Scoping a Jandy VSP SWCG installation

C3Cl3N3O3

0
Bronze Supporter
May 25, 2015
460
Fort Mill, SC
Pool Size
20000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Hello,

I have a JANDY VSFHP185DA2A pump with the iQPUMP01 mobile interface. This was installed last year by a pool company, but the installation was never completed. The iQPUMP01 is just loose and the RS485 cable is just sitting on the ground.

I'd like to scope out installing this properly and installing a SWCG at the same time.

The Jandy TruClear Salt Chlorinator seems to be a logical choice for my setup.


So here are the objectives:

- Run conduit to the VSFHP185DA2A for the RS485 link(s)
- Upgrade circuit to GFCI
- Install SWCG
- Clean, professional installation

Here are the assumptions:

1) The Jandy TruClear Salt Chlorinator is a good choice for my system
2) The SWCG should be installed there where the chlorinator is

Here are the questions:

1) Should I install a panel for the iQPUMP01 and/or SWCG controller? Or just mount them directly to the brick? Any panel recommendations?
2) It looks like the current RS485 cable is just hanging out of the bottom of the pump. How would conduit be attached there? The power lines are in conduit and should remain separate.
3) Can the SWCG be on the same circuit as the pump? The pump is wired for 240 V but I have the 120 V neutral in that timer panel. The breaker panel is maxed out.
4) I've read the TruClear manual but it isn't clear how to connect both it and the iQPUMP01. Would you daisy chain them together in the panel? Or is there a second RS485 home run from the TruClear to the pump?
5) Should I remove the leftover timer from the fixed speed pump (there in the panel under the iQPUMP01)? I believe it is basically acting as a terminal strip for the pump power connections. Maybe best to leave it be?
6) Can you even purchase a TruClear without going through a Jandy dealer?

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The RS485 cable does not have to be in conduit.

The Jandy TruClear is junk. Make another selection.

With these upgrades I would consider getting automation. And yes, Jandy products are difficult to purchase as a homeowner.
 
The RS485 cable does not have to be in conduit.

The Jandy TruClear is junk. Make another selection.

With these upgrades I would consider getting automation. And yes, Jandy products are difficult to purchase as a homeowner.
I'm not sure I see the benefit of an automation system, it feels like overkill already. This is a very basic setup.

Can you support your claim that the TruClear is "junk"?
 
Can the SWCG be on the same circuit as the pump? The pump is wired for 240 V but I have the 120 V neutral in that timer panel.
The pump has two auxiliary relays that can be used to power the SWG. The relay closes when the pump is set to 1,725 rpm or higher.

If your normal operating speed is at least 1,725 rpm, the auxiliary relay will work.

The auxiliary relay will work with any SWG.

If you want the TruClear, you will probably have to go through a dealer and have them install it.

3.5.1 Auxiliary Relay Operation Characteristics.

Auxiliary Relay contact activation is speed dependent.

Auxiliary Relay 1 has an activation speed of 1725 RPM and Auxiliary Relay 2 has an activation speed of 2250 RPM.

3.5.2 Contact Closure.
From a stopped condition, there is a three-minute delay before the Auxiliary Relay contact is closed when the motor speed reaches and maintains the activation speed.

Once the three minute run time criteria has been reached, when going from an RPM below the activation speed to an RPM above the activation speed, there is a 5-second delay before the Auxiliary Relay contact is closed.

3.5.3 Contact Opening
When going from an RPM above the activation speed to an RPM below the activation speed, the relay opening is always immediate.

 
The pump has two auxiliary relays that can be used to power the SWG. The relay closes when the pump is set to 1,725 rpm or higher.

If your normal operating speed is at least 1,725 rpm, the auxiliary relay will work.

The auxiliary relay will work with any SWG.

If you want the TruClear, you will probably have to go through a dealer and have them install it.

3.5.1 Auxiliary Relay Operation Characteristics.

Auxiliary Relay contact activation is speed dependent.

Auxiliary Relay 1 has an activation speed of 1725 RPM and Auxiliary Relay 2 has an activation speed of 2250 RPM.

3.5.2 Contact Closure.
From a stopped condition, there is a three-minute delay before the Auxiliary Relay contact is closed when the motor speed reaches and maintains the activation speed.

Once the three minute run time criteria has been reached, when going from an RPM below the activation speed to an RPM above the activation speed, there is a 5-second delay before the Auxiliary Relay contact is closed.

3.5.3 Contact Opening
When going from an RPM above the activation speed to an RPM below the activation speed, the relay opening is always immediate.


Thanks, so are those dry contacts or wet contacts? I assume they are dry and I'd need to route 120 V somehow to power the SWG.
 
They are power relays.

You can get power right from the pump L1 and L2 terminals and bring it to the line terminals of the relay.

Then, you power the SWG from the load terminals.

The relay activates when the pump is running at at least 1,725 rpm.
 
I'm not sure I see the benefit of an automation system, it feels like overkill already. This is a very basic setup.

Can you support your claim that the TruClear is "junk"?

I have personal experience with it. The cell lasted 1 season. Others on this forum have also reported less than stellar cell life. Also leaks. I know the price of it is compelling, but if you are not getting automation, then it doesn't matter any SWG will work with that pump.
 

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Most Jandy equipment is pretty good and they are pretty good about warranty if something fails.

I don't know about the TruClear specifically, but it might be worthwhile if the price is good.

If you want to DIY, you will probably have to get something else.
 
It looks like the TruClear will take 240 volts, so you should be good to pull from the same power supply as the pump.

What is your normal operating speed?
I'm still playing with the schedule but seems to do well at 2000 RPM normal and 2350 skim mode. So that looks like a win.

OK so they are dry contacts and you can jumper over the 240 from the pump input power. That seems straightforward in concept.

I'll need to run a 240 V circuit from the pump to the SWG. I'm sure it's easy but I'm not an electrician and it needs to meet or exceed code.
 
I have personal experience with it. The cell lasted 1 season. Others on this forum have also reported less than stellar cell life. Also leaks. I know the price of it is compelling, but if you are not getting automation, then it doesn't matter any SWG will work with that pump.
OK thanks, I'll keep my options open. I do see some value to "future proofing" the SWG in case I change my mind about automation.
 
OK so they are dry contacts and you can jumper over the 240 from the pump input power. That seems straightforward in concept
"Dry" means that equipment power is not being switched.

Since equipment power is being switched, the contacts are not considered to be "dry".

Dry means that only signal level power is being switched.

You will get power from the pump terminals to the relay and then from the relay to the SWG.
 
So one thing I can't quite grasp here. The SWG will have a separate controller. Are you using the power relay to control power to the controller and the generator? Or does the controller stay powered all the time and you use the relay to interlock just the generator power with the pump power?
 
So one thing I can't quite grasp here. The SWG will have a separate controller. Are you using the power relay to control power to the controller and the generator? Or does the controller stay powered all the time and you use the relay to interlock just the generator power with the pump power?

The SWG controller itself will power on/off with the pump relay at the appropriate RPMs. The cell gets power from the SWG controller.
 
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