I just recently changed out two Fafco solar panels and everything was fine for about two days when I noticed my solar wasn't coming on. I've been knocking myself out ever since trying to find the cause. Everything else is working find its just the solar. At first I thought it might be the temp sensor but I'm getting good reads when I check solar temp. I checked my connection to the control panel and all is good. The valve controlling the solar operates when I toggle the switch. I never made any changes on the control panel and rechecked all my settings. The pool temp is set solar for 85 degrees with start set at 6 stop at 3 degrees. Manual heat is off. The solar circuit is set at Aux 18/18. I ordered a new temp sensor but sure I won't need to change it now that I'm showing a good read for solar temp. I'm at loss and crying uncle. I'd appreciate any help in this matter. Thanks
Solar not coming on with Easy Touch
- Thread starter firnatine
- Start date
Maybe it's just that it hasn't been getting warm enough during the past couple of days? To further test you can try temporarily setting your start and stop temperatures to the minimums (I think 4 and 2, but don't recall offhand), leaving the pool uncovered at night so the water temperature drops, and then waiting for a sunny day.
Its more then warm enough during the day for the solar to work. Just with the cover alone it has gotten as high as 82. I had also played around with the start stop which had no effect. If I open the valve manually I get plenty of hot water from the panels so I'm thinking the issue has to be either in the valve or at the control panel. I changed the motherboard about 5 years ago. Everything else works fine.
Desert Dog
Silver Supporter
You stated that manual heat is off, but do you have solar heat activated? If I remember correctly, the actuator should be connected to Valve A or B on the mother board. One labeled for Solar. Perhaps the fact you said it is on AUX 18/18 is confusing me. You should also have a second sensor that detects if the sun is out or not. Do you have one and did you test it?
You said it has worked before, and presumably you didn't change any wiring in the control center. From what you described it still sounds like it could possibly be due to not enough temperature differential for the solar to kick in. If your pool is 82 degrees and you have it set to 6 degrees start, then the panel temperature must register be at least 88 degrees for it to activate.
Yes the solar is on valve A and sensor at the solar panel is showing the right temperature so I figure its not the sensor.
Wiring was not touched and I've tried various start temp settings with no change. What I have just recently noticed it would activate for about 5 minutes after the pool cleaner ended its scheduled cycle then shut off. It also has come on and off a couple of times late in the afternoon but again only for a few minutes.
Desert Dog
Silver Supporter
Do you have two sensors for the solar? One for water temp and one that detects temp but it's purpose is it wont turn the solar on at night or if cloudy. Perhaps it is in a shaded area and needs to be moved or is faulty. My equipment has three sensors in total. One for air temp, one for water temp, and one that is next to the solar panels just to tell the system if the sun is out or not.
Edit: The water sensor of course should be in the plumbing. The air temp should be in the shade. The solar sensor (sun is out sensor) should be next to the panels or in direct sun light.
Edit: The water sensor of course should be in the plumbing. The air temp should be in the shade. The solar sensor (sun is out sensor) should be next to the panels or in direct sun light.
For some reason when I open the pool in the spring I have to calibrate my solar sensor. It tends to read low. I wait till the sun is down and compare the solar temp to the air temp. They should be the same when there is no sun. I also use a digital temperature gun to read what temperature both sensors are and calibrate to the temperature.
Yes on the sensors...A I stated the sensors are working and from all indications are accurate. I personally built this pool 38 years ago with the Fafco solar. Its been fully automatic for over ten years using the Easy Touch. I pretty much know everything about this pool. Except for having to change a mother board a few years ago everything was working fine. After recently changing two solar panels everything was working fine ; two days later the solar was not coming on. I've pretty much checked every box. I have a new sensor but haven't changed it since the current solar sensor seems to be working fine. Water temp is accurate as well as air.
Did you happen to move your solar sensor when installing the new panels? When I first built my wooden solar ground rack, I didn't paint the wood that the sensor is mounted on. It would always read low. I painted the wood black where the sensor is and it now reads as it should.
Its been working since yesterday afternoon and still cooking soup today. Don't ask me what I did because I didn't do anything new. Fingers are crossed.