FAQs ⚡️

Farmbot Pump Control connects to your existing pump system. It can start and stop the pump by controlling the electrical circuit.

Also, it communicates with the MyFarmbot platform via our Duplex Satellite Monitor. This lets you control the pump through your MyFarmbot dashboard, with one click of a button from anywhere in the world.

If you have a Farmbot Water Level Monitor, the system can also run your pump based on the water level in the tank.

For example, if the water level drops to 100 cm, the pump starts. If it fills up to 200 cm, the pump stops. This means your pump runs based on real water levels, not on timers, pressure switches or float valves, which is an industry-first!

The pump can now be scheduled to run once a day at a start and stop time that suits you. Pump control now also allows set-up for source tanks so your pump only runs when there is enough water available for redistribution.

The Farmbot Pump Control does not replace your current pump controls. There are two types of Farmbot Pump Control, and each has a slightly different installation process:

Remote Switch: This variant can be wired into your current pump controller. If you're comfortable doing so, you can wire it yourself. But, check the instructions first to see if you need an electrician. If you have a pressure switch or float valve, they can be removed, or you can keep them and use MyFarmbot for manual control.

An optional "Sensing Add-on" is available for the Remote Switch, which can be wired into some pump controllers. This add-on helps detect whether the pump has started running after we've attempted to start it.

Remote PowerPoint: This variant directly controls either single-phase (240V) or three-phase (415V) power to the pump. It has a plug for your power box and a socket for the pump. If the plugs and sockets are already in place, you just need to plug it in. If not, you'll need a qualified electrician. As with the Remote Switch, you can remove pressure switches and float valves, or keep them and use MyFarmbot for manual control.

Please note, the "Sensing Add-on" is not available for the Remote PowerPoint variant.

The Farmbot Pump Control works with many pumps, including diesel, solar, and mains-powered ones.

To see if yours is compatible, provide your pump and pump controller model and details about its power supply to our friendly Sales team via sales@farmbot.com.au or 02 9030 4760.

It depends on which Farmbot Pump Control variant you have. For the Remote Switch, you might be able to wire it yourself, but check the instructions first.

For the Remote PowerPoint, if the plugs and sockets are already there, you just need to plug it in. If not, you'll need an electrician.

Yes, you can set a "Pump Operating Time" to limit when your pump runs. Please note that this feature only works when your pump is in automation mode and if the water level drops to the "Start level" for the tank you are pumping to. If a source has also been set-up it will only work if your pump is in automation mode and the water rises to the 'Start level' of the tank you are pumping from.

If there's a communication error with the Pump Control, you'll get an error notification. Check the MyFarmbot platform for more information. Learn more here

If there's a problem with your pump itself, there are a couple of ways you might be able to detect it. If you have linked your pump to a water tank in MyFarmbot, you can see on the graph when the pump is running and what the water levels are. If the water levels aren't changing as expected when the pump is on or off, it might indicate a problem with the pump.

Additionally, if you have installed the optional Sensing Add-on with the Remote Switch variant, it can automatically detect and alert you if the pump hasn't started running after we've tried to turn it on. This add-on provides an additional way to monitor for issues with your pump.

Yes, our pump control can work alongside the safety cut-off features in most modern pump controllers. The safety cut-off will prevent over-pumping if the water source dries up. Please note that older pumps may not have this feature.

Farmbot Pump Control does not have a timer feature, but it can control your pump based on actual water levels in the tank.

You'll receive notifications when the pump turns on or off, and if there's a communication error with the Pump Control.

Automation is now supported based on Water Tank levels, it is possible to now pick a water source to pump from as well as a destination and to schedule a "Pump Operating Time" within the platform.

Yes, we now support this feature.