Dontek AquaSun 3RB User manual

Aquasun 3 RB Instruction rB2
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Instruction Manual
DESCRIPTION
The AquaSun 3RB is a premium automatic solar controller with temperature
adjustment, manual, winter and tropical mode features.

Aquasun 3 RB Instruction rB2
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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
CONTROLLER
ind a suitable location to mount the control
box*radio note. The controller should be installed
out of direct weather and no closer than 3
meters from the water’s edge. Lift up the two
mounting tabs and use two appropriate
screws to mount the control box to the wall,
keeping in mind that the power cable is 1.8m
long and should be plugged directly into a
general power outlet, not into an extension
lead. Do not drill through the box.
SOLAR PUMP
The solar pump plugs into the left side
240Vac socket marked as PUMP.
TEMPERATURE SENSOR
The pool temperature sensor must be fitted
into the suction line of the solar pump, as
close to the pool as practical, preferably in a
position out of direct sunlight. It is
recommended that a 14.5mm hole be drilled
in the PVC pipe, this can be carried out using
a Dontek PD01 grinding drill or a small pilot
hole can be drilled and a 14.0mm drill-bit
used spinning in a counter clockwise direction
to minimize the chance of shattering pipe.
Insert the grommet into the pipe and gently
push in the blue/grey sensor barb. The blue
sensor plug is to be fitted to the plug socket
marked POOL, in some cases there is some
benefit to cable tie 30cm of wire from the
pool temperature sensor to the pipe and
insulate this section (some ambient
differences can travel up the tinned copper
wire and affect the sensor reading).
All temperature sensor cables must NOT be
run parallel to power cables and should
never be cable tied to power cables. All
cable run lengths should be less than 50m if
possible. Cable ties should be used to fasten
the sensor cable to the cold water inlet pipe
making sure that the ties are approximately
10mm from PVC fittings. Cable ties should be
tightened only firm, over tightening can cause
breaks in the outer PVC if not careful. If the
cable is to be run under ground a conduit
must be used to protect the wire and there is
to be no cable joins within, conduit ends must
be sealed to prevent water ingress.
Any excess cable should be removed and
re-fitted ensuring that the wire ends are
tinned with solder.
REMOTE TEMPERATURE ROOF SENSOR
The roof temperature sensor must be fitted
into a small piece of solar collector or
equivalent and attached to the roof. The best
location is within an arm's length of the
gutters edge of the house or shed as long as
the sensor end is not shaded and is on a roof
of similar aspect of the main collector. It
must not be fitted on top of the solar
collector or fitted to high points on the roof
like Ridge Capping as false readings will be
detected.
This unit has been designed to eliminate the
need to run a temperature sensor cable from
the solar controller to the roof; this is
replaced by a battery powered transmitter
that transmits the roof temperature. The roof
sensor plugs into the radio remote
temperature transmitter socket at the
bottom of the unit (run the cable behind the
box).
it the radio remote temperature transmitter
with 4xAA alkaline batteries and mount it to a
nearby solid fixture*radio note by either the two
mounting lugs or direct attachment though
the controller. The transmitter must be
installed out of direct weather and no closer
than 3 meters from the water’s edge. Mount
the unit so battery replacement is possible
without needing a ladder. (Antenna points UP)
if the antenna faces down then water may
enter the box through the power entry /
sensor entry hole and void the warranty .

