other than having 4 more Aux, what else can the RS8 do that the RS4 can't? I don't plan to use or have pool lights, cleaner/jet pump, blower or any features.
Jandy Aqualink RS4 or RS8?
- Thread starter caycarem
- Start date
I think you have it. It is only about capability to operate different stuff. RS4 should handle Pool/Spa modes, heater and SWCG.
can it control a non-Jandy SWCG? mine is Blueworks BLH40 SWG (likely same controller board as the Hayward 40K SWG.) I need to control/automate: Solar Valve, Solar Pump (ramp up speed), Intake (pool/spa) Valve, Return (pool/spa) Valve, Gas Heater. SWG would be icing on the cake.
- May 3, 2014
- 59,233
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Jandy Aqualink RS - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
You will be able to turn the SWCG on and off. It is unlikely you will be able to adjust the level of FC generation through the automation.
MSchutzer
Silver Supporter
With the RS4 you should be able to do what you want with one Auxiliary button left over.
Filter Pump uses one of the four outputs.
Your SWG will use another for its On/off.
Spa Spillover mode uses output Aux3.
That leaves one output free.
The solar button will control your solar valve. The RS system supports the Intelliflo VS pump (speed mode only) via its RS-485 control connection. When the system turns the solar heat on (solar heat enabled and the roof temp sensor 5 degrees above water temp) the pump speed will change to the speed programmed for the Solar function.
The heater would be controlled via the fireman’s switch connection.
The RS4 supports up to 4 valve controllers so it will support the 3 valves you need to control. The base RS4 setups usually comes with two valve controllers so you will have to buy the third valve controller separately.
I just finished installing my RS8 system over the Christmas/ New Year’s week so I just went through the whole process of figuring out what you need to control everything. In my case I have a retrofitted Vgreen motor which isn’t supported via its RS485 connection so I ended up using 3 outputs/relays to control the motor speed via its digital inputs.
Filter Pump uses one of the four outputs.
Your SWG will use another for its On/off.
Spa Spillover mode uses output Aux3.
That leaves one output free.
The solar button will control your solar valve. The RS system supports the Intelliflo VS pump (speed mode only) via its RS-485 control connection. When the system turns the solar heat on (solar heat enabled and the roof temp sensor 5 degrees above water temp) the pump speed will change to the speed programmed for the Solar function.
The heater would be controlled via the fireman’s switch connection.
The RS4 supports up to 4 valve controllers so it will support the 3 valves you need to control. The base RS4 setups usually comes with two valve controllers so you will have to buy the third valve controller separately.
I just finished installing my RS8 system over the Christmas/ New Year’s week so I just went through the whole process of figuring out what you need to control everything. In my case I have a retrofitted Vgreen motor which isn’t supported via its RS485 connection so I ended up using 3 outputs/relays to control the motor speed via its digital inputs.
Thank you, this is super helpful! Sounds like I can get away with RS4 and have a leftover relay. If I decide to add 2 LED pool lights (pool + spa) later, will they work? Or do they new Lights come with separate remote control these days?
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,293
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
I would not get the rs4. Go with the 8. You can also control low voltage landscape lighting if you have an open aux. In addition you may want to add more things like a Jandy swg when the one you have fails. Extra capacity is a good thing!
MSchutzer
Silver Supporter
I just have old fashioned incandescent lights in my pool and spa and have then both controlled to go on and off via a single relay connection. With the newer LEDs that support multiple colors you probably want to set up the pool and spa LEDs on separate outputs.
That will push you to 5 outputs needed and Poolgate is right, you are better off getting the bigger system and it gives you flexibilit’s for future expansion. Here’s a screenshot of the LED lights setup page so that you can see the LED lights that the RS system supports directly.
Another thing, I definitely recommend getting the new iAquaLink 2.0 wireless transceiver. Skip the outdated and overpriced dedicated remotes. With the iAqualink 2.0 you can use your phone or tablet as your control device. I use both for my system and also use an old cheap Fire tablet as the pool / spa side remote. If it gets wet and dies eventually I really don’t care as it costed $40 dollars or something back when I got it a few years ago. The iAqualink link system lets you use either the IoS of Android app. The apps themselves are limited but they do include a button to access the web interface which gives full access to control and setup all the configurations that you want.
