Set-up on EasyTouch 8

[NYinATX]

Our PB had the EasyTouch 4 in the initial plan and when I advised that I wanted independent control of the pool lights, spa light, bubbler light, sheers, bubblers, spa blower and have capacity for future landscaping lights, he said we would need the ET8. (We did not further upgrade to the Intellicenter and are ok with the ET8 decision).

Our pool was just filled with water last week and none of the lights operate independently. When I asked the PB, he said that it would have required additional transformers and actuators which were not included in my price.

I am of course extremely frustrated with this answer as it was not brought to our attention that we would need anything additional for the functionality that we wanted. Nowhere in the contract does it state what functionality would come with the build; not even the current functionality is spelled out, so how would we have known to be specific to ask for additional transformer and actuators?

Part of me thinks the PB is covering up missed communications and not wanting to fix it. But dealing with them makes my blood boil a bit so in parallel, I'm now trying to see if perhaps it would be something that I could just directly hire an electrician to do.

Does anyone have any experience with getting the independent functions that we want and how difficult is it? TIA

 

[mknauss]

Each light or set of lights must be wired to its own transformer that is controlled by its own relay. You likely have the relays with an ET8. But you will need a transformer for each light or set of lights you wish to control independently. You can pay the PB to install them, or buy them yourself and install them or have them installed.

 

[Jimrahbe]

NY,

In addition to what Marty said above, for every valve that you want to control, you will need an actuator and that assumes that you already have the corresponding Jandy valve to control the water flow.

And to make matters worse, the EasyTouch can only control a total of 4 valves. Two of the four are restricted to switching between the Pool mode and the Spa mode. That only leaves you two valves that can be programed to do what you want.

To be honest, the automation should be designed BEFORE any dirt is even removed from the ground. Automation systems are not magic.. They can only do what the plumbing and electrical systems allow them to do.

Please show us several pics of your equipment pad, and if you can, tell us what valves control what. Once we see what you have we can provide you with some feedback as to what is possible.

While you are at it, show us several pics of the inside of your EasyTouch so we can see all of the circuit breakers, relays and wiring.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Herkimer]

No expert by any means, but I have four different set of lights (pool, spa, bubblers and sheers) all controlled independently off of one transformer (now the transformer needs to be sized right of course, I believe mine is a 300w). I can't tell you the details on the wiring, but each set is independent that I can control with my ET-8 (yes, it used 4 relays). Also on the ET8, you can get 9 relays out of it, pending how you want to use the solar function (mine controls a valve for the bubblers).

 

[Jimrahbe]

Herk,

You can yes, but it violates the electrical code as you have to run low voltage through the high voltage section of the EasyTouch..

We don't care if you do it, but it is not how the system was designed, and not something that we are going to recommend.

You are correct, that if you are not using Solar, you can add the "Aux X" this allows a 5th relay for an ET-4 or a 9th relay for an ET-8.

What kind of valve is your bubbler using??

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Herkimer]

Herk,

You can yes, but it violates the electrical code as you have to run low voltage through the high voltage section of the EasyTouch..

We don't care if you do it, but it is not how the system was designed, and not something that we are going to recommend.

You are correct, that if you are not using Solar, you can add the "Aux X" this allows a 5th relay for an ET-4 or a 9th relay for an ET-8.

What kind of valve is your bubbler using??

Thanks,

Jim R.

Like I said...I am no expert!! I would be curious for someone who is to look at my wiring (it's on my build string) and let me know what electrical codes are being violated so I may correct it in the future. So much for city inspectors on catching it!
The value actuator is a typical pentair for a 3-way, it's the older style of actuator not the new one.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Herk,

Not sure how you are using the Aux x, which is a relay, to drive an actuator??? I'm sure you are, but I'm not at all sure how it works.

In theory, each of your 4 light relays would control 120 volts going to 4 transformers. In your case, your installed has routed the 12 VAC from your single transformer to your 4 relays and then the relays are sending the 12 VAC to your lights. The safety issue is that if 120 volts shorts to one of the 12 volt lines, it will go right into your pool. Zap!!! The transformer provides an isolation between the 120 volts and the 12 VAC going to the pool lights.

It is kind of like having your air bags in your car turned off. The car will work just fine and no harm will come to you.. Right up to the point of the crash.

Thanks,

Jim R.