ESP32 - Water/Liquid Valve
This tutorial instructs you how to control a liquid flow such as water, beer, oil by using ESP32 and a solenoid valve. It is the same for controlling gas flow.
Hardware Used In This Tutorial
1 | × | ESP-WROOM-32 Dev Module | |
1 | × | Micro USB Cable | |
1 | × | Relay | |
1 | × | Liquid Solenoid Valve | |
1 | × | 12V Power Adapter | |
1 | × | DC Power Jack | |
1 | × | Jumper Wires | |
1 | × | (Optional) 5V Power Adapter | |
1 | × | (Optional) ESP32 Screw Terminal Adapter |
Introduction to Water/Liquid Valve
Pinout

Solenoid Valve usually has two terminals:
- Positive (+) pin (red): needs to be connected to 12V of DC power supply
- Negative (-) pin (black or other): needs to be connected to GND of DC power supply
How Water/Liquid Valve works
Normally, the valve is closed. When 12V DC is applied to the two terminals, the valve opens and water/liquid can flow.
※ NOTE THAT:
- For some kinds of valve, there is a gasket arrangement inside, so there is a minimum pressure requires to open the valve (after 12V DC is applied). The pressure can be created by liquid flow.
- For some kinds of valve, liquid can only flow one direction.
How to Control Water/Liquid Solenoid Valve
If the valve is powered by 12V power supply, it opens. To control the valve, we need to use a relay in between ESP32 and valve. ESP32 can control the solenoid valve via the relay. Learn more about relay in the ESP32 - Relay tutorial
Wiring Diagram

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image
ESP32 Code
The below code repeatedly turns the water valve ON in five seconds and OFF in five seconds,
Quick Instructions
- Connect ESP32 to PC via USB cable
- Open Arduino IDE, select the right board and port
- Copy the above code and paste it to Arduino IDE
- Compile and upload code to ESP32 board by clicking Upload button on Arduino IDE
- Check the water flow
Code Explanation
The above ESP32 code contains line-by-line explanation. Please read the comments in the code!
Video Tutorial
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