That will push you to 5 outputs needed and Poolgate is right, you are better off getting the bigger system and it gives you flexibilit’s for future expansion. Here’s a screenshot of the LED lights setup page so that you can see the LED lights that the RS system supports directly.
Another thing, I definitely recommend getting the new iAquaLink 2.0 wireless transceiver. Skip the outdated and overpriced dedicated remotes. With the iAqualink 2.0 you can use your phone or tablet as your control device. I use both for my system and also use an old cheap Fire tablet as the pool / spa side remote. If it gets wet and dies eventually I really don’t care as it costed $40 dollars or something back when I got it a few years ago. The iAqualink link system lets you use either the IoS of Android app. The apps themselves are limited but they do include a button to access the web interface which gives full access to control and setup all the configurations that you want.
With the RS8 and power center how would one go about adding more aux ports? The power center has 7 plus an extra for the solar and one for heater. I know there is an RS16 CPU but it still uses the same power center. Is there an additional board that can be added for more auxiliary ports?
It’s amazing forum. Would you happen to know what would be the difference in installation and parts price? Is it possible it’s $1000 from RS 4 to Rs 6? Thanks!
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,293
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
RS4 to RS6 should not be more than a few hundred. And no additional installation charges. It depends what it comes with. Some include more JVAs which cost around $200 each.
Wow! Thanks for your answer! It just didn’t feel right! I was quoted $1800 for RS 4 with the app on the phone and when he gave me change order for RS 6 it is $1000 more. How would I tell him to negotiate this price if I don’t know much about it?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 54,397
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
In normal times that is correct. With the current supply chain disruptions there are many pricing anomalies. If the RS6 is in higher demand and harder to obtain it can have a premium price. It also depends on the supply sources a PB uses.
It is difficult to know what the street price of Jandy equipment should be since Jandy has taken almost all their equipment off the Internet and retail channels.
I suggest the OP call on the phone to Polytec Pools and see if they will quote pricing and availability for a RS4 and RS6 system.
I agree there should be no additional installation charge.
If he's going to be installing a brand new RS4, then after he's done you could buy and RS6 or RS8 CPU board on ebay. Everything is the same between the 4, 6, and 8 except the CPU board. I bought the latest revision T.2 board on eBay earlier this year for $475.00 and turned my RS4 to an RS8. Prices have gone up since then but you'll still save more than what he is quoting you at.
$1,000 is gouging. You can get the entire board (which isn't needed because all you would need is the CPU) for less than what he wants and swap it out (it's a DIY install).
$1,000 is gouging. You can get the entire board (which isn't needed because all you would need is the CPU) for less than what he wants and swap it out (it's a DIY install).
Jandy Zodiac R0468501 Aqualink RS8 P&S Power Center Board w CPU R0468506 REV T.2 | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Jandy Zodiac R0468501 Aqualink RS8 P&S Power Center Board w CPU R0468506 REV T.2 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
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I really appreciate your input! Thank you for your response! It does sounds a lot for extra 2 relays! You mean there is no extra wire under the ground required to add 2 or more relays?If he's going to be installing a brand new RS4, then after he's done you could buy and RS6 or RS8 CPU board on ebay. Everything is the same between the 4, 6, and 8 except the CPU board. I bought the latest revision T.2 board on eBay earlier this year for $475.00 and turned my RS4 to an RS8. Prices have gone up since then but you'll still save more than what he is quoting you at.
$1,000 is gouging. You can get the entire board (which isn't needed because all you would need is the CPU) for less than what he wants and swap it out (it's a DIY install).
