My pool / spa is 1 month old and already I am tired of having to walk out to the equipment pad in order to switch into spa mode, which consists of moving 2 valves and turning on the pump, heat and lights. I also have to go out there just to turn on the pump, (for example when I add chemicals not during the set run times), or to turn on the lights. I was too cheap to go for the automation systems the PB quoted at $2-3K, so have come up with a remote panel I can mount near the door going out to the pool. That will be phase one and then sometime in the future I may upgrade to computer control either by a BASIC stamp or PLC or etc.
I've already got the necessary contactors, power supplies, valve actuators and switches. I expect to begin wiring everything up in the next couple weeks and posting updates here.
I'm using a standard 12 hour in-wall spring timer (labeled T on my schematic) to run the pump. At first I was going to use a push button, but then decided it would be nice to be able to set it for a couple hours and not have to worry about remembering to turn it off. The digital timers need 120v to work and I'm only running 24v into the house.
I'm using a rocker switch to power the actuators to switch between spa and pool mode. I've already got that set up in the garage to check the right polarity for the actuators. Its a double pole, so I'm also using it to make sure the heat can't come on unless you are in spa mode, as I only have a spa heater and don't ever want it accidently heating the pool. I'm also going to wire it so the heat can not come on unless the pump is on.
The light and heat switches are DP illuminated push button switches, but I'm only using one pole.
The schematic does not show the switch lights wired correctly because I just did not have time to do it yet. But the rest of the circuit is good.
Comments and suggestions are welcome.
I've already got the necessary contactors, power supplies, valve actuators and switches. I expect to begin wiring everything up in the next couple weeks and posting updates here.
I'm using a standard 12 hour in-wall spring timer (labeled T on my schematic) to run the pump. At first I was going to use a push button, but then decided it would be nice to be able to set it for a couple hours and not have to worry about remembering to turn it off. The digital timers need 120v to work and I'm only running 24v into the house.
I'm using a rocker switch to power the actuators to switch between spa and pool mode. I've already got that set up in the garage to check the right polarity for the actuators. Its a double pole, so I'm also using it to make sure the heat can't come on unless you are in spa mode, as I only have a spa heater and don't ever want it accidently heating the pool. I'm also going to wire it so the heat can not come on unless the pump is on.
The light and heat switches are DP illuminated push button switches, but I'm only using one pole.
The schematic does not show the switch lights wired correctly because I just did not have time to do it yet. But the rest of the circuit is good.
Comments and suggestions are welcome.