Customize boosted voltage for valve opening/closing
: by default OSBee generates a boosted voltage of
21V to open/close a latching solenoid valve. This usually works fine for all latching valves, regardless of
the brand/type. However, some solenoid valves require a different voltage for opening the valve vs.
closing the valve. This voltage can be customized in the Settings page, where you can specify a different
voltage for opening vs. closing.
Interfacing with Non-Latching solenoids and low-voltage DC pumps
: although OSBee is designed
primarily for latching solenoid valves, it CAN work with non-latching solenoid valves as well (such as
standard 24VAC sprinkler valves, low-voltage DC pumps such as fish tank pumps, and other low-voltage
valves) with a simple modification. To do so, 1) locate the
NL Jumper
(non-latching jumper) on the
circuit board (close to the microUSB port), solder that jumper so that the two pins are connected; and 2)
in Settings set the valve type to 'Non-Latching'. When operating in non-latching mode, once the valve is
open, the controller will continue supplying holding current to the valve to keep it open.
NOTE
: never
connect a latching solenoid to the controller when it's configured in non-latching mode -- as latching
solenoids have very low resistance, using them in non-latching mode will result in shorting.