Jandy Zodiac R0468501 Aqualink RS8 P&S Power Center Board w CPU R0468506 REV T.2 | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Jandy Zodiac R0468501 Aqualink RS8 P&S Power Center Board w CPU R0468506 REV T.2 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!www.ebay.com
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,293
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
The RS8 vs RS6 has 2 more AUX ports available to you. It does not have any additional wiring. It is purely software. It might not even include the actual relay that can be used in conjunction with the AUX port. Some do, some don't. Not everything needs a relay. For instance, JVAs don't need a relay. If you were going to use the extra capacity for a light, that would probably require a relay. They run $25-$50 each for a relay. My system came with a couple extra relays in the load center.
MSchutzer
Silver Supporter
When I bought my RS system last December the shop I bought the components from said the Jandy system components are built up a-la-carte. I had been trying to decide between a RS-PS4 or a RS-PS6 with the iAqualink 2.0 transceiver and the shop steered me to RS-PS8 with iAqualink as Jandy offers the RS-PS8 / iAqualink upgrade kit for far less than the cost of the separate RS-PS6 board and separate iAqualink 2.0 transceiver. If I recall the upgrade package was only about $150 dollars more than the RS-PS6 board by itself. For me it was a no brainer as is saved me money overall. Today the upgrade kit would be a RS-PS8 / iAqualink 3.0.
You can buy as many relays as you need, so you don't need to install all 8 if you don't need them. But it is nice to have the board that supports 8 auxiliaries for expansion purposes.
In my case I didn't think I needed any more than 6 auxiliary relays, but I ended up using the all 8 to control the digital inputs on my Vgreen VS motor until I figured out how to get the motor to talk to the Jandy RS-485 control interface.
I bought my stuff from TCPoolEquiptment.com, like other vendors they don't sell Jandy stuff online, you have to call them on the phone. I have no affiliation with them, but they can give you a price point on the equipment.
You can buy as many relays as you need, so you don't need to install all 8 if you don't need them. But it is nice to have the board that supports 8 auxiliaries for expansion purposes.
In my case I didn't think I needed any more than 6 auxiliary relays, but I ended up using the all 8 to control the digital inputs on my Vgreen VS motor until I figured out how to get the motor to talk to the Jandy RS-485 control interface.
I bought my stuff from TCPoolEquiptment.com, like other vendors they don't sell Jandy stuff online, you have to call them on the phone. I have no affiliation with them, but they can give you a price point on the equipment.
My understanding is that if you get a RS6 panel, that comes with 6 Hp relays (to connect lights, pump, etc) and a PCB that is universal to either RS6 or RS8. The PCB has the relays for valve actuators, temperature sensors, pump controls, etc.
If you just get the RS4 panel and add the RS6 or RS8 PCB then you will only have 4 Hp relays. That is what I was informed by Jandy when I was deciding to upgrade my system and was confirmed by a local installer. This was a year ago. Since I already had 6 Hp relays which covers all my needs now, I just upgraded the PCB which also handled the new 3.0 Antenna. I have room in my panel to add 2 additional Hp Relays to make a total of 8 if I needed it.
In the picture below, the PCB sits on top in front of the Transformer (the transformer powers the PCB). The middle section is the Hp Relays (either 4, 6 or 8 relays) and the bottom is the power center for circuit breakers (or sometimes those are put in a separate sub-panel).
If you just get the RS4 panel and add the RS6 or RS8 PCB then you will only have 4 Hp relays. That is what I was informed by Jandy when I was deciding to upgrade my system and was confirmed by a local installer. This was a year ago. Since I already had 6 Hp relays which covers all my needs now, I just upgraded the PCB which also handled the new 3.0 Antenna. I have room in my panel to add 2 additional Hp Relays to make a total of 8 if I needed it.
In the picture below, the PCB sits on top in front of the Transformer (the transformer powers the PCB). The middle section is the Hp Relays (either 4, 6 or 8 relays) and the bottom is the power center for circuit breakers (or sometimes those are put in a separate sub-panel).
That’s very detailed and broken down to the t answer. After talking to Progect manager this morning his explanation was this way: for rs4 they had sub box and 4 relay aqualink box and in order to do rs 6 they have to put only one but bigger box and it adds up to the cost. I guess I’m running out of power on my box for pool of 50amp , that’s my guess
