Dontek AquaTek WiFi Pool & Spa Automation Controller

Gas Pool Heater Control

The AquaTek can control a compatible gas pool heater through its voltage-free heater interlock.

The controller can manage pool and spa temperature settings and switch the heater according to heating demand. For gas heater installations, an adjustable heater cool-down period is also available so the circulation pump can continue operating after the gas heater switches off.

The AquaTek manual provides a gas heater cool-down adjustment range of 0 to 59 minutes.

Pool Heat Pump Control

A compatible electric pool heat pump can also be integrated into the AquaTek system.

The controller supports several heat pump installation arrangements, including:

Filter: The heat pump is installed within the main filtration plumbing.

Independent: The heat pump has its own independent circulation pump and controls its own water temperature.

Independent with Sensor: The heat pump has an independent circulation system while the AquaTek monitors and controls the required pool temperature.

Solar Pool Heating Control

The AquaTek can be configured to control several common solar pool heating arrangements.

Solar heating options include:

Separate: Independent solar pool heating plumbing.

Valve: A valve actuator directs pool water through the solar collectors.

Boosted: Integrated solar heating where additional pump assistance is used.

A roof temperature sensor can be added so the controller can compare available solar temperature with the pool temperature and determine when useful solar energy is available.

Solar Priority

The AquaTek includes a Solar Priority function designed to reduce unnecessary gas or electricity consumption when useful solar energy is available.

When Solar Priority is enabled, a minimum roof temperature can be selected. When sufficient solar temperature is available, the AquaTek can prevent the gas heater or heat pump from operating and allow the solar pool heating system to provide the heat instead.

Pool & Spa Temperature Control

The AquaTek provides separate temperature settings for:

• Pool heating
• Spa heating
• Solar pool heating

The controller allows pool, spa and solar temperature settings between 20°C and 40°C, or the applicable heating function can be switched off.

Pool & Spa Mode

The dedicated SPA button allows the system to switch from normal pool operation into Spa Mode.

Depending on the equipment installed, AquaTek can automatically reposition pool/spa valve actuators, select the appropriate pump speed, heat the spa to the selected temperature, operate spa lighting and control blowers and jet pumps.

A programmable Spa Timeout of between 1 and 24 hours can also be used to automatically return the system to normal pool filtration operation.

Variable-Speed Pump Control

The AquaTek can control a range of compatible variable-speed and multi-speed filtration pumps.

The AquaTek manual lists support for compatible pumps from brands including:

• Theralux
• Reltech
• Hayward
• Pentair
• INSNRG
• DAB
• Henden
• Speck
• Oasis

Depending on the pump model, AquaTek can communicate through external speed control or RS485 communication and can assign different pump speeds to different filtration or equipment functions. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Up to Four Filtration Times

The AquaTek can be programmed with up to four separate filtration periods per day.

When a compatible variable-speed pump is installed, different pump speeds can be assigned to the individual filtration periods. This allows higher speeds to be used where required and lower speeds during longer filtration periods.

Pool & Spa Lighting Control

Up to three equipment sockets can be assigned to pool or spa lighting.

The AquaTek manual includes control options for compatible lighting systems from brands including AquaQuip, AquaTight, Spa Electrics, AstralPool, ModLite and Jandy, as well as single-colour lighting systems.

For compatible multi-colour lights, colours can be selected through the AquaTek control system.

Four Valve Actuator Outputs

The AquaTek Master Controller provides four valve actuator outputs.

These can be configured for functions including:

• Pool/Spa water selection
• Solar pool heating
• Water features
• In-floor cleaning
• Solar-powered water features
• Other custom valve functions

Heat Demand Control

The AquaTek includes a programmable Heat Demand function that allows heating to operate within selected time periods.

This is particularly useful where heating needs to continue outside normal filtration periods. The controller can operate the filtration system while the heater is calling for heat.

Pump Call Control

AquaTek also includes a Pump Call input.

