Clevr 24V AC / 4 Valve / Irrigation controller
Smart irrigation control for standard 24V AC valves
A modern, ESP32-based irrigation controller designed for DIY automation, Home Assistant integration, and reliable control of standard 24V AC irrigation valves such as Gardena- or Hunter-style zones.
Built around a clean modular architecture, the controller combines safe 24V AC valve switching with smart low-voltage electronics, making it ideal for makers, tinkerers, and advanced home-automation projects.
Key features
- Works with standard 24V AC irrigation valves
- 4 irrigation zones
- Supports up to 2 valves running simultaneously
- ESP32-C3 based for Wi-Fi connectivity and automation
- Compatible with Home Assistant / ESPHome
- Uses a standard external 24V AC transformer
- Built-in power protection and regulated 5V logic supply
- External 4-relay valve switching
- Optional I2C display for local status and control
- Designed for DIY customization and expansion
How it works
The controller receives power from a standard 24V AC irrigation transformer. That AC input is used in two ways:
Valve power path
The 24V AC is routed to the external relay board, which switches power to the irrigation valves.
Controller power path
The same 24V AC is converted into stable 5V DC for the onboard electronics:
- Protection fuse and MOV
- Bridge rectifier
- LM2576 buck regulator
- ESP32-C3 control logic
The ESP32-C3 handles scheduling, automation, Wi-Fi communication, and logic. A ULN2803A driver controls the relay-board inputs, which then switch the 24V AC supply to each valve zone.
Why this design
Commercial irrigation controllers are often closed, limited, or difficult to integrate into a smart-home system. This board is designed as a DIY-friendly open platform:
- Easy to understand
- Easy to customize
- Easy to integrate into automation workflows
- Built with standard, widely available components
It gives you the reliability of a traditional irrigation controller, with the flexibility of a modern maker platform.
Perfect for
- DIY home automation projects
- Home Assistant irrigation systems
- Replacing basic commercial controllers
- Garden and lawn irrigation automation
- Custom watering schedules and zone logic