advice needed: Simple SuperFlo VS automation

[Joshii]

I have a 1.5HP pentair superflo VS pump. I'm looking to add more time options than the 3 that are built in. Not speed options, just times. I'd like to run it low most of the time with a few 1 hour periods on high. Two speeds, but several times of day.

This pump is relay based which is good I think. I'm thinking something simple like an Intermatic timer would work, but I don't know if they can switch 24VAC or 5V. They have about 1,000 different options. Also, I'm no electrician and would rather not hard-wire. I'm looking for simple, cheap, etc.

I'm looking for: "You plug this thing in to the wall, and run the 5 (or 24) VAC line into the thing, and from out of the thing you plug it into one of the relays on the pump. It energizes that line on the schedule I set. Done deal"

An electronic or manual "thing" is fine. I just don't what the options are.

Thanks!

 

[Oly]

Intersesting, I will be watching this thread. I am now running my Superflow to start at 1.5 hrs at 2400 then down to 1100 for 8 hrs then up to 2400 for 1.5 hrs and finish. I may increase the 1.5 hrs to 2 hrs when summer hits but it does the job skimming and mixing chemicals now. I also utilize the quick clean at 2400 and adjust the time as needed to add more run time, to increase skimming or for chlorine additions when I'm away during the high flow times.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Josh,

Try this... buy a four station water sprinkler controller.. Buy the special cable needed to control the SuperFlo.. P/N 353129Z

Connect each of the four stations to the cable and attach the cable to the SuperFlo... Set the SuperFlo to External Control mode..

Now the pump will only run based upon the schedule in the Sprinkler controller.. Each zone in the controller will run the pump at a different speed that you can set inside the pump's control panel..

If it is needed, I can draft up a crude wiring diagram...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[CJadamec]

Of note (from experience) water sprinkler controllers limit the on time for any 1 zone to 4 hours at a time. This is a mandatory water saving feature.

I use a water sprinkler controller that is WiFi capable to give me basic control of the pump from my phone. In practice it works but it leaves a lot to be desired.

There is no basic plug and play controller for a superflo pump. You will need to understand basic electricity to make it work without harming the pump.

 

[Jimrahbe]

ater sprinkler controllers limit the on time for any 1 zone to 4 hours at a time. This is a mandatory water saving feature.

Chuck,

I did not know that... I guess you could work around that with programming, but good to know..

Jim R.

 

[guinness]

If you have the external control wiring kit I would think you could rig something up using a Raspberry Pi with a 4-Channel Relay Shield and using cron for the schedule.

However you would need to have some coding skills, but it might be worth asking this question on the Raspberry Pi forums and see if they can give you some guidance.

 

[Jimrahbe]

I would think you could rig something up using a Raspberry Pi

G,

Not everyone likes Raspberry pi..

You are 100% correct, but my guess is that 90% of pool owners do not have the background or skills needed to build a system. Like brain surgery, it is simple once you've done it once or twice, but not something you want to jump into without some help.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Joshii]

I know how to code I just don't wanna lol. I think I will get one of those analog intermatic timers and have it switch the built in 24vac signal. I'll post back here if I do it. And dont break my pump.

 

[guinness]

Fair enough Jim, that solution is indeed for a very small minority. I also get that people with the skills won't try this as it might not be robust enough, although it's very unlikely to damage the pump as the manual covers eventualities where multiple relays are activated.

The external low voltage signal can be regulated by switches or relays to activate the desired Digital Input. If more than one Digital Input is active at one time then they will be resolved by priority.

There's also a GitHub repository with some sample code in Python if anyone wanted to go that route.

 

[Jimrahbe]

as the manual covers eventualities where multiple relays are activated.

G,

And to make it easier, the pump does not care if more than one relay is closed.. It has a priority system, and if more that one is closed, it only uses the relay with the highest priority.. They have made it "Rahbe" proof...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Joshii]

Actually, I think I can get away with a $10 outdoor timer and a spare 5v power adapter. This may work...

 

[Jimrahbe]

Josh,

The pump actually supplies 5 VDC to run through the relays or contacts.. You would not need the 5 volt adapter unless you need it to run the outdoor timer.

Jim R.

 

[Joshii]

Good point. But the cheapest options I can find are the simple ones that control a normal power outlet. They're $10. The ones that can switch any line are like $100.

 

[guinness]

The pump actually supplies 5 VDC to run through the relays or contacts.

Here's the wiring diagram to use the supplied +5V output.