"Solar" Power Assisted Cover Reel
The Vanguard Professional swimming pool roller is equipped with onboard computers that intelligently monitor and control its functionality.
The controller performs the following 4 main functions:
1) Battery charging. The controller simultaneously measures available solar power, battery voltage and temperature. Knowing these 3 parameters, along with the battery manufacturer's specifications for charging, ensures the correct amount of charge is placed into the main battery. This in turn results in the battery being maintained correctly and safely at all times.
2) Receiving / decoding the key fob signals. The controller listens out for transmissions from the key fobs, then decodes the signals to determine which direction the user has selected. Each receiver is programmed by us to your key fobs.
3) Motor driver. The motor drive is done using an electronic soft start and soft stop program. This ensures the motor is gently spun up to speed without suddenly jerking the pool cover. The software also gives a gentle slow down to a stop.
In addition, the power drawn by the motor is constantly monitored in case of a stall or jam and should that occur, the motor is held off until the problem is resolved.
4) Fault monitoring / Status Indication. The controller lights up a red and green LED to give system status information. These include "All OK", "Battery Flat", "Key fob signal received" and "motor stalled". Under normal operating conditions, the user need never look at / worry about these, however they are useful if the pool reel doesn't work in the way you are expecting, ie if the cover is jammed or stalled. More details on what the status indicators mean can be found in the User Guide which accompanies your pool reel.
Quick spec:
Fully encapsulated, waterproof electronic controller module
Low power consumption, <5mA, wide IP range, 7-26Vdc
Wide operating temperature range, from -30dC to +70dC.
Automatic self reboot of computers following any shutdown
The Vanguard pool reel uses an intelligent controller that ensures the whole system is working both optimally and safely.
One of the key features of the controller is the intelligent battery charger. Unlike basic solar pool reels of yesteryear, our controller never allows the battery to get overcharged. Overcharged batteries can vent gas and become hazardous, hence managing the battery charge level is critically important.
Just to make the charging algorithm even harder for the controller, a battery's overcharge point also varies with temperature.
As such, the Vanguard controller constantly adjusts the charging level depending on temperature, solar power level and the current stage of charge.
Safety first - always.
