FAQ & Guides

These technical documents and answers have been written by our engineering and support team to help our valued customers with their self serve questions. Questions and guides are sorted by corresponding products.support@EcoNetControls.com

Bulldog Motor

Can The Bulldog Be Used Outdoors?

The Bulldog Motor alone is weather resistant, but does require a configuration to be made if the outdoor shutoff valves is pointing upwards. Contact support@econetcontrols.com for more info

How Long Does The Bulldog Kit Extend & Are Extensions Available?

The cable from the Bulldog motor to the controller is ~9.8ft(3m), while the power adapter cable has a length of ~4.9ft(1.5m), for a total of around 8.9’ or 4.5m from the motor to a plug. If you require an extension cable for the motor to the controller, please leave a note in your purchase (extra costs may apply).

Can The Bulldog Be Installed On A Ball Valve For Systems Other Than Main Water?

Yes, the Bulldog Motor can be installed on any supported ball valve.

What Valve Sizes Are Supported?

The Bulldog has enough torque to turn the most difficult ball valves up to 2 inch in size. The standard Bulldog mounting kit supports valve sizes 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1.25" and 1.5" Check the “Valve Compatibility Chart” for more details. If you can’t find your ball valve on the chart Custom mounting kits are available as required for unique and specialized ball valves.

Can The Bulldog Be Manually Shut Off By Hand In Case Of An Emergency?

Yes, a clutch pin is located on the bottom side of the motor which when pressed and held, allows your ball valve handle to be operated as normal.

Do I Need A Plumber To Install A Bulldog?

No, the Bulldog motor mounts directly over your existing valve, only requiring a Philips #2 screwdriver to be assembled.

Can The Bulldog Damage Plumbing?

No, The Bulldog solution meets standard plumbing practices and regulations. Other solutions use the pipe to mount the motor assembly which adds stress to the plumbing joints and can damage the connections over time. The Bulldog only uses the valve body for mounting.

What Is An Alternate Mounting Kit?

The standard mounting kits included in every Bulldog kit are designed to fit most homes main water shutoff valves from sizes ¾” to 1 ½”. For homes with unusually large, small, or non-standard valves, an alternate mounting kit can be custom 3d printed and made to specifically fit your water shutoff. If you require an alternate mounting kit, please select it as an add-on with your purchase and include a note with your valve size and type. If you are unsure, you may leave the note section empty, and our support team will get in contact with you after your purchase.

Guides

EVC300 Bulldog JW, WiFi, RC Models

Will It Operate In The Case Of A Power Outage?

No, the Bulldog EVC300 requires a power source to operate, so in the scenario of a power outage it will not function. A 12V 3000mAh battery backup can be added as an accessory to your order to keep it functioning during a power outage.

What’s Compatible With The Bulldog EVC300 Controller?

The EVC300 controller is compatible with Smart life, and from there can be integrated into other home systems like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Smartthings, and more.

Will The Bulldog-JW Stop Working If My Internet Connection Goes Down?

No, the Bulldog EVC300 controller and sensors are paired device to device and do not require internet to detect leaks, but without an internet connection you will be unable to receive notifications or control it remotely.

Is An App Required To Detect And Prevent Leaks With The Bulldog-JW?

No, the Bulldog-JW can detect and prevent leaks on its own. App control is completely optional, but note you will not receive phone notifications or be able to remotely control the Bulldog-JW without the SmartLife app.

Is The Bulldog-JW Compatible With Leak Sensors Other Than The ELS100 Leak Sensors?

No, the Bulldog-JW is only compatible with Econet ELS100 leak sensors, but due to this does not rely on the internet or other devices to detect leaks. Using the SmartLife app automation and third-party WiFi leak sensors, it is possible to setup up a leak detection system.

Do Leak Sensors Come Paired With The Bulldog-JW Controller?

Yes, all Econet ELS100 leak sensors come already paired with their corresponding Bulldog EVC300 Controllers. All you need to do is place them in leak sensitive locations and you’re home is protected. Please note that sensor ordered separate to the kit will need to be paired individually to the controller.

How Many Leak Sensors Do I Need?

We recommend putting a sensor for each leak sensitive location in your house, this includes spots like below every sink, toilet, around water heaters, under washing machines, etc.… Also refer to our Leak Sensor Location guide for more information. The more sensors you have placed the more security you have from the Bulldog system.

How Do I Add Additional Leak Sensors?

If you have the Bulldog-JW, additional ELS100 leak sensors can be purchased by hovering over “Products” in the top navigation bar, and selecting “Accessories”.

What Is The Difference Between The Bulldog EVC200 Z-Wave And The Bulldog-WiFi?

