iAqualink - Jandy Pool Light LED Multicolor not changing to correct color

[pbuckley32]

LED lights change color manually by on off but when set up with iaqualink to set the color it appears that it changes to slowly and always ends up resetting to white, I can see the lights going on and off but as I said they always come back on as white, I have tried all the different options of light settings in the app but that has made no difference.
There are 3 lights all connected together they all do the same thing, lights are less than a year old. The relay is switching the power to the transformer as these are low voltage.

Iaqualink 3.0
Jandy aqualink RS4 Rev T.2

Any suggestions on what may be going on would be appreciated.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Which specific light model numbers do you have?

Have you spoken with your builder or Jandy Support about your light problems?

 

[pbuckley32]

The lights are JLU4C24W100 RGBW, Watercolors 24W, I haven't spoken to Jandy support yet, that was my next call, I bought the lights online so no warrenty but the lights themselves work fine.
I don't have a pool builder, I installed the lights myself. I am a qualified electrician.

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[ajw22]

I am a qualified electrician.

Bypass the relays and put a toggle switch inline.

See if the light colors switch correctly when you rapidly toggle the power.

How many lights do you have?

What model transformer?

Disconnect all but one light and see if each individual light works properly using the Aqualink or a manual switch.

Report what you find out and we can go from there.

 

[pbuckley32]

Transformer is a Intermatic PX300
I have 3 lights, all work correctly together and individually when manually powerer toggled.
Aqualink behaves the same with one light connected.
I now have the lights not programed as color changing so the app just turns them on and off, I am able to change color but there is sometimes a delay between switching the app and the light responding, it is the same using the web interface. I can change about 4 colors before it delays.

Is trying them on a different Aux a next good move?

 

[ajw22]

Transformer is a Intermatic PX300
I have 3 lights, all work correctly together and individually when manually powerer toggled.

That points to an Aqualink problem and not the lights.

Aqualink behaves the same with one light connected.

Same as in works fine or does not change color correctly?

I now have the lights not programed as color changing so the app just turns them on and off, I am able to change color but there is sometimes a delay between switching the app and the light responding, it is the same using the web interface. I can change about 4 colors before it delays.

I think Jandy has a timing problem in Aqualink. I don’t know if the on/off pulses come from the app where network latency may be messing it up or the Aqualink board.

Is trying them on a different Aux a next good move?

I doubt it but worth a try.

You need to discuss your Aqualink problem with Jandy, if they will speak to you.

Working correctly when manually toggled says the lights are good. This type of light control is showing its limits and age. But that is what Jandy chooses to sell.

 

[Mutley]

I think Jandy has a timing problem in Aqualink. I don’t know if the on/off pulses come from the app where network latency may be messing it up or the Aqualink board.

The pulses come from the jandy panel itself, and not the app. The jandy panel simply runs through (or loops over) a cycle of tasks, and if one of those tasks slows down the cycle, then by the time it get’s to the next on/off pulse, the light can time out. I came across this recently where network latency created a busy RS485 bus, and that can slow the panel down enough to cause the light to time out. This might be what’s going on the OP.

 

[ajw22]

The pulses come from the jandy panel itself, and not the app. The jandy panel simply runs through (or loops over) a cycle of tasks, and if one of those tasks slows down the cycle, then by the time it get’s to the next on/off pulse, the light can time out. I came across this recently where network latency created a busy RS485 bus, and that can slow the panel down enough to cause the light to time out. This might be what’s going on the OP.

That makes sense to me and what I suspected.

The antiquated Aqualink is underpowered and the new features added over the years is slowing it down.

While Pentair and Hayward has replaced their automation systems, Jandy has continued to sell the same Aqualink boards.

 

[pbuckley32]

network latency created a busy RS485 bus,
Is there a way for me to test that or resolve it?

Appreciate all the help so far.

 

[ajw22]

network latency created a busy RS485 bus,
Is there a way for me to test that or resolve it?

Appreciate all the help so far.

List the RS-485 devices you have connected to your Aqualink.

 

[Mutley]

network latency created a busy RS485 bus,
Is there a way for me to test that or resolve it?

Appreciate all the help so far.

If you have a local keypad like Allbutton / One Touch / AqualinkTouch then turn off Aqualink app, and try changing the light from that keypad. If that doesn’t work then disconnect the iAqualink from RS bus and try again.

As for why network latency can cause RS problems, without going into too much detail describing the RS485 bus. Jandy (well all RS485 protocols) works by control panel (the RS master) sending a message to a specific device and expecting a device to reply within 0.2 seconds. If it doesn’t get that reply it assumes the device is dead and moves on. If the device reply’s late, then the Jandy protocol has no way to actually check who sent what message, so a late message which is in fact a message out of order can really confuse the panel. Pentair protocol on the other hand does have a way to detect who sent what message, so late messages are less of a problem for Pentair systems.

 

[pbuckley32]

I don't have a local keypad only the iAqualink, I can change the colors using the button on the panel in service mode.
I guess i will just have to keep doing that, would be nice if it worked correctly though.

Thanks All