Question on iAqualink and Lighting

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ajw22 said:
Buy a new board that contains new FW at a significant cost...

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Jandy AquaLink RS and PDA Power Center Boards and Firmware Replacement Parts

These are replacement parts for the Jandy AquaLink RS and PDA Power Center Boards and Firmware. These Jandy equipment controller parts can be found on this AquaLink RS and PDA Power Center Boards and Firmware parts schematic breakdown.
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Yes this is true there is no way to upgrade the Jandy firmware without a new board. However, that said, I have found no reason to ever upgrade my board. The only thing that I found that was board specific was the SmartJVA board which needed a specific firmware or later to work. But I had that and anything new would support that as well.

Brings me to another bonus with Jandy. It is the only automation that allows 5% incremental positioning of the valves via their SmartJVA board. This allows you to adjust on the fly flow to waterfalls and such. I can turn my waterfall into Niagara falls if I want or just have it a quiet trickle. My sheer descent can also be adjusted to wide open or a slow flow. Without this your valves have two positions that are preset within the valve mechanics and not designed to be changed.

Oh also Jandy has an Alexa skill. I can turn the waterfall on, heater, lights, etc via Alexa.
 
I have a 20 year old Aqualink and there have been many functional enhancements that I do not have. You can see the list here - Jandy Aqualink RS - Further Reading

Depends on your timeframe and what you expect if it is an issue.

The Aqualink is fine for what it does when paired with Jandy equipment. Just don't expect much flexibility or new features. What you buy is what you live with for the long term.

My upgrade to the Aqualink will be a Pentair IntelliCenter I have sitting in my garage.
 
Yarzy said:
Yup, I typed that before I saw that. Also, this non-firmware update is an issue for iAqualink 2.0 as well?
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Beware of Jandys product naming. iAqualink 2.0 is just a new version of a wireless bridge to the Aqualink RS panel. And you had to buy all new hardware to move from iAqualink to iAqualink 2.0.

Jandy will be the least expensive equipment when you build the pool to incent many customers to install it. Jandy and the pool companies make their money on the higher priced parts and service you will be buying for the life of your equipment. Razor vs razor blade business model.
 
ajw22 said:
Beware of Jandys product naming. iAqualink 2.0 is just a new version of a wireless bridge to the Aqualink RS panel. And you had to buy all new hardware to move from iAqualink to iAqualink 2.0.

Jandy will be the least expensive equipment when you build the pool to incent many customers to install it. Jandy and the pool companies make their money on the higher priced parts and service you will be buying for the life of your equipment. Razor vs razor blade business model.
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Understood. I guess then the real question is if the VS pumps and SWG of the other companies are better/worse than Jandy since they will most likely determine the automation system. If they are pretty much all the same and the automation system works best with same-company equipment...does it make sense to switch?
 
Jandy, Hayward and Pentair all make fine equipment. Some specific products in their line are better then other.

I think Pentair has the highest quality equipment and tends to be the most expensive.

There are happy customers of all three brands here. Each of the brands has their strengths, weakness, and quirks.
 

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ajw22 said:
Jandy, Hayward and Pentair all make fine equipment. Some specific products in their line are better then other.

I think Pentair has the highest quality equipment and tends to be the most expensive.

There are happy customers of all three brands here. Each of the brands has their strengths, weakness, and quirks.
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Yeah, after doing some searching, that is what I am finding as well...crazy how this all started around a question about lights. HA! Being new at this, I find myself 2nd guessing almost every decision daily. I just need to get this pool installed so I can enjoy it!
 
