The twin solenoid valves supplied with WaterMates from 2022 until late 2024 are robust, reliable pieces of kit and should give many years of service. They look like this:
We have implemented a test routine in control units from V8 onwards, firmware version 2024052903, which detects the presence and condition of the valves when the system starts up. The valves will turn on for 200 milliseconds each on power-up.
If there's a fault (they are not pulling any current), then you will see an error on the Device Control Panel settings page:
"Valve zone 1 not detected" : check the wiring and the valve connections. If you have a V8 control box, it's possible we need to make an internal modification to allow valve testing. Please get in touch with your control box ID.
On some earlier versions of firmware with solar units (pre March 2025), the valve test requires that the solar panel is not plugged in, so if you believe the valves are OK, unplug the solar panel and turn the control unit off and on again.