Hi forum-
We moved about a year ago into a house that has a ~25000 gallon in-ground gunite pool that's about 15 years old. We're looking at doing a few refurb items relating to the pool (incl replacing / expanding the pool deck and resurfacing), but also upgrading the pump and control/automation system. Currently we have a Jandy Aqualink RS controller, a Hayward Northstar 2HP single-speed pump, and we added a Hayward T-15 Salt Cell (with AquaRite box that runs separately from the Jandy Aqualink) last year. Also, we have a Raypak heater that is not integrated with the controller at all (i.e. I turn it on and control temps directly on the heater itself).
In conjunction with the refurb I'd like to have a more functional controller, that can at a minimum:
1) Control the Pumps (main and polaris booster)
2) Control pool lights
3) monitor temp and control heater
4) control my zone valves (3 returns, plus one 3-way value for skimmer/bottom - currently these are manual valves)
5) Control some landscape lighting zones (2-3)
6) Control a variable speed pump (replacing the main hayward northstar)
Also, ideally it would:
a) be accessible from my i-Devices
b) control the saltgen
c) be able to give me basic "everyday" chemistry readings (FC and pH) - not necessarily dispense chemicals
So I've been looking at the Hayward OmniLogic system with a Hayward EcoStar pump - which seems like it can do all of the above (or at least be expanded to later). It also seems like this might be doable myself. I'm very comfortable with wiring (done plenty of both high and low voltage), and I've done stuff like this before (i.e. I installed my own Honeywell security system at my last house), so from my end I'm not concerned. Are there any issues as far as the manufacturers go with installing these control systems myself? It looks like I can buy them online, and Hayward also seems to provide downloadable firmware updates on their web site. Are there any other hidden gotchas that I'm not seeing?
Also, as far as sequencing, it seems like I would want to first change out the pump but leave the existing panel (just manually control the pump speed initially until the panel is updated), and then later swap out the panel. I might even have the pool company do the pump swap-out if it's not too expensive - looking at the drawings some of the plumbing would probably need to move (not the end of the world, but they can probably do it a lot quicker than me).
And lastly, any general thoughts on whether the Hayward OmniLogic + EcoStar makes the most sense? I kind of gravitated in that direction because of the new salt cell, but honestly if I had to throw that away to get a different brand it wouldn't be the end of the world (if there was a good reason to).
Thanks in advance....
We moved about a year ago into a house that has a ~25000 gallon in-ground gunite pool that's about 15 years old. We're looking at doing a few refurb items relating to the pool (incl replacing / expanding the pool deck and resurfacing), but also upgrading the pump and control/automation system. Currently we have a Jandy Aqualink RS controller, a Hayward Northstar 2HP single-speed pump, and we added a Hayward T-15 Salt Cell (with AquaRite box that runs separately from the Jandy Aqualink) last year. Also, we have a Raypak heater that is not integrated with the controller at all (i.e. I turn it on and control temps directly on the heater itself).
In conjunction with the refurb I'd like to have a more functional controller, that can at a minimum:
1) Control the Pumps (main and polaris booster)
2) Control pool lights
3) monitor temp and control heater
4) control my zone valves (3 returns, plus one 3-way value for skimmer/bottom - currently these are manual valves)
5) Control some landscape lighting zones (2-3)
6) Control a variable speed pump (replacing the main hayward northstar)
Also, ideally it would:
a) be accessible from my i-Devices
b) control the saltgen
c) be able to give me basic "everyday" chemistry readings (FC and pH) - not necessarily dispense chemicals
So I've been looking at the Hayward OmniLogic system with a Hayward EcoStar pump - which seems like it can do all of the above (or at least be expanded to later). It also seems like this might be doable myself. I'm very comfortable with wiring (done plenty of both high and low voltage), and I've done stuff like this before (i.e. I installed my own Honeywell security system at my last house), so from my end I'm not concerned. Are there any issues as far as the manufacturers go with installing these control systems myself? It looks like I can buy them online, and Hayward also seems to provide downloadable firmware updates on their web site. Are there any other hidden gotchas that I'm not seeing?
Also, as far as sequencing, it seems like I would want to first change out the pump but leave the existing panel (just manually control the pump speed initially until the panel is updated), and then later swap out the panel. I might even have the pool company do the pump swap-out if it's not too expensive - looking at the drawings some of the plumbing would probably need to move (not the end of the world, but they can probably do it a lot quicker than me).
And lastly, any general thoughts on whether the Hayward OmniLogic + EcoStar makes the most sense? I kind of gravitated in that direction because of the new salt cell, but honestly if I had to throw that away to get a different brand it wouldn't be the end of the world (if there was a good reason to).
Thanks in advance....
