Easy/Intellitouch: Gas Heater false no demand...

[BMeeley]

So, all systems are functional in my DIY upgrade. I'm into testing and configuration. I've adjusted the actuator stop points, lights are working, great flow, and in manual mode the improved flow has eliminated the start/stop issue the heater had for three seasons. Awesome!

Here's my next sticking point... I have a Raypak 336A gas heater, 240 VAC 30 Amp GFCI circuit powering the heater, IntelliChlor SCG and the Pentair air blower. Power works fine. The Raypak has a 7-pin remote wiring harness and wiring instructions for 2-wire and 3-wire remote configurations. The IntelliTouch uses a 2-wire control. I've checked and re-checked everything, but still have these symptoms:

• In manual mode, the heater works just fine... fires up, reads its internal temp sensor and heats water to set point
• Screenlogic shows correct air and water temps for both pool and spa modes (so the sensors work)
• Following Raypak instructions, I set both Pool and Spa set points to the max (to keep the heater from overriding the remote system) and complete the process to switch to remote mode
• When I change the Raypak over to Remote mode, the heater does not fire, the display on the heater reads No Demand
• Screenlogic shows set points for both pool and spa mode

I think this evening I may swap the Pool/Spa Comm wires (BLK/ORN for ORN/BLK; BLU is 24 VAC) to see if that changes anything. The Raypak manual says it shouldn't matter which one you use. The IntelliTouch manual says it shouldn't matter which wire goes to either terminal on the i5 board.

Not sure it matters, but I used some shielded high-end speaker cable for the Comms line. Could that be fouling up the signal? Easy enough to replace, I guess, but it seemed like the perfect solution to this neophyte.

I'm hoping I'm just overlooking something, but throwing this out there in case anyone has sussed this particular issue before.

Project wrap-up thread with pics in the next couple of weeks...

Oh, and I am thrilled with the way everything is turning out. Huge improvement!! By season-end, I'll have it tuned like a fish!

cheers,

 

[Jimrahbe]

B,

The two wire control just interrupts the heater's firemen's switch.. When closed, the heater should fire up.. just take the two wires coming from the heater and going to the gas heat connection on the IntelliTouch, and short them together.. That is all the automation does anyway.

It the heater fires when the wires are shorted.. then the problem has to be inside the automation.. Obviously, the pump has to be running fast enough to close the pressure switch.. Give it 30 seconds or more...

You should have a ScreenLogic display like this..

Spa page.JPG

• Jimrahbe
• May 28, 2019

ScreenLogic Spillover button

Make sure the heat shows 'On" and that the set point is more than the current temp.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[BMeeley]

Jim,

I’ll try shorting the wires as you suggest. On my ScreenLogic display, the heater is set to on, but it pulses slowly. I forgot to mention that. Set points and water temp set far apart. And the flow is more than enough for the water switch. I used to have that issue when I still had sections of 1.5 in plumbing.

I’m getting there. Truly appreciate the support!

 

[Jimrahbe]

B,

I believe that pulsing is an indication that it is on some kind of delay..

Other than lights, do you have any circuits set up as anything other than "Generic"?

Clink on the Delays and Alerts tab and see if it says anything..

Jim R.

 

[BMeeley]

Just the lights on Aux 2. That’s configured as Light. Nothing on Delays and Alerts.

 

[BMeeley]

OK. I'm a bonehead. I pulled the panel on the heater again to try shorting the wires to see if it would fire. I discovered that I had wired both the BLK/ORN and ORN/BLK but not the blue. I quickly corrected that mental lapse and all works like a charm!

Thanks for the help. The perils of taking this on while working full time and two 17-year-olds in the house!

Humbly yours,

 

[Jimrahbe]

B,

Well, I would give you the bonehead of the year award, but you will just have to get in line... a very long line...

Thanks for the feedback, as it may help others with the same type of problem..

Jim R.

 

[BMeeley]

Always. I have no shame.

But I have a TroubleFreePool!