Irrigation control apparatus and a method of use thereof

Abstract

Irrigation control apparatus includes a printed circuit board 3 (PCB) with three capacitors 5, 5’, 5” and an integrated circuit 7 (IC) connected thereto. A water conduit 9 has an inlet and outlet 11,

Description

The invention to which this application relates is an irrigation control apparatus and a method of use thereof. Irrigation controllers are known in the art and many variants are widely available. They are devices which are provided to turn an irrigation system on and off based on a programmed or predetermined schedule. There are two standard types of controllers: electric and hydraulic. Electric controllers can be mains-powered, meaning that they have to be situated close to a mains supply of electricity, or cables / wiring need to extend out to the location of the controller. Alternatively, electric controllers may be battery powered and this is increasingly common so as to enable the controller to be located in any desired location, not restricted by the location of a mains supply of power, while still being able to power the various features of such controllers, which generally include, display screens, wireless communication technology and other such “smart” programming. Such features require a relatively large supply of power and thus require one or more batteries, which will consequently need replacing or recharging periodically. There is a need therefore to provide an irrigation control apparatus which has the benefits of the “smart” timing features in existing electrical irrigation controllers, but which are not dependent on the provision and replacement of batteries. It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an improved irrigation control apparatus which overcomes the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art. It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of using an improved irrigation control apparatus which overcomes the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an irrigation control apparatus, said apparatus including: a printed circuit board (PCB) having at least three capacitors and an integrated circuit (IC) connected thereto; conduit means having an inlet end and an outlet end, arranged to connect said inlet end to a water supply means, and which allows the flow of water therethrough to the outlet end, in use; one or more valve members provided associated with the conduit means, movable between open and closed positions, thereby permitting or preventing the flow of water through the conduit means, in use; the one or more valve members provided in electronic communication with the PCB and at least two of said capacitors; and at least one solar panel, provided in communication with the PCB and the at least three capacitors, and arranged to provide electrical charge to said capacitors, in use; wherein when all capacitors are fully charged, a first of said at least three capacitors is arranged to discharge to move the one or more valve members to an open position, thereby permitting the flow of water through the conduit means, in use, and a second of said at least three capacitors is arranged to discharge to move the one or more valve members to a closed position, thereby preventing the flow of water through the conduit means, in use; characterized in that timer means are provided connected to the PCB, and are adjustable to set a predetermined period of time between the discharge of the first capacitor and the discharge of the second capacitor. Thus, the provision of timer means which are adjustable, enables a user to determine a period of watering and subsequently leave the apparatus in situ, with no connection to a mains supply of power or wired / wireless communication means, and which will control the extent of watering of an irrigation system. Typically, a third of said at least three capacitors is arranged to provide electrical charge / power to the remaining circuitry of the apparatus, for example, the IC and the timer means. Further typically, the third capacitor is constantly charged by the solar panel in daylight conditions, in use. In some embodiments, the first capacitor is only permitted by the apparatus to discharge once all of the capacitors provided are fully charged. Typically, after discharge of the first capacitor, the one or more valve members will move to the open position and the timer means will activate, and once a period of time as set by a user has elapsed, the second capacitor will discharge, moving the one or more valve members to a closed position, in use. Preferably, after discharge of the second capacitor, the charge cycle is restarted. The period of time it takes for the capacitors, or at least the first capacitor, to be fully charged by the solar panel essentially amounts to the interval period wherein no water is supplied, or the “off” period, between waterings. In some embodiments, the at least one solar panel is arranged to charge the first and second capacitors simultaneously and at the same rate as one another, in use. In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes means by which to vary the rate of charge of at least the first capacitor. In one embodiment, said means are in the form of a user-adjustable charge controlling potentiometer, provided on the PCB. In another embodiment, said means may be provided as a cover member, arranged to shade or cover a user-defined portion of the solar panel, thereby reducing the rate of charge possible through the panel, in use. In some embodiments, said means may be arranged to vary the rate of charge of the first and the second capacitors. Providing such a means, either in the form of a potentiometer on the PCB, or a more simplistic cover member for the solar panel, enables a user to determine the rate at