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*RADIO NOTE: RADIO TRANSMITTER
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Do not permanently fix the radio transmitter
until good reception is achievable (See site
test); do not mount the Aquasun 3 in a
position where reception of radio signals may
be difficult, avoid mounting near other
electrical equipment (try a site test with a M
radio or Mobile phone).
The range is 100m with no obstructions and
with no interference from other transmitters
or sources of electrical noise. Also be aware
that equipment installed afterwards may also
interfere with radio reception. Transmission
may not occur through objects such as steel,
aluminium, re-enforced concrete and large
bodies of water (e.g. pump room under a
pool). Line of sight is the ideal situation but
not always possible, the antennas should
always remain vertical. Echo cancellation or
ghosting may occur, which will prevent the
signal being received reliably. If the Aquasun
3 is to be installed in a metal shed there may
be reception issues and the controller may
need to be optioned with a remote antenna or
moved outside.
Other Notes: Both the transmitter and
receiver are tested as a set to 100 meters; do
not mix different transmitters with different
receivers.
Read and understand this manual before
going on site. Ensure the customer also
understands the workings of the controller
before leaving the site.
SITE TEST
Place the radio transmitter in the approximate
location, open the unit and press the “TEST
BUTTON” to place it in test mode for 10
minutes. The “TEST LED” globe will start
flashing to confirm Test Mode is active. (In Test
mode, radio signals will be transmitted every
2-3 seconds, rather than every 20 seconds
when not in Test Mode)
The controller will enter into a RX TEST mode.
Verify that every 8-9 seconds the LCD displays
the temperature (e.g. TEST 32°) followed about
3 seconds later by the test mode transmission
(TEST TST). Check that this sequence is
repeated for about half a minute and ensure no
transmission is missed. If a transmission is
missed it may be due to an echo or ghosted
signal, move the location of the radio
transmitter or controller and retest. If no
transmission is missed, mount the transmitter
and repeat the test. Check that no
transmission is missed for 2 minutes.
Turn O power to the controller and then turn
off Test Mode on the radio transmitter by
pressing the “TEST BUTTON” again. Return to
the controller and ensure it receives the
transmission.
If required, the controller can be forced into RX
TEST mode by holding the DOWN button on
power-up for 3 seconds, RX TEST is displayed
once the DOWN button is released.
During normal operation the controller
software allows for missed transmissions, but
when more than 50 minutes elapses without a
transmission then the temperature value will
timeout and will be indicated by the “Waiting
for roof transmission” message.
REPORTED TRANSMITTER FAULTS
If the following messages are displayed, then
action is to be taken to rectify the fault(s)
"WAITING FOR ROOF
TRANSMISSION"
The Aquasun 3 cannot receive a roof
temperature from the radio transmitter or
more than 50 minutes have elapsed since the
last transmission, check installation is per
instructions & check battery conditions.
"TRANSMITTER IS IN TEST MODE"
The radio transmitter has been left in test
mode, the Aquasun 3 will not operate instead
it will enter into a RX TEST loop, this is to aid

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installation only, rectify by removing the small
plug from TEST and place it onto RUN.
"TRANSMITTER BATTERIES ARE
FLAT"
The radio transmitter batteries have expired;
this will prevent the controller from operating.
Replace batteries and re-select any operating
mode to clear the battery low message. Note:
Batteries may begin to leak before they expire,
therefore it is recommended to replace the
batteries once per year.
"ROOF SENSOR DISCONNECTED
OR OPEN CIRCUIT"
Check that the temperature sensor is firmly
connected to the terminals. If the cable has
been trimmed ensure the ends have been
tinned with solder. Cable joints must also be
soldered and sealed (preferably with heat-
shrink). An unbroken but damaged cable can
also cause this fault.
"ROOF SENSOR SHORT CIRCUIT
OR REVERSED"
If the cable has been joined or shortened be
aware that the white side of the cable is
positive, inside the transmitter there is a
white + on the circuit board indicating where
positive is to be connected.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
TEMPERATURE LIMIT
The controller will automatically choose to
run the pump based on solar gain (i.e. sun
shining & roof is hot), once the desired
temperature is achieved the pump is stopped
and a four hour wait commences to ensure no
energy is wasted by cycling the pump.
If after 4 hours the roof is hot enough then
the pump may start to provide another
heating cycle and if the desired temperature
is reached again then no heating will occur
until the next day unless the controller is
operating in time-clock mode where heating
can occur until solar lockout time (09:00 till
19:00)
MODE OF OPERATION
Pressing the SELECT button once will display
the current mode of operation, pressing it
again or holding it will select the next
available mode of operation.
The available modes are SUMMER, MANUAL,
WINTER, TROPICAL and SETTINGS.
Summer mode is the normal operating mode
for heating the pool.
Manual mode
is for testing the pump
installation on a cold or cloudy day. Once
manual mode is selected the pump will start
if it has been off, or stop if it has been on
(running). After 30 minutes manual mode will
time-out and return to Summer Mode with a
default temperature limit of 30°C.
Winter mode
of operation is for off-season
maintenance or if pool heating is not required
(AWAY MODE) . This is a better option than
turning off the controller as it will flush
treated pool water through the solar system
as well as prolong pump bearing and
mechanical seal life. The pump will run for 3
minutes each day from when the winter mode
was selected or at 10 a.m. if the time-clock
mode was selected.
Tropical mode
is for situations where the
pool water overheats due to direct heating
from the sun, beyond the set limit. When the
roof is 4°C cooler than the pool temperature,
the pump is started (this will most likely
occur at night) and will attempt to cool the
pool to 1°C above the temperature limit.
Normal heating will occur the next day if the
pool drops below the temperature limit by 1°C.
Settings mode is
for setting the unit into
time-clock operation.
When you select this option you will be asked
if you wish to use the clock feature (CLK?
ON/O ).

