Variable Speed Pumps and Automation...Explain Please

[DirtyRat91]

I must be missing a FAQ page somewhere, or simply I haven't hung around the SWG page enough to pick up the lingo here. A lot of people appear to be linking variable speed pumps and SWGs. As if a single speed pump isn't really compatible with SWG pools. I'm sure that's not the case, but at the same time, I'm not finding info explaining their coexistence.

Secondly, a lot of folks are throwing the term 'automation' around. What exactly are we automating? It sounds like the variable speed pumps have an internal logic that demerines their flow rates? Then people suggest putting the SWG on a timer...both which sound automatic to me, what further are we automating?

In my defense, I did consult the Pool School prior to my foolish post, when I found nothing there, I threw in the towel and went straight to the "Help, I'm Dumb" post.

Thanks in advance for (hopefully) clearing things up for me.

 

[PoolGate]

Since SWCG need to be on to produce chlorine, and be on a lot, it makes sense to invest in a VSP if you are going SWCG. The single speed pump has a single speed; on. So you are paying electricity at full speed, which isn't needed, just to enable the SWCG. My VSP pump uses around 2500 watts at full speed. But, my SWCG will run with my pump as low as 600 rpms, which only needs 40 watts of power. So there is HUGE electrical savings running the pumps at a lower speed. Not to mention most utilities have substantial rebates for VSPs.

Automation allows you to see and set the SWCG variables remotely. I can see and set percent run time. It also reports the pool current salt level. Also it will tell me a few other things remotely. You will find that you need to change the SWCG output percent from time to time as conditions change. Not having to go to the panel is nice. I am not sure about putting the SWCG on a timer. It is connected to the pump so when the pump goes off, the SWCG goes off. In essence it is on a shared timer. With automation instead of using a mechanical timer that rudely cuts power, the automation sends a signal to the pump to shut down or reduce speed accordingly.

 

[Jimrahbe]

dr,

With a single speed pump you do not need a separate timer for the SWG, because you can connect the SWG and the pump to the same power connection. The key is that the SWG can never be allowed to have power when the pump is not running... It is a safety feature to prevent gas build up... VS pumps have constant AC power, so the SWG needs a timer to ensure it only gets power when the pump is scheduled to run...

Here is a little info on the EasyTouch Automation system, but it generally applies to all brands...

Many people have pools without automation and they work just fine. I do, however, think it is important to know the advantages and the disadvantages of having an automation system.

1. Automation will help you with pool maintenance, but it will not replace the need for you to test your water, understand what you are looking at, and then making sure your water is balanced. (Another reason you need the accuracy of the TF100 test kit.)

2. The main downside to automation is cost. So before going too far down this path, you might ask your PB what it's going to cost. That said, the best time to install automation is when the pool is being built, because all the connections to the system can be made without having to figure out how you are to get power across 50' of new deck. Also, the additional cost, when compared to the cost of the pool, will be miniscule.

3. Automation systems work best when the same brand is used because then the pieces can "talk" to together. So, in your case I would recommend the EasyTouch 4 (or 8) that has a built in power supply for the SWG and generally comes with the SWG and two valves. ScreenLogic2 is an absolute requirement if you want to be able to control things from your PC or Phone.

Here is a list of what I think the advantages are:

1. Appearance. Instead of having a bunch of different boxes hanging on your wall you have one, professional looking enclosure.

2. Circuit Breaker Panel. The bottom half of the enclosure is a circuit-breaker panel where the breakers for your pool equipment (Pumps, Heater, etc.) are located. This panel is also an excellent place to add surge protector, which is an absolute must if you have the Intelliflo pump. Even if you do not get the automation, make sure your PB includes a surge protector for the pump.

3. SWG Control. Without automation, your SWG will have to have a timer, synced to the pump timer so that it does not run when the pump is off. This function is built into the EasyTouch.

4. Spa mode and SWG output. Normally all the water flows through the SWG, so when in the Spa mode, the EasyTouch reduces the amount of chlorine the SWG produces, so that the Spa users are not subjected to high levels of chlorine.

5. Pool Lighting. The EasyTouch allows you to control your pool lighting from your PC and/or from a schedule. This is another reason to add the EasyTouch now. Once your pool light is wired to switches inside your house, it might be very difficult to get the wiring to any automation system.

6. Control of Spill-over and bubblers. Right now I'm sure you are thinking I want that spillover running 24-hours a day because it is so beautiful.. Well, after a few weeks of having your pH go through the roof, you'll appreciate the ability to only turn it on, when you want it on. The same with the bubblers. With the Easytouch, you can program them to run on a schedule for a few minutes a day to keep the everything properly chlorinated or when you want to "show off" to your guests..

7. Relay Control. The EasyTouch 4 has four (really three) relays that can be used to control other things, such as landscape lights. (The EasyTouch has 8 (really 7) relays.

8. Built in Valve controls. The EasyTouch has the ability to control 4 valves. Two work for switching between the Pool and Spa modes, while two others can be programmed to do whatever you might want, like bubbler control. I would note that a lot of bubblers are controlled by manual valves that cannot be automated. You need to be sure to tell your PB that you want Jandy style valves for your bubbler control.

9. Heater Control. The EasyTouch can control your heater.. So, you can be inside and tell your PC what temperature you want the Spa to be and it will tell you when it is ready.

10. ScreenLogic. ScreenLogic allows you to program the EasyTouch with various schedules. It lets you see most all of the inputs and output to the EasyTouch and lets you decide what you want on/off and in the case of your SWG, lets you adjust the % of output on the fly.

11. Pool pump speed... The EasyTouch can be programmed to adjust your pumps speed. So when running just the pool, it can run slow, but when running your waterfall, it will automatically increase the speed to make your waterfall or other water features look exactly how you want them to look.

Thanks for posting,

Jim R.