Jandy Valve questions

Jump to latest Follow Reply
T

thetekgeek

0
Bronze Supporter
Jun 8, 2018
307
Nebraska
I've got some general questions on the Jandy valves. We built our pool a few years ago and the only complaint I have ever had is the valves that my builder used on the suction side of the pump. Currently, there are 3 ball valves controlling the input from each skimmer and the main drains. Over time, these valves have become extremely hard to adjust. This typically wouldn't be a problem because they only ever get turned when winterizing. However, we have started using our heater much more than we did in the past and I have found that when the heater is running it is best to limit the intake from the skimmers and maximize the intake from the main drains or we end up with very cold water in the deep end and heated water on the top few feet. My wife is unable to turn the valves on her own, so she has to wait for me and that is just unacceptable.

I need to replace those valves. We have the EasyTouch 8 system. Now to the questions.

This is the valve I found and am considering installing: Neverlube Valve 2 Port, 2" x 2-1/2"

1. Would I be able to control all 3 valves with the existing EasyTouch 8?
2. When winterizing, I airlock the main drains, will the Jandy valves be suitable to hold an air lock for several months with no power to the system?
3. What type of wire is used to connect the valve to the EasyTouch? I'm assuming thermostat wire would be sufficient.
4. Looking at the valve in the link, I cannot see anywhere that a wire would connect, am I looking at the wrong valve?

I can post a picture of the existing valve setup if it would help.

Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
thetekgeek said:
Looking at the valve in the link, I cannot see anywhere that a wire would connect, am I looking at the wrong valve?
Click to expand...
You've got the right valve. They are not automation ready. You need to add a valve actuator for each valve you wish to automate. They come with a 3-wire cord, about 10' in length. Intermatic, Jandy, Pentair, Hayward and others are compatible with Jandy diverter valves. I chose Intermatic, mostly because of the price and availability. There should be no issues with connection to your automation system.
 
T,

Just to be clear... a Jandy valve is just the water controlling part of using the EasyTouch. To make the Jandy valve move each valve will need an actuator. The actuator has an electric motor that actually moves the Jandy valve, so that water flows where you want.

An EasyTouch can control 4 actuators, but two of them are restricted to moving between the spa mode and pool mode. Only two of the actuators can be user programable. This may not be an issue, but it depends on how you want the system to work.

Each actuator has its own cable that just plugs into the EasyTouch.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Thank you both for the reply.

I want the system to close both the skimmers and fully open the main drain when the heater is actively heating. Then close the main drain and open the skimmers when the heater is turned off. Is this possible given the current equipment? I'd love to be able to also open/close the valves at will using the Pool Controller Dashboard I have running on the ET8.
 
Holy Crud, look at those huge brass ball valves. Those things must have costed a fortune!!
[ looks up 2" ball valves ]
"Ahh, still half the price of something that says Jandy" on it.
 
T,

Unless you can do something with your "pie" you only have the ability to control Valve A and Valve B.

Valve A could be for your skimmers and Valve B for your Main Drain

Say you used Aux 6 for your Skimmers and Aux 7 for your Main Drain... Then anytime you turned on Aux 6 both skimmer valves would close and anytime you turned on Aux 7 your Main Drain would open. The downside to this is that if you closed the skimmers and never opened the main drain, the pump would dead head..

A better way would be to use Valve A to move Skimmer #1 and the Main Drain. Use Valve B to move Skimmer #2

You'd have to make an adapter or just splice the actuator cables together, as you'd need to connect skimmer #1 actuator and the Main Drain Actuator to the Valve A port. You'd connect Skimmer #2 to Valve B

You'd need two unused Aux circuits or two unused Feature Circuits

Say you used Aux 6 for Valve A and Aux 7 for Valve B

Turning on Aux 6 would shut off the valve on the Skimmer #1 pipe and open the Main Drain pipe.

When you turn on Aux 7 the Skimmer #2 would close. The only reason to use Aux circuits instead of Feature Circuits is if you wanted a physical button to push.

You should be able to turn Aux 6 and 7 (or feature circuits) with your "pie"...

You can then assign Valve A and B to turn on when the Heater is "active".

Anyway, on the surface I see no issues with what you want to do.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply