Hayward OnCommand controller

[Bulldog3648]

Hi all, Rick F here. Fairly new to the forum and need some advise about my pool controller.
We have a Hayward OnCommand controller and long story short, it’s throwing a code and the technician that checked it said it needed a new circuit board. There not cheap to replace, so I’m hoping someone may have some advice on how to fix the circuit board. The code it’s showing is VSC Comm. Not being an electrical technician I’m not sure what may be wrong. Has anyone experienced this? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Rick

 

[ajw22]

VSC Comm means it is not communicating with some device. Please create your signature and tell us about your pool and equipment. We need to understand what your OnCommand is connected to.

Any story behind your pool recently? Lightning strikes? What happened aroudn when it failed? What would blow out the comm port on your board if that is the problem?

 

[Bulldog3648]

Hi ajw22, thanks for responding. I have updated my profile with all my pool info.
To answer one of your questions, the big issue was PG&E cutting our power off on windy days. A pool guy I spoke with said that could have caused the issue. I’m not sure what could have been effected on the circuit board though. Any ideas?
Thanks, Rick

 

[ajw22]

Is your pump able to run manually?

Your profile says Hayward SP 3400 VSP pump- 2 speed, why do you say 2 speed? It should be a VS pump.

From Hayward EcoStar Pumps - Further Reading

"POOL VSC COMM" error

• Shut off power for 10 minutes and then repower.
• Check the communication wiring.

Or

• Make sure the pump run button on the controller is off then turn power off to the drive & controller via the breaker and leave it off for at least 30 sec.
• Power on the drive first, and then after 30 sec the controller.
• After another 30 sec, try to start the pump.

If it still does not work, repeat for a few more times doubling the wait time each round before giving up. Or if you want, just start with really long wait times. But 30 sec usually works.

Diagnostics
Press the Menu button until the Diagnostic screen appears (fig 83). This menu provides important information about the performance of the pump that can be used during troubleshooting. Below are the different screens and their meaning. These are all real-time displays. Press the ‘>’ button to view information.

When "Event Log" is displayed, press + to view the fault events.

 

[Bulldog3648]

No, the pump doesn’t run manually.
I’ve already tried that process and didn’t clear it.
I noticed the large transformer on my Circuit board is buzzing real load.

 

[ajw22]

You referring to the circuit board in your OnCommand or pump?

If the pump sill not run manually I think you have the common failed drive in your EcoStar pump. They all seem to die of that prematurely.

Replace it with a TriStar VS pump.