Jandy iAqualink 3.0 and lost control over solar JVA

pgrovetom

Active member
Feb 28, 2021
25
Sonoma, CA, 94951
I had an old Jandy RS16 based system which I had to upgrade from a single speed filter pump to a variable speed pump. I had my system upgraded to the 3HP Pentair Intelliflow VSP controlled by the new Jandy iAqualink 3.0 WIFI connected app. Everything worked fine but when I turned off the solar schedule last year, I must have messed things up. Based on some research online, it appears my solar JVA is aux3. The JVA works manually with the switch. But when I look in my app schedule the solar is gone and under "main menu", "system setup", "label aux", aux3 ( the solar aux is missing. It starts with aux1, aux2, aux4, ....au7, auxB1..... etc..) It looks like when I turned off my solar schedule, I somehow caused the existence of aux3 or any reference to solar in my app to vanish.

Does anyone know how to put solar ( I believe is the missing aux3) control back in the label auxiliaries list. I believe that since its not listed in the auxiliaries labeling, its name is not available for scheduling. So solar via the JVA valve cannot be controlled by the Jandy via the app. At least that's what I believe. Am I on the right track and if so or not, how do I get my solar JVA control back so I can schedule it? The solar JVA 24VAC wires are connected to the solar JVA connector on the main board top right but its not actually called aux3. Its just labelled "solar JVA". I figured that out on Google searches that aux3 was typically the solar JVA control. But its integrated on the main board so not labeled aux3.

Its also the one missing in my auxiliary labeling list. That makes me suspicious that I somehow deleted the label by accident.

Any thoughts appreciated. The pool guy who did the new pump and installed the VSP and iAqualink, has been away. I was hoping to figure it out before he was available. The whole setup is much more complicated than my old RS16 panel. I should be able to figure it out but its not that straightforward. Any help appreciated. The pool teperature is set to 90 degrees but I have no control over the rooftop temperature sensor. I suspect that even once properly labeled I'll need a warm day so the solar JVA is activated because the pool is cold and solar panels hot. I'll try that manully on the next warm day in service mode.
 
I believe since my Jandy was an old 2001 version, its solar JVA connector is above to the right side of the manual buttons. This is different than shown in the PDF you linked. In the photo enclosed, the larger green connection block has Solar JVA written on the PCB below the second from the right connector pair from the right. Everything worked until I took the solar out of the iAqualink schedule menu. On my setup, aux3 is not used. Plus that is the one I can't find anywhere in the iAqualink app menu anywhere. I can't find any reference to solar.

In my older system, after the pool or spa water go through the 3HP Jandy VSP and filter, the water then goes to the solar JVA. That JVA selects whether to send the filtered water up through the solar panels or directly to the heater. After the water returns from the solar panels it rejoins the flow through the Jandy Heater and then back to the pool or spa. That solar JVA is connected to the second connector in the closeup below from the right. It says solar JVA if you can see the photo close enough.

Since it all worked and now its just the programming that is messed up, I'm trying to figure out how to re-enter that solar JVA control to my label list and then put that name back into the schedule list. When I go through my schedule list, its just not there. But since I don't know the mapping to that connector and if its really aux3, I'm stuck. You pointed me to the right place in the PDF for the wire connection but not for iAqualink programming my old upgraded system and what the solar JVA is named and how to put it back in. Hope that makes more sense.
 

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"Solar" on the green terminal block is for the solar temperature sensor (red/black wires)

Solar should only turn on when the filter is on and, normally is not connected with Aux3

On your app, tap Web. Then tap Other Devices. Is there a Solar Heat button? Is the an Extra Aux Button? Be sure to check page2 on Devices screen.

web1.JPG
 
You are correct. The red/black wires on the upper block that says solar go to the solar sensor on the roof.

On "other devices" there is no "solar Heat" nor any mention of solar. There is an "Extra Aux" Button in the "other devices" on page 2.

I also traced the actual solar JVA wires and they go to the connector below the manual buttons and are the 4th connector from the right going left. Connectors 1-3 and 5 are not connected. 6 and 7 are connected. The fourth connector goes to the solar JVA.

Its a cold day so the rooftop temperature sensor would disable the solar. so I can't easily check this until I get some warm weather. If I just change the pool temperature to below my rooftop temperature, would that allow the solar JVA to be enabled? What is the "Maintain Temp" button. I used an inside RS16 wall manual controller for 20 years and just turned on and off what I wanted. Now I'm not sure how things like the pool heater and solar interact . My old manual panel just had a "solar" button which operated the JVA if the pool was colder than the solar sensor.

Is there a resistance table for the rooftop sensor so I could remove it and measure its resistance on a volt/ohm meter? I found a chart on this site and uploaded it below. Is this chart appropriate for a Jandy system?

thanks for the help. Transitioning from the good old manual Jandy Panel to the iAqualink app is not straightforward.


" "Solar" on the green terminal block is for the solar temperature sensor (red/black wires)

Solar should only turn on when the filter is on and, normally is not connected with Aux3

On your app, tap Web. Then tap Other Devices. Is there a Solar Heat button? Is the an Extra Aux Button? Be sure to check page2 on Devices screen. "
 

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The connection of a solar sensor is what tells your control system and activates the solar features. You have an open circuit on the solar sensor. The sensor is a 10K ohm thermistor. Power everything off and remove the red black solar sensor wires. When testing red black wires you should get 10 K ohms at 77°. I imagine you will find yours is an open circuit. You have a break in your wire or in a connection leading to the roof or a bad thermistor up there. Power everything down, and you could then borrow the air sensor and test it on the solar sensor terminals (they have the same values) Remove the red black wires from the solar terminals and connect the air sensor red black wires in their place. You will get a an error message for your air sensor temporarily. Let me know if that Removes your “extra aux”and gives you “solar heat” on your “devices” screen.
 
Great ideas. I suspect you are right. I have an electronics background so I could just use a resistor or 10K POT in place of the solar sensor or just parallel it. I do have to verify that I can activate the solar JVC while in service mode. That wire from the connector on the main board to the JVC connector could be open also. The JVC works from the switch on it but I could not activate it from service mode. But the solar sensor was cold so I'm betting its the solar sensor on the roof as you say. I'll let you know what I discover. I'll watch the extra aux button on the Jandy app while I check these out.
 
I removed the red/black wires from the solar sensor connector block and measured the resistance from red to black. It was open. I'm still using the original 20 year old sensor so I just ordered a new one. It might just be broken wire but its time to overhaul the connections and sensor mounting anyway. thanks
 
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