aquanta AQ-CA-E300-1 User manual

Smart Water Heater Controller
Installation Instructions
For Electric Water Heaters
Model: WiFi (AQ-CA-E300-1)
Version 3.1
Aquanta Inc.

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Introduction
Congratulations on the purchase of your
Aquanta Smart Water Heater Controller!
Aquanta works with your electric water heater
to bring it out of the basement and put it into
the palm of your hand. It heats water only when
you need it, offering cost savings and intelligent
controls.
This manual describes the installation of Aquanta
and sensors. It can easily be installed by most
homeowners or a certified electrician.
First, install Aquanta on the top of the water
heater, connect the sensors, and power up
Aquanta. Next, download and open the Aquanta
App, follow the prompts to create a user
account, and you have a smart water heater!
The Aquanta E300 Controller contains a Wi-Fi transmitter module FCC ID: VPYLBYD. This device complies with Part
15 of FCC Rules and Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of this device.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standards. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interferences, and (2) this device must
accept interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
FCC CAUTION: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Aquanta Inc. could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment. This transmitter must not be co-located or operated in conjunction with any other antenna or
transmitter.

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Tools Needed:
• Phillips and Flathead screwdrivers
(do not use power tools for installing
Aquanta)
• Needle nose pliers
• Voltage tester (optional)
Parts Included:
1. Aquanta Controller
2. Temperature Sensors (2 each)
3. Cable Management Clips (4 each)
4. Cable Ties for retaining the
Temperature Sensors (4 each)
5. Leak Sensor (Optional)

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Aquanta Installation
Aquanta contains the electronics and sensor connections.
CAUTION: Turn the electricity to the water heater off
by switching the circuit breaker to the “OFF” position.
This is typically a double breaker for electric water
heaters. Aquanta is intended for use on electrical branch-
circuits of 30 amps or less. Do not connect Aquanta to a
branch circuit that has a circuit breaker larger than 30
amps. The proper amperage of the circuit should be
determined by the labeled wattage of the water heater in accordance with the applicable
National and/or Local electrical codes. For installations requiring protective conduit
covering over the AC power conductors, use only flexible conduit covering. Do not attach
rigid conduit to Aquanta.
TIP: Test that the electricity is off at the water heater using a voltage tester.
1. Using a screwdriver, remove the electrical
cover plate from the top of the water heater.
Remove the wire nuts from the wires and
separate the wires. Remove the ground wire
from the ground screw. Loosen and remove
the cable clamp from the electrical cover plate
by loosening the nut on the underside of the
cover plate. Remove the cover plate from the
cable clamp and the AC Mains supply wires.

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2. Open Aquanta by removing the 4 Philips-head
screws to remove the front cover.
3. Mount the electrical cover plate from the water
heater onto the conduit fitting on the bottom of
Aquanta. Orient Aquanta to face the desired
direction and then tighten the nut on the conduit
fitting. Lower Aquanta, with cover plate, over the
two wires coming from the water heater and then
secure the cover plate onto the water heater using
the original screws. Aquanta is now mounted on
the water heater and the ground contact is
established.
Alternative mounting: For some water heaters it
may be necessary to mount the electrical cover
plate to the water heater prior to fastening it to
Aquanta. In this case, remove the supplied conduit
fittings from the bottom of Aquanta. Place a
washer onto the conduit nipple and then slide the
conduit nipple up through the hole in the cover
plate. Secure the conduit nipple to the cover plate
using one of the conduit nuts. Slide the wires from
the water heater through the conduit nipple and
attach the cover plate to the water heater using
the original screws. Slide Aquanta over the
conduit nipple, place the grounding bracket
(supplied with Aquanta) over the conduit nipple
and secure everything in place using a conduit nut.

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4. Connect the wires from the water heater to the lower
terminal block (marked HTR) inside Aquanta. Bend and
trim the wires to length as shown with ¼” (6mm) of bare
wire exposed on the ends. There is no strict polarity, but
we recommend following the wire colors as shown.
Before inserting a wire into a terminal block, ensure that
the terminal block screw is fully open by turning
it counterclockwise 8 full turns. Insert the wire into the
opening on the side of the terminal block and tighten the
screw by turning it clockwise until the screw is just snug
against the wire. Then hold the terminal block with your
fingers while you turn the screw an additional quarter (¼)
turn. Do not overtighten the terminal block
screws. Do not use a power tool to tighten the
screws.
5. Install the original cable clamp for the AC Mains supply wire in the hole at the top of Aquanta.
6. Straighten the AC Mains supply wires and pull them down through the cable clamp. Ensure
that there is sufficient ground wire to reach the ground screw at the bottom of the Aquanta
unit and sufficient black and white wire to reach the upper terminal block (marked Line). Then,
secure the wire in the cable clamp. Bend and trim the wires to length as shown with ¼” (6mm)
of bare wire exposed on the ends.
7. Connect the two AC Mains supply wires to the top terminal block (there is no polarity). Then,
attach the ground wire to the green grounding screw. Ensure that the bare ground wire does
not contact the terminal block or the printed circuit board by keeping it straight and trimmed
to length as shown.
8. Attach the cover to Aquanta using the four Phillips-head screws.

