Actuator valve tested good but not working with Easy Touch

[Hulaomr]

Hello,

I'm restoring a heater (as described here) which has been unused long time and while a new parts arrive, I'm testing the rest of the system.

Specifically, I'm testing an actuator valve which is attached to the heater and SPA pump as show the picture below.



Considering the actuator has been unused for a while, I remove it and tested on the lab before connecting it to the Easy Touch.

I applied 24VAC in order to have both directions tested. Specifically, I connect the black wire (in this test I used other colors) with the white wire and the valve rotate in one direction, and connecting the black and red wires, the actuator rotate in the other direction. The stop switch were working as expected as well,



After I connect the valve to the Easy Touch the actuator worked in one direction only.

I measured the voltage on the connector of the motherboard, and the results as below:

1. POOL mode
   1. Black and white: ~29Vac
   2. Black and red: ~0Vac
2. SPA mode
   1. Black and white: ~0Vac while mode
   2. Black and red: ~0Vac while mode

The results were similar in both connectors: Intake and Return.
During the testing, I didn't install the actuator on the valve (it means, not load).

From a electrical point of view, it seems the MB has an issue regarding the 24VAC mechanical switching but I'm not sure if I'm missing something at firmware/software level that need to be set on the Easy Touch to have the actuator working as expected.

In either case, hardware of firmware, any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[JamesW]

Valve Actuators - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[1poolman1]

Hello,

I'm restoring a heater (as described here) which has been unused long time and while a new parts arrive, I'm testing the rest of the system.

Specifically, I'm testing an actuator valve which is attached to the heater and SPA pump as show the picture below.

View attachment 561647

Considering the actuator has been unused for a while, I remove it and tested on the lab before connecting it to the Easy Touch.

I applied 24VAC in order to have both directions tested. Specifically, I connect the black wire (in this test I used other colors) with the white wire and the valve rotate in one direction, and connecting the black and red wires, the actuator rotate in the other direction. The stop switch were working as expected as well,

View attachment 561649

After I connect the valve to the Easy Touch the actuator worked in one direction only.

I measured the voltage on the connector of the motherboard, and the results as below:

1. POOL mode
   1. Black and white: ~29Vac
   2. Black and red: ~0Vac
2. SPA mode
   1. Black and white: ~0Vac while mode
   2. Black and red: ~0Vac while mode

The results were similar in both connectors: Intake and Return.
During the testing, I didn't install the actuator on the valve (it means, not load).

From a electrical point of view, it seems the MB has an issue regarding the 24VAC mechanical switching but I'm not sure if I'm missing something at firmware/software level that need to be set on the Easy Touch to have the actuator working as expected.

In either case, hardware of firmware, any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Try it in another socket. If it works the board has an issue. If not, its the actuator.

 

[ajw22]

Which valve socket did you connect the actuator to and are testing the voltage?

@ogdento

 

[JamesW]

Black - Common

Red - Switch Leg

White - Switch Leg

You should measure 24 volts AC from black to red or black to white when the valve is off.

When the valve is on, the voltage switches from red to white or white to red.

So, if you had 24 volts AC from red to black with the valve off, the voltage should be 24 volts AC from white to black when the valve is on.

 

[Hulaomr]

Thanks all for your feedback!! Very appreciated.

Once I saw the pictures shared by @JamesW, I found out I did a mistake on the pin/out connector at the MB. Somehow, I was considering same pin/out as the actuator board.

Once I reworked the cable connector, it start working as expected. What a relief!

 

[ogdento]

hey by the way... your Itech AC power source is a nice bit of kit!