OpenSprinkler Bee (OSBee) – Our smallest irrigation computer

OpenSprinkler Bee (OSBee) is an open-source, WiFi-enabled sprinkler controller for self-holding (or pulse-controlled) solenoid valves. It is suitable for garden and lawn watering, flower and plant watering, hydroponics and other types of irrigation projects. It has integrated WiFi, OLED display, 3D printed housing and can switch up to 3 zones independently. It is designed for latching solenoid valves.

For a larger number of zones you should consider the OpenSprinkler 3.0 which features the same WiFi and OLED display as OSBee, but supports expandable zones (up to 72), three power/solenoid valve selections, and the standard OpenSprinkler firmware and app.

Hardware features:

• A single ESP8266 chip serves as a microcontroller and handles WiFi connectivity.
• Integrated 128×64 OLED display, real-time clock with backup battery, USB serial chip. Can switch up to 3 zones independently.
• Boost converter and a new H-bridge design that allows the same controller to switch both latching and non-latching solenoid valves, all from a single 5V USB port.
• Comes with 3D printed case and screws (the case is BLACK).

Software features:

• It features a built-in web interface that allows you to easily change settings, perform manual controls, and create automatic irrigation programs. It also offers logging and program preview functions.
• New are the program tasks, which allow maximum flexibility when programming zones. For example, you can define any order of zones, run multiple zones at the same time, and insert delays between tasks. The watering time of the zones is programmed with an accuracy of seconds.
• Remote control via Blynk app and Blynk cloud server.
• Firmware updates can be performed either wirelessly via the web interface (OTA) or via the integrated USB port with a USB cable.

Package includes:

• An assembled and tested OSBee WiFi board
• 3D printed case (case color is BLACK)
• USB cable
• USB power adapter

App screenshots:

Specifications:

• Input voltage: USB (5VDC).
• Number of zones: 3
• Built-in components: ESP8266, Power Booster, RTC with backup battery, USB-Serial, OLED display, solenoid driver.
• Power consumption: 1W

Compatible solenoid valves:

• Only use 9V DC latching or pulse-controlled solenoid valves, also called “latching solenoids”, i.e. with pulse solenoid coils
• e.g. “Rainbird pulse-controlled solenoid coil 9V” LU3100
• e.g. “Hunter 9 VDC impulse solenoid coil” 458200
• e.g. “Solenoid valve PGV for 9 V DC Hunter PGV-101-MM-DC”

Important NOTE:

• OSBee is NOT waterproof. Use a waterproof housing for outdoor installations!
• The video and the manual show that 24VAC solenoid valves can also be controlled by bridging Jumper NL, but this feature is experimental look and works NOT with all 24VAC solenoid valves. This jumper would have to be soldered on and this would void your warranty!
• Use only 9V latching solenoid valves. The cables always have two different colors or are marked as plus/minus!
• OSBee is a standalone product and can NOT be connected or controlled with the OpenSprinkler APP. Only the Blynk app and web interface are provided.

Resources and Links:

• OSBee manual GERMAN
• OSBee manual ENGLISH
• OSBee Manual NETHERLANDS
• OSBee manual FRENCH
• OpenSprinkler Bee Github Repository
• Introduction Blog Post