New to me pool, lots of work to be done.

[splashpad]

Thanks everyone! Of course these questions have only led to more questions.

Keep asking! Answers will come!

Since I am basically changing everything except the filter, should I look at other options/brands? I have been looking at pentair and the only thing that frustrates me is it seems they are against DIY users. I don't like the idea that I have to pay a bunch of money to someone to install a part to get the warranty. I found some info on here about circupool and really like the fact that their 7 year warranty is not affected by diy install. Any advice on this would be great.

I don't have personal experience to offer, but I do know that most on the forum suggest not to use Pentair (when starting from scratch) IF you are DIY, they are a good quality brand except for that hitch.

Also is there any where on here that has recommended plumbing setups? I am going to cut out the old valves and install new but my current system seems to have a lot of 90degree turns and u turns and I am thinking I should try to eliminate them.

For this, you can draw up your plans, include pictures and there are several that will chime in with suggestions & best steps!

Also should I get a valve to bypass the heater? Where do I put a check valve or check valves? This is the type of info I am looking for. I don't trust that my system is optimal and not been jury rigged over time.

I know some do and some don't include heater bypass, totally personal preference. Check valves can go in several locations, There should be a check valve before the SWG to prevent heavily chlorinated water from backing into the system. I think a check valve can also be installed before the pump, to aid in not losing prime.

Is it better to start dividing up my questions into the topic areas? Like putting plumbing questions in the appropriate sub forum?

You don't have to Usually it's better to keep them in your pool's thread

 

[Superman99]

Thanks Splashpad!
If I am interested in automation on some level but also DiY what brand would you recommend then? Part of me wonders if the warranty issues are that important or not. Just hard to know what's best given the wide range of choices. Plus I don't want to buy one brand then find out I can't do what I want and waste money replacing new equipment.
Thanks

 

[Jimrahbe]

99,

If you have to worry about the warranty, you are just buying the wrong equipment...

There really is no off the shelf alternate automation systems. As far as Pentair goes, all you need to do is find almost anyone that has a business that is related.. Could be a plumber, an HVAC guy, a Pool Service guy.. etc.. They just need a business where they can give you an invoice, with their letterhead, for the install...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Superman99]

99,

If you have to worry about the warranty, you are just buying the wrong equipment...

There really is no off the shelf alternate automation systems. As far as Pentair goes, all you need to do is find almost anyone that has a business that is related.. Could be a plumber, an HVAC guy, a Pool Service guy.. etc.. They just need a business where they can give you an invoice, with their letterhead, for the install...

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks I can probably get someone to assist with the install for warranty purposes. Looks like I am buying a bunch of pentair stuff. Any recommendations for best online retailers price wise? I heard polytec pools might be a good source but if you have other recommendations I would appreciate it

 

[skimmerswimmer]

In the interest of ensuring correct chemical additions, you may want to verify your pool dimensions again. I doubt that your pool is 12-13 ft deep...even some commercial pools with high diving boards only go to 12 ft, but I suppose it is possible. This would mean that your total gallons is less and you'd need less chemicals to reach target ppms.

I ordered all new equipment for my pool from INYOPools. They had the best prices and they were great.

Best of luck with your pool updates!

 

[Superman99]

Thanks. I am waiting for a test kit to arrive and then I plan on verifying everything so I can calculate using the system.
I will definitely check out inyopools thanks.
I have been getting intellicenter quotes, does anyone know if you can order the 5 relay and then add a daughter board if you need additional relays in the future? I currently only need 2 or 3 relays but am wondering if I should order the 8 relay or the 5. If I can add a board to the 5 and make it an 8 in the future I will save the money for now.
Thanks

 

[Superman99]

Hey everyone,
Ordered a bunch of stuff and most of it finally came in, so I have started the plumbing and automation makeover.
I did learn that although it seems like you can buy the 5 relay intellicenter and upgrade to an 8 or 10 later, no one seems to know what the part numbers for the individual parts are, even pentair. So I opted for the 8 to start with options.
I am in the process of wiring up the load center and all the feeds to the various equipment. I am hoping a few people can provide some advice.
First of all. My old system had the pump, booster, and heater all connected to the same double 20 breakers thru a time clock. Anyone think or know if i should get separate breakers for the pumps and heater now? Also the intellicenter has a relay for the filter pump but since i have an intelliflo i believe I wire the pump up to the breaker directly and only connect the pump via the com cable. Has anyone else done this to verify?
I am also laying out my plumbing. This is my proposed setup. Intake valve, pump, filter, heater, check vavle, booster, swcg, return. Does that sound correct?
Thanks everyone!

