Dontek Aquaheat 5A Gas & Heat Pump Pool Heater Controller
Dontek Aquaheat 5A Gas & Heat Pump Pool Heater Controller
The Dontek Aquaheat 5A Pool Heater Controller is designed to automatically control the operation of a gas pool heater or electric pool heat pump together with its circulation pump. It monitors pool water temperature, controls when heating is required and can automatically manage the pump and heater through programmed heating periods.
The Aquaheat 5A is particularly useful for gas pool heater installations where the circulation pump needs to continue operating after the heater switches off. Its adjustable heater cool-down function can keep the pump running after heating stops, allowing residual hot water to be moved through the heater before the circulation pump shuts down.
What Does the Aquaheat 5A Control?
- Gas pool heaters
- Electric pool heat pumps
- Pool heating circulation pumps
- Pool water temperature
- Automatic heating times
- Heater cool-down / pump run-on operation
Key Aquaheat 5A Features
- Automatic pool temperature control
- Controls gas heaters or electric heat pumps
- One or two programmable heating cycles per day
- Adjustable pool temperature setting
- Adjustable pump sampling period
- 1st Heat mode for initial pool heat-up
- Adjustable gas heater cool-down period from 0–20 minutes
- Heating, Standby and Cooling operating modes
- Low-voltage heater interlock connection
- LCD display showing pool temperature and operating status
- Optional external heating override switch connection
How the Aquaheat 5A Works
When the pool temperature is below the selected temperature and the controller is within its programmed heating time, the Aquaheat 5A starts the circulation pump and enables the connected pool heater.
Once the desired temperature is reached, the heater is switched off. When controlling a gas heater, the Aquaheat 5A can then continue running the circulation pump for an adjustable cool-down period before switching the pump off. This helps move residual heat out of the heater and through the pool water circuit.
The controller can also periodically sample the pool water temperature. After the selected sample period has elapsed, the pump runs for approximately three minutes so the controller can obtain an accurate pool temperature reading. If additional heating is required, the pump and heater continue operating. If no heating is required, the pump stops until the next sample period.
Read More - Aquaheat 5A Features, Setup & Controller Selection
1st Heat Mode for Initial Pool Heating
The 1st Heat function is useful when initially bringing a cold pool up to temperature. Instead of waiting for normal programmed heating periods, the Aquaheat 5A can continuously operate the pool heating system until the selected pool temperature is reached.
Once the desired temperature is achieved, the controller automatically returns to its normal programmed heating operation.
Gas Heater Cool-Down / Pump Run-On
For gas pool heater installations, the Aquaheat 5A includes an adjustable heater cool-down timer. When the pool reaches temperature or the programmed heating period finishes, the heater switches off first while the circulation pump continues operating.
The cool-down period can be adjusted from 0 to 20 minutes. This function is intended for gas heater installations and normally does not need to be enabled when controlling an electric heat pump.
Automatic Heating Times
The Aquaheat 5A can be programmed for one or two automatic heating cycles per day. During these periods, the controller monitors water temperature and operates the circulation pump and heater only when heating is required.
For installations requiring continuous heating, the controller can also be configured for 24-hour heating operation.
Pump Sampling
When the desired pool temperature has been reached, the circulation pump does not necessarily need to operate continuously. The Aquaheat 5A can stop the pump for a selected sample period and then automatically run it for approximately three minutes to obtain an accurate water temperature reading.
If the pool requires more heat, heating continues. If the temperature remains satisfactory, the pump stops again until the next sampling period.
Heating, Standby & Cooling Modes
Heating Mode: Normal automatic operating mode for pool heating.
1st Heat Mode: Runs the pool heating system until the selected temperature is reached before returning to automatic operation.
Standby Mode: Used when pool heating is not required, such as during holidays or the off-season. The controller can still periodically circulate water through the heating circuit.
Cooling Mode: Available for compatible heat pumps that include a pool cooling function.
Heater Interlock Control
The Aquaheat 5A uses a low-voltage heater interlock to enable or disable the heater according to heating demand. The controller's heater interlock is designed for extra-low-voltage switching up to 24V at 1A.
Depending on the heater, this connection may interface with the heater's pressure switch, flow switch or manufacturer-provided external control circuit. Heater compatibility and the correct connection point should always be confirmed before installation.