The Bulldog EVC200 Z-Wave and Bulldog-WIFI have much of the same purpose and functionality. The Bulldog EVC200 Z-Wave requires a Z-Wave hub to allow remote control, and leak prevention with Z-Wave leak sensors. Using Z-Wave compared to Wi-Fi comes with numerous benefits as Z-Wave devices act as signal extenders to one another reaching places where Wi-Fi signals may not reach in your home. Using Z-Wave also allows you to connect to multiple other Z-Wave devices in the future, giving more range to the possibilities of automation in your home. The Bulldog-WIFI does not require a hub and can be controlled with the Smart Life app. The Benefit of using Wi-Fi over Z-Wave is ease of setup, and lower cost if you do not already own an existing Z-Wave hub.

How Long Is The Wire From The Bulldog Controller To The Toggle Switch?

The standard wire length from the Bulldog Controller to the toggle switch is 10’, but longer lengths of 25’ and 50’ can be requested (extra costs may apply).

What Are The Requirements Before I Purchase The Bulldog-JW?

The requirements for the Bulldog-JW are that you have an existing compatible ball valve (Refer to Valve Compatibility Chart). If you plan to use it’s Wi-Fi functionality a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band is needed. If you don’t have a 2.4GHz band or are unsure, contact your internet provider (Almost all routers include 2.4GHz Bands, but may need to be enabled).

What Are The Requirements Before I Purchase The Bulldog-WiFi?

The requirements for the Bulldog-WiFi are that you have an existing compatible ball valve (Refer to Valve Compatibility Chart). If you plan to use it’s Wi-Fi functionality a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band is needed. If you don’t have a 2.4GHz band or are unsure, contact your internet provider (Almost all routers include 2.4GHz Bands, but may need to be enabled).

Guides

EVC200 Bulldog Z-Wave, RC Models

Will It Operate In The Case Of A Power Outage?

No, the Bulldog EVC200 requires a power source to operate, so in the scenario of a power outage it will not function. A 12V 3000mAh battery backup can be added as an accessory to your order to keep it functioning during a power outage.

What Is The Difference Between The Bulldog EVC200 Z-Wave And The Bulldog-WiFi?

The Bulldog EVC200 Z-Wave and Bulldog-WIFI have much of the same purpose and functionality. The Bulldog EVC200 Z-Wave requires a Z-Wave hub to allow remote control, and leak prevention with Z-Wave leak sensors. Using Z-Wave compared to Wi-Fi comes with numerous benefits as Z-Wave devices act as signal extenders to one another reaching places where Wi-Fi signals may not reach in your home. Using Z-Wave also allows you to connect to multiple other Z-Wave devices in the future, giving more range to the possibilities of automation in your home. The Bulldog-WIFI does not require a hub and can be controlled with the Smart Life app. The Benefit of using Wi-Fi over Z-Wave is ease of setup, and lower cost if you do not already own an existing Z-Wave hub.

What’s Compatible With The Bulldog EVC200 Controller?

The EVC200 Z-Wave controller is compatible with most professional category controllers/hubs that include Z-Wave. Tested integrations include Vera, Smartthings, Homeseer, Wink, Nexia, Honeywell, Universal Devices, Go Control, Ezlo, Hubitat, Ring, Qolsys, Alula Connect+, HomeAssistant, and Clarehome.

Will the Bulldog EVC200 Z-Wave Stop Working if my Internet Connection goes Down?

You will be unable to control the Bulldog EVC200 remotely or receive notifications, but automations will still run without internet access.

What Is Z-Wave?

Z-Wave is a home communication protocol like Wi-Fi. Just like your phone and a Wi-Fi router connecting to the internet, Z-Wave devices need a Z-Wave hub to communicate with the internet and allow remote control and automation. Z-Wave uses a mesh network, meaning that each Z-Wave device in your home acts as a signal repeater/extender, Increasing range of the hub for every additional device. Z-Wave is very reliable as it is less susceptible to interference from other signals. Z-Wave operates on a dedicated frequency, reducing interference from other wireless devices. Z-Wave has low power consumption, allowing battery powered devices to last much longer compared to a similar WiFi version.

How Do I Add Additional Leak Sensors?

If you have the Bulldog EVC200 Z-Wave with an existing hub, additional Zigbee leak sensors can be purchased by hovering over “Products” in the top navigation bar, and selecting “Accessories”.

How Long Is The Wire From The Bulldog Controller To The Toggle Switch?

The standard wire length from the Bulldog Controller to the toggle switch is 10’, but longer lengths of 25’ and 50’ can be requested (extra costs may apply).

How Do I Add Additional Leak Sensors?

If you have the Bulldog-JW, additional ELS100 leak sensors can be purchased by hovering over “Products” in the top navigation bar, and selecting “Accessories”.

What Is The Difference Between The Bulldog EVC200 Z-Wave And The Bulldog-WiFi?

