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AutoAdapt Modes - Support Status

This document details the support status for AutoAdapt control modes on the Grundfos ALPHA HWR pump.

Overview

AutoAdapt is an intelligent pump control algorithm that automatically adjusts operation based on system characteristics and demand. The GENI protocol defines several AutoAdapt variants:

Mode ID Name ALPHA HWR Support
5 AUTO_ADAPT (generic) Limited
13 AUTO_ADAPT_RADIATOR Full
14 AUTO_ADAPT_UNDERFLOOR Full
15 AUTO_ADAPT_RADIATOR_AND_UNDERFLOOR Full
26 PROPORTIONAL_DIFF_PRESSURE Not Supported

Mode 5: AUTO_ADAPT (Generic) - Limited Support

Discovery Results

Configuration Data: - SubID 11 found in Object 86 (PumpConfiguration) - Setpoint limits available: min=1.48m, max=1.52m, default=1.50m - Data format: uint16 (Pascals), not float32 like other modes - Very narrow operating range (0.04m spread)

Mode Switching: - Class 3 fallback command 0x06 exists - Mode switch commands succeed but verification shows mode doesn't change reliably - May require specific firmware version or system conditions

Setpoint Writing: - Register IDs unknown - library tries multiple candidates (0x1D, 0x06, 0x05) - Success not guaranteed

Implementation Status

Library Support: 

# Available but with warnings
await client.set_autoadapt(1.5)  # meters

CLI Support: 

# Available but displays warning
alpha-hwr control set-autoadapt --value 1.5
# Output:
#   Note: Mode 5 (AUTO_ADAPT) has limited support.
#     Consider using specific variants (radiator/underfloor/combined) instead.

Recommendations

DO NOT USE Mode 5 for production deployments. Instead, use the specific AutoAdapt variants:

System Type Recommended Mode Command
Radiator heating Mode 13 (AUTO_ADAPT_RADIATOR) set_autoadapt_radiator()
Underfloor heating Mode 14 (AUTO_ADAPT_UNDERFLOOR) set_autoadapt_underfloor()
Combined systems Mode 15 (AUTO_ADAPT_COMBINED) set_autoadapt_combined()

Why Mode 5 Has Limited Support

Possible Reasons:

  1. Firmware Evolution: Mode 5 may be legacy/deprecated in favor of specific variants (13-15)
  2. Hardware Limitations: ALPHA HWR may lack sensors/logic for generic AutoAdapt
  3. Configuration Requirements: May require additional setup not implemented in library
  4. Narrow Range: 0.04m spread suggests it's a placeholder or diagnostic mode

Mode 26: PROPORTIONAL_DIFF_PRESSURE - NOT Supported

Discovery Results

Configuration Data: - No SubID found in Object 86 (tested 0-65) - No factory configuration available - No setpoint limits defined

Mode Switching: - No Class 3 fallback command - Explicitly returns error: "Unsupported Control Mode for Set: 26"

Conclusion: Mode 26 is NOT implemented in ALPHA HWR firmware.

Implementation Status

Library: Not implemented (no set_proportional_diff_pressure() method)

CLI: Not available

Why Mode 26 Is Not Supported

Analysis:

  1. Product Line Differentiation: Proportional Differential Pressure may be exclusive to higher-end models (ALPHA3, MAGNA3)
  2. Sensor Requirements: Requires differential pressure sensors not present in ALPHA HWR
  3. Application Specific: More relevant for complex hydronic systems than recirculation pumps

Alternative: Use Mode 1 (PROPORTIONAL_PRESSURE) which IS fully supported:

await client.set_proportional_pressure(3.0)  # meters

alpha-hwr control set-proportional-pressure --value 3.0

Fully Supported AutoAdapt Modes

Mode 13: AUTO_ADAPT_RADIATOR

Best for: Radiator heating systems with high-temperature operation.

Configuration: - SubID: 19 - Format: uint16 (Pascals) - Typical range: 0.5 - 6.0 m - Setpoint register: 0x1E

Usage: 

await client.set_autoadapt_radiator(3.0)  # 3 meters


alpha-hwr control set-autoadapt-radiator --value 3.0

Mode 14: AUTO_ADAPT_UNDERFLOOR

Best for: Underfloor heating systems with low-temperature operation.

Configuration: - SubID: 21 - Format: uint16 (Pascals) - Typical range: 0.3 - 4.0 m - Setpoint register: 0x1F

Usage: 

await client.set_autoadapt_underfloor(2.5)  # 2.5 meters


alpha-hwr control set-autoadapt-underfloor --value 2.5

Mode 15: AUTO_ADAPT_RADIATOR_AND_UNDERFLOOR

Best for: Combined radiator and underfloor heating systems.

Configuration: - SubID: 23 - Format: uint16 (Pascals) - Typical range: 0.4 - 5.0 m - Setpoint register: 0x20

Usage: 

await client.set_autoadapt_combined(3.5)  # 3.5 meters


alpha-hwr control set-autoadapt-combined --value 3.5

Testing Methodology

Hardware Probing

# Probe for configuration SubIDs
python probe_autoadapt_config.py <DEVICE_ADDRESS>

# Test mode switching
python test_mode_support.py <DEVICE_ADDRESS>

# Test Class 3 commands
python test_mode5_class3.py <DEVICE_ADDRESS>

Test Results (ALPHA HWR Family 52, Type 7, Version 2)

Test Mode 5 Mode 26
SubID found Yes (11) No
Limits readable Yes No
Mode switch Partial Fails
Setpoint write Unknown N/A

Comparison with Other Modes

Mode Name Support Typical Use
0 CONSTANT_PRESSURE Full Fixed differential pressure
1 PROPORTIONAL_PRESSURE Full Flow-dependent pressure
2 CONSTANT_SPEED Full Fixed RPM operation
5 AUTO_ADAPT Limited Generic adaptive (use 13-15 instead)
8 CONSTANT_FLOW Full Fixed flow rate
13 AUTO_ADAPT_RADIATOR Full Radiator systems (RECOMMENDED)
14 AUTO_ADAPT_UNDERFLOOR Full Underfloor heating (RECOMMENDED)
15 AUTO_ADAPT_COMBINED Full Mixed systems (RECOMMENDED)
26 PROPORTIONAL_DIFF_PRESSURE None Not available on ALPHA HWR