Jandy AquaLink RS - Which model to purchase?

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laszlof

Well-known member
Jun 12, 2023
124
SE Michigan
Pool Size
10000
Surface
Fiberglass
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Jandy Aquapure 1400
Hello,

Our pool is currently under construction, We're skipping automation this year and plan to handle it ourselves sometime next year. We're running all Jandy equipment. (1 VS pump, 1 single speed pump, SWG, heater, pool lighting). We only have a pool, no spa.

I've decided the AquaLink RS is probably the best option for us, allowing us to expand in the future if needed. But I'm confused as to which one to get. I spoke with our electrician, and he said that he will not be installing a sub-panel at the pool, as we have plenty of free breaker spots in our homes main panel, and its not very far to where the equipment pad will be located.

I believe what I should get is "iQ904-P", which is the "Jandy AquaLink RS P4 Pool Only Kit With iAquaLink", and the 6612F power center. My concern with this is, it only supports up to 4 relays. That should be fine for now, as I believe the only things we need relays for is the single speed pump, and the lights. (Correct me if I'm wrong).

The next option is "iQ906-P-PC", which supports 6 relays, but also includes a sub-panel, which I do not think we will need given our configuration.

So I guess my question is, with the first model, will 4 relays be enough for some future expansion? Do I really only need 2 for the given configuration? I may decide to connect our landscape lighting as well, which will obviously take up another relay spot.

Do they make a 6 relay unit that doesnt have the sub panel?

Thanks!
 
laszlof said:
Hello,

Our pool is currently under construction, We're skipping automation this year and plan to handle it ourselves sometime next year. We're running all Jandy equipment. (1 VS pump, 1 single speed pump, SWG, heater, pool lighting). We only have a pool, no spa.

I've decided the AquaLink RS is probably the best option for us, allowing us to expand in the future if needed. But I'm confused as to which one to get. I spoke with our electrician, and he said that he will not be installing a sub-panel at the pool, as we have plenty of free breaker spots in our homes main panel, and its not very far to where the equipment pad will be located.

I believe what I should get is "iQ904-P", which is the "Jandy AquaLink RS P4 Pool Only Kit With iAquaLink", and the 6612F power center. My concern with this is, it only supports up to 4 relays. That should be fine for now, as I believe the only things we need relays for is the single speed pump, and the lights. (Correct me if I'm wrong).

The next option is "iQ906-P-PC", which supports 6 relays, but also includes a sub-panel, which I do not think we will need given our configuration.

So I guess my question is, with the first model, will 4 relays be enough for some future expansion? Do I really only need 2 for the given configuration? I may decide to connect our landscape lighting as well, which will obviously take up another relay spot.

Do they make a 6 relay unit that doesnt have the sub panel?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
The RS4 will give you 4 relays and a board that only supports 4 relays. The RS4 box can not be upgraded to use more relays.
The best thing is to get the RS8 even if it comes with the power center/load center. You don't have to use the breaker panel, but be sure that the electrician brings the proper size circuit to the pad (wire size/breaker) for future use. Might want to insist that a sub-panel be installed, its your money.
 
You say you are skipping automation until next year and then ask about the Aqualink RS.

Are you putting the Aqualink RS in now or is that for next year.

The money you think you are saving this year by not doing automation you will more then spend next year when you need to redo you electrical hookups into the automation.

If you do the Aqualink RS now, which I wouldask you why Aqualink, but that is a separate discussion, then you pay to do the high voltage wiring directly into the panel. Otherwise your electrician will wires directly to the devices and then need to redo the electrical and switches next year to connect to the automation.

So next years installation of the automation do you plan to DIY or have a Pool Company install?
 
1poolman1 said:
The RS4 will give you 4 relays and a board that only supports 4 relays. The RS4 box can not be upgraded to use more relays.
The best thing is to get the RS8 even if it comes with the power center/load center. You don't have to use the breaker panel, but be sure that the electrician brings the proper size circuit to the pad (wire size/breaker) for future use. Might want to insist that a sub-panel be installed, its your money.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Thats kind of what I was thinking. It makes more sense to me, even if I have space in our main panel, to have a separate sub-panel at the pool and just a single (large) breaker on the main for service work.

