Solar Heating with Easytouch

17 years ago

First off I'd like to thank all the posters here for all of the invaluable advice I've received here.

I am at an impass though.

I have/had and intelliflo pump (which is now a vs due to hooking up the data cable to an older easytouch - 1.05 firmware).

I have four speeds set up for cleaner, solar, spa and pool and have set schedules for each.

I have air, water and solar temps monitored and have set solar to yes and heat to solar only.

I used to have a Fafco controller that would open the solar valve when the panels got hot enough and close it when I hit the correct pool temp. It seems now that all I can do is open the valve when the pool is below the differential setpoint.

Can the easytouch work like the Fafco, or should I just reinstall it?

Also, I saw a comment by Repair_guy about "calling up solar and the pump will ramp up" on another thread and I don't understand that part - I have it currently just scheduled.

I have found another MB with the curent firmware, but is it worth the cost, or can I make this system work?

Everything else seems fine thanks to all the good advice here - just wish I'd found it sooner!

Thanks.

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Comments (3)

Rack Etear
17 years ago
Don't waste your time with the new processor unless you want controll of a VF pump or Intellibrite lights.

The Fafco control is useless when you have a Easytouch, the Easytouch will do everything the fafco controller will + more.

You will need to get another temperature sensor to put by the solar panels.

As far as Ramping up the pump for solar, you need to set a speed for solar in the pump speed menu, whenever the solar is enabled, it will ramp up the rpms to meet your flow demands.
repair_guy
17 years ago
You need to install a solar air sensor and the differential between it and the water will trigger solar. You set the heat option to solar preferred. Assign a speed to solar and it will go there when solar is activated. Your pump can always be reverted to a VF.
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uwluvr
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks Guys! I knew I was getting close.
I do have a solar temp sensor (from the Fafco), so I can reuse it.
So I don't want to schedule SOLAR in schedules then (I'll try and see waht happens) thus since I don't have a spa aschedule I'd just have POOL (for low speed circulation - scheduled most of the day), and CLEANER which switches over to my vacuum and another pump speed.
When the call for solar exists (I'll have pool scheduled most of the day) then the pump will speed up from what I read).
I do have a question on the differential though - I thought the differential was the difference between the water temp and the pool setpoint and if the temp exceeds that point then the heater kicks on (be it solar or gas). How does the solar sensor play in here?
Do I set the differential really high (say 25 deg) to make sure the panes are hot b/4 they kick in? Then what would the "run" setting be?
Thanks also for the advice on the motherboard too!