Using on off switch to control water valve with water detection or leak

Crunch · October 25, 2020, 7:49pm

Hi, Moving from smartthings. My understanding level is basic to medium!
I use these valves in several situations around the house. valve. I went to these valves as I could not rely on the custom water valve switches which would bind or electronically become unreliable over time. If valve got sticky with deposits the motor was not strong enough to close valve. These valves are strong and plug into a simple smart outlet. The valves can be pulled apart to change location of shaft and the water on/off function. I have it set so power on to switch allows water, power off turns water off. That way during power outage water will go off till generator kicks in.
I did not see an option in the 'Safety Monitor' to be able to turn a switch off or on. It does say control a ' valve'. The custom rule allows for control of lights but not really the control of a switch.

I could set up a rule outside of Safety Monitor, but would prefer to do it inside Safety Monitor app.

I cannot write code or understand fully how this works, but is it possible to write a custom driver for a switch so it would appear in the 'valve' list. I tried to change 'type' in device settings but had no luck fooling my switch to be a valve.
Could we have 'switch' option as well as 'valve' option in 'select a valve to close' section?
Any thoughts please.

RikH · October 29, 2020, 8:41am

I'm sorry but I don't have any experience with HSM. But how do you expect to close the valve when there is no power. It needs power to move the ball valve doesn't it?

Crunch · October 29, 2020, 1:28pm

Amazon says 'spring return'. When I had cover off it looks like two capacitors close valve. Some say they have cr batteries in them I have not taken cover off them. I know they close well and easily when power removed.

If you undo small screw on top of shaft under cover, you can turn black cam and have valve be open with no power and closed with power.

terminal3 · October 29, 2020, 10:09pm

You could try creating a virtual Valve and then use the mirror app to change the switch with teh valve.

My Leaksmart valve has open and close as well as On off. Then use the mirror app to switch the plug on the valve.

Not 100% sure that would work, but I think when you set the vale to open or close it sets the switch for the valve to on or off which can be mirrored.

kahn-hubitat · October 30, 2020, 1:34am

i have a valve device handler i wrote that also has switch and contact capbility.

Stephan.J · October 30, 2020, 10:53pm

Install a virtual valve custom device driver. You can find the code for a virtual valve here:Feature Request: Virtual valve

After you install the custom driver, go to devices and add the virtual valve as a device. You now have the capability to select this valve in HSM. (i.e. have the valve turn off when HSM detects water from a sensor).

Having HSM turn off a virtual valve is obviously not enough as you need the power shut off to your actual valve so it will close. So to accomplish this make a new rule in rule machine:
Trigger: Virtual Valve Closes
Actions: Switch is turned off

Crunch · October 31, 2020, 1:42am

Thanks everyone. I will see if I can follow your suggestions and get this working over weekend.

kahn-hubitat · October 31, 2020, 1:53am

here is my driver .. works fine in hubitat i am using it in two houses

github.com

lgkahn/hubitat/blob/master/evb105watervalue.groovey

/**
 *  Copyright 2015 lgkahn v2.0
 *
 *  Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use this file except
 *  in compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at:
 *
 *      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
 *
 *  Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the License is distributed
 *  on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License
 *  for the specific language governing permissions and limitations under the License.
 *
 *  Econet ebv105 water valve .. as modified from standard smartthings switch device type.
 *  under door control instead of switches as the states more closely match a valve..
 * so for smartapps youd use doors to close and open , also needs valve capability so it can
 * be selected and closed from smart home monitor, and finally needs contact sensor capability
 * which other drivers were lacking so you can check state and do your own alerts from 
 * notify me when smart app. Also correct signature to map to eBV105
 * tested by me for both notify when app, and also leak detection shut-off in smart home monitor.
 *

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Crunch · October 31, 2020, 2:57am

Thanks Kahn, I added the above as a new driver.
Changed the 'type' (groovey) for one of my Neo Coolcam Power Plugs to Econet EBV105 Water Valve.
The "Neo Coolcam Power Plug" accepted the new type. I plugged in my water valve, a (BACOENG 1" DN25 110VAC Stainless Steel Motorized Ball Valve,NC Electrical Ball Valve) and have a functioning valve. Both open/close and on/off control the switch and therefore the valve.
Tested a water sensor. Water shut off and sent notification.
Not sure if was supposed to be that easy, but pleased it was.
Thanks so much.

Crunch · November 3, 2021, 3:16am

UPDATE 1 year on. Had one recent slow water leak that made area damp enough for sensor to pick up and system/valve did its job. Seems to be a good quality and reliable valve. Has been 'tested' a couple of times during year when Pest Control guy forgot about sensor and sprayed under hot water cylinder, setting off water detection.