AQL-PS-8 Remote Emulator App

[mas985]

A couple months ago, I started to have problems with my AquaLogic PS8 wireless remote. It frequently showed "The base receiver is not responding" which usually only lasted for a short period of time due to weak signal levels. But this time, it lasted for nearly a half day and eventually it failed completely. Instead of trying to fix it or purchasing a new wireless unit, I looked for a lower cost alternative.

So after some research, I found others that were looking into the same thing:

Swimming Pool

Blogspot limits the number of pages I can have, so I'm putting all my pool changes on this page as I get to them. I installed a Hayward var...

www.desert-home.com

Hayward AquaLogic / ProLogic automation

Now that it spring here in the GWN, I’ve finally got Home Assistant talking to my Hayward AquaLogic pool controller: The AquaLogic interface code is here: https://github.com/swilson/aqualogic, and the Home Assistant code is here: https://github.com/swilson/home-assistant/tree/aqualogic...

community.home-assistant.io

Leveraging this work, I came up with my own standalone solution rather than home automation which I am not all that interested in at this point. However, there is a solution below for HA if you are interested in that.

Using an RS485 to WiFI server module shown here:

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi

www.hi-flying.com

With some software I developed, I was able to replicate many of the functions of the wireless remove on Windows, Android and iOS as well as integration into Home Assistant.

Documentation: AQL-PS-8 & EW11 Setup Instructions

Windows Installation​

• AQL-PS-8 Remote Emulator - Windows Store

Android Installation​

• AQL-PS-8 Remote Emulator - Google Play

iOS Installation​

• AQL-PS-8 Remote Emulator - App Store

Note that I have tested it only on an AquaLogic unit but according to ProLogic users on the development sites, it should work with the ProLogic version as well since many of the commands are the same.

Let me know if you run into any problems and/or have any feedback. The app(s) are fairly stable now and are now consistently working for me.

Post #77 and above relates to Home Assistant integration:

Home Assistant​

• PS8 & P4 Home Assistant Installation Instructions

 

[mknauss]

Great job Mark! Hope others leverage what you worked on.

 

[Bearclaw-Tx]

Thanks Mark! I’m planning to dig around see if I can get this working for my system.

 

[mas985]

Let me know if you have any problems.

 

[william13]

A couple months ago, I started to have problems with my AquaLogic PS8 wireless remote. It frequently showed "The base receiver is not responding" which usually only lasted for a short period of time due to weak signal levels. But this time, it lasted for nearly a half day and eventually it failed completely. Instead of trying to fix it or purchasing a new wireless unit, I looked for a lower cost alternative.

So after some research, I found others that were looking into the same thing:

Swimming Pool

Blogspot limits the number of pages I can have, so I'm putting all my pool changes on this page as I get to them. I installed a Hayward var...

www.desert-home.com

Hayward AquaLogic / ProLogic automation

Now that it spring here in the GWN, I’ve finally got Home Assistant talking to my Hayward AquaLogic pool controller: The AquaLogic interface code is here: https://github.com/swilson/aqualogic, and the Home Assistant code is here: https://github.com/swilson/home-assistant/tree/aqualogic...

community.home-assistant.io

Leveraging this work, I came up with my own standalone solution rather than home automation which I am not all that interested in at this point.

Using an RS485 to WiFI server module shown here:

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi

www.hi-flying.com

With some software I developed, I was able to replicate many of the functions of the wireless remove on both Windows and Android apps. So anyway, I thought I would share this work in case anyone else is interested.

Here is a Google Drive folder which contains all the information required to duplicate the setup as well as the Windows portable app in the wpf folder:

AQL-PS-8 Remote Emulator - Google Drive

drive.google.com

Open Testing Android App Installation:

AQL-PS-8 Remote Emulator - Apps on Google Play

AQL-PS-8 remote emulator - EW11 IoT DEVICE REQUIRED

play.google.com

Quick Start Guide: EW11 & Application Quick Start Guide v005

GitHub repo:

GitHub - mas985/AQL_PS8_REM: AquaLogic Remote Emulator

AquaLogic Remote Emulator. Contribute to mas985/AQL_PS8_REM development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

Note that I have tested it only on an AquaLogic unit but according to ProLogic users on the development sites, it should work with the ProLogic version as well since many of the commands are the same.