Circulation Pump Output
The circulation pump connects directly to the Aquaheat 5A's 240V output socket. The controller has a maximum combined output rating of 9.98 amps / 2395 watts.
Is the Aquaheat 5A the Correct Controller for My Heater?
Dontek manufactures several Aquaheat controllers because pool heating systems can be plumbed and electrically controlled in different ways. The correct controller depends on how your circulation pump, filtration equipment and heater are connected.
The Aquaheat 5A is designed for installations where the controller operates the circulation pump and controls the heater through a heater interlock. Other Aquaheat models are available for different heater and filtration configurations.
- Aquaheat 5TC - alternative heater control configuration
- Aquaheat 5RO - run-on heater control configuration
- Aquaheat 5RO-I - run-on/interlock heater control configuration
- Aquaheat 5RO-S - separate circulation pump heating configuration
Do not select an Aquaheat controller by appearance alone. The different Aquaheat models perform different control functions. Confirm how your existing heater and circulation system operate before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Dontek Aquaheat 5A control a gas pool heater?
Yes. The Aquaheat 5A is specifically designed to control pool heating systems using gas heaters or electric heat pumps.
Can the Aquaheat 5A control a pool heat pump?
Yes. It can control water circulation and heating demand for compatible electric pool heat pumps. The gas-heater cool-down timer is normally not required when controlling a heat pump.
Does the Aquaheat 5A have a heater run-on timer?
Yes. For gas heater installations, the heater can switch off while the circulation pump continues operating for an adjustable cool-down period of between 0 and 20 minutes.
Why does the pump keep running after the gas heater turns off?
This can be normal operation. The Aquaheat 5A can intentionally continue running the circulation pump after the heater switches off to move residual hot water through the heater during the programmed cool-down period.
Does the Aquaheat 5A control pool temperature?
Yes. A pool temperature sensor allows the controller to monitor water temperature and automatically call for heating when the pool falls below the selected temperature setting.
Can the Aquaheat 5A run the heater automatically?
Yes. One or two heating cycles can be programmed each day, with heating operating automatically according to the pool temperature and selected run times.
What is Aquaheat 5A 1st Heat mode?
1st Heat mode is designed for the initial heat-up of the pool. It keeps the heating system operating until the selected temperature is achieved and then returns the controller to normal automatic operation.
What happens if my Aquaheat 5A is not the correct controller for my installation?
The Aquaheat range contains several controllers designed for different plumbing and electrical configurations. Check your heater, circulation pump and filtration setup before ordering to ensure the 5A is the correct model.
Installation Information
The Aquaheat 5A should be installed in a protected location out of direct weather. The controller should be positioned at least 3 metres from the water's edge and a minimum of 600mm above ground level.
The controller includes connections for the circulation pump, pool temperature sensor and heater interlock. Correct installation of the heater interlock is particularly important and should be completed in accordance with the pool heater manufacturer's control requirements.
Important: If the heater's external switching circuit operates at 240V, an appropriate external relay arrangement is required and must be installed by a licensed electrician.
Why Buy From HeaterFix?
- Specialists in gas pool heater controls and replacement components
- Dontek Aquaheat controllers for multiple heater installation configurations
- Technical assistance identifying the correct controller before ordering
- Suitable for gas pool heaters and compatible pool heat pumps
- Australia-wide shipping
Not sure whether you need the Aquaheat 5A? Contact HeaterFix with details of your heater, filtration pump and how the heating system is currently controlled. We can help identify which Aquaheat controller best suits your installation.
Why Buy from HeaterFix?
- We are 100% Australian owned & operated.
- We are fully qualified with gas license - GF9918.
- We are Warranty agents for many pool heater manufacturers.
- We have been installing pool & spa heaters since 1995 (30 years)
- We are Australia's number 1 supplier of pool and spa heaters, parts & accessories.
- Our 300sq mt warehouse stores over 10 brands of gas heater and pool heat pumps with over 3000 new heater parts & over 500 used parts.
- We offer fast shipping to you door, Australia wide.
- We provided support like no other because we are the people who install, service and repair pool & spa heaters.
If your reading this then we can guarantee you, you've come to the right place.
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