Aqualink RS Solar Heater wont come on except if i schedule it along with filter schedule, but also shuts off filter pump after reaching set temp

Ok changed to correct settings. I hope that was it.
I installed a water blue and white flow meter in the solar panel return pipe. Reading 50gpm. I have 20 - 4x12.5 HC-50 helicol panels.
The solar system plumbing and etc has been an ongoing problem, I have been trying to fix. The main pool system returns water to the pool deep end outlet, and also to the caretaker 99 8port ultra flex. I can't find if there is a tee or a diverter valve anywhere hidden in the rocks. The only thing I found is the 8port (image 9323)and there is a check valve plumbed where it's at. I would not doubt there is a hidden tee or diverter valve. I just replaced the 8 port flex valve assembly and the circuit board last year, The motor burned up. I'm still not sure what the two blacktop 6 pipes are(image 9281)? Part of the caretaker 99 flex 8port system?
The flex port is 20feet away from the pool equip area. The caretaker 99 in floor system works pretty good when it works.
 

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So I don't know much about your plumbing stuff but I hopefully can help with your speed setups.

Right now your speeds will never run run slower than 2800 rpm as you have it set up. For all the functions the filter pump function runs (basically any time the pump is running). When you select the spa function it will run 2800 RPM also. That's because the "pool" speed is associated with filter pump. When filter pump and spa are active (any time the spa is selected) then the speed will be 2800 because both the Pool speed and the spa speed will be active. Since 2800 is the faster than the spa 2100 rpm speed it will always win.

So you always want your slowest speed (2100 rpm) associated with Pool (filter pump) as this runs with everything. Then your Spa speed should be 2100 so that it still runs 2100 when the spa is active. SPA can be faster if you want, but it can't be slower than the pool speed.

All your heat settings would be faster 2600 and 3300 that you have and that will cause the pump to increase from 2100 to the heater speed when the selected heater is actually firing (or running). Once the temp setting is reached the pump will drop back to the slower "pool" speed.

If you want to run you pool speed at something faster than the slowest speed you just schedule one of the speed keywords for the time you want the pool to run faster. Lets say you really want to run the pool speed at about 2800 rpm. You still want to leave the Pool speed slow, and then you just schedule Speed4 (2750 rpm) for the subset of time you want it to go faster, or schedule speed4 for the whole duration the filter pump function is scheduled.

VSP speed settings are quirky and governed by the rule that fastest speeds always wins when multiple functions are activated at the same time. And in general filter pump should be scheduled to be on any time any other function is being used that involves the main filtration pump. So any time you have any of the heats, cleaner (you aren't using) or other things scheduled the filter pump function should also be scheduled. There are a couple of exceptions to this, the SPA function can be scheduled without filter pump being scheduled as SPA automatically activates filter pump. The other exception in the spillover function (you aren't using by the looks of your programming) as it also automatically activates the filter pump function.

There's more on the VSP speed and scheduling quirks in the wiki:


I hope this helps.
 
Ok I might have stumbled upon the problem. While reading the aqualink controller pdf, I came across maintain temp setting. It was turned on. So I turned it off. Let's see what happens now! Not sure really what that's for except using a heater chiller maybe?
 
Yes that is likely the problem. Maintain temp turns the pump on and off with the heater demand. I think it starts the pump every so often to check the temperature, and if low it will activate the heater (whichever selected) until the heat demand is satisfied and then it shuts off the pump. It's supposed to go back to turning on pump periodically to see if the pool needs heat.

I don't know how that will interact with a scheduled filter/pump running? It's best to turn that off.

Don't rename speed1, it needs to be called Pool.
 
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Yes that is likely the problem. Maintain temp turns the pump on and off with the heater demand. I think it starts the pump every so often to check the temperature, and if low it will activate the heater (whichever selected) until the heat demand is satisfied and then it shuts off the pump. It's supposed to go back to turning on pump periodically to see if the pool needs heat.

I don't know how that will interact with a scheduled filter/pump running? It's best to turn that off.

Don't rename speed1, it needs to be called Pool.
So far working perfect! Left the pump speed as Pool. I cant believe i never saw that! Not sure how that got turned on except trying to fix this problem probably tried that without thinking???
Thank you for your time and patience!
 
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