Our hydroponic system was originally controlled by a basic timer. It worked—until it didn’t. The timer began drifting, randomly switching on and off, and eventually failed completely when it fused.
Rather than scrap the entire system, we reconfigured it using Shelly Plus 1 relays for precise and independent control.
Hardware Setup
We installed:
One Shelly Plus 1 for the lighting on each shelf
One Shelly Plus 1 for the pump on each shelf
This allowed the lights and pumps to operate independently, rather than relying on a single shared schedule.
Scheduling & Control
Once installed, each device was added to the Shelly app over Wi-Fi. From there:
- We configured custom schedules for both lights and pumps
- Gained the ability to control each relay remotely
- Eliminated timing drift and random failures
Outcome
- Reliable automation with no need for manual resets
- Separate control of lights and pumps per shelf
- Remote access via phone for quick checks or adjustments
Final Result
With a minimal investment in smart relays, we salvaged a failing system and made it more functional than it ever was.