 

[kimkats]

I will ping @Jimrahbe to get you going on that one..........way out of my wheel house!

 

[Jimrahbe]

Hey everyone,
Ordered a bunch of stuff and most of it finally came in, so I have started the plumbing and automation makeover.
I did learn that although it seems like you can buy the 5 relay intellicenter and upgrade to an 8 or 10 later, no one seems to know what the part numbers for the individual parts are, even pentair. So I opted for the 8 to start with options.
I am in the process of wiring up the load center and all the feeds to the various equipment. I am hoping a few people can provide some advice.
First of all. My old system had the pump, booster, and heater all connected to the same double 20 breakers thru a time clock. Anyone think or know if i should get separate breakers for the pumps and heater now? Also the intellicenter has a relay for the filter pump but since i have an intelliflo i believe I wire the pump up to the breaker directly and only connect the pump via the com cable. Has anyone else done this to verify?
I am also laying out my plumbing. This is my proposed setup. Intake valve, pump, filter, heater, check vavle, booster, swcg, return. Does that sound correct?
Thanks everyone!

99,

The IntelliFlo pump is wired directly from the breaker to the pump...

The Pump/Filter relay is used to power the SWCG's transformer. This is a requirement not an option. It prevents the SWCG from running when the pump is off.. Even though the pump does not get power from the pump/filter relay, the relay will only close if the pump is being told to run..

Why the check valve after the heater? If it is to prevent flow back from the SWCG, you don't need it.. When a SWCG is off it is off, there is no flow back.. You only need a check valve if you have a 3" tab feeder...

If you spend a billion dollars on an automation system, why do you want to cheap out on a few circuit breakers... I suggest you add a circuit breaker for each major function.. The pump, the heater, the booster, and ???

I have a separate CB for just the SWCG transformer. This CB provides power to the Pump/Filter relay so that I can shut off the SWCG during the winter or ???

After the SWCG is the Return "Valve"... Assuming you have different places for the return water to go...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Superman99]

99,

The IntelliFlo pump is wired directly from the breaker to the pump...

The Pump/Filter relay is used to power the SWCG's transformer. This is a requirement not an option. It prevents the SWCG from running when the pump is off.. Even though the pump does not get power from the pump/filter relay, the relay will only close if the pump is being told to run..

Why the check valve after the heater? If it is to prevent flow back from the SWCG, you don't need it.. When a SWCG is off it is off, there is no flow back.. You only need a check valve if you have a 3" tab feeder...

If you spend a billion dollars on an automation system, why do you want to cheap out on a few circuit breakers... I suggest you add a circuit breaker for each major function.. The pump, the heater, the booster, and ???

I have a separate CB for just the SWCG transformer. This CB provides power to the Pump/Filter relay so that I can shut off the SWCG during the winter or ???

After the SWCG is the Return "Valve"... Assuming you have different places for the return water to go...

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks Jim. Honestly I only duplicated the existing setup and there was a check valve after the heater before the return valve so I figured it was needed. Old system would drain down but that could have been because of the bad pump or malfunctioning valves.
As for the CB I used the same as the old setup. Makes sense to get additional ones I just didn't know what I should get besides what was already setup. The SWCG using a tiny bit of power but I would have to get another 220 breaker to power it separately and I didn't really consider that overall. Now that I think about it, I guess I could always wire it for 110v and use a single 15amp CB. I am a pretty capable DIY guy but not an expert electrician. I will keep plugging away at it and get there eventually.
Thanks
Paul

 

[Superman99]

Also @Jimrahbe are you saying I shouldn't have a check valve at all in the whole system?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Paul,

You can add 10 check valves if you want, but each should have a purpose... What other check valves do you plan on adding and for what purpose??