Let me know if you run into any problems and/or have any feedback. The app(s) are fairly stable now and are now consistently working for me.

So that was about 200 posts ago. Now I have a functional tablet that controls my pool. Yes it was wiring issue. A green white wire looked like a blue white wire to me (worked many nights in dark). Thats why it was not connecting. So many people stayed with me after I goofed and goofed and misunderstood and goofed again. I thought this was a pool forum but its much more. Its IT, coding, developing, hardware........list goes on an on. I must apologize for the hair loss I caused all of you. But thank you and Mark you have a successful program that really works well. I'm sure its better than the Omnipl which I was going to buy and others install. Again thanks thanks thanks

 

[mas985]

Awesome!

Glad we finally got it to work.

 

[william13]

Awesome!

Glad we finally got it to work.

I am very impressed by it. Simple but does the trick. Why would anyone need more.

 

[geepmaley]

Where is the Ew11 unit after hooking it up? I assume its not weatherproof so curious

So that was about 200 posts ago. Now I have a functional tablet that controls my pool. Yes it was wiring issue. A green white wire looked like a blue white wire to me (worked many nights in dark). Thats why it was not connecting. So many people stayed with me after I goofed and goofed and misunderstood and goofed again. I thought this was a pool forum but its much more. Its IT, coding, developing, hardware........list goes on an on. I must apologize for the hair loss I caused all of you. But thank you and Mark you have a successful program that really works well. I'm sure its better than the Omnipl which I was going to buy and others install. Again thanks thanks thanks

 

[william13]

Where is the Ew11 unit after hooking it up? I assume its not weatherproof so curious

Sorry for late reply. It sits outside the cabinet on top. I put in in a clear plastic bag. It really works! I am going to try to put it on iphone when I get a new battery for my mac to use.
One cool thing is that I also have the Aquapod going. When I use Marks App for example when I push "pool" on tablet ...it shows up on the Aquapod just like I was using it.

 

[william13]

Awesome!

Glad we finally got it to work.

Mark. I decided after fixing my Mac I would attempt to do what we originally discussed ie get the AQL PS-8 on a Mac product like iphone or ipad. I am able to "Pair to my Mac" I even see your PS_* emulator on my PC and its functional. But I can't figure out how to use Visual Studio to pull it to the Mac. If you have time I would like to work with you again on this.
Bill

 

[mas985]

Those who are using the Android app, I have just release a new production version of the app. If you are still on the beta track, you can switch over to the production track via Google Play. At some point, I will close down the beta track and only update the production version.

This new version is to address some formatting issues with certain device aspect ratios (i.e. looks a bit better on the screen). Functionality is the same though.

 

[geepmaley]

Hi all, finally got the hardware, but still not clear how to hook it up. or control it from iphone or iPad or web.

Heres a pic of what I got. Block is labeled elfin ew-11A. I understand elfin itself will sit outside the controller box. I assume i run jumper wires from controller terminal block to included terminal block and plug the cat 5 connector on other end into the elfin. No clue what the other pigtail at the terminal block is? Did you guys run a cat 5 jumper and connector/splice on the other end of the included cable? Doesn’t look long enough to get out of the controller cabinet. TIA for any pics on HW setup.

does the windows app reside on the elfin and you access via a website?

is this local wireless control only? I was hoping to be able to control things from away from the house. I assume i use the setup below?

is there an ios app?

sorry for all the newb questions.

 

[mas985]

Have you read the documentation here:

AQL-PS-8 Remote Emulator - Google Drive

drive.google.com

I used a CAT5e because it has better shielding but you can use anything higher as well.

