I'm trying to put together a cheap, faucet-mounted irrigation control system that will let me set up sprinklers and have them turn on and off by using the Firecracker interface on my PC. I already have a couple of Home Depot electronic timers, but I have already had one break in the "on" position (soaking the side of my house for four hours), so I'd like to find something that's more reliable (and more flexible in the process).

I've thought of using a universal module to trip a relay/valve combination attached to the faucet, but I've been unable to find a valve that both attaches to an outdoor faucet and is controllable via low-voltage wiring.

Does such a beast exist?

You can accomplish this with a universal module, a 24VAC transformer (can be a small plug-in transformer), and a sprinkler valve from Home Depot.

Home Depot has all of the fittings you need to screw in the sprinkler valve in-line with the water hose. this device is normaly closed until 24VAC is applied.

Connect one side of the 24VAC power to one lead of the sprinkler valve. Connect the other side through the universal controller. (one side of UM connects to other 24VAC lead, and second side of UC connects to second lead of sprinkler valve.

You'll need to set up the UC to stay on until an *off* signal is received. Seems like the default mode was to be on for a few seconds only.

When the X10 signal is received, the UC connects the circuit, the sprinkler valve opens, and you have water. Then the X10 off signal is received, the contacts are opened, the valve looses power and cuts off.