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Superman99]

I was only planning on the one check valve on the return line and had room between heater and swcg so I figured it was a good place to put it. I was under the impression that I needed at least one to help prevent water draining back into the pool when the system is off. If there is a better place to put it or I don't need it then please let me know.
Thanks!

 

[Jimrahbe]

99,

I don't have any check valves and my water does not drain back into the pool... If you think about it, how is a check valve, that allows return water to flow into your pool, going to prevent water from draining into your pool..

Jim R.

 

[MyAZPool]

Thanks. I am waiting for a test kit to arrive and then I plan on verifying everything so I can calculate using the system.
I will definitely check out inyopools thanks.
I have been getting intellicenter quotes, does anyone know if you can order the 5 relay and then add a daughter board if you need additional relays in the future? I currently only need 2 or 3 relays but am wondering if I should order the 8 relay or the 5. If I can add a board to the 5 and make it an 8 in the future I will save the money for now.
Thanks

Yes, you can order the i5p or i5ps as applicable and then if you expand and need more relays, you can just order and install the 8 relay daughter card and the additional relays and you will be in business. No need to order the mother card.
r.

 

[Superman99]

Yes, you can order the i5p or i5ps as applicable and then if you expand and need more relays, you can just order and install the 8 relay daughter card and the additional relays and you will be in business. No need to order the mother card.
r.

Thank unfortunately I already ordered the 8 relay setup. I even called pentair and they could not definitively tell me that I can upgrade from the 5 to the 8 or 10 later. It was only 200 extra so not a big deal, but annoying that the manufacturer tech support was clueless

 

[Superman99]

99,

I don't have any check valves and my water does not drain back into the pool... If you think about it, how is a check valve, that allows return water to flow into your pool, going to prevent water from draining into your pool..

Jim R.

Thanks Jim. I guess I can try and go without check valve and see what happens

 

[MyAZPool]

Thank unfortunately I already ordered the 8 relay setup. I even called pentair and they could not definitively tell me that I can upgrade from the 5 to the 8 or 10 later. It was only 200 extra so not a big deal, but annoying that the manufacturer tech support was clueless

Superman99
Yea, I agree. Going with the 8 if you feel you might need more than 5 relays later is a good call and not much more in $.

The first time I spoke with tech support regarding IntelliCenter, I got that same impression and it was frustrating to realize that I understood more about the IntelliCenter than the Tech Support person I was initially speaking with. I asked to talk with someone else who was an IntelliCenter "guru". That worked out well for me. I have learned that many on the tech support desk have various product "specialties" that they focus on. Just ask to speak with the IntelliCenter "specialist", if you are not happy with the level of expertise of a certain tech support person.
r.

 

[Superman99]

Superman99
Yea, I agree. Going with the 8 if you feel you might need more than 5 relays later is a good call and not much more in $.

The first time I spoke with tech support regarding IntelliCenter, I got that same impression and it was frustrating to realize that I understood more about the IntelliCenter than the Tech Support person I was initially speaking with. I asked to talk with someone else who was an IntelliCenter "guru". That worked out well for me. I have learned that many on the tech support desk have various product "specialties" that they focus on. Just ask to speak with the IntelliCenter "specialist", if you are not happy with the level of expertise of a certain tech support person.
r.

Thanks that is good to know especially if I come up with an issue. I am still doing the wiring so hopefully once I finish it will go smoothly.

 

[Superman99]

Ok everyone, quick update.
I finally got all my parts and have been installing over the past few days. I am nearly done.
I also got a test kit and tested everything. Hopefully I did everything right.
Here is a link to my numbers if I understand the poolmath app correctly.

PoolMath Logs

troublefreepool.com

I am wondering based on my numbers what to do first. My CYA is high at 200. I have to do the 50/50 tap water and 200 was my final result. I know the previous owner put a whole big bucket of blue pucks thru the pool before I bought the house. I understand how to add acid, etc to modify the other numbers but before I get to adding chemicals and salt should I drain part of the pool to lower my CYA?
Thanks everyone!


FC 2.5
pH 7.8
TA 130
CH 300
CYA 200
Salt 600