Dontek AquaSmart 5RTA Solar & Gas/Heat Pump Pool Heating Controller
Dontek AquaSmart 5RTA Solar & Gas/Heat Pump Pool Heating Controller
The Dontek AquaSmart 5RTA is an Australian-made solar and auxiliary pool heating controller designed to control a swimming pool using solar pool heating together with either a gas pool heater or electric heat pump.
Unlike simpler solar controllers, the AquaSmart 5RTA can manage the pool filtration pump, separate solar pump, solar heating system and auxiliary heater from one controller. It can also control an automatic 3-way valve actuator where required by the plumbing configuration.
The controller supports both standard/independent and retro/integrated solar plumbing systems, making it suitable for a wide range of existing and new pool heating installations.
What Does the AquaSmart 5RTA Control?
- Pool filtration/circulation pump
- Separate solar pool heating pump
- Solar pool heating system
- Gas pool heater or electric pool heat pump
- Optional 3-way solar valve actuator
- Pool water temperature
- Solar roof temperature
- Filtration operating times
- Auxiliary heater operating times
- Automatic solar and auxiliary heating priorities
Key AquaSmart 5RTA Features
- Combined solar, filtration and auxiliary heater controller
- Controls two pumps – filtration pump and solar pump
- Compatible with gas pool heaters and electric heat pumps
- Standard/independent or retro/integrated plumbing configurations
- Automatic solar heating using pool and roof temperature sensors
- Programmable filtration run times
- Programmable auxiliary heater run times
- Optional automatic 3-way solar valve control
- Solar-to-filter locking option for integrated installations
- Gas heater cool-down control
- Solar drain function
- Night Cooling Mode
- Auto Standby Mode
- Freeze protection
- Boil protection
- Pipe protection
- Prime Protection for the filtration pump
- Maximum combined 240V output load of 9.98 amps / 2395 watts
- Australian-made Dontek controller
How the AquaSmart 5RTA Works
The AquaSmart 5RTA uses separate pool and roof temperature sensors to monitor the pool temperature and the amount of useful solar heat available at the solar collectors.
When sufficient solar energy is available, the controller can automatically operate the required pumps and solar system to heat the pool. If solar heating cannot achieve the required pool temperature, an auxiliary gas pool heater or electric heat pump can be controlled according to the programmed temperature and heater operating times.
The AquaSmart 5RTA also controls normal pool filtration times, allowing the filtration, solar heating and auxiliary heating systems to work together through one central controller.
Read More - AquaSmart 5RTA Solar, Filtration & Heater Control
Two-Pump Solar & Filtration Control
A major feature of the AquaSmart 5RTA is its ability to control two separate pumps.
The pool filtration/circulation pump is controlled through the FILTER output, while a separate solar heating pump can be connected to the SOLAR output.
This allows the controller to manage both normal pool filtration and solar pool heating rather than relying on a separate filtration timer and solar controller.
Standard / Independent Plumbing Configuration
The AquaSmart 5RTA can be configured for a standard or independent solar heating installation.
In this arrangement, the solar heating system and auxiliary heater can be plumbed separately from the main filtration line. The AquaSmart 5RTA controls the filtration pump and the separate solar pump and can operate a 3-way valve where required.
Retro / Integrated Plumbing Configuration
The controller can also be configured for a retro/integrated solar installation where the solar system relies on water supplied by the main filtration system.
In this configuration, the solar pump may require the filtration pump to operate at the same time so sufficient water is available for the solar heating circuit.
The AquaSmart 5RTA includes a Lock to Filter setting that determines whether solar heating is restricted to the programmed filtration times or can override the filtration timer when useful solar energy becomes available.
Solar Pool Heating Control
The AquaSmart 5RTA compares the temperature measured by the roof sensor with the pool water temperature.
When the solar collectors become sufficiently warmer than the pool, the controller can automatically activate solar heating. When the available solar temperature falls below the required differential, solar heating is stopped.
The solar temperature differential and minimum roof temperature can be adjusted during setup to suit the particular solar heating installation.
Gas Heater or Heat Pump Control
The AquaSmart 5RTA can control an auxiliary gas pool heater or electric pool heat pump using the heater interlock connection.
The auxiliary heater has its own temperature limit and programmable operating periods, allowing the pool owner to determine when additional heating is available.
Auxiliary heating can also be disabled if the system is required to operate using solar pool heating only.
Solar Priority & Energy Saving
The AquaSmart 5RTA is designed to take advantage of available solar energy before unnecessarily operating the auxiliary heater.
When sufficient solar energy is detected at the roof sensor, auxiliary heating can be switched off so that available solar energy is used to heat the pool instead.
This allows the gas heater or heat pump to provide additional heating when required while making maximum practical use of the solar pool heating system.
Programmable Filtration Times
The AquaSmart 5RTA includes programmable filtration control and can be configured for one or two filtration cycles per day.
The filtration pump operates between the selected start and finish times for normal pool filtration. A 24-hour filtration period can also be configured where required.
Programmable Heater Run Times
Separate auxiliary heater operating periods can also be programmed.
The controller supports one or two heater cycles per day. During these periods, the circulation pump can operate as required for auxiliary heating.
This allows pool filtration and auxiliary heating schedules to be managed separately from the same controller.
Optional 3-Way Solar Valve Control
The AquaSmart 5RTA provides a dedicated 24V AC valve actuator output.
Depending on the plumbing configuration, a 3-way valve can be used to select or bypass the solar collectors when auxiliary heating is operating.
