Neptune pH Controller Feeder Instruction Manual

: June 1, 2024
: Neptune

pH Controller

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

ONLINE
MANUAL

1. SAFETY

Important Warnings: This manual contains important information about the installation, operation, and safe use of this product. This information should be given to the owner and/or operator of this equipment. When installing and using this electrical equipment, basic safety precautions should always be followed. Failure to follow safety warnings and instructions in this manual can result in serious injury and/or damage to your equipment. Read and follow all warning notices and instructions which are included in this manual.

The pH controller case contains live components internally. There is a danger of electric shock if opened. If the power cord is damaged then it should be replaced by the manufacturer, their agent or similar qualified person, to avoid a hazard.
The product shall be installed by a qualified person in accordance with AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules.
The pH controller should be installed in the correct pool zone and connected to supply via a power outlet that is protected by a residual current device (RCD) having a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30mA. The power outlet should have a degree of protection suitable for the pool zone.
To reduce the risk of injury, do not permit people (including children) with lack of experience and knowledge, to use this appliance unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance.
To reduce the risk of accidents or incidents, service on the unit should only be performed by a qualified pool service professional, after disconnecting it from the mains power supply.
During the installation check the following:
- that the injector point pressure is lower than 150kPa (to ensure optimum flow)
- that the peristaltic pump’s acrylic front cover is correctly fitted
- that the suction tube is securely fitted in the acid container, with weight touching the bottom and the drum label is fitted on the outside of the container
- that the suction tube is fitted to the left side and the injector tube to the right
- that the injector valve O-Ring is fitted between the valve and the CLEAR faucet tee and the BLACK lock nut is securely fastened

Important Safety Instruction: When mixing acid with water, ALWAYS ADD ACID TO WATER. NEVER ADD WATER TO ACID. Always wear the appropriate safety equipment specified by the acid supplier when handling acid.

The system uses a 1:3 Acid:Water mix ratio (e.g. with a 20 litre drum add 15 litres water then 5 litres acid). It is important to use this mix for the correct acid volume to be added.

DO NOT PLUG IN IF CARTON IS WET.

Should you require further information visit www.neptunechlorinators.com.au or www.poolpro.com.au

When using the Neptune pH Controller:

Observe all applicable local, state, and federal safety regulations.
Take proper precautions with prescribed environmental and operational conditions.
Consider chemical compatibility with all wetted materials.

2. GENERAL OVERVIEW

Congratulations on your recent purchase of your Neptune pH Controller. Please take a moment to read through the entire manual before installing your new unit. Your pH controller must be installed and operated as specified.

While every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this guide is accurate and complete, no liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions. Neptune / Pool Pro reserves the right to change the specifications of the hardware and software described herein at any time without prior notice.

The pH in your swimming pool will slowly rise due to factors such as alkalinity, the addition of fresh water and as sanitiser is produced in a salt/mineral water system. A rise in pH reduces the effectiveness of the sanitiser, so it is important to ensure that the pH remains in the correct range.

The pH of the water can be lowered by the addition of hydrochloric acid – and if your system has the optional pH control, this can be done automatically. The Neptune pH Controller uses an algorithm to calculate how much acid needs to be dosed to correct the pH.

Note: While the algorithmic pH control is effective, it does not measure pH. pH testing should be undertaken manually on a weekly basis to ensure the pH is correct.

3. SPECIFICATIONS

SPECIFICATIONS

*NOTE: Certain specification may change without notice for reasons of improvement or better performance.

4. MAINTENANCE

Whilst this pH controller is built from the best engineered practices and material, please ensure you regularly undertake the following basic maintenance:

4.1 Injection Point on Injector Valve

Check the injection point periodically, by looking through the CLEAR faucet tee, for build-up of solid matter at the end of the clear flexible PVC tubing. This could only occur from contaminants in your acid container and the result is a blockage hindering the flow of acid and reducing the life of the pump tube and roller block. While unscrewing the BLACK lock nut, take care not to lose the rubber O-Ring.

4.2 Lubricate Squeeze Tube

Lubricate the pump squeeze tube every 3-6 months. Use a silicone-based lubricant only as petroleum-based lubricants will cause damage to the tube and rollers.

4.3 Replace Squeeze Tube

Depending on usage, the squeeze tube may need replacement after 1-2 years of use. Before replacing, please ensure that the suction and injection tubes are empty. To change the squeeze tube, please follow the instructions included with the replacement kit. Only use our original sized commercial grade Tygon® Norprene® tube as incorrect sizing will result in early failure of the Tri- Roller Block.