which the capacitors, or at least the first capacitor, are charged and thus the interval period wherein no water is supplied, or the “off” period, between waterings. This advantageous feature therefore allows a user to reduce such periods, and thus increase the number of waterings, and in conjunction with the timer means, the length of said waterings may also be adjusted. Thus, for example, a user may adjust the timer means and the interval period from discharge of the first capacitor to discharge of the second capacitor (the “open” period) according to the size and needs of the plant or plants being watered, and the rate of charge of the capacitor(s) (the “closed” period) can then be determined by the weather conditions at that time, although it will still be possible for a user to restrict the rate of charge, if necessary, using the potentiometer or other such means (covering an increased portion of the solar panel). Typically, said one or more valve members draw zero power from the apparatus except for the periods of opening (discharge of the first capacitor) and closing (discharge of the second capacitor). In some embodiments, override switch means may be provided. Typically, the provision of such override switch means enables the instantaneous discharge of at least the second capacitor, and subsequent closure of the one or more valve members, essentially providing an “emergency shut-off” feature. In other embodiments, the override switch means may be provided to enable instantaneous discharge of at least the first and second capacitors, in use. In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes at least one resistor provided on the PCB. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a housing body, provided to house the PCB, IC and other such circuitry therein. Typically, the conduit means and at least one solar panel are provided to be located externally of the housing body. Further typically, the housing body is formed so as to be water or rain proof. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using an irrigation control apparatus, the method including the steps of: providing an irrigation control apparatus as defined above; connecting a water supply means to the inlet end of the conduit means, and hose or other such irrigation line to the outlet end; placing the at least one solar panel into an optimum position for exposure to sunlight during daylight hours; and characterized by setting the timer means to a desired period which defines the period from discharge of the first capacitor to the discharge of the second capacitor, and thus the period of time which the one or more valve members are in an open position and water is permitted to flow through the conduit means to water the desired area through the hose or other such irrigation line. Typically, after discharge of the second capacitor, resulting in the one or more valve members move to a closed position and thus preventing the flow of water through the conduit means, charging of at least the first and second capacitors is restarted. In some embodiments, the first and second capacitors are charged simultaneously and at the same rate by the solar panel, wherein the period of time it takes for the capacitors to be fully charged amounts to the interval period wherein the one or more valve members are in the closed position. In other embodiments, the first and second capacitors may charge at different rates. In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a user-adjustable charge controlling potentiometer, provided on the PCB, permitting a user to vary the rate of charge of at least the first capacitor, as is required by the conditions in the area or region being supplied with water. In some embodiments, said user-adjustable charge controlling potentiometer may permit a user to vary the rate of charge of the first and second capacitors. In another embodiment, the apparatus may include a cover member, arranged to shade or cover a user-defined portion of the solar panel, thereby reducing the rate of charge possible through the panel, and said cover member is adjusted and moved by a user to set the appropriate mount of cover over the solar panel, as is required by the water requirements of the plants being irrigated. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an irrigation control apparatus, said apparatus including: a printed circuit board (PCB) having at least one capacitor and an integrated circuit (IC) connected thereto; pump means having an inlet end and an outlet end, arranged to connect said inlet end to a supply or reservoir of water, and which draws the flow of water therethrough to the outlet end, in use; the pump means comprising actuation means and provided in electronic communication with the PCB and the at least one capacitor; and at least one solar panel, provided in communication with the PCB and the at least one capacitor, and arranged to provide electrical charge to the at least one capacitor, in use; wherein when the at least one capacitor reaches a first charge threshold, the at least one capacitor is arranged to begin to discharge and actuate the pump means, thereby enabling the drawing of water through the pump means, in use, and when the at least one capacitor reaches a second, lower charge threshold, discharging of the at least one capacitor ceases, which in turn ceases actuation of the pump means, thereby preventing the flow of water therethrough, in use. Typically, said solar panel is arranged to charge the at least one capacitor, and once the level of charge in the at least one capacitor reaches the first charge threshold, in use, it once again is arranged to discharge, actuating the pump means, thereby creating a cycle. In some embodiments, said cycle is arranged to actuate the pump means for a period of approximately 