Introducing OpenValve
OpenValve is an open-source, 3D-printable irrigation valve that waters when plants need it, from gravity-fed systems like rain barrels to pressurized setups up to 2 bar.
Play
Video
Join Waitlist
OpenValve is an open-source, 3D-printable irrigation valve that waters when plants need it, from gravity-fed systems like rain barrels to pressurized setups up to 2 bar.
Play Video
What sets OpenValve apart from a typical irrigation timer: sensor-based watering, strong low-pressure performance, flexible installation, and repairability.
OpenValve uses soil-moisture sensor data instead of a fixed timer, so watering responds to the actual needs of the plants.
The custom pinch valve performs especially well at very low pressure, making rain barrels and elevated tanks practical for automatic irrigation while still supporting pressurized systems up to 2 bar.
Unlike many irrigation valves, OpenValve tolerates particle-rich water, not just perfectly clean tap water. Dirty water, algae, or liquid fertilizer: well within its comfort zone.
Every custom plastic part of OpenValve is 3D-printable, so damaged parts can be reprinted, modified, or replaced without replacing the whole unit.
3D models, BOM, and software for OpenValve are available on GitHub, making it easy to modify, extend, and adapt the system to your own use case.
Because the housing is rainproof in any orientation and both sides can serve as inlet or outlet, OpenValve can be installed close to the plants instead of being tied to the faucet.
This example shows OpenValve in a pressurized greenhouse setup with micro-drip hoses. The valve is mounted upright for easier access and visibility, though it can be installed in any orientation. In a small greenhouse, soil moisture can change fast as heat builds up during sunny periods, which makes sensor-based irrigation especially useful.
This garden-bed setup uses a pressurized line with a pressure reducer before the valve. OpenValve is installed directly beside the plants and can remain outside in a horizontal position, because the housing is rainproof in every orientation. Since outdoor beds are affected by rainfall as well as sun and heat, soil-moisture-based watering is far more useful than a fixed timer.
This example shows OpenValve on a balcony in a gravity-fed setup. The elevated container provides roughly one meter of water head, which can supply up to 30 plant pots. Because stored water in containers often becomes dirty or algae-rich over time, tolerance for particle-rich water is especially valuable in setups like this.
Got questions? Here are the basics. For deeper technical details, check the GitHub repository
OpenValve is an open-source, 3D-printable irrigation valve that is battery-powered, rainproof, and built for outdoor use. Instead of watering on a fixed timer, it measures soil moisture and irrigates only when your plants actually need it.
OpenValve was created for irrigation, but it is flexible enough to go far beyond that. You can use it as a standalone valve in your own builds, integrate it into custom systems, or connect analog sensors of your choice to automate other liquid control tasks. 3D models, BOM, and software for OpenValve are available on GitHub, so you can access the design files and adapt them to your needs.
Traditional irrigation timers are built around faucets and fixed schedules. OpenValve is designed for more flexible, sensor-driven irrigation: it performs especially well with low-pressure sources such as rain barrels and elevated tanks, while also working with pressurized systems up to 2 bar. Because it uses soil-moisture feedback instead of relying only on schedules, it responds to real conditions in the field. And since it is fully rainproof in any orientation, it can be installed close to the plants instead of being limited to the faucet.
In static pressure tests at 5 bar, well above the recommended operating range, the silicone sleeve repeatedly completed at least 1500 cycles before tearing. That corresponds to roughly 4 years of daily watering. At the recommended operating pressure of up to 2 bar, sleeve life is significantly longer. As a safety measure, OpenValve keeps track of valve cycles and alerts the user when it is time to replace the sleeve. The sleeve itself is inexpensive and easy to replace.
If you want to see OpenValve make the jump from project to product, join the waitlist to get updates and show there is real demand.