Customer Reviews for K-Rain Battery Powered Bluetooth Tap Controller

If you have a house without a sprinkler system or a situation where you need a sprinkler like control of a faucet this is a great solution. I tried other faucet controllers but they typically are only programmable at the unit itself so in the case of rain or schedule changes you have to make them at the unit. With a bluetooth capable iOS or Android device you can control this unit anywhere within range (read: inside in the AC when its over 100 outside). The app is straightforward and turning the faucet on manually will not interrupt the schedule. Been running this about a month and no real issues. I did have a small drip but I think one of the animals bumped it. 4 of 5 because for a controller this is a little spendy and no 9v was included.

The K-Rain Blue tooth tap controller is a well made, truly good implementation of a great idea. This unit is so intuitive to set up and use, it's hard to see how it could be easier. The app downloads by scanning the QR code and installs itself quickly and with no fuss. The app itself is really easy to use and can support many devices, each of which you can individually name. The units all use a separate Bluetooth range so they can be programmed and controlled separately. The unit's Bluetooth range is impressive, as we've used it from over 100' away. Of course, the app only needs to be used if you are programming it or want to manually control it. It has two modes, sprinkling and misting and can be programmed using a separate set of screens. The sprinkling mode (the manual refers to it as irrigation mode) can have up to 8 different daily starts times with durations as short as 1 minute and as long as 12 hours. It has a calendar scheduling capability that lets you choose from a variety of pre-programmed cycles or to set up a custom calendar schedule. Misting can have up to 5 cycles set from as short as 5 seconds to all day. You can also manually turn the water on and off with your phone and must set a duration for that manual use, so you won't forget to shut it off. To allow both the use of another hose and to manually shut off the unit, we installed a Y hose connector with independent manual values since the unit has no manual shutoff valve of its own. We set this up to control the sprinkling for our raised bed gardens which are time consuming to water manually, it use 2 start times. The unit performs flawlessly. Be sure to set up security so you can be sure others don't try to control your unit. We are extremely pleased with the performance and usability of both the unit and its app. Some might think that having a Bluetooth controlled tap controller is overkill, but being able to avoid programming the device behind a hard to access shrub or other obstruction makes its ability to program it remotely a real advantage. We highly recommend this well made unit.

This is a K-Rain product, a Bluetooth controlled outdoor faucet tap/value. To install, you put in a nine-volt battery, download the app (you don’t need to make an account), and setup the Bluetooth device up on your mobile device. You then install the unit on your faucet/hose bib, turn on the water valve, and use your mobile device to control the flow of water. Note this is a Bluetooth device not a wi-fi device, so you can’t remotely control it unless you are within the range of the Bluetooth connection. Features include a manual on/off with a run time duration, and a programming feature that allows you to set water days, times, and durations. I believe that once you set up a program it stays there – I could not figure out how to delete it. To stop it from automatically watering, you need to select “off” on the on/off section of the controller in the app. The app controller has three commands, manual operation, program, and on/off. It has two watering modes – irrigation, which is basically full pressure, and misting, which is reduced water flow. Simple to use. I have an outdoor hose bib that is tucked behind several shrubs, and I use it allot and have push through the shrubs each time to turn it on and off. Now, this this unit installed, problem solved, as long as I have my phone in my pocket!

Very pleased with this bluetooth controller. We have one side of our property that I have not yet run inground sprinklers to. I have a hose run along the house and have to normally turn on the sprinkler manually, when I remember. This side normally turns brown by end of the summer because I keep forgetting. This controller has worked great. It's a little large but fits on our split spigot no problem. Easily turns the water on and off from my Android phone using the app. Note that it's bluetooth, not wifi. You will not be able to control it away from home, only when you're nearby. However when you're programming it you can set a recurring schedule and not have to worry if you're home or not - it will turn on and off according to that schedule. I have security cameras around my house and in the video you can see the sprinklers come on right at 5:30am and turn off at 6:00am. I had trouble combining the videos so you have to be quick to catch when it turns on, but it functions exactly as expected. Time will tell how long the battery lasts, but at least on the app you can see battery life when you're nearby in range of the controller.