In a retro/integrated system, the valve can also be used instead of a solar pump or in conjunction with the solar pump to help prevent unwanted thermal syphoning.
Inline or Parallel Heater Configurations
The AquaSmart 5RTA supports different auxiliary heater positions within the pool return plumbing.
Inline with Solar: Water returning from the solar collectors passes through the auxiliary heater before returning to the pool.
Parallel with Solar: Water returning from the solar collectors returns to the pool without passing through the auxiliary heater.
The selected configuration changes how the controller operates the heating system. When configured for parallel operation, the auxiliary heater will not operate in conjunction with solar heating.
Gas Heater Cool-Down
When configured for a gas pool heater, the AquaSmart 5RTA provides an adjustable heater cool-down period from OFF to 20 minutes.
Once the gas heater reaches temperature or the programmed heating period ends, the heater is switched off while the circulation pump continues operating for the selected cool-down period.
This allows residual heat to be removed from the heater before the circulation pump shuts down.
Solar Drain Function
The AquaSmart 5RTA can be configured with a solar drain period.
When solar heating is no longer required, the controller can stop the pumps for an adjustable period of approximately 3 to 15 minutes, allowing water to drain from the solar collectors before normal pump operation resumes.
Night Cooling Mode
Night Cooling Mode can help reduce excessive pool temperatures caused by solar heating or hot weather.
When suitable conditions occur, the controller can circulate pool water through the cooler roof-mounted solar collectors to release excess heat from the pool.
Prime Protection
The AquaSmart 5RTA includes Prime Protection for the filtration pump.
The controller can monitor the electrical load of the filtration pump. If the pump load falls below the configured threshold, indicating that the pump may have lost prime, solar pump operation can be stopped.
This function can be configured automatically or manually and is particularly useful with variable-speed filtration pumps.
Freeze, Boil & Pipe Protection
The AquaSmart 5RTA incorporates several protection functions for the solar heating system.
Freeze Protection: Can operate the pump when the roof temperature falls to the selected low-temperature setting.
Boil Protection: Can operate the system when excessive temperatures are detected at the solar collectors.
Pipe Protection: Can prevent further solar heating when the roof temperature exceeds the selected pipe protection temperature.
Which Dontek Solar/Heater Controller Do I Need?
The correct Dontek AquaSmart controller depends on how your filtration system, solar heating, auxiliary heater, pumps and valves are plumbed.
- AquaSmart 5SV – designed primarily for systems using a circulation pump with automatic 3-way solar valve control
- AquaSmart 5RTA – controls the filtration pump and a separate solar pump, with support for standard/independent and retro/integrated plumbing configurations
Do not select a replacement controller by appearance alone. The correct controller needs to match the existing pool heating plumbing and electrical configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Dontek AquaSmart 5RTA control?
The AquaSmart 5RTA can control the pool filtration pump, separate solar pump, solar pool heating system, auxiliary gas heater or heat pump and an optional 3-way valve actuator.
What is the difference between the AquaSmart 5RTA and AquaSmart 5SV?
The AquaSmart 5RTA is designed to control both a filtration pump and separate solar pump and supports standard/independent and retro/integrated plumbing configurations. The AquaSmart 5SV is designed around a different solar valve and circulation-pump configuration.
Can the AquaSmart 5RTA control a gas pool heater?
Yes. A compatible gas pool heater can be controlled through the AquaSmart 5RTA heater interlock.
Can the AquaSmart 5RTA control a pool heat pump?
Yes. The controller can be configured for an electric heater or heat pump as the auxiliary heating source.
Does the AquaSmart 5RTA control the filtration pump?
Yes. The pool circulation pump is controlled through the FILTER output and the controller provides programmable filtration run times.
Does the AquaSmart 5RTA control a separate solar pump?
Yes. A dedicated SOLAR output is provided for the solar heating pump.
Can the AquaSmart 5RTA control a solar valve actuator?
Yes. The controller provides a dedicated 24V AC valve output for a compatible automatic valve actuator.
Can the AquaSmart 5RTA control filtration and heating at different times?
Yes. Filtration cycles and auxiliary heater cycles can be programmed separately.
Does the AquaSmart 5RTA prioritise solar heating?
Yes. When sufficient solar energy is available, the controller can prevent unnecessary auxiliary heating so available solar energy is used first.
Does the AquaSmart 5RTA provide gas heater cool-down?
Yes. When configured for a gas heater, an adjustable cool-down period from OFF to 20 minutes is available.
Installation Information
The AquaSmart 5RTA should ideally be installed out of direct weather, at least 3 metres from the water's edge and a minimum of 600mm above ground.
The controller requires correct installation and configuration of the filtration pump, solar pump, pool sensor, roof sensor, heater interlock and any automatic valve actuator used by the system.
Important: The heater interlock is designed for extra-low-voltage switching only, with a maximum rating of 24V at 1 amp. Where the heater control circuit is 240V AC, an appropriate external relay must be installed by a licensed electrician.
Need Help Choosing the Correct Solar & Heater Controller?
Dontek AquaSmart controllers are designed for specific pool filtration, solar heating and auxiliary heater configurations. Choosing the wrong controller can result in incompatibility with the existing pumps, valves or plumbing arrangement.
HeaterFix specialises in pool heating systems, including solar pool heating, gas pool heaters, heat pumps and heating controllers. If you're unsure whether the AquaSmart 5RTA is suitable for your system, contact HeaterFix before ordering.
Download User Manual Here
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