5. HELPFUL HINTS

Read and keep your Manual in a safe place.

Test your swimming pool water on a regular basis and take your pool water sample to your local pool professional at least twice a month.

6. CONTENTS

Controller Case with Wall Bracket

The Installation & Operating Instructions

PVC Flexible Tube 6m

Drum Weight Suction Valve c/w Tube nut

Drum Label

2 x Red Wall Plugs with Screws

CLEAR Faucet tee & Lock Nut Injector Valve c/w Sleeve & Tube Nut & Injector O’ Ring

7. TOOLS NEEDED

Drill with 6.0mm drill bit Basic PVC fittings

Hacksaw PVC Primer and Glue

No.2 Phillips head screwdriver

8. POOL PREPARATION

Please ensure that your pH is balanced to the recommended level for your swimming pool surface.

Ideal pH Levels: Concrete Pools: 7.4-7.6

Fibreglass and Vinyl Pools: 7.0-7.2

A pH of 8.0 makes your chlorine only about 26% efficient so that is why it is critical to keep your pH in range. A correct pH level must be maintained to prevent problems such as black spot, staining, cloudy water etc. An incorrect pH level can damage the surface finish and walls of your pool.

When pH is high you can add Hydrochloric Acid to lower the pH. When pH is low you can add sodium bicarbonate (soda ash) to increase the pH.

9. INSTALLING THE pH CONTROLLER

Installation Diagram

Neptune pH Controller Feeder - c1

Pool Filter Heat Pump Pool Pump

Pool Sanitiser Cell Housing pH Controller

Injection with Tee Suction with Drum Weight & Label PVC Flexible Tube 6m

STEP 1: Remove the contents from the box and carefully plan all steps using the installation diagram, and by reviewing the steps below.

STEP 2: Position the pH controller box as indicated in the installation diagram, ensuring it is NOT too close to other equipment or power outlets, but close enough to the chlorinator’s power supply so the piggy-back power cord can plug in to its socket outlet.

STEP 3: Attach the pH controller to the wall by removing the simple “Click ON – Click OFF” wall mounting bracket that is attached to the controller case. Use the wall plugs and screws provided.

3.1: Click OFF the wall bracket clip

(1) x 4 corners

3.2: Pull the wall bracket away from case.

(2) pull away one corner at a time

3.3: Mount the bracket to the wall

3.4: CLICK ON the case to the wall bracket

This unique design keeps the controller case unexposed to any possible water entry.

STEP 4: Fit the CLEAR faucet tee c/w injection valve to the pool water line, avoiding high pressure areas (i.e., after the pump, filter, and prior to heat pump). It can be installed prior to the cell housing (or after if needed).

STEP 5: Cut and connect a length of clear flexible PVC tube that will reach from the outlet at the base of the peristaltic pump (right side) to the injection valve, that is mounted in the CLEAR faucet tee, using the tube nut to secure the tube.

STEP 6: Do not cut the other length of clear flexible PVC tube yet. Place the acid drum (with the required mix) in the required position, in a ventilated area, preferably not near this or other pool equipment (at least 2m or more away), as the acid is corrosive and equipment damage will occur.

The system uses a 1:3 Acid:Water mix ratio (e.g. with a 20 litre drum add 15 litres water then 5 litres acid). It is important to use this mix for the correct acid volume to be added.

Important Safety Instruction: When mixing acid with water, ALWAYS ADD ACID TO WATER. NEVER ADD WATER TO ACID. Always wear the appropriate safety equipment specified by the acid supplier when handling acid.

STEP 7: Pass this clear flexible PVC tube through the drum label and a 6.0mm hole in the acid drum vent cap. Connect the clear flexible PVC tube to the suction valve that is mounted to the drum weight, using the tube nut to secure the tube. Before placing the tubing into the drum, measure the tubing against the outside of the drum and measure the feed tubing so that there is sufficient tubing. Lower the drum weight into the acid drum and screw on the drum cap.

STEP 8: Connect the pH Signal Cable with 5 Pin Plug to the Neptune Digital Salt & Mineral Chlorinator’s programming cable port. This is where the signal from the chlorinator comes from to turn the pH controller ON & OFF.

STEP 9: Connect the piggy-back power cord to the AC socket outlet of the Neptune Digital Salt & Mineral Chlorinator, and the pool pump plugs in to the other end of the piggy-back socket.

STEP 10: Start up your pool pump and check the system for any leaks. Repair any such issues.