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Sensor Installation
1. Attach one of the supplied Temperature Sensors to the
Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve (T&P Valve) on the
water heater using one of the supplied Cable Ties. Wrap the
Cable Tie around the T&P valve and then slide the narrow
end of the tie through the slot. Position the tip of the
Temperature Sensor as close to the water heater as possible
and pull the Cable Tie as tight as possible over the bead of
the Temperature Sensor. Ensure that the Temperature
Sensor is in flush contact with the metal body of the T&P
Valve, such that it does not interfere with the operation of
the T&P Valve. Clip off the excess length of the Cable Tie. If
there is another metal plumbing fitting between the T&P
Valve and the water heater, fasten the Temperature Sensor
to that fitting as close to the water heater as possible. Plug
this sensor into the “T&P” connector (the top 2-pin port)
on the side of Aquanta (see Step 4 on page 8).
2. Attach the second Temperature Sensor to the cold water inlet pipe using two of the
supplied Cable Ties. Attachment to four types of water inlet pipes are shown below.
Wrap one of the Cable Ties around the cold water pipe and slide the narrow end

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through the slot. Position the Temperature Sensor on the cold water pipe as close
as possible to the water heater and under the Cable Tie then pull the Cable
Tie as tight as possible. Place a second Cable Tie around the Temperature Sensor
wire and water pipe as a strain relief. Clip off the excess length of the Cable Ties. Plug
this Temperature Sensor into the “Cold” connector (the middle 2-pin port) on the
side of Aquanta (see Step 4 below).
3. OPTIONAL: If you purchased the Leak Sensor, peel the
paper backing off of the double-sided tape on the Leak
Sensor. Place the Leak Sensor on the side of the water
heater near bottom, preferably directly below the T&P
valve, such that the gold-plated contacts extend into the
drip pan beneath the water heater. Plug the Leak Sensor
into the “Leak” connector on the side of Aquanta (see
Step 4 below).
4. Connect the sensors to Aquanta as marked. The “AUX” port is not used.
The T&P sensor goes on the Temperature & Pressure relief valve.

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5. Four Cable Management Clips are included with Aquanta. Use these clips to organize
the routing of the wires on the water heater. Place two of the clips on the back of
Aquanta is a convenient way of retaining excess sensor wire.
6. Turn the electricity “ON” at the circuit breaker. The LED should illuminate on
Aquanta. It will blink initially indicating that a connection to the Aquanta server still
needs to be established.

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Aquanta App Installation
The Aquanta App facilitates the process of being able to
use your Aquanta.
1. Visit Google Play or the Apple App Store to download
the free Aquanta mobile app and search for “Aquanta”.
2. Install and open the Aquanta App. The app will guide
you through the procedure for setting up your
Aquanta account and pairing your Aquanta with your
account. During this process you will be asked to scan
the QR code or manually enter the pairing code from
the label on your Aquanta. This label is located on the
top of your Aquanta as shown.
Congratulations! You have now completed the Aquanta installation!
For a tutorial on how to use Aquanta to manage your water heater, visit www.aquanta.io
and click on “Preview the Dashboard.”

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LED and Audible Indications
LED Color
Indication
Green
Normal operation with AC power applied to the hot water
cylinder.
Red
Aquanta is preventing the water heater from heating which means
you have to put Aquanta in Away Mode, or you have to set a
Schedule.
Aqua, Blue, Purple
Aquanta Intelligent Mode Operation
LED Blinking
Wireless connection to the server is not available.
Beeping
Leak Sensor has detected a water leak. Check you water heater
to determine the source of the leak. To stop the beeping, unplug
the Leak Sensor from Aquanta, remove the sensor from the water
and dry it with a soft cloth. Allow at least 24 hours for the Leak
Sensor to thoroughly dry before plugging it back into Aquanta.
Aquanta Override and (Wifi) Reset
You can force Aquanta to activate your hot water heater permanently by
pressing and holding the Mode button on the right side of the Aquanta
unit for 10 seconds, then release the button and cycle the water heater
circuit breaker OFF and back ON. This also allows it to reset Wifi Access
Point credentials.

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FAQs
To view our Frequently Asked Questions on our website at https://aquanta.io/faqs/.
Support
If you have any issues with your Aquanta, email support at [e-mail]
Thank you and enjoy your Aquanta!
1775 Tyson Blvd FL5
Tysons, VA 22102
[email protected]
www.aquanta.io
Cool Technology for Hot Water
Aquanta Inc.