Controlling Intellivalve

[Katodude]

So I just received a Pentair Intellivalve that I am looking to hookup to my DIY controller. I am not sure how the wiring on it works. There is a black, red, and white wire in that order (there is also a green and yellow reserved for future use, RS-485 control). With most actuators it seems like the center wire is the common wire and you apply power to either side to move it in either direction. That does not appear to be the case here.

The black wire appear to be common (at one end of the three). If I apply power to either the red or white, the Intellivalve turns on and I can program it but it does not move. The behavior seems the same if I apply power to either red or white.

So my question is what do I do to make this thing turn? I did not try applying power to red and white together since I dont want to accidentally blow up my brand new $150 valve actuator.

 

[JamesW]

Black should be common and the red and white wires should be the switched legs.

Supplied voltage should be 24 volts AC.

Red and white just reverses the direction.

Make sure that the intellivalve is set to "Auto" mode.

https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/product-related/product-manuals/pool-and-spa-equipment/intellivalve/IntelliValve_2-Way_3-Way_Valve_Actuator_Installation_and_Users_Guide_English.pdf

 

[Katodude]

I did all that, same story. All the lights flash properly. I can go into every one of the modes. When I use the arrows to set the two positions the actuator responds and turns appropriately. However, once I go back to Auto mode the actuator does not move does not matter whether I apply power to the red or white wire.

 

[JamesW]

What is the voltage that you're putting on the wires?

Did you actually measure the voltage at 24 volts AC?

Did you go through the manual?

 

[Katodude]

The transformer is 24VAC. I measured the voltage and it is coming in at 27v. I have read the manual cover to cover. The only thing it does not talk about is how to wire the device. It assumes that you will just plug it into a Pentair automation system. I am able to configure the beginning and end points and the actuator moves on manual mode. It just does not move when power is applied. I feel like I am missing something basic.

 

[JamesW]

Do you have a picture of the transformer label, intellivalve and wiring?

 

[Katodude]

Sure, here they are. I have bypassed my controller entirely and am wiring directly to the transformer. I want to eliminate as many variables as possible.

 

[JamesW]

Will the valve work in Service mode?

Try connecting the 24 VAC wires from the transformer directly to the black and red wires or the black and white wires.

 

[Katodude]

I have done both. Connecting transformer directly to black and white and black and red. Same result.

Yes, the valve works in service mode. I can get it to turn in either direction with the red and yellow buttons.

 

[JamesW]

There is a set point for each direction. The only thing that I can think of is that maybe both set points are the same?

 

[Katodude]

Nope, reset the set points multiple times. It behaves the way it is supposed to while setting the set points. Flashes all the same way as the video. Just does not move after the set points as set.

I guess I will call Pentair support tomorrow morning and see what they say. Maybe mine is just defective.

 

[JamesW]

Ok, I'm out of ideas. As far as I can tell, you seem to be doing everything right.