STEP 11: Prime the acid feed lines and finalise run settings using the menus below.

10. NAVIGATING THE LCD pH MENUS ON YOUR NEPTUNE DIGITAL CHLORINATOR

As fresh water is added, or chlorine is produced the pool pH will slowly increase. This can be offset by adding small doses of acid to the pool automatically. This pH controller uses a maintenance free algorithm that calculates the amount of acid, per dose, that is needed to maintain the pH. Initially it is based on the size of your pool, but through your testing, it can smartly be adjusted to make it truly near-maintenance free for you the owner.

NOTE: It is important that the system is initially adjusted based on pH result to suit your pool and that pool pH is still checked regularly.

These are the menus on the Neptune Digital Salt & Mineral Chlorinator.

PROCEDURE On the Neptune Digital Salt & Mineral Chlorinator’s power pack press OK to access the Main Menu system and use the +/- buttons to scroll through the menu until the LCD reads ‘pH Control Mode’ – press OK to enter this mode.

LCD DISPLAY

10.2 pH Control Mode – Turning on the pH Mode

The default setting on the chlorinator is for the acid dosing system to be ‘OFF’. This needs to be turned to ‘ON’ to operate the pH controller.

PROCEDURE To turn ON the acid dosing of the pH controller, enter the ‘pH MODE’ menu from the ‘pH Control Mode’ menu explained in 10.1, using the [+], [-] & [OK] button change the selection from OFF to ON.

LCD DISPLAY

10.3 pH1 Run Time – How the dosing system works

The default setting on the chlorinator is for the acid dosing system to be ON. This ‘pH1 Run Time’ is programmed automatically when setting up the volume of the swimming pool in the chlorinator. The system calculates how many minutes per day your pH controller should run based on the volume of your pool, and this can be manually changed.

PROCEDURE To adjust the run time, enter the ‘pH1 Run Time’ menu from the ‘pH Control Mode’ menu explained in 10.1, using the [+], [-] & [OK] button.

LCD DISPLAY

PROCEDURE The LCD will now show ‘On Time: —- min/day’.
Press [+] or [-] to adjust the ON Time in min/day.
Pressing [OK] saves the required run time and returns to you to the main menu. Saving this Run Time will result in the time being saved as the new default running time of the unit.
Entering 0 min/day means the system will not run at all.

LCD DISPLAY

Record your readings and notes here:

10.4 pH2 Demand or Prime – Add acid manually or prime clear flexible

PVC tubes

The ‘pH2 DEMAND or PRIME’ quantity can be manually adjusted from 0 – 5000ml. The default reading is always 100ml. This function is useful for:

– Priming tubes after an acid drum change.
– Adding the required acid from your acid demand test.
IMPORTANT: Enter the exact amount from your test result in ml (e.g., 500ml) and the system automatically adds 4 times that amount, thereby allowing for the 1:3 ACID:WATER mix ratio in the acid drum.

PROCEDURE To enter a required amount of acid in ml, enter the ‘pH2 Demand or Prime’ menu from the ‘pH Control Mode’ menu explained in 10.1, using the [+], [-] & [OK] button

LCD DISPLAY

PROCEDURE The LCD will now show ‘Acid Demand: 100ml’.
Press [+] or [-] to adjust the quantity of acid required in millilitres (ml).
Pressing [OK] saves the required quantity, the peristaltic pump starts turning and the ml reading starts counting down.
You can adjust the quantity in this menu if you wish or you can press [<] and return to the chlorinator default display screen.
If the lines are primed, you can stop the peristaltic pump by entering a reading of ‘0ml’.

LCD DISPLAY

10.5 Turning OFF the pH controller

Enter the pH Control Mode menu on the Neptune Digital Salt & Mineral Chlorinator.

PROCEDURE On the Neptune Digital Chlorinator’s power pack press OK to access the Main Menu system and use the [+]/[-] buttons to scroll through the menu until the LCD reads ‘pH Control Mode’ – press [OK] to enter this mode.

LCD DISPLAY

If the setting on the chlorinator has previously been set for the acid dosing system to be ‘ON’ and the system needs to be turned ‘OFF’ use the following procedure.

PROCEDURE To turn OFF the acid dosing of the pH controller, press [OK] on the ‘pH mode: ON’ menu from ‘pH Control Mode’ menu explained in 10.1. Then use the [+] or [-] button to change the selection from ON to OFF and press [OK] to save.