4-5 seconds, approximately every 20 seconds. Typically, the cycle period may be varied as required by the prevailing conditions. For example, the pump means may be actuated for a period of approximately 4-5 seconds every 30 seconds, or longer if required on days with less sun, or in the autumn and winter months. The lower the intensity of sunlight which hits the solar panel, the longer the time it will take to charge the capacitor from the second charge threshold to the first charge threshold. The period of time it takes for the at least one capacitor, to be charged to the first charge threshold by the solar panel essentially amounts to the interval period wherein no water is drawn by the pump means, or the “off” period, between waterings downstream of the pump means. In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes means by which to vary the rate of charge of the at least first capacitor. In one embodiment, said means are in the form of a user-adjustable charge controlling potentiometer, provided on the PCB. In another embodiment, said means may be provided as a cover member, arranged to shade or cover a user-defined portion of the solar panel, thereby altering the proportion of light to the solar panel and reducing the rate of charge possible through the panel, in use. In other embodiments, the period of time taken to recharge the at least one capacitor to the first charge threshold may be varied by providing a larger or smaller capacitor and / or providing a larger or smaller solar panel. In some embodiments, said apparatus is arranged to be used in conjunction with a plurality of ceramic watering members as part of an irrigation system. Typically, said ceramic watering members are self-watering members comprising a porous body, and which regulate an amount of water to be delivered to a body of soil, in use. Typically, in use, when actuated, said pump means is arranged to draw water from the supply / reservoir of water and deliver the same to the plurality of ceramic watering members. In some embodiments, a return feed is provided, enabling excess water to be returned to the supply / reservoir of water to be reused, in use. In other embodiments, said apparatus is arranged to be used in conjunction with a plurality of tube and dripper members as part of an irrigation system. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of using an irrigation control apparatus as described above. An irrigation control system, incorporating any of the irrigation control apparatus described above. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a schematic of an irrigation control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates an irrigation control apparatus located in position with a water supply means, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates an irrigation control apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and Figures 4a-b illustrate an irrigation system incorporating an irrigation control apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to the figures, there is shown an irrigation control apparatus 1 requiring no connection to a mains supply of electricity or to any external climate monitoring or WiFi / RF communication means, and which does not require the provision of batteries to power the same, thereby ensuring the apparatus 1 is lightweight and can be placed in situ and left to function independently for a prolonged period of time. The apparatus 1 comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) 3 which has at least three capacitors 5 and an integrated circuit (IC) 7 provided thereon. In the example shown, there are five capacitors, although this may vary depending on the capacitor size and / or the requirements of the apparatus 1. A conduit 9 is provided, having an inlet end 11 and an outlet end 13 which is provided to connect at its inlet end 11 to a water supply means, for example, a tap 15, and at its outlet end 13 to a hose or other such irrigation line. Within the conduit 9 there are provided one or more valves movable between open and closed positions, thereby permitting or preventing the flow of water through the conduit 9. At least one solar panel 17 is also provided in wired connection to the PCB 3, and which upon exposure to sunlight is arranged to provide electrical charge to the capacitors 5. The one or more valves are provided in wired electronic communication with the PCB 3 and at least two of the capacitors 5. When all the capacitors 5 have been fully charged by the solar panel 17, a first capacitor 5’, in communication with the one or more valves then discharges, imparting electrical power on the one or more valves and moving the same to an open position, consequently permitting the flow of water through the conduit. After a period of time, a second capacitor 5”, in communication with the one or more valves then discharges, imparting electrical power on the one or more valves and moving the same to a closed position, consequently preventing the flow of water through the conduit. The one or more valves draw zero power from the apparatus 1 except for the periods of opening (discharge of the first capacitor 5’) and closing (discharge of the second capacitor 5”). A timer 19 is provided on the PCB and which is user adjustable. The timer 19 is provided so as to determine the period of time which is to elapse from discharge of the first capacitor 5’ to the discharge of the second capacitor 5”, thereby determining the length of time the one or more valves are in the open position and water is supplied through the conduit 9. The adjustable nature of the timer 19 enables a user to determine the length of the watering period, which can be varied according to the size and needs of the plant or plants being irrigated, the soil or other such conditions in the