Every first flush diverter with a storage chamber needs that chamber drained between rain events, ready to catch the next first flush. Blue Mountain Co's range gives two ways to do it: a manual slow-release valve set, or a battery-powered electronic release valve. The difference isn't really about reliability — both work — it's about how much you want to think about it.
Manual slow-release valve sets
The Red set and Black set (both $8.50) are a simple, cheap fit to a chamber-style diverter. They bleed the chamber empty over a set period after it fills, at a fixed, non-adjustable drain rate built into the valve. They're the standard fitment on most of the chamber-style diverters in this range and need no power and no setup — install it and forget about it, within the limits of its fixed drain time.
Electronic release valve
The Electronic Release Valve (Battery) ($62.40) replaces that fixed-rate drain with a valve you control. Rather than draining on a fixed schedule regardless of conditions, it lets you choose when the chamber empties, which matters most on a diverter that's clogging too often (releasing too slowly to clear before the next rain) or emptying before it's captured a full first flush (releasing too fast). It's used on the chamber-style and Max Chamber diverters that support it, and is worth the extra cost over the manual valve specifically to cut down on maintenance call-outs — set it once for the site's actual rainfall pattern rather than living with the valve's fixed factory rate.
Which one to choose
For a straightforward residential chamber diverter with no particular clogging history, the manual slow-release set is the cheaper, lower-maintenance default — there's nothing to program and nothing that can run out of battery. For a site where the fixed-rate manual valve isn't draining at the right speed for the local rainfall pattern, or where reducing site visits matters (a rural property, a commercial site, a diverter that's hard to access), the electronic valve's adjustability is worth the extra $54.
These valves fit the diverters covered in our First Flush Diverters Explained guide, and the full range is in our First Flush Diverters collection, part of the wider Blue Mountain Co rainwater harvesting range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the electronic release valve, or is the manual set enough?
For most residential installs the manual slow-release set is enough. The electronic valve is worth it if the manual valve's fixed drain rate is clogging too often or emptying before the first flush is fully captured, or if you want to cut down on site visits.
Does the electronic release valve need power?
Yes, it's battery powered rather than mains powered, so there's no wiring, but the battery does need checking periodically.
What's the difference between the red and black manual valve sets?
Both are priced the same and perform the same slow-release function — check your specific diverter model's fitting to confirm which colour set it takes.
Can I retrofit an electronic valve onto an existing chamber diverter?
It's designed to suit the chamber-style and Max Chamber diverters in this range. Check your existing diverter model against the current listing, or call our team to confirm fit before ordering.