The SONOFF Hydro ONE Lite (SWV-ZNE) is a battery-powered tap-mounted irrigation controller with Zigbee 3.0 and Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity. The device connects to a water tap using a 3/4-inch BSP thread and is designed to open, close, and provide time-based control for one irrigation zone.
The Hydro ONE Lite is a simplified version of the Hydro ONE. It uses time-based irrigation control, meaning that it tracks irrigation duration but does not measure water volume. It is suitable for locations where programmability, weather-based adjustments, and remote control are important, but precise water consumption data is not required.
The valve supports up to six irrigation programs. Programs can be configured for selected weekdays, even or odd calendar days, or operation at specified day intervals. Irrigation duration can be adjusted for each season using a percentage multiplier, while weather-based adjustment can automatically skip programs scheduled within the next 24 hours when used with a compatible SONOFF Zigbee gateway.
The SWV-ZNE can be controlled remotely through a Zigbee gateway, integrated into automations, and configured to send notifications. Bluetooth-based Proximity Mode provides a direct nearby connection to the eWeLink app when no Zigbee gateway is available or when the outdoor Zigbee connection is unreliable. Irrigation schedules are stored locally, so they continue to operate even without a network connection.
About SONOFF
SONOFF manufactures smart home devices, relay modules, energy meters, wall switches, Zigbee sensors, control panels, gateways, and various electrical installation accessories. Its product range includes devices using Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Matter, and LAN communication.
SONOFF devices are primarily built around the eWeLink platform, but many products can also be integrated with Home Assistant, Zigbee2MQTT, ZHA, SmartThings, Alexa, Google Home, and other smart home systems. In addition to residential smart home solutions, the manufacturer also offers DIN rail-mounted devices, energy monitoring solutions, and products suitable for professional installations.
Key Product Features
- Dual connectivity: The device supports Zigbee 3.0 and Bluetooth Low Energy. Zigbee is used for remote access and system integration, while Bluetooth Proximity Mode is intended for nearby control and configuration.
- Six irrigation programs: Up to six separate schedules can be created for selected weekdays, even or odd days, or repetition at specified day intervals.
- Weather-based adjustment: In Zigbee mode, conditions can be configured based on rain probability, humidity, and temperature. When a condition is met, the system can skip irrigation programs scheduled within the next 24 hours.
- Seasonal adjustment: Irrigation duration can be modified for each month using a percentage multiplier without changing the base schedules.
- Manual rain delay: Upcoming scheduled irrigation programs can be suspended for a defined period with a single action.
- Local schedules: Configured irrigation programs are stored in the device's internal memory. Once configured, they run at the specified times even without an internet or Zigbee connection.
- Irrigation history: Irrigation duration can be viewed and downloaded in daily, monthly, and six-month summaries.
- Safety notifications: The eWeLink app can send notifications for low battery level and frost risk.
- Child lock: Disables the local control button while app-based control remains available.
- Brass connector: The threaded water inlet is made of durable brass.
- IP55 protection: Limited protection against dust and protection against water jets from any direction.
Smart Home Protocols and Platform Compatibility
- Zigbee 3.0: Low-power communication based on IEEE 802.15.4. A compatible Zigbee gateway is required for remote control, automations, and weather-based adjustment.
- Bluetooth Low Energy: Proximity Mode creates a direct connection between the eWeLink app and a nearby valve.
- eWeLink: When used with a SONOFF Zigbee gateway, the app provides remote valve control, schedule management, weather-based adjustment, history, notifications, scenes, and device sharing.
- Recommended SONOFF gateways: ZBBridge-P, ZBBridge-U, NSPanel Pro, and iHost.
- SONOFF USB coordinators: ZBDongle-P, ZBDongle-E, ZBDongle-M, Dongle Plus MG24, and Dongle Lite MG21 can be used with compatible local Zigbee systems.
- Home Assistant: Can be used through Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA integration. Available functions depend on the current version of the integration and device handler.
- Zigbee2MQTT: Supports valve status, battery data, child lock, manual irrigation duration, irrigation schedules, rain delay, seasonal adjustment, and irrigation history, among other functions.
- MQTT integration: When Zigbee2MQTT is used, valve status and settings can be managed through MQTT messages. The MQTT connection is provided by the Zigbee2MQTT system.
- ZHA: Can be connected to a Home Assistant ZHA network. The manufacturer provides a separate Hydro ONE Lite ZHA script for more complete functionality.
- Amazon Alexa: Manual irrigation can be controlled through a compatible Zigbee hub. Detailed schedules, history, and battery information may not be available on every Alexa hub.
- Samsung SmartThings: Manual valve control and scene actions are supported with the Aeotec Smart Home Hub V3. Additional available functions depend on SmartThings device support.
- Google Home: Supported control functions are available through eWeLink account linking.
- IFTTT: Valve control and status can be used in automations through eWeLink integration.
- Unsupported gateways: According to the manufacturer's documentation, the device is not compatible with Philips or FRITZ!Box Zigbee gateways.
