Jandy Valve Actuator

[FloridaGary]

Hi all - Need some help/advice on converting a manual valve actuator to electric to control when the waterfall is on and off. Is this possible using a Sonoff WiFi switch? Also, if I have to use a 24vac transformer, is there a plugin I can use? As you can see, I’m not an electrician, so using lay language is appreciated.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Gary,

Something like this would work...

img058.jpg

• Jimrahbe
• Nov 15, 2018

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Hi Gary. Didn't you end up purchasing a 4 Channel Sonoff switch to control your pump? Do you have an extra dry contact relay left on it? How are you powering up the Sonoff switch, assuming you still have it.

 

[FloridaGary]

Thank you, @Jimrahbe. The only question remaining is the 24vac transformer. I see plugin transformers with 20va and 40va etc.,but someone in this forum stated it would melt the transformer. Can you point me to a specific transformer that would work?

The wiring diagram you provided is great, not to mention easy to wire. Thank you.

 

[FloridaGary]

Hi Gary. Didn't you end up purchasing a 4 Channel Sonoff switch to control your pump? Do you have an extra dry contact relay left on it? How are you powering up the Sonoff switch, assuming you still have it.

Hey Michael! How are you? Yes, I have one contact available on the 4ch Sonoff. It’s been working flawlessly. I have it powered with a 5v plugin and planned to use it for the actuator if possible. I just need confirmation that I should also be using a 24vac/.75amp transformer in this setup?

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

You can use one of of the relays for the actuator. Use a 24 vac transformer capable of handling 1 amp (shouldn't be hard to find). I did something similar for actuator control, but used different relay switches (link in sig).

This paragraph from the link explains how to make the connections:

...Each valve actuator can be run in both directions off one relay. Each relay has three connections: Common (24 VAC power), NC (normally closed) and NO (normally open). The actuators have three connections. The black lead goes to the other side of the AC power. The other two actuator leads (red and white) power the valve in separate directions. One lead goes to NC and the other to NO. When power is shut off, the motor turns one way and when powered up, it turns the other way. A limit switch in the actuator cuts power to the motor when the valve reaches it's resting position.

 

[FloridaGary]

You can use one of of the relays for the actuator. Use a 24 vac transformer capable of handling 1 amp (shouldn't be hard to find). I did something similar for actuator control, but used different relay switches (link in sig).

This paragraph from the link explains how to make the connections:

...Each valve actuator can be run in both directions off one relay. Each relay has three connections: Common (24 VAC power), NC (normally closed) and NO (normally open). The actuators have three connections. The black lead goes to the other side of the AC power. The other two actuator leads (red and white) power the valve in separate directions. One lead goes to NC and the other to NO. When power is shut off, the motor turns one way and when powered up, it turns the other way. A limit switch in the actuator cuts power to the motor when the valve reaches it's resting position.

This is perfect! I’m assuming the wiring would be the same/similar to what jimrahbe provided in this thread.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Yep

 

[FloridaGary]

@Rancho Cost-a-Lotta - Would this transformer work?

 

[FloridaGary]

@Rancho Cost-a-Lotta - Would this transformer work?

Or this?

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Both should work based on mA ratings. You'd have to splice the wire on the bottom one, but it is outdoor rated and I like the power cord to outlet.

 

[FloridaGary]

Both should work based on mA ratings. You'd have to splice the wire on the bottom one, but it is outdoor rated and I like the power cord to outlet.

Agreed. I also like that it’s outdoor rated even though I have a waterproof box to plug it in. Thanks again for your feedback and have a great weekend!

 

[FloridaGary]

@Rancho Cost-a-Lotta - Hi Mike - So Amazon delivered both the actuator and transformer in 12 hours. Amazing! I’m looking at @Jimrahbe ’s wiring diagram and to my non-electrician eyes, it’s straight forward except for 1 part of it.

Black wire from transformer connects to black wire from actuator.

Red & White wire from actuator gets connected to Sonoff, NO & NC

Questions:
Do I jump the 3rd contact with the last contact on the Sonoff relay that’s being used for the actuator?

What do I connect the Red wire from the Transformer to? Sonoff Relay? NC, NO or Common?

The Sonoff is powered by the 5 volt plugin, so my confusion comes also from connecting the 24vac red wire to the Sonoff relay.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Gary,

The relay should get 24 volts AC from the transformer on its Common input.. It then sends this same AC voltage out of the Normally Closed (NC) contacts, when the relay is off, or out the Normally Open (NO ) contacts, when the relay is on.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[FloridaGary]

Gary,

The relay should get 24 volts AC from the transformer on its Common input.. It then sends this same AC voltage out of the Normally Closed (NC) contacts, when the relay is off, or out the Normally Open (NO ) contacts, when the relay is on.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks for the clarification, Jim. Much appreciated. Now, if it wasn’t 97 degrees out, I would install this! This summer has been brutal in Florida.

 

[FloridaGary]

@Jimrahbe, @Rancho Cost-a-Lotta - I was able to connect and wire the actuator this morning before it hit 95 degrees today. Thanks again to both of you for your help and guidance. As always, it’s much appreciated.