How To Use a Pool Valve Actuator

AUTO vs MANUAL - Diverter Valves can be installed for either manual operation or automated operation. For manual operation you set the handle manually to open or close selected ports. In an automated operation, a valve Actuator is mounted on top of the valve and the valve is controlled digitally though a control box.

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CONTROL BOX - This picture shows the control panel inside one of the two Jandy Aqualink RS Power Centers for this pool's control system. The longer display has a series of twelve buttons to turn the associated pool equipment on/off for servicing outside. The actual programming of these functions is performed on a Jandy Touch Panel mounted inside the house. A picture of this Touch Panel is shown in the next step. Once programed, these functions would generally be activated inside at the panel, However, they can also be activated outside at the Control Box for easier access during servicing.

CONTROL PANEL - This is a picture of the Jandy Touch Panel mounted inside the house.

VALVE BUTTON - The "Valve" button in the Control Box toggles through 4 settings to control the flow of water to and from the Spa or Pool. These settings include: Pool Mode, Spa Mode, Spa Drain and Spa Fill. Cycling to any one of these settings will cause one or more Actuators to rotate the Valve to their programmed positions.

CIRCULATION VALVES - A typical Pool with a Spa might have 3-6 Diverter Valves to control the flow of water though the Pool and Spa. This Pool configuration has six Diverter Valves: two to control the flow after the filter to the Pool and Spa (left side); and four to control the flow from the Pool/Spa to the pump (right side). On the right side, three manual valves control the flow from the Pool sources - the Pool Main Drain, two Skimmers and a Cleaner Port (not labeled). An automatic Diverter Valve (labeled "1") was installed to control flow from these Pool sources or the Spa Drain and feed that back to the Pump. On the left side, water from the Filter is diverted to the Spa and/or the Pool through the automatic diverted valve labeled "2".

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POOL MODE - In this mode, all water flows to and from the Pool. Water to the Spa is shut off.  Note: a yellow "T" is superimposed on the top of the Valve to show the correct postion of the Valve. The Actuators on top of valve 1 is commanded to turn with the handle all the way counter-clockwise to shut off the water FROM the SPA. Simultaneously, Valve 2 on the return side is commanded to rotate the handle all the way counter-clockwise to shut off water going TO the SPA.

SPA MODE - In this mode, all water flows to and from the Spa. Water to the Pool is shut off. As noted above, a yellow "T" is superimposed on the top of the valve to show the correct postion of the valve. The Actuators on top of Valve 1 is commanded to turn the handle all the way clockwise to shut off the water FROM the POOL. Simultaneously, Valve 2 on the return side is commanded to rotate the handle all the way clockwise to shut off water going TO the POOL.

SPA DRAIN -  Valve 1 is rotated half way to allow water to flow from both the Pool and the Spa. This allows water to drain from the Spa. Valve 2 is rotated all the way clockwise to shut off water to the SPA so that it can drain without new water reflilling it.

SPA FILL -  Valve 1 is closed to the Spa to prevent water from draining out of the Spa drain. Valve 2 is rotated halfway, as shown, to allow returning water to flow into the Spa as well as the Pool.

WATER FEATURES - In addition to the the Actuators used to automate the Spa/Pool water circulation system, the pool also has a series of Actuators to automate several special water feature including a Waterfall, 2 Bubblers in a shallow sun shelf, and 4 Laminars. Four buttons were allocated In the Control Box to controlling the water feature Actuators, as shown here.


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WATER FEATURE PIPING - The amount of water supplied to each of the water features is regulated by three (3) automated valves, [# 3, 4 & 5], integrated into the return lines from the water feature pump. As stated above, control of these valves is automated by Valve Actuators controlled at the Control Box or at the Jandy Touch Panel mounted inside the house.

WATERFALL ONLY CONFIGURATION -When you push the first "Water Feature" button in the Control Box,  the Actuators on Diverter Valves 3, and 4 are positioned to shut off water flow to all water features except the waterfall. Note: a yellow "T" is superimposed on the top of the Valve to show the correct postion of the Valve. In this configuration, the handle on Actuator 3 is rotated all the way clockwise to divert all the water from the FIlter to the left. The handle on Actuator 4 is also rotated all the way clockwise to shut off water to both the Bubblers and the Laminars and divert all water to the Waterfall.

WATERFALL - This picture shows the Waterfall mounted in the wall of the pool.

BUBBLERS ONLY CONFIGURATION - To turn on just the Bubblers,  Actuator 3 is set to block off water to the right, Actuator 4 is rotated all the way counterclockwise to block off water to the Waterfall and Actuator 5 is rotated all the way clockwise to block water to the Laminars. All water from the feature Filter now flows to the two Bubblers. The manual diverter valve between the two Bubblers is set manually to equallize the height of the two Bubblers.

BUBBLERS - This picture shows the two Bubblers that are installed in the floor of the shallow sun shelf.

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LAMINARS CONFIGURATION - To turn on just the Laminars,  Actuator 3 is set to block off water to the right, Actuator 4 is rotated all the way counter-clockwise to block off water to the waterfall an Actuator 5 is rotated all the way counter-clockwise to block water to the Bubblers. All water from the feature Filter now flows to the four Laminars.

LAMINARS - This picture shows one of the four Laminars that projects a column of water from the deck into the pool.

MULTIPLE FEATURES - The settings described above assumed you only wanted to turn on one water feature at a time. It is also possible to set up your system to turn on combinations of water features with a push of a button. See the manual for programming you particular control center for further instructions.

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