Description
Update: we are now shipping AC-powered OpenSprinkler v3.4 — click here to learn more about this new version.
OpenSprinkler is an open-source, web-based smart irrigation controller for lawn and garden watering, hydroponics, and general irrigation control. It can be accessed through any web browser or via our free mobile app, available on all major mobile platforms. The latest version, OS 3.3, features built-in WiFi and OLED display, and is available in AC-powered, DC-powered, and Latch variants. OpenSprinkler supports a wide range of solenoid valves (24VAC, latching, DC, and motorized ball valve). For common question and an overview, refer to FAQs and Getting Started Guide.
EU, Australian and New Zealand customers: check this page for OpenSprinkler’s regional distributors.
For wired Ethernet connection, add the optional ‘wired Ethernet Module’. This allows you to choose between WiFi and wired Ethernet for network connectivity. Please note that PoE (Power-Over-Ethernet) must be turned off for using wired Ethernet.
The 24VAC/500mA transformer we sell is NOT suitable to run more than 3 simultaneous (concurrent) valves. If you plan to run more valves at once, we recommend a transformer with a higher current rating (which you can find from suppliers like Jameco).
How to Choose the Right Model of OpenSprinkler
- Using a pump start relay? Choose the AC-powered model. It supports all 24VAC pump start relays and 24VAC sprinkler valves.
- Using latching solenoid valves? Choose the Latch model. This is the only model compatible with latching valves (typically labeled ‘Latch’ or ‘Latching’ on the valve body). NOTE: Motorized ball valves are NOT latching valves.
- Otherwise (no special requirements):Â you can choose either DC-powered or AC-powered OpenSprinkler. DC-powered is more affordable, supports off-grid use (solar/battery) and works with both 24VAC sprinkler valves as well as DC non-latching valves.
Compatibility:
AC-Powered model
- Requires a 24VAC sprinkler transformer (NOT included by default but available as an add-on).
- Designed to work exclusively with 24VAC solenoid valves (which typically have two same-color wires, e.g. black and black, indicating no polarity).
- Recommended if you use a 24VAC pump start relay, as it’s fully compatible.
DC-powered model
- Uses a 7.5VDC power adapter, included with all orders shipped to US, Canada, and Mexico (excluded for other countries).
- Compatible with both 24VAC solenoid valves and DC non-latching (e.g. 12VDC solenoids or fish-tank pumps).
- Flexible power options: Accepts any DC adapter between 7.5VDC~24VDC, or a 12V solar panel.
- May not work with all 24VAC pump start relays — if you use a 24VAC pump start relay, we recommend the AC-powered model.
- For technical details on how the DC model operates, please read this blog post.
Latch model
- Uses the same 7.5VDC power adapter (included with orders shipped to US, Canada, and Mexico only).
- Designed to work exclusively with latching solenoid valves — these valves are typically labeled ‘Latch’ or ‘Latching’ on the valve body; they have two wires with distinct colors (e.g. black and red), indicating polarity; and they typically have very low coil resistance (5 ohm or less). Note: Motorized ball valves are NOT latching and therefore are NOT compatible with this model.
- Flexible power options: Accepts 7.5VDC~24VDC adapters, or a 12V solar panel.
Features:
- Intuitive User Interface — No more fiddling with buttons and knobs, or running to the garage for every adjustment. OpenSprinkler can be fully controlled via any web browser or our free mobile app, accessible from home, work, or anywhere you travel.
- Smart Weather-Based Control — Our weather algorithm automatically adjusts watering times based on real-time local weather data. It not only stops watering when it rains, but also fine-tunes run times continuously to conserve water and optimize irrigation.
- Expandable — The main controller supports 8 zones, and can be expanded up to 72 zones using OpenSprinkler expanders. Need more? The OpenSprinkler UI / app can manage multiple controllers, allowing virtually unlimited zone support.
- Flexible Connectivity — OpenSprinkler supports both WiFi and wired Ethernet (via optional add-on module). Choose local-only access within your network (i.e. no Internet or cloud server), or enable OTCÂ (OpenThings Cloud) token for secure remote control.
- Compatibility — OpenSprinkler is designed as a drop-in replacement for conventional sprinkler controllers. It supports master zone / pump start relay, rain sensor, flow sensor, program start switch, and manual control via onboard buttons and display.
