How do I configure new pumps on a Jandy Aqualink RS-4 Combo when I have no remote?

mattorola7

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Jul 20, 2023
22
SoCal
Pool Size
40000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
I purchased my home with an existing pool with a Jandy Aqualink RS-4 Combo. I believe whatever remote was located in the house was thrown out during the home's renovation prior to moving in. I am replacing all of the pool equipment. I picked up a spare Aqualink RS-4 Combo unit and will be mating it with 3 Century EVQ225 pump motors that have "Century Connect". How can I configure the Aqualink RS-4 Combo to communicate with the pumps via the correct RS-485 protocol? I believe out of the box from the factory, the Century EVQ225 will default to the equivalent of a "Jandy ePump". I'd like to just purchase a spare/used remote from ebay if somebody can offer some advice on what I need to purchase. Ultimately, this pool will be automated by aqualinkd and Home Assistant, however, the pump configuration is a prerequisite and can't be done via aqualinkd or Home Assistant. Thanks in advannce!
 
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I purchased my home with an existing pool with a Jandy Aqualink RS-4 Combo. I believe whatever remote was located in the house was thrown out during the home's renovation prior to moving in. I am replacing all of the pool equipment. I picked up a spare Aqualink RS-4 Combo unit and will be mating it with 3 Century EVQ225 pump motors that have "Century Connect". How can I configure the Aqualink RS-4 Combo to communicate with the pumps via the correct RS-485 protocol? I believe out of the box from the factory, the Century EVQ225 will default to the equivalent of a "Jandy ePump". I'd like to just purchase a spare/used remote from ebay if somebody can offer some advice on what I need to purchase. Ultimately, this pool will be automated by aqualinkd and Home Assistant, however, the pump configuration is a prerequisite and can't be done via aqualinkd or Home Assistant. Thanks in advannce!
What is the software revision/chip type. It is on the chip itself.
Do you have wiring in the house where an indoor remote may have been installed? If not you likely have a PDA system (should be on the chip label). If not you could probably use an iQ30 antenna if the software of the chip is REV S or REV 6 and prior.
You could also try to get an All Button or One Touch remote. With a short piece of 4-conductor, 22ga wire and the RS485 connector, the system can be configured at the main panel.
None of this is inexpensive. There are a few listed on eBay as, both One Touch and All Button, "service panels." Its how we service the systems without having to access the house.
Though you have already made some purchases, you may want to get an iQ30-RS upgrade kit and be done.
 
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You need sometime of Aqualink controller to configure the system.

Do you have a wireless antenna that looks like this connected to the outdoor panel and if yes then what color is it?

As asked above we need to know what firmware your board has to know what its capabilities are.

IAqualink_Wireless_Dvice.png
 
My board shows B0029223 RS4P&S REV T.2. I also have the iAquaLink 2.0 unit. I attached pictures of it. The house unit was wired, yes there is an old RS-485 cable coming from the pool equipment area to an outside wall of the house where I believe the inside control unit used to be located.
 

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You are all setup to use the iAqualink app.

You need to download the app and then figure out the login id to your system or how to get Jandy to transfer it to you.

Maybe @PoolGate @MSchutzer have ideas about iAqualink login.
 
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You need to install the app on your phone and go through the add new system option. If that system was already registered with Jandy you may need to call them. Once you do that, you can program from your phone or the computer browser (see link below). The PDA will not allow you to program - it is on/off only with an RS system. You could use the OneTouch wired controller, however.

You may need to reset Aqualink first since it is probably using the old WiFi.


Aqualink 2.0 installation instructions. https://cdn.fluidrausa.com/-/media/...3300.pdf?rev=3e706d6c88f647c88f7252d79bbd09d4

This step will clear Wi-Fi settings memoryRemove the device lid by removing the twoscrews on the cover. To clear any previous WiFisettings, toggle the WiFi-Wired switch. Then,set the switch to the desired mode. Proceed tostep 3A or 3B to reprogram the WiFi settings.
 
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I was able to contact the old homeowner to help assist with getting the iAqualink user onto my own account after resetting the wifi on it. Your advice here enabled me to uncover the "web" setup that lets me change the pump communication settings and I was able to get my test rig up and running with the Century EVQ225 motor. Thanks a bunch!

It is also good to know that I am not missing any features by choosing not to replace the expensive piece of hardware (PDA, All Button or One Touch etc.) . I'd much prefer to use modern automation software at this point in time.
 
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It’s good to hear that you were able to get the new motors with Century Connect working with the Aqualink system. While the documentation claims that it will work, yours is the first case that I have heard of on TFP reporting that it actually works!

While you can use any phone or tablet with the iAquaLink app, if you still would like a dedicated remote you might want to look at a low cost Fire HD8 tablet. They run about $100 when not on sale and there are readily available instructions on the web for installing Google play store.

Once you have Playstore installed, you just download iAquaLink app and install it.

At $100 dollars or less it is probably the cheapest pool equipment you will ever buy. Here are a couple of pictures of what the App / web interface look like on a fire HD8.
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Hey @MSchutzer it was your post here that lead me to consider purchasing a Century EVQ225 based on your success with the thorough RS-485 tests. Although I do see it looks like you have the previous model ECM16SQU so I was just hopeful that it would work with the newer model EVQ series. I have both of my DIP switches (3,4) set to ON and it just worked when I selected Jandy ePump from the Aqualink controller. Surprisingly, the operators manual lead me to believe that Century Connect Automation mode is plug-and-play because it does not outline how you would configure the EVQ225 to talk Jandy or Pentair, etc. It only describes setting the motor addresses which I believe I will have to do when my 2nd and 3rd EVQ225's arrive next week.
 
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