Any reason not to get an AquaStrong?

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monktastic

Member
Feb 3, 2024
14
Austin, TX
I have two Pentair single-speed pumps (main and water feature) for my ~20k gal in-ground pool. The feature pump is dying, and instead of spending $2000-$2500 to get a Pentair or Jandy professionally installed, I'm thinking of spending $250 for an AquaStrong and paying my plumber $250 to install it (which he says he knows how to do). I realize I won't get the same warranty or quality, but if I'm saving $2k (per pump) I'm fine with that.

One thing I don't understand is whether I'll have any trouble integrating with AquaLink. My understanding is that it just sends a power signal (both for the regular schedule and for freeze protection). I don't think it needs any special signals (over RS-485?), so it seems fine, but I don't really know.

Is this a terrible idea? Anything else I should verify before pulling the trigger?

Thanks!
 
HermanTX said:
Is the AquaStrong a single speed pump? If so, as long as the power to the pump is coming from the LOAD side of the Relay. Then whichever Relay it is connected to can be turned on or off with AquaLink.
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I would replace the main pump with a variable speed and the feature pump with a single speed. Does that change things? I'm guessing yes, that it would need RS-485, and I'd be better off going with a single-speed for the main too.
 
It just depends on the amount of control you wish to have.
If you hook a single speed pump to your AquaLink automation then your automation system can set schedules and control operations. Basically no change from what you have today.

If the main pump is a VS then you should connect it to constant power which you can do on AquaLink. However, to schedule the VS pump, you would use its on board programming to schedule on or off and speed settings. The AquaLink automation only provides the power. No control.

Do you have a link to the the pump you are looking at so more information can be gathered? It may or may not be able to use an RS-485 cable and if it does, it is unlikely the AquaLink automation will be able to control it as it really only works with Jandy pump and the Pentair IntelliFlo pump.
 
HermanTX said:
It just depends on the amount of control you wish to have.
If you hook a single speed pump to your AquaLink automation then your automation system can set schedules and control operations. Basically no change from what you have today.

If the main pump is a VS then you should connect it to constant power which you can do on AquaLink. However, to schedule the VS pump, you would use its on board programming to schedule on or off and speed settings. The AquaLink automation only provides the power. No control.

Do you have a link to the the pump you are looking at so more information can be gathered? It may or may not be able to use an RS-485 cable and if it does, it is unlikely the AquaLink automation will be able to control it as it really only works with Jandy pump and the Pentair IntelliFlo pump.
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Thanks Herman!

Single-speed pump: Amazon.com
Two-speed pump: Amazon.com
Variable speed: Amazon.com

Just realized that the VSP is 220v, so need to check my electrical.

If I've understood you correctly, for the two-speed / variable-speed pumps I should give them continuous power and use their onboard settings to adjust their speed. In that case I wonder if I can bypass AquaLink altogether. I'll need to look at my panel to better understand how it's wired. If I can't bypass it I can always set it to run 24/7, but that's a bit of a hack.
 
monktastic said:
Thanks Herman!

Single-speed pump: Amazon.com
Two-speed pump: Amazon.com
Variable speed: Amazon.com

Just realized that the VSP is 220v, so need to check my electrical.

If I've understood you correctly, for the two-speed / variable-speed pumps I should give them continuous power and use their onboard settings to adjust their speed. In that case I wonder if I can bypass AquaLink altogether. I'll need to look at my panel to better understand how it's wired. If I can't bypass it I can always set it to run 24/7, but that's a bit of a hack.
Click to expand...
The AquaLink can control either a single speed pump or a 2 speed pump. You have to set one of the dipswitches to allow for control of 2 speed control. If you have the manual, it is all discussed. We can help you if there is any issues.

Aqualink can only control a Jandy VS pump or a Pentair IntelliFlo VS pump (via RS 485) wire. There is a very specific way to wire the RS-485 for the Pentair pump. It does not appear you are going that way so no need to get into the details.

If you have a 3rd party pump such what you provided the link to, then just hook up to continuous power and then use the onboard program to schedule on-off times and speed. You would have to ensure it has its own freeze protection.
Do you have a saltwater pool? If you have a SWCG then need to ensure that is turned off when the pump is scheduled off.
 
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