Blog

0. Context

When we talk about smart irrigation, we often think of systems that are complex to install or power-hungry. However, some Zigbee models are changing that.
The IMMAX NEO Smart Water Timer is one of these new, efficient, and autonomous products. Powered by a small solar panel, it connects directly via Zigbee 3.0 without any proprietary gateway and integrates easily into Jeedom, Home Assistant, or Zigbee2MQTT.

Its purpose is simple: automate garden watering, save water, and make daily management easier — all without relying on the cloud.

1. Technical specifications

• Model: IMMAX NEO Solar Power Garden Water Timer

• Type: Zigbee irrigation timer with motorized valve

• Protocol: Zigbee 3.0 compatible with Tuya / Ewelink / Jeedom / Home Assistant / Zigbee2MQTT

• Power supply: 2 AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries + 5 V / 0.6 W monocrystalline solar panel

• Valve type: motorized ball valve

• Water pressure: 0 to 10 bar

• Inlet / outlet: ½ » inlet and ¾ » outlet

• Waterproof rating: IP66

• Operating temperature: –10 °C to +50 °C

• Zigbee range: about 100 m in open space

• Flow measurement: yes (depending on version)

• Modes: irrigation / misting

• Power consumption: low (< 1 W)

• Dimensions: 110 × 85 × 50 mm

• Material: UV-resistant ABS

 

2. Installation

2.1 Placement and orientation

The IMMAX NEO screws directly onto an outdoor faucet or the main irrigation line.
Ensure the solar panel faces sunlight for several hours per day. Installation requires no tools: a rubber gasket ensures a watertight seal, and hand-tightening is sufficient.

Avoid placing it too close to the ground to reduce mud and splash exposure. The IP66 enclosure handles rain well but should not be submerged.

2.2 Power supply

The timer runs on two rechargeable AA batteries charged by the solar panel. However, no batteries were included in the tested version, which is quite disappointing.
With proper sunlight, it can run all year without intervention. During long cloudy periods or winter, standard alkaline batteries can temporarily replace the rechargeables.

3. Pairing and compatibility

3.1 Zigbee inclusion

Pairing is quick and simple:

1. Hold the side button until the LED flashes rapidly.

2. Start device discovery on your Zigbee coordinator (Zigbee2MQTT, Jeedom, Home Assistant, Ewelink Cube, etc.).

3. After a few seconds, the IMMAX NEO appears as a “Water Valve”

3.2 Integration with Jeedom and Home Assistant

The IMMAX NEO behaves a bit differently from other Zigbee valves: it does not use a standard on/off command but an opening percentage (for example, 100% = fully open).
It doesn’t measure exact water volume but provides its opening state and the running duration. You can define how long the valve remains open before closing automatically.

It can be used in local automations without cloud access — for instance, triggered by weather, soil moisture, or time of day.

4. Example scenario

Smart watering based on soil humidity

Trigger: soil humidity < 40% and 30 minutes before sunrise
Action:

• If humidity < 20% → open for 30 minutes

• If humidity between 20% and 40% → open for 15 minutes

5. Pros and cons

Pros

• Native Zigbee 3.0, no WiFi gateway required

• Autonomous solar power supply

• Reliable motorized ball valve

• Simple, tool-free installation

• IP66 waterproof rating

• Compatible with Tuya, Jeedom, Home Assistant, Ewelink, and Zigbee2MQTT

• Local operation without cloud dependency

• Physical open button

Areas for improvement

• Requires sunlight exposure for full autonomy

• No batteries included

• No flow measurement in liters

• No standard on/off command

• Inconsistent update of opening percentage

• Slight delay in Zigbee command execution

• Plastic thread requires gentle tightening

• Not compatible with encrypted Zigbee networks (professional setups)

6. Conclusion

The IMMAX NEO is a Zigbee solar water timer that looks great on paper: solar-powered, autonomous, compatible with major smart-home platforms, and easy to install. In practice, the result is more mixed.

The mechanical side is solid, the motorized valve responds reliably, and the solar panel provides real autonomy if properly exposed. The physical open button is also convenient for manual use without going through the app or home hub.

However, several issues hold it back. No batteries are supplied, flow accuracy is limited, and state updates can be inconsistent in Zigbee2MQTT. The lack of liter measurement and irregular percentage refreshes make monitoring harder. There’s also some command delay and fragile plastic threading that requires care.

In short, the IMMAX NEO does its job — it opens and closes water flow on demand — but it’s still a work in progress. Suitable for simple setups or experimentation, but not yet the ideal solution for advanced or long-term smart irrigation.

Don’t forget life is a celebration !

Loïc