SolarTouch + Whisperflo VS not working

[PentUpAir]

Hi all, hope you can help. I have the Pentair SolarTouch plus a new Whisperflo VS Variable Speed pump. I checked directly with Pentair before buying that pump and they said "any variable speed Pentair pump will work", which includes that one.

I have the SolarTouch pretty much at default settings, and although the solar is kicking in correctly, the pump is doing nothing.

I have it connected with the correct serial cable and wired as instructed inside with the two wires (green and yellow if I recall).

I've tried setting the pump with Ext. Control Only on and off, but neither made a difference.

I've also tried the SolarTouch with Solar Override enabled and disabled, but again no difference.

The main symptom is that as soon as I connect the com cable to the pump, the pump stops running. The screen flashes between "Ser 0" and "Auto" but won't allow any speeds to be activated from its own keypad (as expected). According to the manual "Ser" indicates "service mode" which makes no sense really.

Can someone kindly advise how each setting should be set on both the SolarTouch and the Whisperflo.

Here's the behaviour I'd like:

• Pump runs its in-built schedule when there's not enough solar heat
• When there is enough solar heat, SolarTouch takes over and activates the pump to a desirable speed

Unfortunately Pentair seem unable to hire people to write instructions in plain English or without typos, and the SolarTouch manual PDF from their website doesn't even acknowledge the Whisperflo pump's existence. Therefore the instructions really tell me nothing ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Many thanks!

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

The SolarTouch is a dumb controller.

EXT CTRL need to be set on. The programmed pump schedule does not run.

You have four speeds as set by the four buttons:

• Button 1 speed is run when solar is not heating.
• Button 2 speed is run when solar is heating or cooling.
• Button 3 speed is run when freeze protection is on.
• Button 4 is for SOLAR HOLD

That is all it does. Select one of four preset speeds that need to be set for the four buttons.

 

[PentUpAir]

Thanks. The Whisperflo doesn’t have 4 speeds or a menu button. It has 3 speeds.

I can set the 3 speeds, but the issue I mentioned remains:

“The main symptom is that as soon as I connect the com cable to the pump, the pump stops running. The screen flashes between "Ser 0" and "Auto" but won't allow any speeds to be activated from its own keypad (as expected). According to the manual "Ser" indicates "service mode" which makes no sense really.”

 

[PentUpAir]

Here’s an image of my pump control pad.

 

[1poolman1]

You have a WhisperFlo VST.

From the manual, page 5, might give it a try:
Control System Pump Settings Pump Type: Variable Speed (VS) Control systems with older firmware may require the pump be designated "IntelliFlo VS". This pump will not process control system commands if designated a Variable Flow (VF) or Variable Speed/ Flow (VSF) pump.

 

[PentUpAir]

Very helpful thanks, but the manual doesn't say how to "designate" it as Intelliflo VS. In the menu of the pump I can only specify the pump address. Thanks.

 

[1poolman1]

Very helpful thanks, but the manual doesn't say how to "designate" it as Intelliflo VS. In the menu of the pump I can only specify the pump address. Thanks.

Designation should be in the Sun Touch menu.

 

[PentUpAir]

There is no such option in the SolarTouch menus - I have held down MENU and looked in Utility and Manual. I'm starting to think I might need a firmware update. Any idea if that's something I can do from home? I'm fairly technical with some electronics engineering experience.

 

[PentUpAir]

Update: I've found the update package on Pentair's website and ordered a Pickit 3 programmer from Amazon. However please let me know if you don't think firmware is my issue. I currently have v2.2 and the latest is 2.3. So maybe that won't help...

 

[JamesW]

Maybe update the firmware.

https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/nam/pentair-pool/residential/automation/solartouch/manual/solartouch-controller-firmware-kit-manual-english.pdf

https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/nam/pentair-pool/residential/automation/solartouch/manual/SolarTouch_Solar_Controller_System_Installation_and_Users_Guide_English.pdf

https://www.pentair.com/content/dam/extranet/nam/pentair-pool/residential/automation/solartouch/manual/SolarTouch_Solar_System_Quick_Reference_Guide_English.pdf

 

[1poolman1]

Update: I've found the update package on Pentair's website and ordered a Pickit 3 programmer from Amazon. However please let me know if you don't think firmware is my issue. I currently have v1.2 and the latest is 2.3.

Wish I could tell you. Have never been a fan of the Sun Touch, too much crammed into too little space with complicated menus. Couldn't hurt to try it. The WhisperFlo VST is very much newer than the Sun Touch. The firmware update may include a menu item just for that pump.

 

[ajw22]

Quick Clean is your fourth button.

 

[PentUpAir]

Quick Clean is your fourth button.

Correct, though I'm not sure how that helps in my situation?

 

[PentUpAir]

I received this from Pentair.

The way you have connected the cable is for the IntelliFlo line of pumps. The pump you have does not operate like those pumps. We will get the proper instructions and send them to you when we get them from the product manager.

Does anyone know the correct wiring pattern when connecting Whisperflo VST to SolarTouch RS-485 port? Will likely take them a while to respond.

 

[1poolman1]

I received this from Pentair. Does anyone know the correct wiring pattern when connecting Whisperflo VST to SolarTouch RS-485 port?

"The way you have connected the cable is for the IntelliFlo line of pumps. The pump you have does not operate like those pumps. We will get the proper instructions and send them to you when we get them from the product manager."

Your pump may only be able to be controlled from the Sun Touch through relays. For some reason Pentair uses different communication protocols for the SuperFlo/WhisperFlo VST and their IntelliFlo pumps.

 

[PentUpAir]

Certainly hope not as Pentair told me directly before I bought the Whisperflo that it was compatible.

How does the relay method you mention work?

 

[1poolman1]

Certainly hope not as Pentair told me directly before I bought the Whisperflo that it was compatible.

How does the relay method you mention work?

Page 6 of your manual has the diagram. A ZIP file of the manual is attached. I believe you only have two relays in the Sun Touch.

 

[1poolman1]

Certainly hope not as Pentair told me directly before I bought the Whisperflo that it was compatible.

How does the relay method you mention work?

Technically, it is compatible with all automation, one way or another.

 

[PentUpAir]

Page 6 of your manual has the diagram. A ZIP file of the manual is attached. I believe you only have two relays in the Sun Touch.

Okay I have wired the pump com cable to the one pump relay in SolarTouch using the red and white wires for speed 1 as directed, and black to ground.

Nothing happens when it’s all turned on. SolarTouch just says IntelliFlo Com Lost.

Why do Pentair have to make this so hard? Ridiculous really.

 

[PentUpAir]

Good news I think! I went into SolarTouch > Advanced > Manual Mode and by manually activating Booster Pump it started up speed one on my Whisperflo pump. This tells me the relay works.

Set speed 1 to the speed you want for Solar. I used 3000.

After exiting Manual Mode the IntelliFlo Com Lost warning was gone and the green LED lit. I think this told SolarTouch I’m not using IntelliFlo.

Here is a wiring schematic for those who like me wonder why Pentair can’t just write simple instructions for their very own Whisperflo VST and SolarTouch. Hope this helps. And thanks everyone for the guidance here.