area or region which is being watered. The apparatus 1 may then be left in situ with no connection to a mains supply of power or wired / wireless communication means, and which will control the extent of watering of an irrigation system. The third or further (if provided) capacitor 5 is provided on the PCB 3 to ensure a constant charge is supplied to the remaining circuitry of the apparatus 1, for example, the IC 7 and the time 19. Consequently, the third capacitor is constantly charged by the solar panel 17 in daylight condition. Once the second capacitor 5” has been discharged, moving the one or more valves back to the closed position and shutting off the supply of water, the charging cycle of the first and second capacitors 5’, 5” starts again, and the period of time it takes for at least the first capacitor 5’ to be fully charged by the solar panel 17 essentially amounts to the interval period wherein no water is supplied, or the “off” period, between waterings. The charging of the first and second capacitors 5’, 5” by the solar panel 17 can be arranged to occur simultaneously and at the same rate. In other embodiments, the second capacitor 5” may charge at a maximum rate and the rate of charge of the first capacitor 5’ may be user adjustable and controlled by the present invention. In some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus 1 may further include means by which to vary the rate of charge of at least the first capacitor 5’. In a preferred embodiment, and as shown in Figure 1, the apparatus 1 may include a user-adjustable charge controlling potentiometer 21, provided on the PCB 3. This allows a user to manually adjust the rate of electrical charge which can come from the solar panel 19 into at least the first capacitor 5’. The rate of charge of the capacitors 5, and thus the interval of the “off” period, is determined for the most part by the weather at that time (sunnier weather equates to quicker charge times; overcast weather equates to slower times). However, in situations where the “off” period interval is required to be longer, a user can adjust the potentiometer 21 to change the rate of charge of at least the first capacitor 5’, for example, to restrict the same in sunnier conditions where ordinarily it may charge more quickly, reducing the “off” period. In another embodiment, not shown in the figures, the means by which to vary the rate of charge of at least the first capacitor 5’ may be provided as a simple cover for the solar panel 17. The cover may be adjustable by a user to cover or shade part or all of the solar panel 17, as required, thereby controlling the area which is exposed to sunlight, and thus the rate at which charge can be supplied to the capacitor 5’. The cover may then be moved to expose more or less of the solar panel 17, as required by a user depending on the conditions at the time. Providing such a means, either in the form of a potentiometer 21 on the PCB 3, or a more simplistic cover for the solar panel 17, enables a user to determine the rate at which at least the first capacitor 5’ is charged and thus the interval period wherein no water is supplied, or the “off” period, between waterings. In other embodiments, the potentiometer 21 or cover may be used to adjust the rate of charge of both the first and second capacitors 5’, 5”. Further features which may be included with the apparatus 1 of the present invention include the provision of an override switch, which enables the instantaneous discharge of all the capacitors 5, or in some embodiments just the second capacitor 5”, and subsequent closure of the one or more valve members, essentially providing an “emergency shut-off” feature. Finally, the apparatus 1 may include a housing body (not shown), provided to house the PCB 3, IC 7 and other such circuitry therein, which the conduit 9 and the solar panel 17 remain external of the housing. An operating example of the present invention may be described as follows: when in daylight, the solar panel 17 charges all capacitors 5; the third or further capacitor 5, known as the system power capacitor(s) 5, is charged all the time, while the first and second capacitors 5’, 5” charge equally depending on the potentiometer 21 setting. When all capacitors 5 are fully charged the valve of the conduit 9 will be opened upon discharge of the first “open” capacitor 5’. It will remain open for an operator set opening time, as determined by the user-set timer 19, then be closed at the expiry of the set time period and upon discharge of the second “close” capacitor 5”, after which the charge cycle will start again. At any particular setting the controller 1 will open for the same duration every time it starts, but how long the intervals between starts are depends on what the light intensity is — intervals will be longer in dull conditions; shorter in sunny ones. Intervals are adjustable and will normally be shorter for plants that will use up the soil water reserves more quickly. The controller 1 is calibrated with the solar panel 17 to show the necessary watering interval on an average day for each setting. As an example, a user may want to water three times on a normal day, which is what the user sets the controller 1 up for, but on a dull day it might water once or twice and on a sunny day four or five times. If it narrowly misses watering on one day, it will water earlier on the following day to compensate. In a further aspect of the present invention and illustrated in Figure 3, there is provided another form of irrigation control apparatus 101. Similarly with the control apparatus 1 described above, the apparatus 101 in Figure 3 requires no connection to a mains supply of electricity or to any external climate monitoring or WiFi / RF communication means, and does not require the provision