The Bulldog EVC200 Z-Wave and Bulldog-WIFI have much of the same purpose and functionality. The Bulldog EVC200 Z-Wave requires a Z-Wave hub to allow remote control, and leak prevention with Z-Wave leak sensors. Using Z-Wave compared to Wi-Fi comes with numerous benefits as Z-Wave devices act as signal extenders to one another reaching places where Wi-Fi signals may not reach in your home. Using Z-Wave also allows you to connect to multiple other Z-Wave devices in the future, giving more range to the possibilities of automation in your home. The Bulldog-WIFI does not require a hub and can be controlled with the Smart Life app. The Benefit of using Wi-Fi over Z-Wave is ease of setup, and lower cost if you do not already own an existing Z-Wave hub.

How Long Is The Wire From The Bulldog Controller To The Toggle Switch?

The standard wire length from the Bulldog Controller to the toggle switch is 10’, but longer lengths of 25’ and 50’ can be requested (extra costs may apply).

What Are The Requirements Before I Purchase The Bulldog EVC200 Z-Wave?

The requirements for the Bulldog-WiFi are that you have an existing compatible ball valve (Refer to Valve Compatibility Chart). If you plan to use the remote control and automation functionality, a Z-Wave Hub is required. If you plan to use the remote control, automation, and functionality, a Z-Wave Hub and smart home leak sensors are required.

Guides

EVC325 Bulldog Professional Model

Will It Operate In The Case Of A Power Outage?

Yes, the Bulldog Professional comes integrated with a 4x AA battery backup pack, so in the scenario of a power outage it will continue functioning.

Why Choose The EcoNet Professional Starter Kit Bulldog Starter Kit Compared To Other Leak Prevention Kits?

The Bulldog Professional Starter Kit comes with many additional features that other kits don’t have or require additional work to implement. Leak sensor from the moment they are paired on the app allow you to monitor battery life and send notifications when a leak is detected, no setup needed. On top of that, leak sensors can be paired device to device, as well as through automation to the controller, allowing for multiple layers of leak security. With a simple QR code scan, leak sensors, controller, and hub can be quickly paired, making for a seamless easy setup. Out of any other kit we offer, the Bulldog Professional Starter Kit has the longest range, making it ideal for large homes and mansions.

What Are The Requirements Before I Purchase The Bulldog Professional?

The requirements for the Bulldog Professional are that you have an existing compatible ball valve (Refer to Valve Compatibility Chart).

Guides

Other

How Long Does It Take To Deliver?

With free shipping, delivery will take 3 to 7 days to arrive, and with expedited shipping delivery will take 1 to 3 days. Note if your location is considered remote by delivery services shipping may take longer.

What’s The Return Policy?

If you are not satisfied with our product or it does not function as expected or required, you can return the product for a refund or credit within 30 days of the original ship date. The product must be returned in its original packing in new condition to qualify for a full refund otherwise restocking charges may apply.

What Is The Difference Between Bulldog Kits?

We offer 4 main kits with the difference being the Bulldog Controller.

The Bulldog-JW is a “Just Works” simple and easy solution to leak prevention; all leak sensors purchased with the kit come paired to the Bulldog Controller. Once the Bulldog motor is installed on the main water shutoff valve, place the leak sensors in leak sensitive locations and forget about it. Optional app control is available and allows you to control and automate your water valve through your phone, but is not required.

The Bulldog-WIFI is a basic remote water shutoff solution that allows you to control and automate your water valve through your phone. This kit does not provide leak protection, but can be used in many other applications.

The Bulldog EVC200 Z-Wave is a remote water solution that seamlessly integrates with existing Z-Wave smart homes. Z-Wave is a wireless communication protocol that allows smart devices to connect and exchange data in a home network. This model requires a Z-Wave hub for remote control and pairing with other Z-Wave leak sensors.

The Bulldog Professional is an all-in-one leak prevention system with additional perks such as an internal battery backup, longer sensor range, better ease of use, and sensors capable of both direct controller to sensor pairing and app pairing for added layers of security. When the leak sensor is both directly paired and app paired to your controller, it means you can see the battery life as well as individaul leak sensor status on your device, but the sensors do not rely on internet to function and prevent leaks.

Additional Add-ons are also available for each of our kits, adding extra functionality such as increased leak security with more sensors, outdoor kits for partial and complete outdoor use, battery backups to stay protected during a power outage, as well as custom brackets to fit unusual or non-standard valves

How Do I Connect To WiFi?

Not all our kits come available with immediate remote control via Wi-Fi and may require additional hubs. If you are looking for instructions on how to connect your device to Wifi and control it remotely, please refer to the guides provided in your kit (Note: these can also be found in our self-help documentation), and if you are still struggling our support team can assist you at support@econetcontrols.com.

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Retired Guides

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Check if your valve type and size is compatible or if an alternate mounting bracket is needed

Supported Valves