Works, and didn’t need the Aqara Hub!
Easy install. Search YouTube for install videos. Description says it needs Aqara Hub 3.0 to integrate with SmartThings and Google Home, but I didn’t need to do that at all. Put in batteries, opened up SmartThings, add device, searched Aqara, selected “switch” since I didn’t see a “water valve” in the list of device types, it found the device right away and added to the home all over ZigBee between the valve controller and the SmartThings hub. Easy stuff! I have a few SmartThings leak detectors already set up, so use the SmartThings Home Monitor in the SmartThings app to set up a Leak Monitoring rule, if any sensors detect water, under “actions” I selected “turn off switch” and set “Water Main” to “Turn Off.” Done. Also I have SmartThings linked with Google Home so in theory I could say “Hey Google, Turn off the Water Main” and it works. Nice party trick.

OK, but needs better mounting
I utilize a large array of Aqara sensors – approximately 20 spread between temperaperature sensors in every room, leak sensors on every faucet and appliance, etc. One of my long term home automation dreams was to leverage the dozen leak sensors I have around the house and automatically turn off the water if a leak was detected.For YEARS I have been awaiting someone reputable to come out with a valve such as this one. I saw Aqara had launched this, and smashed the buy button. Being a mechanical engineer, there are some things that I want to share with the Aqara community, and maybe influence Aqara to make some improvements. If your valve looks like my attached picture, be cautious about purchasing if you’re not handy and willing to cobble a solution together.Pros:-Strong motor with impressive torque coming from 4x AA batteries.. If your valve is in good working order, this thing will most likely rotate it.-Compact design. This thing will fit almost anywhere and it keeps a relatively low height profile.-Super easy pairing, standard for Aqara. Aqara app –> Add device –> T1 valve. Done!-Manual hand bypass is well done. Just push down on the large grey tab and you have complete freedom to move the valve by hand. The valve then recognizes where it is after you move it.-Manual electronic actuation is simple. Single button push will electronically actuate.-My valve handle fit into the actuation arm like a glove, nice snug fit.Cons:-Not enough flexibility in mounting. I have a 1″ standard Apollo valve on my incoming line to my house. This will be a common configuration, and I expect others will run into the same problems I have, which I will expand upon below.The mounting brackets don’t have enough height to clear the valve stem (handle mount). I had to make a “custom” spacer out of some PVC pipe to push the actuator further from the pipe. If I hadn’t, the valve was at an awkward angle which would have decreased it’s effectiveness.The mounting brackets also fell DIRECTLY on the seam between the valve and the pipe. This area has a height difference due to the diameter of pipe vs. valve. This made it really hard to stabilize the valve. I tried swapping the handle of the valve 180 degrees (quick removal of valve stem nut), but that didn’t change where the mounting bracket was located.Finally, one hose clamp is not enough to deal with the torque of this motor at maximum.The above items caused the valve to want to “twist” in a few different directions, ultimately meaning that there was enough slop in the assembly that it didn’t fully close the valve when requested. To constrain it a little more I used some zip ties on the handle to lock it down a little further. This was surprisingly effective.My setup works, but I was pretty disappointed that I had to go through all of this to get it to “work”. I am going to keep working to improve the install as I want it to be bulletproof so it works if/when it needs to.Aqara can improve this design by:-Allowing for a vertical adjustment on the bracket. (closer/further from pipe). A two piece bracket with a simple channel/keyway with a slot for the bolt will allow this.-Make the bracket extend further away from the valve, down the length of the pipe. This will allow it to clear larger valves and mount directly to the pipe, including pro-press valves which are bigger than mine.-Design the bracket to utilize two hose clamps. This will VASTLY increase at the rigidity of the mounting method and make sure that it doesn’t twist on the pipe.-I would recommend changing the valve handle “gripper” to be a two piece clamshell design. Instead of two arms to cradle the handle, just use a flat plate with two screws that secure to another flat plate on the other side. This will accommodate different valve handle sizes and further constrain the valve to prevent “twisting” (like my zip ties did).

Does not close valve all the way
Good try, but no matter how mounted it does not close the valve all the way… gets to about 90-95%, & water does not shut off. 1″ copper pipe with valve. Possible there’s not enough torque to turn the valve handle on initial startup, taking 5-10% off the full 90º it needs to close. It may work on other setups, just not mine.

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