The controller is designed to operate with 12V DC pumps up to 150psi, the range includes a low current control for pumps up to 15amps (V16) and a high current version for pumps between 15 and up to 35 amps V16HC). We recommend that the pump pressure switch is connected although the controller will operate the pump with pressure switch bypassed.
PS displaying, indicates that the pump's pressure switch has operated. Be aware that the control does not activate the pump pressure switch. The control is simply telling you the pump PS has activated..
This will generally happen in one of two case,s
A. By far the most common cause is that the pump pressure switch has opened due to high pressure build up in your system. The control does not create or have impact on system pressure, once calibrated it can monitor pressure.
NOTE: The pump pressure switch may have blown. In this instance the PS will require replacement
B. The Pump motor has become disconnected and or an electrical fault has occurred. Please see our wiring diagram in the user guide for correct installation. The Control does check for electrical current to the pump, If the pump can not detect a pump in circuit the default message is PS will be displayed. (see note 8)
The controller will recover once the cause of PS has been corrected. In 99% of cases the controller is correctly detecting an issue.
Common causes for the pump pressure switch operating are:
1. A restriction to the water flow, for example. a twisted hose.
2. Blocked or small water jets. ( Jets smaller than 2mm may create high back pressure).
3. Grit or dirt trapped in the system. For example a blocked pump pre filter
In some case finding the restriction that has caused high pressure is a process of elimination. Start by removing the brush and jets does this clear the restriction? No then remove the pole hose and so on until you are back to the pump outlet.
Check that Connectors are the same ID and are not blocked or have stuck no return valves
4. Damaged pump for example the pressure switch has failed and/or the pump motor has a fault. If practical connect the pump directly to the battery the pump should run flat out producing a high pressurised flow. If the pump does not run it is the source of the fault.
It is also possible that small particles of debris can block the pump head vanes. DI resin beads will block the pump head. In a system with RO/DI we suggest a pre filter after the DI vessel and before the pump
5. Air trapped in the system. Running the pump direct from the battery can help push the air lock through the system
6. Ensure the tank breather hole is not blocked.
Blocking the tank breather hole can result in high pressure build up. As the tank empties the Pump will also draw air from the tank which is now effectively air tight. As air is drawn through the pump a Vacuum is created in your tank this will cause the tank contract ( Like a kids drink carton ) and may create high pressure in yours system.
7. Prolonged Dead ending (flow stopped) of of the pump over a period of hours may build up pressure in the system. In these instances we suggest switching off the controller rather than leaving it in DE.
8. Pump Pressure switch has failed
8a. Has the pressure switch been adjusted Or is a pump head bypass in use. Pressure switch should be set to 110psi. Pump head bypass should be set to fully open.
8b. Electrical connections between the pump, controller and battery. If there is a break or damaged connection the control can not see the pump. Replace corroded or damaged connectors including the fuse and holder. Ensure the pump output (brown and blue cables) can not short as this can damage the controller. Fitting the correct rated fuse will help prevent this.
9. During very cold periods ice can form in the Pump or hose line. Ice will obstruct the line and cause high back pressure build up. Note Calibration may need to be increased if temperatures are low.
10. In rare cases if calibration is set to 99 and combined with a very high flow rate the pump pressure switch may activate before the control can dead end the pump. In these case calibration should be reduced so the control is stopping the pump.
Properly calibrated the control should always DE the pump well before the pressure switch is activated.
Note: as B above:
Note: The controller carries out an electrical test to ensure the pump and pressure switch are in the circuit. If the pump can not detect the pump due to damaged cable/connectors the control will display PS (pressure switch) as a default message. This is one of the crucial protections we put in place. The control no longer passes any current to the pump but instead retests the condition every few seconds. This prevents a dangerous condition occurring for example ( a loose moving or damaged connection touching ground (Van panels) because the controller is now limiting the energy.
Connectors and terminal blocks can also be a source of volt drop for this reason regularly inspecting your connectors replacing any that are worn or damaged is a good idea. Also check connections are secure with good contact to the copper core.
Check for any damaged cable where insulation has been chaffed exposing the copper core not only is there a risk of a short knocking out the fuse the exposed core can be a source of volt drop and become very hot. In some circumstance,s this heat can be sufficient to melt insulation and fuse increasing the risk of fire.
An Issue with old connectors is corrosion something that is difficult to avoid in a wet environment such as WFP so keeping connections as dry as possible by placing cable into conduit is a good idea. Corrosion will increase the resistance of the connector and in turn volt drop across the connector.
A badly worn or corroded connector can become an energy wasting resistor. If your connectors are excessively hot they either need replacing or tightening, as your are wasting precious battery power.
The harder the pump works, the more current will be drawn. With poor connections in a system this will increase the energy lost in heat. Because Power = I*I*R (current squared multiplied by the connector's resistance). So the power lost in a bad connector is actually increasing exponentially. Compared to the energy consumed by the pump this is small. But every little helps!
