Safety and Maintenance

danger

Before using OpenValve, please read these points carefully.

• Do not leave OpenValve outside in freezing temperatures. OpenValve is not designed for frost. Freezing water inside the water path can cause severe damage. During winter or off-season, store OpenValve indoors in a dry place where it cannot freeze.

• When storing OpenValve, unplug the battery and leave the valve open. Leaving the valve open reduces stress on the sleeve and prevents permament deformation when dry.

• The silicone sleeve is a replaceable wear part. OpenValve uses a pinch valve. This means the silicone hose inside the valve (also called "sleeve") is physically pinched every time the valve closes. Like the tubing in a peristaltic pump, this sleeve wears over time. One sleeve is rated for at least 1500 valve cycles. One cycle means: open once + close once. OpenValve keeps track of the valve cycles and warns you when the sleeve should be replaced. Do not ignore the warning for too long. If the hose tears, water will leak into the device and permanently damage OpenValve.

  info

  1,500 valve cycles are enough to open and close the valve every single day for more than four years — including winter. In real use, OpenValve is usually operated only during the growing season, and its sensor-based watering often skips days when the soil is already moist. For a typical seasonal irrigation setup, 1,500 cycles can therefore cover many years of use.