Note: Windows and Android apps are currently available. iPhone, iPad and Mac are not but if you have experience with VisualStudio and publishing, you can do it yourself but you will need a Mac and an Apple developer account. (iOS coming soon) .You can read through this thread to determine if you are up for it:

Board Repair

I have an older Hayward controller: goldline aqua logic circuit board "g1-066008k-1" Smelled smoky and there was a communication error. Many years ago I repaired the solder joint on the corner relay. This time I flipped the board over and re-soldered the joint. I did the job very fast in the...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[geepmaley]

Have you read the documentation here:

AQL-PS-8 Remote Emulator - Google Drive

drive.google.com

I used a CAT5e because it has better shielding but you can use anything higher as well.

Note: Windows and Android apps are currently available. iPhone, iPad and Mac are not but if you have experience with VisualStudio and publishing, you can do it yourself but you will need a Mac and an Apple developer account. You can read through this thread to determine if you are up for it:

Board Repair

I have an older Hayward controller: goldline aqua logic circuit board "g1-066008k-1" Smelled smoky and there was a communication error. Many years ago I repaired the solder joint on the corner relay. This time I flipped the board over and re-soldered the joint. I did the job very fast in the...

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks. Im slowly figuring things out. Great work from you guys

as i read through this more i assume this is local wireless control only? i.e. the controller (windows PC) is on the same wifi network as the elfin and the elfin is not able to be controlled from an offsite pc or via the web?

I dont have an android phone nor am i a coder to make a ios app

 

[mas985]

Thanks. Im slowly figuring things out. Great work from you guys

as i read through this more i assume this is local wireless control only? i.e. the controller (windows PC) is on the same wifi network as the elfin and the elfin is not able to be controlled from an offsite pc or via the web?

Correct. If you want WAN control, you will need to go with some sort of home automation solution which I have links in the first post. That will allow you to use Apple products as well.

I dont have an android phone nor am i a coder to make a ios app

Have a chat with @william13 and see if he is willing to post to the App Store. He has the Apple apps all working but has not posted to the App Store yet. Although I think that is going to be a long and arduous process which is one of the reasons I did not bother with Apple. That I and I do not own a Mac which is necessary to post to create an app for Apple products.

The other option is to pick up a cheap android or windows tablet.

 

[william13]

Correct. If you want WAN control, you will need to go with some sort of home automation solution which I have links in the first post. That will allow you to use Apple products as well.


Have a chat with @william13 and see if he is willing to post to the App Store. He has the Apple apps all working but has not posted to the App Store yet. Although I think that is going to be a long and arduous process which is one of the reasons I did not bother with Apple. That I and I do not own a Mac which is necessary to post to create an app for Apple products.

The other option is to pick up a cheap android or windows tablet.

Hi all just saw this. Marks app up and running on a generic android but then transferred it to my iphone and Ipad and it works great there but the apple pad and phone has to be put into developers mode for it to work. I was and maybe will try to publish it to apple store with the kind permission from Mark but there are multiple steps and I am not a coder either just someone who gets caught up in the fun of doing these things. Willing to work with a coder using my licence if someone wants to. I tried to take Marks Elfin11 RS485 set up and use home assistent with it with only partial success. I can monitor salt, temp, etc but can't switch.
This is the android I used with Marks google download (kind of cheap but it worked great) Amazon.com

 

[mas985]

Willing to work with a coder using my licence if someone wants to.

I may take you up on this offer if I can get macOS to work on a virtual drive.

 

[mas985]

Thanks to @william13 help, I now have the app published on the iOS App Store. Search for "AQL-PS-8 Remote Emulator".

There are still a couple of issue with Accessibility (font size) that will get fixed in the next release.

 

[geepmaley]

Awesome!! So can you set it up where you can be remote and still use it? Or do you have to be in the same network as the hardware?

 

[mas985]

It is a LAN only app. However, if you setup a VPN to your house, theoretically, there is a chance it could still work but no guarantees as I have never tried that.

If you really need remote operation, then Home Automation is probably a better solution. The links at the top of this thread focus on Home Automation.

But I see very little value in having off site access to the controller. Might actually be dangerous since you don't know where other people are in relations to the various water features and plumbing fixtures.