of batteries to power the same, thereby ensuring it is lightweight and can be placed in situ and left to function independently for a prolonged period of time. The apparatus 101 comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) 103 which has at least one capacitor 105 and an integrated circuit (IC, not shown) provided thereon. A pump 109 is provided, having an inlet end 111 and an outlet end 113 which is provided to connect at its inlet end 111 to a supply or reservoir of water, for example, a water butt 115, and at its outlet end 113 to an irrigation system, an example of which is shown in Figures 4a-b. the pump 119 comprises actuation means, which when actuated enable the pump 119 to draw water from the reservoir 115 through the inlet end 111, out through the outlet end 113 and on to the irrigation system for watering of plants with which the system is associated. At least one solar panel 117 is also provided in wired connection to the PCB 103, and which upon exposure to sunlight is arranged to provide electrical charge to the capacitor 105. When the capacitor 105 has been charged by the solar panel 117 to a first charge threshold, the capacitor 105 then begins to discharge, imparting electrical power on the pump 109, actuating the same and drawing a flow of water therethrough. After a period of time and discharge of the capacitor 105, a second, lower charge threshold will be reached, at which point discharge of the capacitor 105 ceases, which in turn ceases actuation of the pump 109, thereby preventing the flow of water therethrough, in use. The solar panel 117 serves to charge the capacitor 105 and once the level of charge reaches the first charge threshold, the capacitor 105 once again begins to discharge, actuating the pump 109, thereby creating a cycle of pumping and subsequent charging. The apparatus 1 may then be left in situ with no connection to a mains supply of power or wired / wireless communication means, and which will control the extent of watering of an irrigation system. In one example, the cycle could be arranged such that the pump 109 is actuated for a period of 4-5 second every 20 seconds or so. The period of time it takes for the capacitor 105 to be charged to the first charge threshold by the solar panel 117 essentially amounts to the interval period wherein no water is drawn by the pump 109, or the “off” period, between waterings downstream of the pump 109 to the irrigation system. In some embodiments, means by which to vary the rate of charge of the capacitor 105 may be provided. For example, a user-adjustable charge controlling potentiometer may be provided on the PCB. Alternatively, a cover may be provided to shade or cover a user-defined portion of the solar panel 117, thereby reducing the rate of charge possible through the panel 117, in use. Other ways of varying the rate of charge may be provided, such as by providing a larger or smaller capacitor 105 and / or providing a larger or smaller solar panel 117. The control apparatus 101 is arranged to be used in conjunction with an irrigation system, one example of which, shown in Figures 4a-b, includes a plurality of ceramic watering members 119 as part of an irrigation system 121. The ceramic watering members 119 are already known, self-watering members comprising a porous body, and which regulate an amount of water to be delivered to a body of soil, in use. Thus, when actuated, the pump 109 draws water from the reservoir 115 and delivers the same to each of the ceramic watering members 119. In some embodiments, a return feed 123 can be provided, enabling excess water to be returned to the reservoir 115 to be reused, in use. In such a system, frequent but very short bursts of watering is achievable using pulses (4-5 seconds) of watering. Excess water can be pumped back into the reservoir 115 such that when the pump 109 is stopped, water back-siphons to keep the ceramic members 119 full. Water over and above the members’ 119 capacity can be circulated back to the reservoir 115. Pressure while the pump 109 is running can be regulated with an adjustable valve between the last ceramic member 119 and the reservoir 115. It can also be regulated by raising or lowering an overflow reservoir 125. If the water pulses are more frequent when it is sunny, proportionately increased water pressure in the system will increase water availability, provided there is some back-pressure before excess water enters the overflow reservoir 125. In other examples, the control apparatus 101 can be used in conjunction with other forms of irrigation system, not shown in the figures, for example, a network of tubes and drippers. Such a system may incorporate a large capacitor to permit longer watering times. In this way the plant receives the same amount of water in every cycle, but the intervals between cycles will shorten or lengthen in sunnier or cloudier days respectively. Even larger capacitors could be used for long duration watering methods such as seep hoses. The control apparatus may also be used in other systems, including irrigation, treatment and other applications, for example, anything requiring repetitive accurate applications, e.g. UV sterilisation of water where a dose of water alternates with a dose of UV with the rate of treatment controlled by solar intensity; fertiliser dosing into a pulse-pump system; weather responsive humidity / temperature control using sprayed water; or similar applications where non-solar, low-power electrical supply is used. The present invention is very efficient, requiring fewer parts and smaller solar panels than most solar powered automatic watering systems; no batteries are required; precise watering times combined with weather responsive intervals between doses is enabled; and wastage is minimised or completely prevented.

