[Innocence & Experience]

Hi All
Looking for some help with a second hand V16 controller.
It has the error code PS (pressure switch) and will not calibrate the dead end in the usual way!
Anyone seen this before?
Cheers

[Simon Trapani]

Don’t you have to relieve the pressure before trying to calibrate otherwise it comes up with an error from memory?

[Innocence & Experience]

i have relieved the pressure by opening the uni valve and allowing the water to flow but it still shows the PS error code and so consequently will not allow me to set the calibration.
As soon as i close the uni valve the pressure just builds & builds!!!! still showing the PS code.
can you manually reset the error code?
driving me crazy!!!

[Simon Trapani]

Try cranking it up to 99. I think that’s what i did when it’s happened to me.

[Innocence & Experience]

Thanks Simon, I’ll give it a go.

[Ian Sheppard]

i have relieved the pressure by opening the uni valve and allowing the water to flow but it still shows the PS error code and so consequently will not allow me to set the calibration.
As soon as i close the uni valve the pressure just builds & builds!!!! still showing the PS code.
can you manually reset the error code?
driving me crazy!!!

PS displayed is the controller saying that
1. The Pump pressure switch has activated due to High pressure.
2. There is an electrical fault/loose connection in the wiring Fuse/Fuse Holder

While PS is displayed the controller has detected one of the above and will not switch the pump until the issue is cleared. The controller will not auto Cal. Changing the calibration will not affect the pump pressure switch activation.

Causes of High pressure can be
Blocked brush jets, Pump pre-filter, Hose twisted or kinked, Wound tight on to the reel. A blocked tank breather hole. Loose of badly fitted hose connectors. Also check any pole valves that may be sticking and not fully opening.  Best advise is to start from the brush and disconnect until the pressure switch closes again.

Electrical issues can be.
Loose or corroded battery terminal connectors. Loose of damaged wiring connectors, worn cable where the copper core is exposed . Darren Asboro has a good video covering wiring and connections. Please see  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goc1gD4LEQs&t=53s

Running a pump hard into Small ID hoses can also create a problem as the hose restricts how much water can be moved along the hose. Setting cal and flow rate high (90 +) can see PS display when a pole hose is closed Instead of DE this is because Dead end Calibration is slow to stop the Pump and the Pump pressure switch activates before DE.

If the system is free of blockages and cables are all good with nice tight connections +all valves are open turn the flow rate down and also reduce the Calibration value manually.

A V16 is capable of driving 12 amps continuously, Most pumps are max rated at 9 amps setting Flow to 65 -70 will see the pump driving close to it maximum

[Ian Sheppard]

Dave and Sam Peden have produced a useful video looking at Flow and pressure this may also be of help.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNM8HXASa0k&t=42s

[Ian Sheppard]

Please also see V16 Pump controller messages https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbh9hx602Ro&t=35s

[Innocence & Experience]

Thank you so much for all that detailed info Ian.
Its not actually my controller, another window cleaner asked me to have a look at it after he bought it second hand with a pump, and proceeded to run it 'dry' which resulted in the pump stopping and the PS error code.
I've connected the controller to my working system hoping that would reset the error code and then allow me to calibrate it.
It operated and controlled my pump but still had the error code so couldn't calibrate it!
I'll work my way through your info tomorrow evening.
Thanks again

[Ian Sheppard]

Thank you so much for all that detailed info Ian.
Its not actually my controller, another window cleaner asked me to have a look at it after he bought it second hand with a pump, and proceeded to run it 'dry' which resulted in the pump stopping and the PS error code.
I've connected the controller to my working system hoping that would reset the error code and then allow me to calibrate it.
It operated and controlled my pump but still had the error code so couldn't calibrate it!
I'll work my way through your info tomorrow evening.
Thanks again

No worries, Keep me in the loop on this and I can assist as needed

I noted that the controller was running your pump.  But it would not calibrate..  Can I ask does PS display when the Univalve is Closed and then go off when the Valve is opened again? If yes I would suggest manually reducing the calibration.

