iAqualink issues

[lasido]

@dfwnoob
I replaced my old Jandy Pro antenna that works with the PDA remote by the wifi antenna iAqualink 3.0, it was quick and easy and I can now control the system with my phone, I have access to the web interface to modify the schedules, no issue here, however when my pool guy wants to force the system to "service mode" or "time out" mode directly on the panel, the system flips back to auto after 10s on its own. What can I do to fix that ? TIA

 

[JamesW]

Check Battery:
The battery on the back of the PCB (printed circuit board) keeps the time when the main power goes out. If the time is incorrect, the system might be misinterpreting the time and timing out of service mode.
Older models have a 9V battery, while newer boards have a button-type battery.

 

[JamesW]

Time out mode is designed to run a 3 hour mode and then go back into regular operational mode.

 

[JamesW]

Do you have a 4-Function Spa Side Remote?

If yes, try unplugging that.

 

[dfwnoob]

Hello, welcome to TFP! Just to clarify, you're saying it will go back to Auto after only 10 seconds with no other intervention at all?

When you upgraded to iAqualink 3.0, did you replace the entire PCB (the outdoor board with all of the buttons on it)? I ask because the board you're showing has a sticker showing PDA firmware, and as far as I know, iAqualink kits should include standard firmware. I agree with James to check the button cell battery on the board; when it's depleted I've seen Aqualink boards do weird things.

 

[JamesW]

 

[lasido]

Thanks for your replies. I have change the button cell battery when I added the new antenna, I didn't change the motherboard. Jandy told me that I only had to change the antenna to get the wifi.
I can see a 4-Function Spa Side Remote but it appears to have been disconnected and abandoned since a long time. I bought the house 2 years ago.
Before I change the antenna and the button cell battery, I used the PDA to control the pool and the "service mode" was working correctly.
Since the changes, the "service mode" or "time out" mode will go back to Auto after only 10 seconds with no other intervention at all.

 

[JamesW]

I can see a 4-Function Spa Side Remote but it appears to have been disconnected and abandoned since a long time.

Make sure that it is not connected.

Show all connected comm wires.

 

[lasido]

here is the panel rn

 

[JamesW]

What is this?

 

[lasido]

it goes into the filter pump.

 

[JamesW]

What does the other comm wire go to?

 

[lasido]

to the iAqualink 3.0 antenna

 

[JamesW]

Looks like the old battery had a lot of corrosion?

Did you clean that?

 

[lasido]

No I'll clean and let you know, thanks again.

 

[MSchutzer]

Check the firmware version on your main RS board. You may have to remove the screws and look at the backside of the board to see the version on the processor unit.

The board needs to have version R or later firmware in it to support the Aqualink antenna unit.

If your PDA main board is pre-rev R that is likely why it can’t talk to the antenna unit.

 

[JamesW]

TFP is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit that is maintained by user donations.

The people who answer questions are volunteers.

If you find the site to be a good resource, please consider making a donation to help support the site.

Thanks.

Become a TFP Supporter

Help Support TFP Trouble Free Pool is run by a dedicated group of volunteers that … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[lasido]

The main board talks to the antenna just fine, no issue here.
I removed the new button cell battery and try to clean the slot but there was not much to do, the corrosion on the previous picture was mostly on the old battery itself so I put it back and against all odds, the system is now accepting to stay in service mode !
Maybe the battery was not correctly installed; I don't know, the time on the web app was correct though...
Anyway thank you for your help !

 

[lasido]

Update.
I thought it was working since after switching to service mode, the system was not switching back on its own to auto after 10s but I later realized that the system didn't let me start manually any equipment when I was in service mode.
I pushed the filter pump button and nothing happened, same for all the buttons. Then I switched to time out mode and after 10s it switched back to auto on its own..
So I guess I'm back to square 1...
Again, in auto mode, everything is fine, I can control all the equipment from my phone app, all the schedules run as expected.
Thanks for your help.

 

[dfwnoob]

While there's no good way of testing either of these that I know of, it really does seem like there is an issue with either the MCU board (the clip-on board which is comprised of the firmware and CPU) or the PCB itself.

I can't find anyone who has experienced similar issues, only the opposite (getting stuck in Service mode for no reason).