Please help with Aqualink system debug

[dgbretz]

Ok...so being the cheapskate I am, I went against advice and got lucky finding a replacement indoor console on Ebay for relatively cheap. I figured it was worth a shot.

Bad news...the indoor console wasn't the problem. So now I have an extra...

Good news...I have everything back working again except for the 4-button spa-side remote. After some debug with significantly strange behavior, I've narrowed down to that function. As soon as I switch the 'remote' slider to 'auto' on the outside console, the indoor console freezes up.

So I have a temporary solution in place. My new questions are:

Does anyone know if this could be anything but a faulty spa-side remote? (Something more related to the outside control PCB?)

Assuming it is the remote...are the 4 button remotes that sell with the new Aqualink RS systems compatible with the old Aqualink that I have?

Assuming I can find a new remote on the cheap and they are compatible, how do I install it? (I have a couple of inches of slack on the installed remote but it looks like the wiring is sealed and is not intended to be cut close to the remote for weatherproofing purposes.)

Thanks in advance for any help...

[thepoolman1]

The 4-button remote for the RS series is not compatible with your system. The good news is that the one you need is, generally, still available. You need a 4-button remote for the Ji series Jandy. Not particulary cheap.

Pop the existing button from it's housing (it is just "pressed" in), cut the wiring off the back, attach the new wiring very securely to the old and, using the old wire at the control panel, pull it through the conduit. It is better to have someone at the spa feed the wire, because you cannot pull it if there is a kink in the wire. If you try you will either break the wire internally or pull the splice apart. Bad either way, worse if you break the new wire.

[dgbretz]

Wow! I am thoroughly impressed with the quick response!

In a quick look online, I'm only seeing the RS remotes (744X part numbers). Do you happen to know of a source for the Ji series?

[dgbretz]

Hmmm...I had sent a message to Jandy service at the same time I posted my original question about the remotes and they responded that nothing has changed on the spa-side remotes so a new one should work.

Either way, I'm thinking that these things have to be pretty simple. There's six connections on the box. My guess is PWR, GND, and one for each of the four buttons and that pressing the button simply shorts the button wires to either PWR or GND. I just don't understand why that costs $150 at a minimum (I know, I know...it's because they can).

I'm wondering if I could just repair the existing or make my own