This will be a review of the 24volt Intermatic Actuator (Manufacturer
part number PE24VA) by www.WCPandS.com.
Swimming pool automation systems use actuators to change valve
positions from the main controller. The most commonly found brand is the Jandy
JVA actuators followed by Compool, Hayward and then Intermatic but all models
are universally compatible with the others. Each actuator does vary in price
and they are cosmetically slightly different looking.
(Click on any picture to see a larger version)
(Click on any picture to see a larger version)
Intermatic actuators generally cost less than the other brands. This
makes them an attractive choice.
What is included?
The actuator comes in a box containing the actuator, 4 long screws and
instructions for the install.
The install
The new actuator will be installed the exact same way the previous
actuator was placed except using the new actuator and screws (always use the
new screws since they could be different lengths from what was originally used).
Issues with the install
Sometimes after years of regular use an actuator can move out of
alignment. When they are new and just out of the box they are supposed to be
preconfigured, but this one was not.
After the installation was complete the actuator did not stop in the
correct positions.
Since the valve stopped after it turned too far, water was draining
backwards through the pipes (gravity was pushing the water from the spa down into
the pool)
To adjust the actuator the top lid needs to be pulled off by first
removing the smaller screws around the lid with a Phillips head screwdriver.
Remove the single plastic screw holding the valve handle onto the
actuator, then pull the handle off.
Inside is a single thin metal nut holding the two larger blue plastic
nuts down.
Loosen the metal nut.
The two blue plastic nuts’ positions determine when the actuator will stop
once it has been activated.
Notice the two switches on the side of the actuator.
These are triggered when the stopper on each of the plastic nuts turns
around and pushes the switch in.
If these are not in the correct position the valve will either turn too
far or not far enough.
Place the handle back on top of the actuator post, it will be needed to
adjust the actuator position.
Adjust the bottom blue nut position first. Then being careful not to
move the bottom, adjust the top blue nut. This is a lot of trial and error, so after
each adjustment flip the switch on the actuator to see where the new stopping
position is.
Note: These blue nuts have marks on them consisting of 0 and 180 to
show a 0 position and then 180 degrees from that 0 position. However, just by
lining these up, it will not always be the correct stop positions for the
actuator.
After both directions have been calibrated, tighten the small thin
metal nut.
Place the top lid back onto the actuator and secure it with the 4 small
screws.
Final thoughts
The Intermatic Actuator works well and cost less than similar
alternatives, the down side is that this one (and the last 2 out of 3) needed
to be calibrated after it was installed. If I was going to do the install this
is a minor inconvenience since it is something I have done before. If a home
owner was going to try and do it themselves this could be a problem. I would
recommend the Intermatic Actuator to anyone already familiar with adjusting
these and for everyone else to get one of the other brands.
For reference I have included a few pictures doing the same alignment procedure
on a Jandy and then with a Pentair actuator. These below are all weathered actuators that after years of use moved out of alignment.
Jandy JVA2440
Pentair Compool CVA-24
Jandy JVA2440
Pentair Compool CVA-24