A good connector should only feel warm to the touch in normal use.
PS displaying, indicates that the pump's pressure switch has operated. Be aware that the control does not activate the pump pressure switch. The control is simply telling you the pump PS has activated..
This will generally happen in one of two case,s
A. By far the most common cause is that the pump pressure switch has opened due to high pressure build up in your system. The control does not create or have impact on system pressure, once calibrated it can monitor pressure.
NOTE: The pump pressure switch may have blown. In this instance the PS will require replacement
B. The Pump motor has become disconnected and or an electrical fault has occurred. Please see our wiring diagram in the user guide for correct installation. The Control does check for electrical current to the pump, If the pump can not detect a pump in circuit the default message is PS will be displayed. (see note 8)
The controller will recover once the cause of PS has been corrected. In 99% of cases the controller is correctly detecting an issue.
Common causes for the pump pressure switch operating are:
1. A restriction to the water flow, for example. a twisted hose.
2. Blocked or small water jets. ( Jets smaller than 2mm may create high back pressure).
3. Grit or dirt trapped in the system. For example a blocked pump pre filter
In some case finding the restriction that has caused high pressure is a process of elimination. Start by removing the brush and jets does this clear the restriction? No then remove the pole hose and so on until you are back to the pump outlet.
Check that Connectors are the same ID and are not blocked or have stuck no return valves
4. Damaged pump for example the pressure switch has failed and/or the pump motor has a fault. If practical connect the pump directly to the battery the pump should run flat out producing a high pressurised flow. If the pump does not run it is the source of the fault.
It is also possible that small particles of debris can block the pump head vanes. DI resin beads will block the pump head. In a system with RO/DI we suggest a pre filter after the DI vessel and before the pump
5. Air trapped in the system. Running the pump direct from the battery can help push the air lock through the system
6. Ensure the tank breather hole is not blocked.
Blocking the tank breather hole can result in high pressure build up. As the tank empties the Pump will also draw air from the tank which is now effectively air tight. As air is drawn through the pump a Vacuum is created in your tank this will cause the tank contract ( Like a kids drink carton ) and may create high pressure in yours system.
7. Prolonged Dead ending (flow stopped) of of the pump over a period of hours may build up pressure in the system. In these instances we suggest switching off the controller rather than leaving it in DE.
8. Pump Pressure switch has failed
8a. Has the pressure switch been adjusted Or is a pump head bypass in use. Pressure switch should be set to 110psi. Pump head bypass should be set to fully open.
8b. Electrical connections between the pump, controller and battery. If there is a break or damaged connection the control can not see the pump. Replace corroded or damaged connectors including the fuse and holder. Ensure the pump output (brown and blue cables) can not short as this can damage the controller. Fitting the correct rated fuse will help prevent this.
9. During very cold periods ice can form in the Pump or hose line. Ice will obstruct the line and cause high back pressure build up. Note Calibration may need to be increased if temperatures are low.
10. In rare cases if calibration is set to 99 and combined with a very high flow rate the pump pressure switch may activate before the control can dead end the pump. In these case calibration should be reduced so the control is stopping the pump.
Properly calibrated the control should always DE the pump well before the pressure switch is activated.
Note: as B above:
Note: The controller carries out an electrical test to ensure the pump and pressure switch are in the circuit. If the pump can not detect the pump due to damaged cable/connectors the control will display PS (pressure switch) as a default message. This is one of the crucial protections we put in place. The control no longer passes any current to the pump but instead retests the condition every few seconds. This prevents a dangerous condition occurring for example ( a loose moving or damaged connection touching ground (Van panels) because the controller is now limiting the energy.
Connectors and terminal blocks can also be a source of volt drop for this reason regularly inspecting your connectors replacing any that are worn or damaged is a good idea. Also check connections are secure with good contact to the copper core.
Check for any damaged cable where insulation has been chaffed exposing the copper core not only is there a risk of a short knocking out the fuse the exposed core can be a source of volt drop and become very hot. In some circumstance,s this heat can be sufficient to melt insulation and fuse increasing the risk of fire.
An Issue with old connectors is corrosion something that is difficult to avoid in a wet environment such as WFP so keeping connections as dry as possible by placing cable into conduit is a good idea. Corrosion will increase the resistance of the connector and in turn volt drop across the connector.
A badly worn or corroded connector can become an energy wasting resistor. If your connectors are excessively hot they either need replacing or tightening, as your are wasting precious battery power.
The harder the pump works, the more current will be drawn. With poor connections in a system this will increase the energy lost in heat. Because Power = I*I*R (current squared multiplied by the connector's resistance). So the power lost in a bad connector is actually increasing exponentially. Compared to the energy consumed by the pump this is small. But every little helps!
A good connector should only feel warm to the touch in normal use.
