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Im also very knew to arduino. The kit i got was an Elegoo Kit off of amazon. I dont know if its available in the UK but its got a lot of modules. I highly recommend it, very easy to use and beginner friendly. If that is too expensive theres some cheaper ones by elegoo. Highly recommend this kit.

Skip both of those sensors and get a BME280 sensor, instead. $7 on Amazon (or less if you buy more than one), works on I2C. And you get temp, humidity and barometric pressure in one easy to use sensor.

If you use it with an ESP32, be sure to keep the sensor away from the ESP itself. There have been numerous posts recently about the heat from the ESP affecting the readings of these temp sensors, especially if they're both in a small enclosure.

You'll need a relay, but be sure to get one that'll handle the current of a space heater. How many amps does that heater pull? Many of the arduino relay modules out there have 10A ratings. A 1500W heater is going to pull 12.5A, so I'd get something with more current handling capability. This optocoupler isolated, 30A relay would work, though. You can get 3 of them for $20 and have spares on hand if one kicks the bucket.

You could do simple control where the relay energizes at the low temp and de-energizes at the high temp, or you could look into using PID control. I'd start with the simple set method, then learn how to implement PID control once you have it working and want better control over temperature and energy usage.

The Internet's going to be your best connection vector.

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Look into the WeMos D1 board. Here's a clone of that board (I don't know if this particular one is any good -- just providing the link as a visual example) https://www.amazon.com/Qunqi-Electronics-ESP-12E-ESP8266-Compatible/dp/B01C6Y5SKY

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Basically it's an Arduino UNO board with an integrated ESP8266, which is the wifi module. So if you're familiar with working with the Arduino, this is the easiest way to step into networking.

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Now, you'll need an internet service for both devices to connect to in order to be the communication intermediary. I know they exist for IoT hobbyists, but I don't know specifically what's available in that space. Hopefully other commenters can jump in and provide more specifics.

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Have fun!

Awesome, thank you. I called it a relay but I meant a transistor. It was this one in fact. Do you think this is okay for the two fans? Should I do one for each to be on the safe side? Or should I buy something different?

Also, do you know of any videos I could watch or books I could read that would help me understand the electricity side of things?

Unless you're in a very wealthy community, don't get that one. It's so expensive for what it is, not to mention most people will never use a shift register or some of the more obscure items. Look at something like this: Elegoo EL-KIT-003 UNO Project Super Starter Kit with Tutorial for Arduino https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D8KOZF4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_cv4WAbQY1592X
an Uno is enough for many projects, and it saves the cost and complexity of a MEGA. They can always upgrade as they need it. Get them to blink an LED, turn a servo, stuff like that. After they're able to do that, get some community components for a workshop and let them solve a problem.

You may want to use a bluetooth module instead of ESP8266 since bluetooth is more energy efficient.

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You can check this product for their part list:

https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-Tracking-Ultrasonic-Intelligent-Educational/dp/B07KPZ8RSZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=eleego+cars&qid=1563543218&s=gateway&sr=8-1

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Also you can download their manual / part list here:

https://www.elegoo.com/download/

Thanks again, would this be an acceptable relay to use.

https://www.amazon.com/HiLetgo-Channel-optocoupler-Support-Trigger/dp/B00LW15A4W/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_147_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=G3S0E83TCCD6FZ78SFFW

or this one.

https://www.amazon.com/TinaWood-SSR-25DD-Solid-State-5-200V/dp/B07F3WGRP4/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=5+volt+dc+relay&qid=1566485708&s=gateway&sr=8-8

I used the OLED screen from amazon - Link to Product
But a lcd monitor should be even easier to hookup imo. You can same-day ship things from Amazon depending on where you live.

Can you upload a picture of your wiring? I'll take a look

Does your PIR sensor have sensitivity adjustment? Ones like this one (a very common one, many sellers have variations of it) have potentiometers that let you adjust the retrigger time and sensitivity.

