Sonoff Pool Automation Help Needed

[FloridaGary]

 

[FloridaGary]

(Refer to pics shown above.) Is it possible to control my VSP 2hp Pool Pump by connecting the wires from the controller (Pic #3) to the NO connection of the 4 channel Sonoff, jump the Com connection of each channel and use the DC plug in (Pic # 1)? Do I still need to add a Contactor?

 

[FloridaGary]

(Refer to pics shown above.) Is it possible to control my VSP 2hp Pool Pump by connecting the wires from the controller (Pic #3) to the NO connection of the 4 channel Sonoff, jump the Com connection of each channel and use the DC plug in (Pic # 1)? Do I still need to add a Contactor?

Any Sonoff pros out there who can help?

 

[1poolman1]

(Refer to pics shown above.) Is it possible to control my VSP 2hp Pool Pump by connecting the wires from the controller (Pic #3) to the NO connection of the 4 channel Sonoff, jump the Com connection of each channel and use the DC plug in (Pic # 1)? Do I still need to add a Contactor?

Which brand VSP are you trying to control? If a Hayward, it has the capability of relay control built in and the relays on the Sonoff should be able to control it. A Pentair would likely require an IntelliComm2 and a Jandy the JEP controller.

 

[FloridaGary]

Which brand VSP are you trying to control? If a Hayward, it has the capability of relay control built in and the relays on the Sonoff should be able to control it. A Pentair would likely require an IntelliComm2 and a Jandy the JEP controller.

Thanks for the response 1poolman1. It’s a Black/Decker VSP pump with an automation access controller shown in Pic # 3 in my initial post above. The way I see it, the 4 wires from the pump controller would be placed in the Sonoff “Normally On” connection while the Common connections would be jumpered creating the ability to switch from Program 1 to 2 to 3 etc. All I want to do is have the ability to control On/Off and any of the 4 programmed speeds already set up in the controller. It looks simple to do, but I want to make sure I’m not missing something.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

If I'm interpreting the instructions correctly, the automation interface has four wires. The red wire provides 5-volt power (com). The other three each control a speed setting.

Use the power transformer to power the Sonoff module. Each of the four contacts are dry. Connect each of the speed control wires to a separate NO (Normally Open) terminal (1-3). Jump the red wire (5-volt power) to each of the Com terminals on relays 1-3.

Check out the low budget automation Link in my sig. I did a similar automation setup using relays.

 

[FloridaGary]

Thank you Rancho Cost-a-Lotta! Your wiring explanation (and thank you for being specific) is what I pictured in my non-electrician head. I appreciate your response and by the way, I read that low cost automation option in your sig and that was impressive. Thanks again.

 

[FloridaGary]

If I'm interpreting the instructions correctly, the automation interface has four wires. The red wire provides 5-volt power (com). The other three each control a speed setting.

Use the power transformer to power the Sonoff module. Each of the four contacts are dry. Connect each of the speed control wires to a separate NO (Normally Open) terminal (1-3). Jump the red wire (5-volt power) to each of the Com terminals on relays 1-3.

Check out the low budget automation Link in my sig. I did a similar automation setup using relays.

Update - I received the Sonoff 4 channel Pro WiFi switch today, wired it as described and working perfectly. The Ewelink App is not the most intuitive, but not difficult to figure out. I have a better understanding now why some flash Tasmota firmware on their Sonoff PCB’s. With pool companies charging from $2k-3k for new VSP motors and $1200-1600 for automation, I’m glad to say I only spent $880 for the Black/Decker 2hp VSP pump, $34 for the Sonoff 4 Channel Pro R3 using only 3 channels and leaving one for my pool lights. Now I just need to pretty up the install.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

I'm glad you got it working. I don't use the app for a lot of scheduling. It does handle heater temp control and monitoring. Daily schedules are handled through Alexa Routines, which works for me. I do use the app as a push button remote control for connected devices. This is what the app dashboard looks like.

I’m glad to say I only spent $880 for the Black/Decker 2hp VSP pump, $34 for the Sonoff 4 Channel Pro R3 using only 3 channels and leaving one for my pool lights.