I had looked into having a professionally installed sprinkler system for my lawn. It became quickly apparent that the high cost would not be an efficient use of funds, esp. when one considers the small size of the average suburban home lot. This left the DIY option. I had previously done another DIY project using a battery operated timer from the Big Blue W box store. It was adequate but very limited in capabilities and the unit itself was not overly durable. The K-Rain TC-KR controller is light years ahead of that other unit. The unit is controlled via a Bluetooth smartphone app, either Android or IOS. The app itself is quite small; about 4.5mb for Android, and installing it is straight forward. Installation of the controller is also very straight forward. You simply place this unit inline between your water tap and the garden hose or hose fitting adapter for an in-ground PVC installation and turn the water on. Operation of the unit is likewise a very simple affair. The watering time is able to be set to the minute for 24 hours. There are a variety of options for watering days like odd, even, interval, and of course, custom by day. You can even program 8 different start times. Not only can the unit be set to run automatically but can easily be run in manual mode with the app. There were a couple of preventative maintenance issues I feel are worth mentioning. The battery box cover is a rubber type plug arrangement that fits over the back of the 9v battery used to operate the controller. While it seems to fit snuggly, it has been my experience with these type of covers is that they do tend to leak. I would suggest using a silicon grease to coat the rubber plug when installing the battery. This will extend the life of the plug and help seal the battery compartment. Secondly, once the watering season is over and the temperature begins to drop, make sure you remove this unit from operation and store it inside. Freezing temperatures will turn any water left inside the unit to ice which will expand and damage it. If a few simple precautions are taken when using this controller, you can expect many years of dependable service. I will be getting an additional unit for my garden next year. It's wonderful flexibility in programming will allow me to automatically adjust the watering cycle as the plants grow larger and have to face the heat of a Texas summer. Simply Awesome!

Of the available blue-tooth devices nowadays, this is a great one to add to your collection. We are using it to control a heavy-duty hose on the back of our house that runs water to a whole-house evaporative cooler. In the desert southwest, with high temperatures often between 100-115 degrees fahrenheit over the summer months, this makes it easier to schedule or manually turn on or off the water when we need to. (The swamp cooler works well up to about 105 degrees, so we often run it overnight and in the morning, then switch to AC when it can't keep up with the heat later in the day). This way, we can shut the faucet off and on from the cool house instead of going outside in the extreme heat). It would also work really well for watering specific areas via a hose, like a lawn or garden, especially with the ability to schedule the off/on times. The mobile app is easy to use and I haven't had a single glitch yet in operating it. The only downside for me is that there is not a manual off/on switch on the controller, so if my phone is dead or the WiFi isn't working, we are stuck. But overall, this is a great product and it made one of our chores a little bit easier.

This tap controller uses a 9 volt battery to power the bluetooth receiver and on/off switch for the water flow. The controlling app is available at either the iOS app store or Google Play for free. The app allows direct connection by bluetooth to one's mobile device giving the user control of the water flow either manually (on/off) or by automatic scheduling. App set up was as easy as scanning the code in the instruction book and following the simple instructions within the app itself. The device can be programmed for duration, days or intervals. Additionally, the app keeps one posted on battery life and signal strength. The name of the controller can be changed which is good if there are multiple units in use. A security key can be assigned to disallow tampering if that is desired. There is also a choice in water pressure from watering (irrigation) to misting. All of this can be accomplished from one's easy chair if desired.

It fits our needs perfectly. We are very happy with our purchase. Thanks!

This is great when the hose Bibb is not easily accessible

I have to reset every time I use it. I am returning very soon.

Iam in a wheelchair and this works great for me.

I had problems with this timer staying connected via bluetooth. I was also disappointed with the irrigation cycles as they can't be programmed with separate times- they are all the same amount of time you program into it. The mist cycle is good- the main reason I wanted to try this. Will look for a wi-fi version.

The product arrived a day or two earlier than the expected date and was packaged just fine. After putting in the battery the cover was a bit tricky to install (took 4 or 5 tries) but hopefully designed that way to protect the battery compartment from water. So far, I have only used it in the manual mode which is why I got it. I presume (bet there is documentation somewhere to provide the info clearly) that I would have to leave my phone nearby (due to the Bluetooth connectivity) to get the clock functions to work, so manual mode may be all I will use but frankly, exactly why I bought this neat device. I almost gave this a four star rather than 5 but I knew full well that Bluetooth has limited range so I cant blame KRain for that limitation. BTW, this saves me a 40 foot walk along a narrow pebble path which is not a good idea in the dark.

