This guide explains you how a Pool Valve Actuator works.We've mounted a Goldline Hayward Pool Valve Actuator on top of a Diverter Valve to automate the rotation of the Valve Handle through a user controlled panel.
1. VALVE OPEN - First a little refresher on how a Diverter Valve works. The Valve handle is connected to a paddle inside the Valve which can be positioned to shut off one of the two end ports. In the configuration shown in the picture, the handle is positioned between the two end ports leaving the valve open in all three ports. Note: a yellow “T” is superimposed over the Handle to highlight the position of the Handle and paddle. As positioned, the Valve allows water to flow in from the Pool Drain and the Skimmer ports, and to exit to the Pump through the lower center port.
2. VALVE CLOSED TO POOL DRAIN - This picture shows the Valve Handle rotated 90° counter-clockwise which shuts off all water from the pool drain. Water flows from the Skimmer to the Pump.
3. VALVE CLOSED TO SKIMMER - This picture shows the Valve Handle rotated 90° clockwise from center which shuts off all water from the Skimmer. Water flows from the Main Drain to the Pump.
4. ACTUATOR MOUNTED ON VALVE – This is a picture showing the Actuator mounted on top of the Diverter Valve.
5. INSIDE ACTUATOR – The inside of the Actuator with the cover off is shown here. Two Cams are attached to the bottom of the Shaft: The lower Cam determines the limit of the Shaft's counter-clockwise (CCW) rotation. The Shaft will rotate CCW until the point of the lower Cam comes in contact with the left (CCW) switch. The upper Cam determines the limit of the Shaft's clockwise (CW) rotation.
6. CAM ADJUSTMENT – The Cams can be set at any position around the Shaft by lifting them out of the gear at the bottom of the Shaft and rotating them left of right. There are 28 different setting in the gear where the Cam can be set. Each Cam can be set at any of these 28 positions.
7. CAMS SET FOR ABOVE OPERATION – All settings are reference with the smallest slot in the Shaft identified as 12 o-clock. We want to set this Actuator so that it rotates clockwise to 3 o-clock to shut off the Skimmer, or rotates counter-clockwise to 9 o-clock to shut off the Main drain. For this operation, we will set both the upper and lower Cams at 12 o-clock - stacked on top of each other. For more information on appropriate Cam settings, see our guide on "How To Set and Sync the Cam on a Goldline/Hayward Pool Valve Actuator"
8. UPPER CAM STOP - This picture shows the position of the Valve Handle when the upper Cam comes in contact with the limiting CW switch. Contact points are circled. With the Valve Handle in this position, all water flow from the Skimmer is blocked.
9. LOWER CAM STOP - This picture shows the position of the Valve Handle when the lower Cam comes in contact with the limiting CCW switch. Contact points are circled. With the Valve Handle in this position, all water flow from the Pool Drain is blocked.
10. VARIATION – To show the flexibility of this Actuator, we've selected this variation of control that allows partial flow through the skimmer instead of shutting it off completely. With the Valve Handle stopped in a 50°+ position, the Skimmer port will only be partially closed off allowing some water to flow from the Skimmer.
11. CAMS SET FOR VARIATION - To set up the Actuator for partial Skimmer water flow, set the upper Cam at about 2 o-clock instead of 12 o-clock. As the Shaft rotates clockwise, the upper Cam will come in contact with the CW switch sooner causing the Handle to stop at an intermediate shutoff position..
12. UPPER CAM STOP - This picture shows the position of the Handle after the repositioned upper Cam has made contact with the CW switch.
If you have any other questions about pool and spa products please do let us know - we are here to help!