This is commonly used where a compatible gas heater or heat pump needs to tell the AquaTek controller to start the filtration pump when heating is required.

The Pump Call input may also be used for other applications, such as controlling water levels in overflow, wet-edge or negative-edge pool systems when used with appropriate external equipment.

Master Controller & Expansion Units

The standard AquaTek Master Controller provides:

• 2 x 240V equipment outlets
• 4 x valve actuator outputs
• 1 x voltage-free heater contact
• Heat Demand / heater interlock connections
• Pump Call input
• 2 x temperature sensor inputs
• Variable-speed pump control connection

Up to two optional expansion units can be added.

Expansion Unit 1 adds equipment sockets 3, 4 and 5.

Expansion Unit 2 adds equipment sockets 6, 7 and 8.

Expansion units are available in 10A or 15A versions, allowing the AquaTek system to be configured according to the connected equipment requirements.

AquaTek vs AquaSmart Controllers

The AquaSmart 5SV and AquaSmart 5RTA are primarily designed around solar and auxiliary pool heating control.

The AquaTek is a much broader pool automation system. In addition to solar, gas heater and heat pump control, it can manage filtration, sanitisation, spa operation, variable-speed pumps, lights, valves, water features and other pool equipment through WiFi.

If you only need solar and heater control, an AquaSmart controller may be more appropriate. If you want to automate the wider pool or pool/spa equipment system, AquaTek is the more comprehensive solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Dontek AquaTek control?
The AquaTek can control pool filtration, compatible variable-speed pumps, sanitisation, gas heaters, heat pumps, solar heating, pool and spa lighting, valve actuators, water features and spa equipment.

Does the Dontek AquaTek have WiFi?
Yes. AquaTek includes WiFi connectivity and is designed to connect to a 2.4GHz home WiFi network for smartphone control.

Can AquaTek control a gas pool heater?
Yes. A compatible gas heater can be controlled through the AquaTek heater interlock. Gas heater cool-down control is also available.

Can AquaTek control a pool heat pump?
Yes. It supports heat pumps installed within the filtration system as well as compatible independent heat pump configurations.

Can AquaTek control solar pool heating?
Yes. Separate, valve-controlled and boosted/integrated solar heating configurations are supported.

Can AquaTek control both a heater and solar pool heating?
Yes. The controller can integrate solar heating with either a gas heater or heat pump and includes Solar Priority functionality.

Can AquaTek control a pool and spa combination?
Yes. AquaTek includes dedicated Pool and Spa operating modes and can control pool/spa valves, spa heating, blowers, jet pumps and spa lighting where configured.

How many pieces of equipment can AquaTek control?
The Master Controller provides two 240V equipment sockets. With two expansion modules fitted, up to eight 240V equipment sockets can be controlled, in addition to the controller's valve and low-voltage control outputs.

Can AquaTek control variable-speed pool pumps?
Yes. The AquaTek manual lists compatibility with a number of variable-speed pump brands and communication methods. Compatibility should be confirmed against the specific pump model before installation.

Can AquaTek control pool lights?
Yes. Up to three equipment sockets can be allocated to pool or spa lighting, including compatible multi-colour lighting systems.

Installation Information

The AquaTek should be installed out of direct weather, no closer than 3 metres from the water's edge and at least 600mm above ground level.

The Master Controller's two 240V equipment sockets have a maximum combined load of 9.9 amps / 2370 watts.

Optional expansion units are available with either 9.9A / 2370W or 14.9A / 3570W combined output ratings, depending on the expansion unit selected.

The heater interlock is designed for extra-low-voltage switching only, maximum 24V at 1 amp. Where the heater's external switching circuit operates at 240V AC, an appropriate external relay is required and must be installed by a licensed electrician.

The AquaTek manual also specifies that WiFi operation requires a compatible 2.4GHz network. WiFi range extenders or optional antenna extension kits may be required where the controller is installed in a plant room, bunker or location with weak wireless reception. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}