Looking for Custom Program Options for Century Vgreen Evo Motor

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MrLeadFoot

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2019
201
El Dorado Hills, CA
Century's Vlink looks to be a dead project, which is sad, because their mobile app looks pretty cool, although I'm not sure why they chose to go client-server based through their own servers (which is likely why the whole thing is now defunct, or appears to soon be).

Thus, I am looking for a way to custom program my EVQ165 motor's speed and, hopefully, schedules. I've read posts regarding programming the older Vgreen motors, but it doesn't look like they apply to the Evo line because they refer to a certain set of onboard dip switches that the Evo does not have, although it does sport an RS-485 interface.

FWIW, while not a full-fledged programmer, I have some coding experience, and am willing to get my fingertips a little dirty, but I'm not sure if I can handle a "full time job". Please share if you know of anything that might point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance for any info.
 
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Wow, big difference between that setup and the Vlink app. That Vlink sure looked cool, and easy to use. Bummer that it might come down to this, but better than nothing, if it's do-able. But, as I mentioned previously about other options, this adapter mentions the requirement of setting specific dip switches on the motor which the Evo does not have. I will contact Inyo. Thank you.
 
Texas Splash said:
LF, any luck on your end? The only person I can think of that might have some experience is @1poolman1. Let's see if he's ever done something like this in the field.
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Have only installed one of those motors. Also have not been able to get info on a possible automation adapter. The one for the older V-Green requires voltage inputs, usually from automation relay inputs, or through a relay itself. Probably installed 20 of them, they worked great. As with everything that was made for the older V-Greens, they're discontinued. Hope they make something available.
 
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MrLeadFoot said:
I can't believe they would not make good on the hype in their marketing material. Shame on the retailers, too, who obviously know that by now. They should pull that info from their own marketing materials.

Please keep us in the loop on your findings.
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Can you link to the marketing material that you speak of? Just installed an EVO motor and the schedules are far too limiting.
 
The manual and brochure both advertise the motor as being capable of being operated from 600 to 3450 rpm, but there is no way to program the motor to operate at 600RPMs. I can't remember where, but I recall reading somewhere that the only way to get it to operate at 600rpm is via the VLink Mobile app, but guess what? VLink doesn't work with the EVO. If that's not enough, the manual also points to the RS485 port, but that's it. Apparently, nothing works with it. Like you, I am disappointed, and feel misled. It's time I do something about it. I just sent an email to the manufacturer about these points. I'm not hopeful that they will do something about, but I'll give them a chance before going to the next level.
 
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Maximum efficiency of a VS pump is usually around 1000 RPM. Running at 600 RPM will likely be less energy efficient.

Why not simply set the motor to an RPM that works for skimmers and leave it there. All of my runtime is at 1 RPM setting. No need for anything else.
 
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mas985 said:
Maximum efficiency of a VS pump is usually around 1000 RPM. Running at 600 RPM will likely be less energy efficient.

Why not simply set the motor to an RPM that works for skimmers and leave it there. All of my runtime is at 1 RPM setting. No need for anything else.
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There are predefined schedules. You can't just pick an RPM and stick with it.
 
If you are looking for a RS485 wireless interface, this works pretty well:

I use it for my AquaLogic and wrote both a Windows and Android app for it. It should work for EVQ165 as long as you have the control codes.
 
mas985 said:
Maximum efficiency of a VS pump is usually around 1000 RPM. Running at 600 RPM will likely be less energy efficient.

Why not simply set the motor to an RPM that works for skimmers and leave it there. All of my runtime is at 1 RPM setting. No need for anything else.
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While 600 rpms may be too low, using the wide range of 600-3450 in their materials leads you to believe you have a wider range of options than you do. That's not right. That's misleading. Then, they specifically point out the RS485 port in the manual, but no indication of what works with it. I've seen video of the Vlink system, but that doesn't even work with this unit.

FWIW, I need 2450 rpms to run my suction side vaccum, and 1750 for my skimmers. Closest I can get to that is program A1: 3450/2750/1750, but I don't want my vacuum to wear out running 4 hours a day, I only want it to run for 2 hours. And, I certainly don't want my pump rrunning full blast for 2 hours!

Right now I'm trying out A4: 3250/1150. 3250 for two hours gives me vacuum and skimmers. 1150 doesn't pull squat into my two skimmers. I just hate knowing that I would use less electricity if I could run my vacuum at 2450 for two hours, but can't get that with this unit without using another program that forces me to eat up that savings by running high speed for 2-4 hours prior to lowering the rpms to what I need.
 
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mas985 said:
If you are looking for a RS485 wireless interface, this works pretty well:

I use it for my AquaLogic and wrote both a Windows and Android app for it. It should work for EVQ165 as long as you have the control codes.
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I don't necessarily need wireless. But, if that's what works, I'm willing. Where are these apps you speak of? Where can I get the control codes?
 
MrLeadFoot said:
I don't necessarily need wireless. But, if that's what works, I'm willing. Where are these apps you speak of?
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In my signature but they won't do you any good. They are specifically for the AquaLogic which uses different codes/keys than the EVQ165.

MrLeadFoot said:
Where can I get the control codes?
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Good question. I don't have an answer other than perhaps go to the manufacture. I found the control codes for the AquaLogic on another forum that was looking to integrate the AquaLogic into their home automation system. But also, with the wireless 485 hardware, I was able to monitor the codes while pressing the keys on the AquaLogic display unit. So I could capture some of the codes that way. However, that may be difficult for the EVQ165 because it does not allow programing directly through the motor keypad.

Check out this thread:

Automation with V-Green 165

I see a few posts when I do a search of people trying to get the Century A.O. Smith V-Green motor to work with their specific automation system, but the threads just died. I am referring to this motor: A.O. Smith 1.65 HP Variable Speed Pool Pump Motor Square Flange - ECM16SQU - INYOPools.com I...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

Century (Regal) VGreen motor automation

The Century (Regal-Beloit) VGreen variable speed motors have an RS-485 interface and the communication protocol has been identified as this pdf attachment which was posted in other threads. @MSchutzer Identified it as being correct at least as far as being able to read status and write...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com

github.com

GitHub - gazoodle/CenturyVSPump: ESPHome custom component to drive Century (and other) variable speed pump motors

ESPHome custom component to drive Century (and other) variable speed pump motors - GitHub - gazoodle/CenturyVSPump: ESPHome custom component to drive Century (and other) variable speed pump motors
github.com github.com
 
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At first, I felt let down, like a hihg school quarterback being teased by a cheerleader. But, then I perused the links you referenced. I'm going to have to devote some time to try and decipher what everyone is doing on those threads, i.e. what adapters, boards, cabling, etc. they're using, and if this will even work on the Evo motors. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
 

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