Definitely a good value and you don't need to rely on proprietary software and devices for automation.

 

[FloridaGary]

I'm glad you got it working. I don't use the app for a lot of scheduling. It does handle heater temp control and monitoring. Daily schedules are handled through Alexa Routines, which works for me. I do use the app as a push button remote control for connected devices. This is what the app dashboard looks like.

View attachment 477660


Definitely a good value and you don't need to rely on proprietary software and devices for automation.

Question: Relay 5,6 and 7 on your app is the same as Speed 1,2 and 3 on my Ewelink app. Currently, I have each speed set for 2 hours, but I can’t figure out how to turn off the previous speed so it can advance to the next speed. For example, after Speed 1 completes its 2 hour schedule, Speed 2 engages on the app, but never turns off Speed 1. This results in Speed 1 continuing unless I depress Speed 1 on the app to turn it off. The Inching feature does not resolve this. Maybe Interlocking? Frustrating when simple things are made difficult. Any thoughts?

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

I'm not sure how that automation interface is set up. On Pentair pumps, the higher number relay carries carries priority over the lower numbers. In my case when more than one relay is active, the higher number will take priority so I have no need to enable the interlock feature.

If your automation interface does not recognize this, then you will need to use the interlock feature. This feature will only allow one relay to be active at any time.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[FloridaGary]

I think your Pentair is set up exactly like my B&D Pump. Speed 1 takes priority over Speed 2…. etc. Thanks for the quick response and I will try the Interlock feature.

 

[FloridaGary]

Unfortunately, Interlock will not work. When engaged, it will not allow scheduling. I think I officially hate this app. Lol

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Just do your scheduling through Google home, smartthings, or alexa. All of these will recognize each relay as an independent device.

 

[FloridaGary]

Just do your scheduling through Google home, smartthings, or alexa. All of these will recognize each relay as an independent device.

I have Smartthings connected to Ewelink, but have not scheduled it. The issue I am facing is that Ewelink and Smartthings allows scheduling of each Channel, but it has to shut down each Channel for at least 1 minute before engaging the next Channel.

Example:
Speed 1 On - 9:00am / Off - 10:59am
Speed 2 On - 11:00am / Off - 12:59pm
Speed 3 On - 1:00pm / Off - 3:00pm

The current speed has to be off for the next programmed speed to engage resulting in multiple on/off of the pool pump. A pool pump installer once told me that VS Pool Pumps do not like to be switched on/off repeatedly, so I am concerned about premature wear and tear. Each speed should transition in a few seconds without turning the pump on and off, but I can’t figure out how to do it. Open to suggestions.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Does your pump / interface allow for overriding of lower priority relays? In other words, if you activate relay 1 for 10 hours at 1500 rpm, can you program relay 2 on during that run time? This obviously won't work in lockout mode.

I apologize for not being able to spend more time helping right now. I'm working on another project.

 

[FloridaGary]

Does your pump / interface allow for overriding of lower priority relays? In other words, if you activate relay 1 for 10 hours at 1500 rpm, can you program relay 2 on during that run time? This obviously won't work in lockout mode.

I apologize for not being able to spend more time helping right now. I'm working on another project.

Thanks. No apology necessary. You have been very helpful. I am actually testing this by overlapping Speed 1,2 and 3 in Ewelink for tomorrow. If it doesn’t work, I’ll try it in Smartthings. I can’t be the only person experiencing this, so hopefully a solution will be found. Thanks again.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

There have been at least a couple of other members that have used a version of the automation interface. Try a search for Calimar automation interface, or Circupool automation interface. You may need to ping those members for assistance. I'll try to check myself a little bit later.

 

[FloridaGary]

There have been at least a couple of other members that have used a version of the automation interface. Try a search for Calimar automation interface, or Circupool automation interface. You may need to ping those members for assistance. I'll try to check myself a little bit later.

Will do and thanks again. Much appreciated. My attached picture shows what I am testing for tomorrow.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

If that doesn't work, try Speed 1 on at 0900 and off at 1501. Keep Speed 2 and Speed 3 as they are and see if they override Speed 1.