Pool automation using Sonoff 4CHPRO with Intermatic PE24VA valve actuators - Need Help

[surprise-pool]

I'm stuck ... I'm building out my own pool automation enclosure and I have something wired wrong. I can't get the Intermatic PE24VA actuator valve to turn using a mean well 120v - 24v power supply controlled by a sonoff 4CHPRO. It doesn't matter what mode I place the actuator in Auto Mode 1 or Auto Mode 2, no movement. Appreciate anyone's feedback for correct wiring and components needed to make it work? Thanks so much.

 

[mas985]

Valve actuators are 24 vac. That power supply is 24 vdc.

 

[surprise-pool]

Valve actuators are 24 vac. That power supply is 24 vdc.

Thanks mas985, I can't believe I missed that, for some reason thought it was an output of ac on V- and V+ and DC on the DC OK. Looking for the correct power supply now - thanks for the feedback.

 

[mas985]

You only really need a 24 vac transformer for the actuators.

 

[JamesW]

Note that the actuators require 0.75 amps per actuator.

2 actuators will require 1.5 amps.

I would make sure that the transformer is rated for at least 1 to 1.5 amps per actuator.

 

[surprise-pool]

Spent $35 at Amazon today to get same day shipping - feel like a goof that I missed the DC as the output. Hurried home - It's working with the correct AC output, thanks for the responses! I did make sure the transformer could handle the 1.5 amps.

 

[itechability]

How did you resolve the programming/inching of the valve controls?

 

[irvingtho]

I'm stuck ... I'm building out my own pool automation enclosure and I have something wired wrong. I can't get the Intermatic PE24VA actuator valve to turn using a mean well 120v - 24v power supply controlled by a sonoff 4CHPRO. It doesn't matter what mode I place the actuator in Auto Mode 1 or Auto Mode 2, no movement. Appreciate anyone's feedback for correct wiring and components needed to make it work? Thanks so much.

How was the sonoff configured for the valves?

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

How was the sonoff configured for the valves?

What are you trying to accomplish?

 

[rstrouse]

There are some wiring diagrams in this wiki.

DIY Standalone Nixie Pool Controller

An application to control pool equipment from various manufacturers. - tagyoureit/nodejs-poolController

github.com

 

[irvingtho]

What are you trying to accomplish?

I plan to control two valve one for our bubbler and the second actuator for our deckjets. The sonoff 4CHProR3 as the controller to be able to connect it to our Google home. I plan to hook it up as shown in the OP. I haven't messed with the 4ch but assume it similar to the single ch unit. I'm trying to avoid damaging the controller or actuators.

 

[jryan82]

Did you get this working? I'm looking to control my valves as well, I have various scenarios and I'm always manually flipping the valves to control what I want to do. I don't have any pool automation today, so looking to primarily be able to control my pool valves from HomeAssistant.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Check out the low budget automation link in my signature. To control the valves, you need 24 VAC capable of .75 amps per valve. You will also need a power supply for the wifi switch/relay itself. The relays I selected accept 24 VAC input so I could power the relays and the valves with one power source. I use Alexa routines to control automation.

 

[jryan82]

Check out the low budget automation link in my signature. To control the valves, you need 24 VAC capable of .75 amps per valve. You will also need a power supply for the wifi switch/relay itself. The relays I selected accept 24 VAC input so I could power the relays and the valves with one power source. I use Alexa routines to control automation.

Thank you! That's an awesome build and great write-up. my only hold-up is trying to find something that will integrate cleanly into homeassistant. I've made a deal with myself to not install another app again...everything must integrate!

 

[rstrouse]

The links I provided above integrate with HASS, control up to 64 valves, and automate the heaters, aux circuits, pumps, ...etc.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Thank you! That's an awesome build and great write-up. my only hold-up is trying to find something that will integrate cleanly into homeassistant. I've made a deal with myself to not install another app again...everything must integrate!

I'm not sure what you mean by "integrate" with Home Assistant, but all of the devices that make up my automation system do show up in the Google Home and can be controlled via Home Assistant.

I haven't updated my automation thread yet, but I did add heater control utilizing a Sonoff TH16 switch with probe.

 

[jryan82]

Ok, that's all I really need, I just want to be able to write the automations and scenes in HomeAssistant as opposed to in Alexa.

 

[irvingtho]

Did you get this working? I'm looking to control my valves as well, I have various scenarios and I'm always manually flipping the valves to control what I want to do. I don't have any pool automation today, so looking to primarily be able to control my pool valves from HomeAssistant.

I did get it working this weekend. My current automation would be an intelliconnect and suntouch for the solar. Haven't figured out how to interconnect the two so when the suntouch is activated the pump can switch to a specific speed when still connected to the intelliconnect.
I did read some advance setups but the connections and code is a but over my head.

For what is did, I only needed to control 2 actuators. I used the sonoff 4chpro with a 24vac transformer to do what I needed. It was based off another user drawings. It used the inching setting to delay it for about 45 seconds then shuts off. It takes two relays to control one valve? One relay to rotate CCW and the other CW. It could be an issue if both are turned on at the same time. I was able to connect this to my Google home system.

 

[cJAY904]

I know I am late to the conversation, but I was thinking... why power the transformer all the time. Why not power the transformer by one of the channels, with the same power feed you are using to power the board? you would need to turn on that channel every time you wanted to move the actuators, but I think saving the transformer would be worth the little extra effort.

 

[cJAY904]

Update: The diagram I used above to illustrate adding a relay to the transformer has worked great. very simple little project. I like that the transformer is only powered when the actuator is needed.