Claims

1. An irrigation control apparatus, said apparatus including:a printed circuit board (PCB) having at least three capacitors and an integrated circuit (IC) connected thereto;conduit means having an inlet end and an outlet end, arranged to connect said inlet end to a water supply means, and which allows the flow of water therethrough to the outlet end, in use;one or more valve members provided associated with the conduit means, movable between open and closed positions, thereby permitting or preventing the flow of water through the conduit means, in use;the one or more valve members provided in electronic communication with the PCB and at least two of said capacitors; andat least one solar panel, provided in communication with the PCB and the at least three capacitors, and arranged to provide electrical charge to said capacitors, in use;wherein when all capacitors are fully charged, a first of said at least three capacitors is arranged to discharge to move the one or more valve members to an open position, thereby permitting the flow of water through the conduit means, in use, and a second of said at least three capacitors is arranged to discharge to move the one or more valve members to a closed position, thereby preventing the flow of water through the conduit means, in use;characterized in that timer means are provided connected to the PCB, and are adjustable to set a predetermined period of time between the discharge of the first capacitor and the discharge of the second capacitor.

2. An irrigation control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a third of said at least three capacitors is arranged to provideelectrical charge / power to the remaining circuitry of the apparatus, for example, the IC and the timer means.

3. An irrigation control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first capacitor is only permitted by the apparatus to discharge once all of the capacitors provided are fully charged.

4. An irrigation control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after discharge of the first capacitor, the one or more valve members will move to the open position and the timer means will activate, and once a period of time as set by a user has elapsed, the second capacitor will discharge, moving the one or more valve members to a closed position, in use.

5. An irrigation control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after discharge of the second capacitor, the charge cycle arranged to be restarted, in use.

6. An irrigation control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one solar panel is arranged to charge the first and second capacitors simultaneously and at the same rate as one another, in use.