- Integration and Advanced Features — OpenSprinkler supports powerful features rarely found in other systems, such as MQTT, remote zones, HTTP zones, radio frequency (RF) stations, muiltiple sensors, two independent master stations, repeating program start times, multi-language interface.
- Open-Source — Built on open-source software and hardware, OpenSprinkler’s design files and code are publicly and freely available on Github. We are committed to transparency, education, and community-driven develop,ent. If you have technical skills, you can customize and extend its capability to fit your exact needs.
Documents:
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Visit the OpenSprinkler Support page for tutorial videos, user manual, and API documentation.
- Volume discount available, starting with 5 units. See pricing details above.
Package Includes:
- 1x OpenSprinkler controller
- Wired Ethernet module (if selected)
- Power Adapter:
- For AC-powered model: Includes a 24VAC / 500mA adapter if selected (available for US/Canada/Mexico only)
- For DC-powered or Latch model: Includes a 7.5VDC universal adapter for orders shipped to US/Canada/Mexico (Power adapter NOT included for other countries).
Third-party Add-ons (purchased separately)
Austin (verified owner) –
The setup is super easy and the interface on the app is too! You can set timers for one time or programs that go off on any type of schedule you can imagine. Get a free api key to wunderground and it will get live weather data to automatically adjust your programs. If it is a really hot dry day, it will add more time to each zone. If it is really humid or has rained in the last day or two, it will adjust the run time down depending on how much it rained. I LOVE how it doesn’t rely on a cloud/subscription service to run like most other smart sprinkler systems do. It has its own built in webserver.
AZ Farmer (verified owner) –
I farm 15 acres in Arizona, all of it on drip irrigation. I’ve worked with many valve controllers (simple battery operated – DIG, high tech Hunter units, custom built – $2000+, and multi-smart controllers)… This valve controller beats all of them hands down and allows me the flexibility to do more. First off, the DC implementation is great. I can run one unit in the shed with AC power using a wall converter and have another in the field running off of a battery charged by solar. Second, I can bounce the signal from the remote field unit to the shed using a directional wifi antenna (bridge also powered by solar & battery) and interact/schedule the valves on both units as if they are one unit. This is huge when trying to coordinate and balance water use on multiple blocks that all are fed from the same source. I used to have to have a timed spreadsheet, manually sync all my battery operated controller clocks, and hope I didn’t screw up my programming. Third, the ability to expand the controls beyond valves is great. I’m working now on integrating my fertigation (for liquid fertilization injection) system with the valve controls to allow for coordinated fertilization and irrigation. Being able to do this from the same controller and activate pumps/valves while irrigating is truly deluxe! Out of the box this unit is fantastic, with a little bit of tinkering and ingenuity it will shine beyond your wildest irrigation dreams 🙂 I’ve had mine in use for two growing seasons now and can’t be happier with it.
Tim (verified owner) –
I LOVE this sprinkler controller. I have been working through automating all sorts of aspects of our large home. All the controllers I’ve been building myself (most based ESP 8266 chip as well). I was planning to build a sprinkler controller for my 24 zone watering system and came across OpenSprinkler in an article about switching AC solenoid valves with DC circuits. A couple of months passed and I hadn’t started building it yet, and then I thought why not just buy it from OS.
It was so easy to install – I put it in the enclosure of one of the two controllers I had before, and consolidated all the zones into this controller (with the expander). Now I can set it all up from inside my house. So happy.
jnissen (verified owner) –
I was a bit apprehensive about using a ESP8266 based controller but I purchased the new rev 3.0AC unit and an expansion board. I have done Arduino ESP8266 projects in the past and know that this system is fairly good but sometimes can go offline and requires a reboot. I tested the sytem in my office for a few weeks to convince myself that the system would be solid. It passed all my tests so I removed my old Hunter controller and installed the new OS3.0AC system.
Well the first time I turned on my system to run through a 1 minute test was eye opening. I caould see the valve current live on the display as well as remaining time and such. I can’t believe I waited to change my old controller. The install is really straightforward and easy. The reliability has been rock solid so far. The only downside is I didn’t care for the acrylic laser cut case. Yes it’s a case but it just gives the unit a bit of a cheap look and feel. I would have preferred a better case. It really dones’t matter as I installed the units inside an an old Hunter controller box in the garage. You can only see the laser cut acrylic cases when the door is open.
