Jandy AquaLink rs and solar how to setup?

[Chimada]

I just added solar panels to my pool.

have AquaLink Rs system. a jandy actuator 2444 and temp sensor by the panels.

is there a way to have the system automatically open the valve and start the pump when the temp outside is higher than the pool temp?

i cant seem to see this automation. I currently am turning it on manually.

i also have a cng heater, I don’t want it to kick on at all to supplement the heating.

thanks!

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Do you have SOLAR HEAT PRIORITY set in setup?

Confirm S2 Dip Switch #1 is OFF.

@PoolGate @Pool Clown ideas?

 

[Chimada]

Yea have it set as priority and dip is correc.

 

[PoolGate]

I don't think you can have that sort of logic. It needs a firm set-point.

 

[Chimada]

Welcome to TFP.

Do you have SOLAR HEAT PRIORITY set in setup?

Confirm S2 Dip Switch #1 is OFF.

@PoolGate @Pool Clown ideas?

I don't think you can have that sort of logic. It needs a firm set-point.

Is there something that tells me how the solar operation works for Jandy? I’m not finding much.

if I turn on the solar heat option it doesn’t seem to kick anything on. I have to turn the filter pump on also. Nothing turns off when temps reach their set points or when the ambient is colder than the pool temp.

 

[ajw22]

Show us pics of your equipment pad and solar setup.

The filter pump needs to be on for any solar heating.

The only thing solar heat should so is turn your solar valve actuator to get water flow through your solar panels.

 

[Chimada]

Show us pics of your equipment pad and solar setup.

The filter pump needs to be on for any solar heating.

The only thing solar heat should so is turn your solar valve actuator to get water flow through your solar panels.

well I figured it out. I’m surprised there is such a lack of info about this.

solar in the setup needs to be turned on, when it does it will have a status ENA.

you need to set a schedule to run the pool when you think the air temp is higher than the pool temp. ~11to5.

when the pump is on and it detects the air is warmer than the pool, the valve will open And status will change to ON. If the pump is running still and the air temp drops will close the valve.

kinda of a round about way to do it, wish it was automatic just based on temp.

help this helps others that may run into this in the future.

 

[guinness]

when the pump is on and it detects the air is warmer than the pool, the valve will open And status will change to ON. If the pump is running still and the air temp drops will close the valve.

kinda of a round about way to do it, wish it was automatic just based on temp.

That sounds automatic to me, is the missing part not running pump when solar isn't needed? I don't see a pump listed in your sig, is it a single speed and you want to limit how long it runs? I have a VSP and it runs at a low speed for filtering (on schedule) but kicks up speed for solar operation and drops it down again when done (in concert with valve movements). I imagine you can do the same with a dual speed pump, but it may depend upon controller (I have Pentair).

 

[PoolGate]

Air temp is not an indication that the panels are needed or would be useful. Air temp can be cold(er) but panels could still be producing heat. I don't have any experience with solar however so can't really speak to how it is supposed to work.

 

[Rossterman]

Air temp is not an indication that the panels are needed or would be useful. Air temp can be cold(er) but panels could still be producing heat. I don't have any experience with solar however so can't really speak to how it is supposed to work.

mines been set up with a jandy rs system and solar panels since 2007. As said above, bases on desired pool temp set, roof temp, and current water temp, it will utilize the solar panels or not (During the circ pump schedule). For example, during the fall it will actually Shut off the solar in the afternoon when temps drop quickly.
All in all it works seamlessly and pool stays nice and warm. The system even has a feature to use for cooling pools by running solar at night to remove heat from the water.