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If you select O then the controller will not
work as a time-clock model and will allow the
solar pump to run whenever there is solar
heating available. If you select ON you will be
prompted to set the time of day, the
controller will work in time-clock mode and
the solar pump is prevented from starting
outside of the set hours. (Unless tropical
mode is selected). Set the time of day in 24
hour format, note there is an AM/PM
indication to avoid incorrect settings.
Seconds are automatically set to zero.
Once the time is set select the START hour
from 6am till noon, default is 9am which
means the solar pump cannot start before
9am.
Now select the END hour from 15 (3pm) till 21
(9pm), default is 19 (7pm) which means the
solar pump will stop at 7pm.
INSTALLER SETTINGS - ADJUSTABLE
DIFFERENTIAL & ANTI-FREEZE/BOIL
FEATURES
Special note: Adjusting these values to any
setting other than the defaults may adversely
affect the performance of this controller. To
select these features, hold the DOWN button
then press SELECT. When you select this
option you will be prompted to set the solar
gain start temperature (RUN° x) this setting
allows the pump to start if the roof
temperature exceeds the last valid pool
temperature or pipe temperature by this
value, adjust with the UP/DOWN button, press
SELECT to accept. Next you will be prompted
to set the differential hysteresis (END° x)
which turns the pump off when roof
temperature is less than the pool
temperature plus this value, adjust with the
UP/DOWN button, press SELECT to accept.
Default values are 8° for RUN and 4° for END,
these are the optimal values for maximum
efficiency, some coastal locations may
benefit from a reduced run value of 6°C for
RUN and 4°C for END.
The next item is anti-freeze, you will be
prompted by RZ? ON/O , adjust with the
UP/DOWN button, press SELECT to accept. If
you select O then you will be prompted to
the anti-boil selection. If you selected ON
then you will be prompted to adjust the anti-
freeze start temperature point as follows;
“ REEZ° x “adjust with the UP/DOWN button,
press SELECT to accept. Once the roof
temperature gets to the anti-freeze setting or
below then the pump will be turned on for 3
minutes then turn off for 30 minutes, this
sequence will repeat until the roof
temperature rises above the anti-freeze
temperature.
The next item is anti-boil, you will be
prompted by BOIL? ON/O , adjust with the
UP/DOWN button, press SELECT to accept, if
you select O then the above settings will be
saved and the unit will restart. If you selected
ON then you will be prompted to adjust the
anti-boil start temperature point as follows;
“BOIL °xx” adjust with the UP/DOWN button,
press SELECT to accept. The unit will save the
new settings and restart. Once the roof
temperature gets to the anti-boil setting or
above then the pump will be turned on for 5
minutes then turn off for 15 minutes, this
sequence will repeat until the roof
temperature drops below the anti-boil
temperature.
The customer is to be made aware that these
features have been turned on and that the
controller must remain turned on at all times.

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NOTES
1. If a sensor fault is detected the
controller will display which sensor
failed (POOL and/or ROO ) and the type
of failure.
2. After a power outage all configurable
items are retained & the clock (if used)
will keep time for up to 14 days.
3. The sensor cable with the red trace is
the positive and is fitted to the right
hand side of the plug when looking at
the plug screws, incorrect polarity may
be displayed as a short circuit or
reversed fault.
4. If the controller has stopped pumping
and is displaying a higher temperature
than expected it may be caused by a
pump which is failing to prime, check
the pump and if necessary prime the
pump as per the pump manufacturers’
instructions then reset the controller by
turning it off/on.
5. Maximum combined rated output load
for the 240V socket(s) is either, 9.98
Amps / 2395 Watts, or, 14.97 Amps /
3593 Watts. Please refer to the unit’s
rating label.
6. Degree of protection against moisture:
IP23

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www.dontek.com.au
Dontek Ele troni s Pty Ltd
PO Box 239, Bayswater VIC 3153 Australia
Phone: [phone] ax: [phone] Email: [e-mail]
WARRANTY – AQUASUN 3 RB
This range of product is covered by a limited 3 year warranty against component failure or faulty
workmanship from the date of installation.
A faulty unit should be returned in the first instance to the dealer fro
m which the unit was
purchased.
Damage to
the unit due to misuse, power surges, lightning strikes or installation that is not in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction may void the warranty.
Warranty does not include on-site labour or travel costs to or from installation site.
If the power cord is damaged, do not use the controller; return the unit to the supplier for repair.
CUSTOMER RECORD
(To be retained by the customer)
DEALER/INSTALLER NAME
SERIAL NUMBER
DATE INSTALLED
or service assistance phone [phone]