Pump Controllers

Q: "My controller won't work properly, the pressure at the pole is not enough"
Q: "My pump is coming on and going off every few seconds"
Q: "My pump won't run when I plug the pole in"
Q: "My pump won't run when I plug the hose reel in"

• Any new controller will need calibrating in order to get it work correctly. When built they are all set to the same values in the real world they will all need adjusting to your working environment. Usually the default settings are on the low side and will need to be turned up. To calibrate the controller you need to follow the instructions provided with the controller EXACTLY. Usually it's just a question of the Dead End Detection that needs to be set up.

Q: "My Spotless Digital Controller is flashing 'DE'"

• The Dead End Detection has been activated on the controller. This means that either there's a closed valve or bloackage in your system, or the controller needs calibrating to a higher 'CAL' setting. You must follow the instructions in the controller manual.
• There might be some kind of restriction in the hoses, like a faulty valve, a blocked strainer or a kink in the hose.

Q: "My controller works in the morning but not in the afternoon"
Q: "My controller has been working fine for months and now is playing up"

• This is possibly an issue with low battery voltage. See below.
• It could also be a simple calibration issue. See above.
• Cold water is more difficult for the pump to push through the hoses than warmer water is. So a system that is set up in the summertime might not run so well in the winter time. A simple re-calibration probably will do the trick.

Q: "There's nothing on the screen of my controller"

• Probably this indicates a power supply problem from the battery to the controller. You will need to check the wiring and fuses / fuse holders etc to find the problem.

Q: "My Spotless Digital controller has the 'BAT' symbol on the screen"
Q: "My Spotless Analogue controller has the red light flashing"
Q: "My Varistream has just cut out and refuses to come back on"

• The battery voltage is too low for the controller to work properly. This is the second highest cause of problems with controllers (after poor or no calibration).
• There can be various reasons for this low voltage:
  1. The battery could actually be low;
  2. The charger used for the battery could be poor;
  3. The split-charge relay might not be replacing charge as much as you think it is;
  4. The wiring in your system could be poor or too thin;
  5. There might be very long runs of cables;
  6. Cable connections could be poor or dirty.

Q: "My Spotless Digital controller has the 'PS' sign on the screen"
Q: "My Spotless Analogue controller has an orange flashing light"

• This indicates that somewhere between the controller and the pump there's break in the electrical connections. Sometimes this is because the pressure switch of the pump has burned out or is switched off under water pressure (hence the controller message PS, meaning 'Pressure Switch'). Try methodically searching for this break and rectify it. In many cases it's as simple as replacing the pump's pressure switch.