You're pretty much always gonna have some level of false triggers and failures to trigger, you have to tweak things to reach a compromise. A sensor with adjustable sensitivity will help with that.

Yeah that's what I was afraid of. Maybe I Could try irled/sensor module and detect when black puck goes by on white floor?

Something like this?

The ESP boards are programmable via the Arduino IDE, so no additional hardware is required (besides the temperature sensor obviously). The wemos boards are fine but I prefer the NodeMCU boards like https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071RNQPHV/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1523483741&sr=8-9&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=esp8266+nodemcu&dpPl=1&dpID=51nR7C5ohWL&ref=plSrch (not referencing that reseller, just the picture really). This preference is purely due to being more familiar with the NodeMCU.

It's Seeedstudio... but I don’t find much right now on Amazon for them... this one looks not bad actually. The Uno is actually a socketed chip so you can use it as a programmer for the chip itself later, if you want.

You could assemble a kit yourself, too, with parts from AliExpress...

The ESP32 board, do I still require a separate Arduino, or does the board handle everything?

Something like this?
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B06Y5VHVFY/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B06Y5VHVFY&pd_rd_wg=7Gnmq&pd_rd_r=H8EKCF3D548145PFAYEG&pd_rd_w=mOULl

You could always use a serial programmer such as this one, and here is a video on how to use it and several other programmers otherwise you could always use a arduino uno as a programmer as seen here. Hope this helps :)

> https://www.utsource.net/itm/p/9221730.html
Yes, something similar.
I used this: https://www.amazon.com/SainSmart-HC-SR04-Ranging-Detector-Distance/dp/B004U8TOE6

(hc-sr04 ultrasonic sensor)

this is the screen I used $23 CDN on amazon

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https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B077ZT7S38/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Corrosion is always going to be a problem when you have probes in soil and water. And typically, it builds up more on one of them. Some project I saw once, used a H-bridge or similar to alternate the direction of the current between measurements. However, in the end the problem remains.

Personally, I've given up on moisture sensors because they're way too inaccurate. They will vary based on the type of soil, the type of plant (and its roots), and like you've seen, corrosion. Measurements are all over the place, whether you just watered or if it's been dry for a week. (And don't get me started on the relays which brake, water pumps which jam, Arudino which crashes. Been there, done all that).

In the end, nothing beats looking after the plans. When away, use some self-watering probes like these to delay the dry-out. Or ask a neighbor or friend to come by.

Sorry to rain on your project..

This was a few dollars more than a print cartridge. The total cost was $75:

• 3x Nema 17 stepper motors - $30
  
• [jumper wires - $5](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PLZC26F/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATHZ0BI0D2RLH&psc=1
  
• [3x L298N drivers - $10](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XAGRQTO/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A30Y6WWS77DGEW&psc=1
  
• [timing belt - $15](https://www.amazon.com/KeeYees-Timing-Tensioner-Torsion-Printer/dp/B07JKT5BZQ/ref=pd_cart_vw_crc_2_11?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07JKT5BZQ&pd_rd_r=52bc38fa-926b-47b2-911d-5739c65c5805&pd_rd_w=CcfAu&pd_rd_wg=ldtyV&pf_rd_p=7b1a11cb-b9d6-4645-a52e-34c86ca37029&pf_rd_r=0D7BH594WDRVCNZC2Z7Y&psc=1&refRID=0D7BH594WDRVCNZC2Z7Y
  
• Arduino - $10
  
• Roller blades from thrift store (for bearings) - $5

I recolonize the parts, they come in the Elegoo Uno kit.

For $30 bucks it’s hard to go wrong with this one if you’re just starting: www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-Project-Tutorial-Controller-Projects/dp/B01D8KOZF4

Has more stuff than you could use in a year of learning projects. Highly rated. Has a 24 lesson getting started CD. I’ve never had a problem with stuff from Elegoo. There are cheaper kits by them also.