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VentChief Ventilation Controller – Setup & User Guide

Installation, wiring, and the parameter reference for the AutoVent VentChief ventilation controller. Installation and user reference guide, 2021.

Single vent stage
10–24 VDC input
Manual override
Solar ready

AutoVent VentChief controller board with red positive and black negative wires running to a 12-volt battery

The VentChief System

Thank you for purchasing the VentChief System. The VentChief is designed for easy installation and operation of solar-powered roll-up curtains or actuators.

Features

The VentChief System is designed for the unique challenges of greenhouse ventilation control.

  • Control a single stage of vents.
  • Manual override of curtains.
  • Adjustable open and shut temperature.
  • Works with 10–24 VDC input.

Installing the VentChief System

Only a qualified electrician should install the VentChief. Turn off power before installing or servicing the VentChief.

Consider the following before installing the VentChief System:

  • Protect the enclosures from moisture and dripping water – mount in a secure place.
  • Use watertight connectors to prevent dust and moisture from entering the control box enclosure.
  • Important: only drill holes in the bottom of the enclosures.
Warning: drilling holes into the top of the enclosure voids the warranty!

System power

Supply the unit with 12 or 24 VDC. Either voltage works for the VentChief.

Warning! If you accidentally swap positive and negative, the fuse will blow! Replace with a 5 amp fuse.
VentChief controller board wired to a 12-volt battery, with the red positive lead and black negative lead labeled at the battery terminals
Connect the VentChief to a 12 or 24 VDC supply. The red lead is positive and the black lead is negative.

Placing the temperature sensor

Each VentChief includes a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor that is included is 10 feet long. The white cap at the end of the temperature sensor cable is the physical sensor. You can order longer probe wires up to 150 ft.

Connect the sensor as shown. Place the temperature sensor in a location which represents the average temperature.

Note: it is important to NOT allow sensors to come into contact with direct sunlight.
VentChief board with the white-tipped temperature probe connected by a red and black wire, beside a fault code legend listing F1 and F2
Connect the temperature sensor as shown. The white cap at the end of the cable is the physical sensor.
  • Do not run the probe parallel to 120v/240v power lines. When crossing power lines, cross them at 90°.
  • When splicing connections, solder all connections and use heatshrink.

Fault codes

Temperature sensor fault codes
CodeMeaning
F1Disconnected temperature sensor
F2Shorted temperature sensor

Motor connection

The VentChief System was designed to control a single stage of vent motors or actuators. Wire motors to the terminals provided on the VentChief as shown.

Linear vent actuator connected to the VentChief board motor terminals using a blue wire and a brown wire
A vent actuator wired to the VentChief motor terminals.
Wrong direction? Does the motor go the wrong direction? To correct the motor rotation, swap the Motor + & Motor − wires.

Two motors can be connected; however, if the fuse blows, you will need to reduce the mechanical load.

Troubleshooting

There are 3 LEDs in the back for troubleshooting.

Close-up of the VentChief board with the three status LEDs labeled Open, Close and Power circled in red, above the motor and 12 to 24 Vdc input terminals
The three troubleshooting LEDs (Open, Close, Power), circled in red.
  • If the power LED is off, there is a problem with the input voltage.
  • If the open or close light never turns on, the fuse is likely blown. Replace the fuse.
  • If the motor goes the opposite direction of the LEDs, reread the motor connection section.
  • If the fuse just blows: A. reduce the motor load, or B. check wiring for any bad spots.

Parameters

Press the Enter button to cycle through the parameters. While you are in the menu, the Up & Down buttons adjust the setpoints.

VentChief parameters
IDDescriptionDefaultMinMax
P1Vent open temperature setpoint.70°1°99°
P2Seconds the vent is switched on.20550
P3Delay minutes until the vent waits until it is switched on again.3.0.125.4
P4Temperature difference between opening and closing. If the deadspan is 5.0° and the curtain setpoint is 70°, the vent will start to close when the temperature is 65°.3.0°1.0°10.0°

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