Aqualink Puzzle (fun?!?)

[Jinro1]

Hello pool folks. See you if you can make sense of this riddle below. Look forward to your insights on this puzzling matter.

Pump wasn't working so investigating with a multimeter.

1) Aqualink RS in service mode - filter pump button is the subject.
2) If i press the filter pump button, it clicks but about 1/3 as loud as all the other buttons.
3) relays are fine. I could actually just hook up the filter pump relay with the Aux 3 line (and other lines) and run the pump with Aux 3 button. (which is what i'm doing right now to keep the algae away)
4) but funny enough if i disconnect the filter pump 24v line and test with multimeter, i still get 24V actuation when i press the button. (again, softer than others)
5) but if connected to the relay and i test at the screws, does not show 24V when button on.

Questions:
- Do you know what this 'soft click' means and why it doesn't provide enough power to run the relay?
- If i can't figure this out or fix it, any risks in continuing to run the Filter Pump with the Aux 3 button?

Appreciate the Help!!!

 

[HermanTX]

Just replace the relay. Obviously something is not right.
But $45 gets you a new one. Or if you have an unused one relay then just switch it out. Move the the complete relay or just the socket from Aux 3 to the Filter Pump socket (if the wire is long enough)

The relays are the same but plugging into the Filter Pump relay is important as there is internal programming for that relay.

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[Jinro1]

Just replace the relay. Obviously something is not right.
But $45 gets you a new one. Or if you have an unused one relay then just switch it out. Move the the complete relay or just the socket from Aux 3 to the Filter Pump socket (if the wire is long enough)

The relays are the same but plugging into the Filter Pump relay is important as there is internal programming for that relay.

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Hey thanks for the reply but it's not the relay. I know this because I tried various combinations.

Filterpump to relay 1, 2, 3 all same - no power to the relays

Any aux or any other buttons will activate relays 1 2 or 3.

So its not the relays. Just the 24v from the filter pump button doesn't stay 24v when applied to the relay. Really weird. Only that one.

 

[Jinro1]

At this point, I'll most likely just keep using aux 3 as the filter pump and put it into all the combos and timers.

 

[MSchutzer]

It sounds like the relay 1 output on the relay drive chip is bad.

See: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjgrdHz6c6BAxWzkmoFHfd-BK44FBAWegQIFxAB&url=https://repairalmostanything.com/thread/944/repairing-jandy-rs6-pool-controller&usg=AOvVaw1kDF8igozesKjr29IxIrte&opi=89978449

This write-up talks about repairing the main board after a lightening strike, but it has pictures of the relay driver chip and a link to Digi-Key to buy one. Supposedly the part is socketed so it may be easy to replace. But you will have to look at your main board to see if there’s a socketed chip there as it may be different on newer board versions.

 

[Jinro1]

This is Very helpful. Thank you!!