How to connect Hayward Aqua Rite to CAT Controller
Hey everyone,
I’m currently managing chemical automation for a 100,000-gallon commercial saltwater pool facility and trying to bridge a gap between some commercial and residential equipment we have on the pad.
The Hardware:
- 1x Hayward CAT 5500 chemical controller
- 3x Hayward Aqua Rite (GLX-CTL-RITE) standard control units hooked up to salt cells
The Goal: I need the CAT 5500 to control the chlorine production of all three Aqua Rites based on ORP demand.
The Problem: Obviously, standard Aqua Rites don't have a dedicated ORP input or external automation terminal like the commercial Saline C line or the Aqua Rite Pro.
The Proposed Workaround: I’m looking at doing a flow switch interrupt. The plan is to take the 120V ORP output from the CAT 5500 and wire it to the coil of a 4-Pole Double Throw (4PDT) 120VAC relay.
I would then slice the low-voltage telephone cable for each of the four Aqua Rite flow switches and wire them through the four isolated poles on the relay.
- ORP Satisfied: Relay opens, flow circuits break. Aqua Rites show "No Flow" and safely pause production while staying powered on.
- ORP Drops: CAT 5500 sends 120V, relay closes. Flow circuits complete, Aqua Rites turn on production.
My Questions for the group:
- Has anyone actually run this specific 4PDT relay hack long-term in a commercial pump room?
- Are there any unforeseen issues with the Aqua Rite logic boards being constantly tricked into "No Flow" status multiple times a day?
- Is there a better field-engineered workaround for this?