After the 2-speed motor on my Jandy Stealth pump died, I installed the Century VGreen EVO 2.2 HP motor. The pre-set schedules (which are based on how long the motor has been powered on) work fine, but I wanted more customization and integration with my automation system. I checked before purchasing that the motor has the Century Connect feature.
My pool was built in 2008, and is controlled by a Jandy PDA-PS6 system. It was running revision 2.6.1, which does not support VSPs. I was able to find an eBay seller who had the revision 5.0 PPD in stock, which thanks to this forum, I learned supports VSPs. I know I could have spent $1000 to upgrade to the RS system with internet control, but that seemed pretty steep and I am happy with the PDA system.
Replacing the chip was easy. I first recorded down the AUX assignments, program schedules, freeze protection settings, and heater temperatures. Jandy provides a removal tool, but I do not think it is strictly necessary. For reference, it is the AMP Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC) Extraction Tool 822154-1. The actual chip replacement took about 5 minutes.
Powering the system back up, I was happy to see my PDA (PDA and J-Box revision 3.0) successfully connect to the new revision 5.0 PPD. And the system setup menu now has a variable speed pump section!
Next step was wiring the pump. I went to Lowes and bought a custom cut length of 18/4 sprinkler wire. In my controller box, I already had the Jandy RS-485 multiplex board, so wiring was easy. I connected all 4 wires to the multiplex board, and the other end to the VGreen EVO according to its instructions. Also flipped the two dip switches to on for Century connect mode. I powered everything back up, and it was recognized in the Aqualink PDA as an ePump!
Programming it was pretty straightforward. There are different speeds one can set for pool, spa, pool heater, spa heater, etc. I believe the controller runs the pump at the maximum requested speed when multiple functions are on. The PDA displays RPMs and Watts. I can also schedule specific speeds at certain times. For now, I am running the pool at 1750 RPM for 12 hours a day, except for 1 hour at 2750 RPM to enhance skimming. Will work on tuning that later.
The only thing I have not finished yet is waterproofing where cable enters the motor control box. I believe the best way is using a cable gland. The port on the VGreen EVO is a 1/2 inch NPT thread, but the cable is too thin for all of the 1/2 inch cable glands I could find. The cable fits well in a 1/4 inch cable glad, so I am planning to use a 1/2 NPT male to 1/4 NPT female polypropylene reducing bushing.
Thanks for reading, I hope this information may be helpful to others considering the Century VGreen EVO or upgrading their Jandy PDA system. The motor cost $550, the PPD chip $250, and some miscellaneous parts less than $20, for a total of $820. An alternative to my DIY project would have been my pool guy, who quoted me $2000 for the iAqualink upgrade and $2700 for a new Jandy ePump for a total of $4700.
Small bonus: the PPD 5.0 chip also has the daylight savings time schedules that changed effective 2007, so my schedules should no longer be off by an hour twice a year.
My pool was built in 2008, and is controlled by a Jandy PDA-PS6 system. It was running revision 2.6.1, which does not support VSPs. I was able to find an eBay seller who had the revision 5.0 PPD in stock, which thanks to this forum, I learned supports VSPs. I know I could have spent $1000 to upgrade to the RS system with internet control, but that seemed pretty steep and I am happy with the PDA system.
Replacing the chip was easy. I first recorded down the AUX assignments, program schedules, freeze protection settings, and heater temperatures. Jandy provides a removal tool, but I do not think it is strictly necessary. For reference, it is the AMP Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC) Extraction Tool 822154-1. The actual chip replacement took about 5 minutes.
Powering the system back up, I was happy to see my PDA (PDA and J-Box revision 3.0) successfully connect to the new revision 5.0 PPD. And the system setup menu now has a variable speed pump section!
Next step was wiring the pump. I went to Lowes and bought a custom cut length of 18/4 sprinkler wire. In my controller box, I already had the Jandy RS-485 multiplex board, so wiring was easy. I connected all 4 wires to the multiplex board, and the other end to the VGreen EVO according to its instructions. Also flipped the two dip switches to on for Century connect mode. I powered everything back up, and it was recognized in the Aqualink PDA as an ePump!
Programming it was pretty straightforward. There are different speeds one can set for pool, spa, pool heater, spa heater, etc. I believe the controller runs the pump at the maximum requested speed when multiple functions are on. The PDA displays RPMs and Watts. I can also schedule specific speeds at certain times. For now, I am running the pool at 1750 RPM for 12 hours a day, except for 1 hour at 2750 RPM to enhance skimming. Will work on tuning that later.
The only thing I have not finished yet is waterproofing where cable enters the motor control box. I believe the best way is using a cable gland. The port on the VGreen EVO is a 1/2 inch NPT thread, but the cable is too thin for all of the 1/2 inch cable glands I could find. The cable fits well in a 1/4 inch cable glad, so I am planning to use a 1/2 NPT male to 1/4 NPT female polypropylene reducing bushing.
Thanks for reading, I hope this information may be helpful to others considering the Century VGreen EVO or upgrading their Jandy PDA system. The motor cost $550, the PPD chip $250, and some miscellaneous parts less than $20, for a total of $820. An alternative to my DIY project would have been my pool guy, who quoted me $2000 for the iAqualink upgrade and $2700 for a new Jandy ePump for a total of $4700.
Small bonus: the PPD 5.0 chip also has the daylight savings time schedules that changed effective 2007, so my schedules should no longer be off by an hour twice a year.