The app download and Bluetooth connection was very easy to install and get the remote valve up and running. I use the remote valve to in the manual on/ off mode as my exterior hose Bibb is in a location not accessible to me due to mobility impairments. Not a fan of the plastic discharge fitting.

Quirky Bluetooth operation and you need to keep activate "Location" on your smartphone. We thought initially it would be a handy way of controlling a hard to get at garden hose spigot. But the motion of enabling the GPS and then the synchronizing and finally connecting every time makes this a failure for a simple task.

Stop working after 2 weeks

BATTERY POWERED BLUETOOTH TAP CONTROLLER We are very happy with this product. It gives us the security of knowing we can do our water any time we feel necessary and gives us the options that we were looking for whether it's a full power the hose or just a mist this product is perfect for our needs but it is very durable looks great and seems to do exactly what we need I definitely recommend this product.

I got this after having used some other wireless devices around the house. This is handy for me as I do not have an in ground sprinkler system. I do have a few sprinklers set up as "zones" around the house however. I have tried manual timing devices that always seemed to leak when the water was left on. I have not had an issue with leaking with this. The batteries where a bit hard place with the rubber cover that is included. The Bluetooth feature is the benefit and drawback as the app is a decent interface and allows one to set times and days for automatically coming on. It also has a manual setting for the dry times when extra watering is necessary. The drawback to the Bluetooth is the range of Bluetooth. You need to be relatively close to the device in order to be connected. I can do this from inside the house but need to be a room close to the device. The other drawback is you can not remotely start (or stop) the device when away from the house, say on vacation, as is able to be done with a Wi-Fi device. However, once the timer is set, and I'm away from the house, I'm not worried about watering anymore. Once I set it, I can forget it, which is the beauty of this device. Battery life seems good. I've had it a month and the battery indicator has not dropped yet.

We have a very large property and no automatic sprinklers. My husband is constantly setting alarms on his phone and then going outside to turn on/off the faucets. This was a great idea! Now, he can use the app to turn the faucet on/off without ever leaving the comfort of his recliner. Wait.... maybe that's not a good thing, lol! If he remains happy with this, I may get him one or two more :)

I turn on my hose with every intention of shutting it off in about an hour. Life happens and my yard is a swamp. Enter the 21st century and the Bluetooth controller! I can set a timer, schedule, intervals, or just turn it on and off with out getting off my..... It has a watering and a misting setting, I can't speak to the misting but the watering settings are very easy to program. The app (android or apple) is simply installed by scanning a QR code in the instructions. Very straight forward and easy to understand. (Don't forget to install the 9v battery or you will get frustrated quickly and use language the grandkids shouldn't hear). Battery life is ok and displayed in the app, and the hose connections are plastic, sturdy and well built but plastic. Lastly no manual shut off, yes I know the spigot has a handle, but there shouldn't there be a shut off on the controller?

I will start with the only downside that I see. There is no manual on/off feature without a smart device (phone). So you either need to go and get your phone or disconnect it and bypass it. Depending on how you use this it may or may not be and issue for you. For me it's not, just an observation. To install and set it up is pretty easy. The physical install is just like any garden hose timer. Make sure the o-ring is in place and since the threads are plastic be careful not to cross thread it. The programing is easy as well, and I had no issues with an android phone (Nexus 6P). Install the app, launch the app and follow the printed instruction. It took a minute or less to find the controller and asks to turn on Bluetooth if its not on. You can set it up for irrigation or misting. I was not sure why there were two different setting but after looking at how they work it make sense. I use it for irrigation. You can set a run time in hours and minutes and then choose up to 8 times in a day of when you would like it to happen. You can also choose what days you want it to happen on (odd, even, custom, interval). These is also a delay if you know it will not need to run for up to the next 15 days. The misting programing works similar but it has an on in hours, minutes and seconds and then an interval (off) in days, hours, minutes and seconds between on runs. Plus it has the scheduling on when to run. I like it because my hose spigot is not in the most convenient location and it makes it easy to turn it on and off with my phone. I would add this as a zone to my sprinkler system but they is in need a redo so this is a quick easy solution.

A blue tooth tap controller for your outside garden - Who knew I need this. After you use it though you will realize you actually do need it. It makes programming a single zone tap for a particular period of time and day. Well made housing should hold up well over the years. I'm not a big fan of the software for the phone though. I prefer Nest type controls. This one is pretty good but you are going to see the interface is just OK and could have been made so much better by connecting to the Apple HomeKit