Solenoid & Watering System Guide

Solenoid Types

Two solenoid types are supported. The correct type depends on your power supply voltage.

24 VAC Standard Solenoid

The most common type — found in the vast majority of residential and commercial irrigation systems. The device sends continuous 24 VAC to hold the valve open; removing power closes it automatically. Steady-state draw is approximately 6–10 W while open.

12 VDC Latching Solenoid

Uses a brief electrical pulse to toggle between open and closed. Once set, the solenoid holds its position mechanically with no continuous power draw — near 0 W while latched, with a brief ~1–2 W pulse to toggle. The device rectifies 12 VAC to the DC pulse the solenoid requires.

Power Outage: 24 VAC Standard

24 VAC standard solenoids fail safe — the valve closes automatically when power is lost. No customer action is required.

1. The device detects power loss and switches to internal battery backup.
2. The solenoid de-energizes immediately — the valve closes, stopping water flow.
3. The device continues monitoring on battery and reconnects to the cloud when power returns.
4. Normal watering cycles resume automatically once power is restored.

Power Outage: 12 VDC Latching

Latching solenoids hold their last state on power loss. If the valve was open when power failed, it stays open and water continues to flow until manually stopped.

1. The device detects power loss and switches to internal battery backup.
2. The solenoid remains in its last state. If the valve was open, it stays open — the device cannot generate the DC pulse needed to close it without AC power.
3. Water continues to flow to the zone until manually stopped.

To manually close a latching solenoid during an outage:

• Option A: Close the property's main water shutoff valve to stop all flow.
• Option B: Manually close the solenoid at the valve box — most solenoids have a manual bleed screw or override on the body.

When power is restored, the device will not automatically re-open latching valves. Watering resumes on the next scheduled cycle or can be triggered manually from the app.

Physical System Layout

Each installed device controls one irrigation zone. Water flows through a solenoid valve housed in an underground valve box. The device mounts inside the valve box lid and is accessible from the surface.

Water path

Valve box contents

• Solenoid valve — inline with the zone supply pipe; controls water flow to the zone
• Soil moisture & temperature sensor — installed at the appropriate depth for the application
• Device dock — mounted to the underside of the valve box lid on standoffs; device clips in and out from the surface without tools

Device wiring

Landscape cable run

• A single 14–16 AWG multi-conductor landscape cable runs from the transformer to each device location along the property
• At each device location, a waterproof splice connector taps power from the main cable — no need to cut or interrupt the run
• The cable continues from device to device, feeding the entire installation from one transformer

Choosing the Right Solenoid

When in doubt, use a 24 VAC standard solenoid. It is the most compatible, the most forgiving on power loss, and the easiest to source and replace.