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The Smart-valve is the heart of AutoPot® Systems - this unit controls the water level in a module (or your own tray) to give your plants the wet-dry cycle. Over thirty years of trials, refinement and development have resulted in today’s Smart-valve.
The Smart-valve and AutoPot® Systems have won a number of awards including the Inventors Association of Victoria, Australia, First Prize in 1992 and the best Victorian invention at the Royal Melbourne Show of that same year.
The Smart-valve, the heart of Autopot® Systems. - this unit controls
the water level in a module (or your own tray) to give your plants the
wet-dry cycle. Over thirty years of trials, refinement and development
have resulted in today’s Smart-valve. Today’s version remains true to
the original working principles with refinements to allow adjustability
for even more reliable performance.
Unlike a conventional ball cock type float valve, the Smart-valve allows
total reduction of the fluid level before it refills. When connected to
a water supply (which can be from either pressure reduced mains,
pressure pump (like the Autopot® Smart Pump Set) or gravity tank) the
valve opens to allow water to enter the bottom of the growing container to a set depth (approx 35mm). The valve then closes and will not permit further water to enter the container until all the original supply has been used up by the pot. This absorption is achieved by capillary action that naturally occurs in the growing medium. Once the water has been absorbed to the extent that the film of water under the valve has gone, the valve re-opens and another supply of water enters the growing container : wet-dry cycles dictated by the pot's own rate of
consumption.
The Autopot Smart Valve is the heart of each AutoPot System. The unit controls the water level in a module (or your own tray) to give your plants the wet-dry cycle. Over thirty years of trials, refinement and development have resulted in today's Autopot Smart valve : the Mk3.
The Mk3 model remains true to the original working principles, with refinements to allow adjustability for even more reliable performance. Unlike a conventional ball cock type float valve, the Autopot Smart valve allows total reduction of the fluid level before it refills. The dimensions of the Smart Valve are (LxWxH) 13 x 7 x 6cm.
When connected to a water supply via 4mm tubing, the valve opens to allow water to enter the bottom of the growing container to a set depth (approx 35mm). The valve then closes, and will not permit further water to enter the container until all the original water has been used up by the plant / pot. The water absorption is achieved by capillary action that naturally occurs in the growing medium. Once the water has been absorbed to the extent that the film of water under the valve has gone, the valve re-opens and another supply of water enters the growing container. The wet - dry cycles are dictated by the pot's own rate of consumption.
The Autopot Smart valve Mk3 features a redesigned top float to eliminate the possibility of a waterlogged top float.
Water is supplied via pressure reduced mains, a pressure pump (like the AutoPot Smart Pump Set) or gravity fed from a water or nutrient tank. We recommended installing a 4mm or 13mm filter in the irrigation tubing before the water reaches the smart valve to prevent blockages.
The Smart-valve box is a casing that allows you to locate the Smart-valve in any tray to regulate the water level for your own tray setups. Now you can benefit from the versatility of a wet-dry cycle in any tray and pot configuration you like.
Features of the Smart-valve box;
- Smart-valve is encased to reduce debris from potentially fouling the operation of the valve.
- Root control mesh at the base of the box allows water to flow in and out, whilst limiting root intrusion to the Smart-valve.
- suitable for use with the regular Smart-valve or Mini Smart-valve (note Mini requires an adaptor - please specify when ordering)
- Simply place the box in it's location and place a weight over the top to secure in place and let the Smart-valve deliver plant driven feeding and watering!
Above are pictures of practical solutions when using the Smart-valve box - in these examples, large trays are serviced by a single Smart-valve box delivering wet-dry sub-irrigation to ornamentals in multiple large pots and grow bags.
(Includes Smart-Valve Stud/Post)