Easytouch and solar temperature differentials

[Syhnthetik]

Hello all, first time poster, but this forums has probably saved me thousands over the 4 years since I bought my house. I finally ran into an issue I haven't been able to find this exact situation on another post.

I have a question on the easytouch controlling my solar heater. I was working outside today and noticed it was rather hot and the solar heater wasn't on. I decided to do a little digging, and as far as I can tell all of my settings point to the fact that it should be running.

Water temp: 81
Pool set temp: 90
Air temp: 83
Solar temp: 102
Start differential: 3
Run differential: 2

It seems like it should be running, but it isn't consistently (it's cycling on and off a lot throughout the day according to the history). At first I thought that the start differential is comparing water temp and air temp rather than water temp and solar temp. Obviously this is no good as the air temp sensor is in the shade. From everything I've read on here and in the manual, the air temp sensor is used for freeze protection only (if enabled), and the system should be comparing the water temp to the solar temp. With a differential between them of over 20 degrees, I don't understand why the solar isn't running. I tested this by holding the air temp sensor in my hand until it got up to 94 degrees and the solar system still didn't kick on. Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[ajw22]

Have you tested the actuator on your solar valve?

Post pics of your equipment pad.

 

[Syhnthetik]

I am able to move the switch on the actuator and it moves just fine. I'm also able to put it in "service mode" and when I hit the solar button on the easytouch the solar actuator moves.

I've also included a screenshot of the history for today. You can see the huge spike in air temp when I was testing. I just don't understand why it's cycling on and off and running so little overall when the temp differential between water and solar is so drastic.