyard squirt turret
A pan-and-tilt water squirter for the yard. Low pressure, plain water, entirely silly. A fun way to learn motion control outdoors.
Sketch of the plan, not a photo. Not built yet.
What it is
A small nozzle on a two-axis mount, fed from a garden supply through a valve. Point, squirt, giggle.
Water only, low pressure, and a big obvious off switch. It is a toy, and it stays a toy.
Why build it
Pan-and-tilt, valves and aiming are the same skills an irrigation robot needs, and a squirt turret is a much better excuse to practise them.
It is also a good sealing test. Motors, water and sunlight in one small box.
The plan, step by step
This is the plan as it stands. Steps get rewritten as the build teaches us things.
- 01
Build the mount
Two axes, printed parts, cables routed so they survive a full sweep.
- 02
Plumb it gently
Valve, hose, nozzle. Check for drips at every position.
- 03
Manual control first
Drive it by hand from a simple panel before any automation.
- 04
Set the safety rules
Limits on travel, a physical off switch, and a rule that it never aims at faces, pets or the neighbours.
Soil and water node
A small outdoor box that watches soil moisture, a pump and a water tank, and sends simple irrigation alerts. Solar-ready. Built to keep working on a poor connection.
Indoor starts to yard
Raising vegetable and pepper starts indoors, then moving them outside without losing them. The gadget angle: knowing when a start is ready, and when the yard is.