Was my understanding of what would need relays correct above?

ajw22 said:
You say you are skipping automation until next year and then ask about the Aqualink RS.

Are you putting the Aqualink RS in now or is that for next year.

The money you think you are saving this year by not doing automation you will more then spend next year when you need to redo you electrical hookups into the automation.

If you do the Aqualink RS now, which I wouldask you why Aqualink, but that is a separate discussion, then you pay to do the high voltage wiring directly into the panel. Otherwise your electrician will wires directly to the devices and then need to redo the electrical and switches next year to connect to the automation.

So next years installation of the automation do you plan to DIY or have a Pool Company install?
Click to expand...

Doing automation next year. I do plan on DIY'ing it. Aqualink because all the other equipment is already Jandy, I'd rather keep it all the same.

I'd imagine it would be much easier if I had a sub-panel in place, shorter wire runs from the breaker to the relays. Just trying to decide if 4 relays will be enough for future expansion. I cant really think what else we would need relays for aside from the above.
 
laszlof said:
Thanks for the info. Thats kind of what I was thinking. It makes more sense to me, even if I have space in our main panel, to have a separate sub-panel at the pool and just a single (large) breaker on the main for service work.

Was my understanding of what would need relays correct above?



Doing automation next year. I do plan on DIY'ing it. Aqualink because all the other equipment is already Jandy, I'd rather keep it all the same.

I'd imagine it would be much easier if I had a sub-panel in place, shorter wire runs from the breaker to the relays. Just trying to decide if 4 relays will be enough for future expansion. I cant really think what else we would need relays for aside from the above.
Click to expand...
With four relays and the items you mention, you will have maxed the Jandy RS. Heater doesn't need one. Single-speed pump, and light do. Relay #1 is always filter pump even though not used with the VSP. SWG may need one as well, depending on the brand. So, you may have one left with the RS4.
 
1poolman1 said:
With four relays and the items you mention, you will have maxed the Jandy RS. Heater doesn't need one. Single-speed pump, and light do. Relay #1 is always filter pump even though not used with the VSP. SWG may need one as well, depending on the brand. So, you may have one left with the RS4.
Click to expand...

Perfect, this was the info I was looking for. The bit about relay #1 for the filter pump was something that wasn't obvious reading things online.

SWG will be the AquaPure unit. Assuming that doesn't need a relay.

Looks like the RS6 or RS8 is probably the right move.
 
Be aware that Jandy is not friendly to DIY with support, parts availability and warranty. You will be on your own.
 
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Another random question about this.

If I decide I want to upgrade later, can I just order an RS-P8 PCB and install it with the existing setup to "unlock" the additional AUX relays?
 
laszlof said:
If I decide I want to upgrade later, can I just order an RS-P8 PCB and install it with the existing setup to "unlock" the additional AUX relays?
Click to expand...

You mean changing from an RS-4 to an RS-8?

It will be an expensive upgrade around $1200. You are basically buying another system.

You will be better off long term doing this once.
 
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ajw22 said:
You mean changing from an RS-4 to an RS-8?

It will be an expensive upgrade around $1200. You are basically buying another system.

You will be better off long term doing this once.
Click to expand...
Hmm, Everything I see says its just replacing the main PCB. The bezel, and everything else, appears to be the same. (With the exception of the slightly larger enclosure for the additional relays).

aqualink RS replacement options

My basic question is there are many models and firmware revs of aqualink RS control boards, - how are they interchangeable? - has anyone interchanged one? like going from an RS4 to an RS8 I have a RS4 P&S running 8158 L I would like to move to an RS8 P&S running "R" or better for wifi...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
So what will the PCB and four relays cost you?
 
laszlof said:
They're all over the place honestly. Seems a bunch pop up on ebay for less than $500, just have to find the right model. The relays are less than $50 each.
Click to expand...

@1poolman1 and I are giving you retail prices. If you want to go the eBay route then you know what to plan for.
 
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