Smart Functions
- Manual irrigation: The valve can be opened and closed using the device button, the eWeLink app, or a compatible smart home system.
- Default manual irrigation: The irrigation duration triggered by pressing the local button can be configured.
- Weekly schedule: Irrigation starts at a specified time and runs for a defined duration on selected weekdays.
- Even and odd days: Irrigation can be limited to even or odd calendar days.
- Interval schedule: The valve repeats irrigation after a specified number of days.
- Irrigation cycles: The total program duration can be divided into multiple irrigation and pause periods.
- Rain delay: Programs scheduled within a specified period can be temporarily skipped without deleting the original schedule.
- Weather-based skip: In Zigbee mode, the system can automatically skip irrigation scheduled within the next 24 hours based on local weather data.
- Seasonal adjustment: Irrigation duration can be modified with a separate multiplier for each month from January to December.
- Irrigation log: Irrigation duration can be reviewed in daily, monthly, and 180-day summaries.
- Data download: Irrigation duration history can be downloaded for further processing.
- Valve status as a condition: The open or closed state can be used to trigger an eWeLink scene.
- Irrigation duration as a condition: An automation can be triggered when the current irrigation cycle reaches the configured duration.
- Battery level as a condition: A scene or notification can be triggered when the battery level drops below a specified percentage.
- Scene actions: Automations can control the valve state or postpone configured irrigation programs.
- Frost warning: A notification can be configured when the forecast minimum temperature drops below the selected value.
- Low battery warning: The system can send a notification when battery replacement is required.
- Child lock: When enabled, the local button cannot start or stop irrigation. The function can be disabled in the app or unlocked locally by pressing the button three times.
- Device sharing: Valve control can be shared with other eWeLink accounts.
- Group control: Multiple Hydro ONE Lite devices can be placed in one group and controlled simultaneously.
- Location settings: Automatic or manual location settings can be used for weather data.
- Temperature unit: Celsius or Fahrenheit display can be selected.
- OTA firmware update: Wireless firmware updates are supported through compatible eWeLink, Zigbee2MQTT, or ZHA systems. If an update fails, the manufacturer recommends using Bluetooth Proximity Mode.
Technical Specifications
- Product name: Hydro ONE Lite
- Product series: Hydro Series
- Product type: Zigbee Smart Water Valve
- Model: SWV-ZNE
- MCU: TLSR8656
- Power supply: 6 V DC, 4 × 1.5 V AA batteries
- Batteries: Batteries are not included.
- Expected battery life: Approximately one year under normal use. The manufacturer's test was performed with two 30-minute irrigation cycles per day.
- Battery replacement: Four batteries of the same type, capacity, and condition must be used. Mixing new and used batteries or different brands is not recommended.
- Connectivity: Zigbee 3.0 and BLE, Bluetooth Low Energy
- Protection rating: IP55
- Number of controlled zones: Controls the opening and closing of one irrigation zone.
- Operating water pressure: 0.06–0.8 MPa
- Operating water temperature: 5–40 °C
- Flow direction: The device must be installed according to the marked inlet and outlet direction.
- Water inlet: The SWV-ZNE version features a brass 3/4-inch G3/4-14 BSP threaded connector.
- Water volume measurement: The Lite version does not include a flow meter and therefore does not provide water consumption data in litres or cubic metres.
- Local control button: A short press opens or closes the valve, while holding the button for five seconds starts pairing mode.
- Dimensions: 152 × 100 × 46 mm
- Colour: Black
- Housing material: PC and ABS
- Operating temperature: 5–60 °C
- Operating humidity: 5–95% RH, non-condensing
- Maximum operating altitude: Below 2000 m
- SWV-ZNE certifications: CE, RoHS, FCC
Additional Features
- Installation orientation: The manufacturer recommends vertical installation.
- Sealing: Suitable sealing tape and, where necessary, the included rubber washer can be used on threaded connections.
- Leak inspection: Connections must be checked for leaks after installation, both before and after connecting the hose.
- Drinking water: The device is designed for garden irrigation. The manufacturer does not recommend connecting it to a drinking water system.
- Frost protection: During periods of frost risk, the valve must be removed, drained, and stored in a frost-free location.
- Low temperatures: The valve must not be used below 5 °C. Frozen water may prevent operation and damage the connections.
- Limescale and contamination: Depending on water quality, deposits may form inside the valve mechanism. In case of abnormal operation, the device may need to be inspected and cleaned after shutting off the water supply.
- Communication range: The maximum Zigbee communication range specified by the manufacturer is 130 m in an open area. Actual range is affected by walls, vegetation, metal objects, gateway placement, and the structure of the Zigbee mesh network.
- Pairing time: Pairing mode remains active for three minutes. To restart it, hold the button for five seconds.
- Factory reset: Can be performed by deleting the device from the eWeLink app or by holding the button for ten seconds.
- Integration differences: Weather-based adjustment is available only within the manufacturer's Zigbee system. Supported schedules, history, and alert functions may differ when using third-party gateways.