Hi everyone, I am really hoping you can educate me on LED light options as I am quickly getting confused/overwhelmed. I will try to keep the backstory short but we are about a month from breaking ground on our first pool and we need to figure out lighting. The pool is roughly 18x40, fairly normal shape with some curves but mostly a rectangle with curves in it. We are doing Jandy iAqualink automation (more on this in a bit) and we currently have in the quote 2 LED niche lights. Here are my questions for the experts here as my PB does not seem to either know about this stuff or are offering minimal advice (not good I know).
Currently 2 LED set up:
  1. Of the options out there from either Jandy or other manufactures, which ones offer:
    1. iAqualink integration (change lights via phone, etc)
    2. The most light shows/color options
    3. Brightest
    4. Longevity
    5. Price
I know I can’t get the complete package in that list, but I want to try to get the “best” for my automation system. In doing research, it seems like some of the other manufactures offer connections into iAqualink but I don’t know if I can still get the cool light shows or if it is just solid colors. Does the light itself provide the ability for colors/shows or the light controller more important here? I hope this makes sense. Happy to consider known and/or lesser-known brands if it checks more boxes.

Nicheless – We quoted over 4k for 5 nicheless Jandy lights. I am correct in thinking nicheless will always be more $? If not, I guess the same questions apply to nicheless as well. I am not sure if there are more lesser-known names that can offer more in nicheless (or niche) formats.

PHEW! I am sorry for all the questions, but like most of us, we don’t want to mess it up, I want to get the most bang for buck with our system, and need to keep cost in mind. Thank you all for your help!
 
I can't answer all of your questions, but the light show functionality is contained within the light itself (at least with Jandy). My pool is about the same size as yours and I got just 2 Jandy LED Watercolor lights and it is more than enough to light up the entire pool. That price seems very high to me.

I will be going on my 5th season with my lights with no issues ever.

The below pic is what Jandy supports. But I am not sure if it will keep track of the color although I am sure it will change the color/light show as that is just a relay switch signal to the light.

1614035053184.png
 
PoolGate said:
I can't answer all of your questions, but the light show functionality is contained within the light itself (at least with Jandy). My pool is about the same size as yours and I got just 2 Jandy LED Watercolor lights and it is more than enough to light up the entire pool. That price seems very high to me.

I will be going on my 5th season with my lights with no issues ever.

The below pic is what Jandy supports. But I am not sure if it will keep track of the color although I am sure it will change the color/light show as that is just a relay switch signal to the light.

View attachment 176806
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Thanks for the info! Just to be clear, it was over 4k for 5 Jandy Nicheless lights installed. Two niche lights installed is $2600.
 
I am planning on getting the iAqaulink 2.0 system with Hayward ColorLogic lights. My PB is saying that I will not be able to sync the two ColorLogic lights up if I use the iAqaulink system and the only way to sync the lights is to use Jandy lights. Is this true? Anyone out there with ColorLogic lights and iAqualink have issues with syncing the lights? I would think this would have come up before but I did not see anything in the search. Thanks so much!
 
Yarzy said:
I am planning on getting the iAqaulink 2.0 system with Hayward ColorLogic lights. My PB is saying that I will not be able to sync the two ColorLogic lights up if I use the iAqaulink system and the only way to sync the lights is to use Jandy lights. Is this true? Anyone out there with ColorLogic lights and iAqualink have issues with syncing the lights? I would think this would have come up before but I did not see anything in the search. Thanks so much!
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We don't recommend people mix manufacturers that way because neither side will provide much support in case of any problems. Do it at your own risk.
 
ajw22 said:
We don't recommend people mix manufacturers that way because neither side will provide much support in case of any problems. Do it at your own risk.
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ok. I was under the impression this would not be an issue. The reason I was hoping for the ColorLogic is it offers a better warranty and move light show options. Has no one mixed these together? I thought iAqualink mentions running Hayward lights right in the lights menu?
 
Yarzy said:
ok. I was under the impression this would not be an issue. The reason I was hoping for the ColorLogic is it offers a better warranty and move light show options. Has no one mixed these together?
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No one has come forward so far to say they have. Maybe you should wonder why?


Yarzy said:
I thought iAqualink mentions running Hayward lights right in the lights menu?
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They do. It may work, it may not. Let us know how it works out if you give it a try.
 
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