LCD DISPLAY

11. pH CONTROLLER TROUBLESHOOTING

| Fault Indication| Potential Cause| Remedy
---|---|---|---
11.1| pH controller is not turning on.| pH control mode has not been turned on.| See Manual Section 10.1.
pH controller power cord not plugged in.| Check that power cord is plugged in to the chlorinator’s AC socket outlet.
No demand for it to turn on from the chlorinator.| The demand takes place each day at the start of T1 ON time or 8am (if no T1 ON time set). Check if signal for pH required is ON.
Demand signal is present but peristaltic pump is not turning.| Contact your service agent.
11.2| Everything displays correctly but pH level is not changing when testing pool water.| Acid drum is low or empty.| Check acid level and replenish if necessary.
11.3| pH controller is not running when chlorinator is in auto mode.| The pH controller has already operated in today’s timer cycle.| The pH controller will not run again if it has already completed its automatic cycle.
11.4| pH controller is running but the pool pump is not on.| Pump is not plugged in or there is a problem with flow.| The system should automatically stop when the pool pump stops, but check that there is not a closed valve and that all pool equipment is plugged in and working properly.
11.5| pH Controller’s tri-roller is turning but acid is not pumping.| Air leaks on the squeeze tube, injector tube or suction tube due to potential breaks.| Check the tubes for damage or leaks and repair such or replace tubes.
Excessive wear on the squeeze tube.| Order a replacement squeeze tube kit and replace the tube.
Excessive wear on the tri-roller block.| Order a replacement tri-roller block assembly and replace the entire tri-roller block.
11.6| Water flow returning from pool to the acid drum.| In the unlikely event of this happening, it can only be one of two things:|

i. Worn/damaged injector sleeve.

| Replace the injector sleeve.

ii. Worn tri-roller block.

| Replace the tri-roller block.
11.7| pH level in the pool is too high or too low.| Incorrect pH run time.| Adjust pH run time to suit as per procedure in 10.2.
Incorrect ACID:WATER mix.| The system uses a 1:3 mix ratio.
Ensure you have this required mix.
Incorrect ACID DEMAND amount entered.| You should only enter the required acid, not the mix. So, if you need 500ml only enter this. The system allows for the 1:3 mix.

12. SPARE PART NUMBERS

CODE	DESCRIPTION
PHCN01185	CLEAR Faucet Tee 50mm x 3/4″ BSP
PHCN01186	pH Injector O-Ring Seal EPDM BLACK
PHCN01339-2	pH Controller Front Cover
PHCN01340	Acrylic Cover – pH Controller CLEAR
PHCN01350	pH Drum Weight
PHCN01353	pH Tri Roller Block pH-1 (Assembled)
PHCN01355	pH Squeeze Tube Kit BLACK c/w Adaptors, Nuts, Clamps & Lube
PHCN01357	pH Motor – 240Vac 13W 10RPM
PHCN01360	pH Clear Flexible PVC Tubing, CLEAR, OD=6.0mm
PHCN01361	pH Drum Label
PHCN01362	PCB – Main PCB
PHCN01364	Power Cord – pH c/w Piggyback Socket
PHCN01367	pH Non-Return Injector Valve c/w Sleeve & Tube Nut
PHCN01368	pH Suction Valve c/w Tube Nut

13. WARRANTY

This product is warranted for (12) twelve months against defects in workmanship and materials if used for its intended purpose and maintained according to instructions. This warranty is limited to repair or replacement, depending on the problem of the product. If the product is found to have been misused or damaged due to water entry/mechanical damage/accidental damage, this will not be covered under warranty, and, in such cases, no warranty will apply.

What is covered? Repairs/parts/factory labour, or a replacement unit if applicable.

What is not covered? Damage due to accident, misuse, water penetration of the handheld enclosure, tampering, or lack of prescribed maintenance is not covered under this limited warranty.

Should you need to lodge a warranty with the Neptune / Pool Pro service department, please visit www.poolpro.com.au/serviceclaim to submit a warranty request. If returned to Neptune / Pool Pro, ensure proper packaging so that no additional damages occur during transport. The customer is liable to return the pH controller to Neptune / Pool Pro.

This limited warranty is the sole and complete warranty for Neptune / Pool Pro and shall be limited to the cost of the meter. In no event shall Neptune / Pool Pro be liable for incidental or consequential damages.

14. DISCLAIMER

Neptune / Pool Pro has made every attempt to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided in this manual. However, the information is provided “as is”. We shall not be liable for any loss or damage of whatever nature (direct, indirect, consequential, or other), which may arise due to the use of this product.