7. An irrigation control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes means by which to vary the rate of charge of at least the first capacitor.

8. An irrigation control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said means are in the form of a user-adjustable charge controlling potentiometer, provided on the PCB.

9. An irrigation control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said means may be provided as a cover member, arranged to shade or cover a user-defined portion of the solar panel,thereby reducing the rate of charge possible through the panel, in use.

10. An irrigation control apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said means may be arranged to vary the rate of charge of the first and the second capacitors.

11. An irrigation control apparatus according to claim 1,wherein override switch means may be provided.

12. An irrigation control apparatus according to claim 11,wherein the provision of such override switch means enables the instantaneous discharge of at least the second capacitor, and subsequent closure of the one or more valve members, essentially providing an “emergency shut-off” feature.

13. An irrigation control apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the override switch means may be provided to enable instantaneous discharge of at least the first and second capacitors, in use.

14. A method of using an irrigation control apparatus, the method including the steps of:providing an irrigation control apparatus as defined above;connecting a water supply means to the inlet end of the conduit means, and hose or other such irrigation line to the outlet end;placing the at least one solar panel into an optimum position for exposure to sunlight during daylight hours; andcharacterized by setting the timer means to a desired period which defines the period from discharge of the first capacitor to the discharge of the second capacitor, and thus the period of time which the one or more valve members are in an open position andwater is permitted to flow through the conduit means to water the desired area through the hose or other such irrigation line.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein after discharge of the second capacitor, resulting in the one or more valve members move to a closed position and thus preventing the flow of water through the conduit means, charging of at least the first and second capacitors is restarted.

16. A method according to claim 14, wherein the first and second capacitors are charged simultaneously and at the same rate by the solar panel, wherein the period of time it takes for the capacitors to be fully charged amounts to the interval period wherein the one or more valve members are in the closed position.

17. A method according to claim 14, wherein the first and second capacitors may charge at different rates.

18. A method according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus further includes a user-adjustable charge controlling potentiometer, provided on the PCB, permitting a user to vary the rate of charge of at least the first capacitor, as is required by the conditions in the area or region being supplied with water.

19. A method according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus includes a cover member, arranged to shade or cover a user-defined portion of the solar panel, thereby reducing the rate of charge possible through the panel, and said cover member is adjusted and moved by a user to set the appropriate mount of cover over the solar panel, as is required by the water requirements of the plants being irrigated.

20. An irrigation control apparatus, said apparatus including:a printed circuit board (PCB) having at least one capacitor and an integrated circuit (IC) connected thereto;pump means having an inlet end and an outlet end, arranged to connect said inlet end to a supply or reservoir of water, and which draws the flow of water therethrough to the outlet end, in use;the pump means comprising actuation means and provided in electronic communication with the PCB and the at least one capacitor; andat least one solar panel, provided in communication with the PCB and the at least one capacitor, and arranged to provide electrical charge to the at least one capacitor, in use;wherein when the at least one capacitor reaches a first charge threshold, the at least one capacitor is arranged to begin to discharge and actuate the pump means, thereby enabling the drawing of water through the pump means, in use, and when the at least one capacitor reaches a second, lower charge threshold, discharging of the at least one capacitor ceases, which in turn ceases actuation of the pump means, thereby preventing the flow of water therethrough, in use.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said solar panel is arranged to charge the at least one capacitor, and once the level of charge in the at least one capacitor reaches the first charge threshold, in use, it once again is arranged to discharge, actuating the pump means, thereby creating a cycle.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said cycle is arranged to actuate the pump means for a period of approximately 4-5 seconds, approximately ever 20 seconds.

23. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said apparatus is arranged to be used in conjunction with a plurality of ceramic watering members as part of an irrigation system.

24. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said apparatus is arranged to be used in conjunction with a plurality of tube and dripper members as part of an irrigation system.

25. An irrigation control system, incorporating the irrigation control apparatus of claim 1 or claim 20.A

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