Connecting Jandy VS to Aqualink RS pre 2022

[newpoolnewproblems]

My pool company installed a Jandy VS 2.7 HP. I asked if it was Aqualink RS compatible; they said yes before install but now are backtracking and saying I have to update the system (now that I’ve paid $2300 for the pump and labor!) I don’t think this is true based on the manual; the PDA even has VS options.

If they don’t budge on the new system upgrade I’m going to finish installing myself. I understand the pump needs to be connected via the RS-485. I have an open spot on the multiplex board (2nd pin is not wired to anything) and an empty slot on the main board.

The multiplex appears to be connected to the main board (“pump 1” on RS board), pda receiver (external) and chlorine generator.

Can I connect the pump directly to the multiplex board, or should I use the empty slot on the main RS board? If so, can I just move the unused multiplex pin?

They did install and ground the pump.

 

[ajw22]

Connect the pump RS-485 cable to the multiplex board.

 

[newpoolnewproblems]

Update; @ajw22 I hope you can correct me if I’m wrong.

After a week of back and forth (and no working pump for 2 weeks) they magically got the pump working today, however they told me they couldn’t automate and i need the IQ30 upgrade.

I checked their work and found this:



Obviously automation can’t work if it’s not connected to the automation unit.

Am I going crazy or am I being scammed? This is by Absolute Pool Care in Shamong, NJ.

 

[dfwnoob]

I'm struggling to understand what's going on in the original pictures. Am I imagining things or is the pump RS-485 not connected to the Aqualink system at all?

In the new picture you uploaded, they have jumpered it in a manner that is only recommended for troubleshooting purposes (it will run at 2600RPM indefinitely this way). It's not intended to be set up like this permanently.

You need to connect all 4 wires from the pump's RS-485 terminal block to the open terminal on the multiplex board with both DIP switches set to OFF.

As long as the firmware on the Aqualink is PDA 4.0 (PDA-only) or O.1 (standard Aqualink RS) or above, VSP control is present and should work. If you DO have new enough firmware, then either the pool maintenance company is impressively stupid or they're trying to sell you an overpriced iQ30-RS board by purposely neglecting to connect the pump properly.

 

[ajw22]

@PoolGate know better what you can do with a PDA system and VS pumps. I am not sure what Rev level board you need for VS pump support although you say you have VS options in your PDA.

I agree with everything @dfwnoob posted above.

I would run a cable between the pump and Aqualink RS-485 blocks and see what works.