Dontek AquaSmart 5SV Solar & Gas/Heat Pump Pool Heating Controller

Solar Pool Heating Control

The AquaSmart 5SV uses a roof temperature sensor and pool water temperature sensor to determine whether useful solar heat is available.

When the roof temperature rises sufficiently above the pool temperature, the controller can activate solar heating. The installer can adjust the start and stop temperature differentials to suit the solar collector and installation.

The controller also allows a minimum roof temperature to be set before solar heating is permitted.

Gas Heater or Heat Pump Backup Heating

The AquaSmart 5SV can also control an auxiliary gas pool heater or electric heat pump through its heater interlock connection.

The controller allows the auxiliary heating temperature and operating periods to be programmed separately from the solar heating system. One or two auxiliary heater operating cycles can be configured each day.

This provides a useful hybrid heating arrangement where solar heating is used whenever conditions are favourable and the auxiliary heater provides additional heat when required.

Solar Priority to Reduce Heating Costs

The controller is designed to take advantage of available solar energy before relying unnecessarily on the auxiliary heater.

When the roof sensor detects sufficient solar energy, the AquaSmart 5SV can disable auxiliary heating and use the solar collectors instead. According to the Dontek manual, when the roof temperature exceeds the auxiliary temperature limit by approximately 15°C, sufficient solar energy is considered available and auxiliary heating is switched off. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

3-Way Solar Valve Control

A 3-way automatic valve actuator can be connected directly to the AquaSmart 5SV. The valve is used to divert pool water through the solar collectors when solar heating is available and bypass the collectors when solar heating is not required.

The valve output is rated at a maximum of 24V AC.

Inline or Parallel Heater Configurations

The AquaSmart 5SV can be configured for different plumbing arrangements depending on where the auxiliary heater is installed in relation to the solar collectors.

Inline with Solar: Water returning from the solar collectors flows through the auxiliary heater before returning to the pool.

Parallel with Solar: Solar-heated water returns directly to the pool without passing through the auxiliary heater.

The Dontek manual notes that when the controller is configured with the heater parallel to the solar system, the auxiliary heater and solar collectors will not operate at the same time. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Gas Heater Cool-Down

If a gas heater is used, the AquaSmart 5SV includes an adjustable heater cool-down timer.

Once the required temperature is reached or the heating period ends, the heater is switched off first while the circulation pump continues operating to remove residual heat from the heater before the pump shuts down.

The heater cool-down setting can be adjusted from OFF to 20 minutes. Electric heaters and heat pumps generally do not require this cool-down setting.

Solar Booster Pump

The AquaSmart 5SV includes a dedicated 240V socket that can be used for an optional solar booster pump.

This is useful where the solar heating system requires a separate pump rather than relying solely on the main pool circulation pump.

Solar Drain Function

The controller can be configured to allow water to drain from the solar collectors when solar heating stops.

Where enabled, the controller temporarily stops the pumps so water can drain from the roof-mounted solar collectors before normal circulation resumes.

Freeze, Boil & Pipe Protection

The AquaSmart 5SV includes several advanced solar protection functions.

Freeze Protection: Can operate the pump if the roof temperature drops to the selected low-temperature setting.

Boil Protection: Can operate the system when excessive roof temperatures are detected.

Pipe Protection: Can limit further solar heating when pipe temperatures approach the selected protection temperature.

Night Cooling Mode

Night Cooling Mode can use the solar collectors to help cool an overheated pool during suitable night-time conditions.

If the pool temperature is above the selected limit and the roof temperature falls below the pool temperature, the controller can circulate pool water through the solar collectors to release excess heat.

Prime Protection

The AquaSmart 5SV includes a Prime Protection function designed to monitor circulation-pump electrical load.

If the controller detects that pump load falls below the configured threshold, indicating that the pump may have lost prime, solar operation can be stopped to protect the pump and system.

Which Dontek Solar/Heater Controller Do I Need?

Dontek produces several combined solar and auxiliary heating controllers because pool heating systems can be plumbed and controlled in different ways.

• AquaSmart 5SV – controls solar heating, a gas heater or heat pump, circulation pump and 3-way solar valve actuator
• AquaSmart 5RT – alternative solar/heater configuration designed for different pump and plumbing arrangements
• Other AquaSmart Solar/Heater Controllers – designed for specific multi-pump or valve configurations

Do not select a controller by appearance alone. The correct AquaSmart controller depends on how the solar collectors, auxiliary heater, circulation pumps and valves are configured.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Dontek AquaSmart 5SV control?
The AquaSmart 5SV controls solar pool heating, a gas heater or electric heat pump, the circulation pump and an automatic 3-way solar valve actuator.

Can the AquaSmart 5SV control both solar heating and a gas pool heater?
Yes. The controller is specifically designed to manage solar pool heating together with an auxiliary gas heater.

Can the AquaSmart 5SV control a pool heat pump?
Yes. A compatible electric pool heat pump can be used as the auxiliary heater instead of a gas heater.

Does the AquaSmart 5SV prioritise solar heating?
Yes. The controller uses roof and pool temperature information to determine when useful solar energy is available and can switch off auxiliary heating when sufficient solar heat is available.

Does the AquaSmart 5SV control a 3-way solar valve?
Yes. The controller has a dedicated valve output for an automatic 3-way actuator that diverts water through or around the solar collectors.

Can I use a separate solar booster pump?
Yes. The AquaSmart 5SV provides a dedicated 240V solar output that can be used for an optional solar booster pump.

Does the AquaSmart 5SV have gas heater cool-down?
Yes. When configured for a gas heater, the controller provides an adjustable heater cool-down period from OFF to 20 minutes.

Can the AquaSmart 5SV heat a pool using solar only?
Yes. Auxiliary heating can be disabled so the controller operates as a solar pool heating controller only.

Can the heater and solar heating run together?
This depends on the plumbing configuration. When configured with the heater parallel to the solar collectors, the AquaSmart 5SV does not operate the auxiliary heater and solar collectors at the same time.

Installation Information

The AquaSmart 5SV should ideally be installed out of direct weather, no closer than 3 metres from the water's edge and a minimum of 600mm above ground.

The controller requires correct installation of the pool sensor, roof sensor, circulation pump, optional solar booster pump, heater interlock and 3-way valve actuator.

The plumbing diagram in the Dontek manual shows the AquaSmart 5SV controlling a circulation pump, roof sensor, pool sensor, solar collector, 3-way valve actuator and an auxiliary heater installed either inline or parallel with the solar system. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Important: The heater interlock is designed for extra-low-voltage switching only, with a maximum rating of 24V at 1 amp. If the heater's control circuit operates at 240V AC, an appropriate external relay must be installed by a licensed electrician.