Overall 5 stars.
brucewf (verified owner) –
Very well made and a pleasure to use. I really like the ability to label the output/solenoids, this makes activating the right one super easy. Equally nice is the ability to test the lines with mobile app while inspecting/fixing sprinklers. Being able to see current used by a solenoid has helped me diagnose some faulty solenoids which I would have wrongly thought was a sprinkler issue.
I am so impressed with the one in the backyard I have just ordered another one to do the front yard along with the RFToy.
young (verified owner) –
I purchased an OpenSprinkler 3.0 for my cabin where both the wifi and remote control aspects solved problems for me. I have had system failures there with other controllers and not know for weeks since I don’t live there. Like brucewf above I love the ability to check the current draw. I am so enthusiastic about this system that I ordered a second one for my home and removed my Hunter controller. This system is light years ahead. The smart weather adjustments alone will pay for the unit. It is SOOOOO much more accurate than a simple rain gauge at zero cost.
Bernhard Scholler (verified owner) –
I replaced my Toro TMC-212 with your fantastic opensprinkler. The installation was really easy, it worked right from the start – thanks to your YouTube-Videos. To control my sprinkler from the smartphone/tablet is so much easier. The usability of your App is just perfect. I always had a rain sensor installed, but I never knew if the sensor is on or off. Now I can see it immediatelly in the app. Best greetings from Austria / Europe – your product is just the best!!!
M. Wallace (verified owner) –
I installed the open sprinkler in ~ April 2019. The performance is excellent. We have had a lot of rain and cool months. The weather adjustment works great and the sprinklers have hardly have been running. Now it is getting warmer and the system adjusts perfectly to the weather conditions. I’ve mentioned this a a couple of friends of mine and they’re planning to purchase OS as well. The current draw monitoring of the solenoids is a great feature for diagnosis.
Scott O. (verified owner) –
Easy to set up. Works great! Running 20-zone irrigation system for a non-profit greenhouse installed Jan 2020.
OpenSprinkler zone-expansion board allowed easy expansion from 3-zone system installed in 2019 — just plugged in and works as advertised.
Easy setup and install enables reliable DIY installation, saving lots of money for the all-volunteer non-profit.
Also, since I installed it, the whole organization thinks I’m some sort of wizard.
TassieDevil (verified owner) –
Thanks Ray. I had a commercial system installed by a landscape company. Worked, but I was constantly making errors with the UI resulting in damage to my garden, mainly through overwatering. Replaced it with OpenSprinkler last month and loving the control and feedback the user interface provides. Great product.
alibloke (verified owner) –
I inherited an ageing sprinkler system with a house purchase and wanted something that would replace the old Hunter unit with wifi for easier control. After some education on my part I was able to install and set up the Opensprinkler without replacing any other components in my system (valves, PSU, even the weather sensor). Overall I’m very pleased, many thanks Ray!
Paul (verified owner) –
Simply love this system! As a person that embraces technology and usefulness this sprinkler system leaves other in the dust! From the expandability to the ability to function in multiple deployment scenarios, it simply works! I have replaced many systems in the homes I have purchased with this system and it has never failed me. The only thing is that many contractors don’t understand its operation, but once you show them how easily a winter sprinkler blow out cycle can be programed they love it. I HIGHLY recommend this system over there competitors for the value and ease of integration to existing systems.
Dennis (verified owner) –
Great system. Loved it from the first early version I bought in 2012. I upgraded to the new version in 2020 but I wasn’t too keen on the smaller white readout characters but it has performed perfectly. Recently though I have found the display has begun to fail with sections of the digits failing and progressively becoming harder to read. This for the most part isn’t a problem as almost every change or operation is done remotely in my office on the pc. Only when I need to check IP or something else on the readout does it becomes a problem. Other than that it can’t be faulted. I give it a 9.75 out of 10.
dancrosoft (verified owner) –
Amazing device. No cloud connection required. 8 stations + more with expander. Weather integration. Great programming capabilities. Stable WiFi connectivity. All for a very modest price compared to the big manufacturers. Open source FTW. Highly recommend.
Luke Sawyer (verified owner) –
OpenSprinkler is an absolute game changer! This is what technology should be: Easy, simple, intuitive, private, automatic. No data harvested by Big Tech. Works online or offline. Works locally or via the web. Don’t wait – buy this now and thank yourself later.
John Gambert (verified owner) –
This thing is amazing! I’d buy another just because it works so well. Set it, forget it. Manages sprinklers based on rainfall. Very easy install.