If PS displays continuously and the valve is open and the line clear. It could be an electrical connection issue.

A quick test is to connect your own controller to the pump and if that works both pumps with no issue that would point to the 2nd hand controller. I am surprised that PS showed when running the pump dry. That would point to an electrical issue  rather than pressure

Cheers

[Innocence & Experience]

Ok, I have established that the second hand pump is working fine after connecting it to my system ✅
The controller, however, will NOT run my pump at all now (even though it did the 1st time) and is still showing PS error code.
All connections have been checked/changed but still no joy.
The only lead I have is when he first connected the controller and pump to the battery (even though dry) both operated ok.
When he connected a second time the pump didn’t work.
Similarly, when I connected his controller to my system yesterday it ran (but with the error code) and today it won’t run at all on my system.
I’ve checked the 4 wire connections within the controller and they are all solid!
Apart from an internal fault in the controller i can’t think of anything else!!!!!

[Ian Sheppard]

Thanks for the info and the tests. At some point the controller may have seen the Brown/Blue cables to the pump miss connected or crossed/connected to a battery. In that instance the pump drive stage can be shorted and this would show as a permanent PS message as its a wiring fault. In this instances the controller will not supply power to the drive stage to stop further damage. If you can take a couple of pics of the front and back of the PCB and email them to me it would tell me a lot

ian.sheppard@springltd.co

Cheers

[Innocence & Experience]

Once again, thank you for all your input Ian.
I've returned the setup to the owner now as i couldn't do anymore than i had but i'll get it back to take some photos and email them to you in a couple of days.
Thank you again - much appreciated.

[Spruce]

Thanks for the info and the tests. At some point the controller may have seen the Brown/Blue cables to the pump miss connected or crossed/connected to a battery. In that instance the pump drive stage can be shorted and this would show as a permanent PS message as its a wiring fault. In this instances the controller will not supply power to the drive stage to stop further damage. If you can take a couple of pics of the front and back of the PCB and email them to me it would tell me a lot

ian.sheppard@springltd.co

Cheers

Hi Ian,
Sorry to push this further, but does this mean the controller has to be sent back to you for repair? From your post, this issue isn't anything related to reversed polarity.

[Ian Sheppard]

Thanks for the info and the tests. At some point the controller may have seen the Brown/Blue cables to the pump miss connected or crossed/connected to a battery. In that instance the pump drive stage can be shorted and this would show as a permanent PS message as its a wiring fault. In this instances the controller will not supply power to the drive stage to stop further damage. If you can take a couple of pics of the front and back of the PCB and email them to me it would tell me a lot

ian.sheppard@springltd.co

Cheers

Hi Ian,
Sorry to push this further, but does this mean the controller has to be sent back to you for repair? From your post, this issue isn't anything related to reversed polarity.

Return to Spring so we can test the controller is the next step as we have ruled out other potential causes of PS we are left with damage to the controller.. It may still be down to a miss wire when connecting the controller without seeing the controller to test it is difficult to be precise.

The V16 has reverse polarity protection on the power in side (Red and Black ) cables form the controller to the battery. In an instance where the Red and black in error are connected to the battery the wrong way round the controller protects itself.

But for example if the controller to pump cables ( Blue and Brown ) are connected to a battery this can damage the controller pump drive stage because the drive stage is Power out Not power in. If the Fuse is fitted in line that can also provide protection. So another possible example of damage to a controller would be where there is no fuse or the wrong rated fuse.

The V16 is inert in that it has no power supply of its own and it needs an external power supply being the battery.

If you can email me please as I need some details and we can arrange to get the controller back for testing

Cheers 

[Spruce]

Once again, thank you for all your input Ian.
I've returned the setup to the owner now as i couldn't do anymore than i had but i'll get it back to take some photos and email them to you in a couple of days.
Thank you again - much appreciated.

You need to send it back to Spring as per Ian's last reply. They need to check it out to see what the fault is and draw a conclusion as to the reason for the failure.