Pump Speed

[jwcod]

Jim,
Thank you so much for taking the time to prepare these directions; they are much clearer than those ET 4 User's Guide. I will give it a go once the return valve is adjusted.
Is the following a fairly accurate understanding of my current situation:
The return valve is set so that water is returning continuously to the pool and spa when in normal pool mode. This was apparently done because I don't have a common/make-up line, although the ET 4 could have been set up to schedule a spillover function that would run for a much shorter period each day assuming the return valve was adjusted to rotate 180 degrees. Until I do this, I control the amount of spillover by changing the pump speed in the normal pool mode. (Question: Is it best to schedule the spillover function at the beginning, end of middle of the daily normal pool cycle?)
One more valve-related question. At the front of the equipment pad, there are three intakes labeled spa, skimmer, and sweep (which I assume is main drain). When I vacuum the pool, I put it into service mode and open the sweep valve using the blue handle and close the skimmer valve using the blue handle. I then turn the pump on manually. When I am done vacuuming, I basically reverse the process - turn the pump off, open the skimmer valve, close the sweep valve, and return to auto/pool mode. Does this sound right?
Many thanks, Joh

I do use a port on the side wall. I don’t know if I have a floating diverter valve. Did my description of my current valve situation sound fairly accurate? Just want to make sure I understand. I still need to figure out why spa level drops only after spa mode is used. Will have the return side diverter checked. Should I see bubbles in the check valves?

 

[Jimrahbe]

John,

Your sequence of turning off the skimmer and turning on the Sweep is exactly what you need to do to use the vac port on the side wall of your pool.

I am not sure why the spa only drains down in the spa mode, but I would inspect the check valve that I circled. Make sure that it has some spring tension and that there is no small debris holding it open.

I am not sure if you should see any bubbles when the pump is running, but I would not expect any "active" bubbles when the pump is off.

Why was your equipment so wet in your first pic??

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jwcod]

Probably because I had just cleaned the pump basket and reclosed the filter pressure valve after bleeding air from the system. I also have a slow drip coming from where the top and bottom of the filter seat. I have replaced the O ring, but the slow drip continues.
Am I correct that as long as my return valve sends water to pool and spa (90 degrees rotation) that water will spill over from spa to pool when in normal pool mode?

 

[Jimrahbe]

John,

Yes, it will.. If that is what you want, then there is no sense in setting up the spillway function.

If you leave the Return valve set up for only 90 degrees, then you will have a constant spill over when in the pool mode.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jwcod]

Sounds like there’s not much upside to having a continuous spillover. I can’t thank you enough for all your help and for responding to all my rookie questions.

 

[Jimrahbe]

John,

The good thing about the spillway mode with a VS pump is that you can adjust the amount of spillover with pump speed. And.. if you want to just show off for company, you can just manually turn it on by selecting the spillway function.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[setsailsoon]

Spillway improves Karma with my wife. I see it as acid demand. But it's worth it since she likes it so much. Now can run it all day long and when the solar heat's not called for it only runs at a fraction of the flow... so far she hasn't complained and I'm doing way less off-gasing to raise pH.

Jim, you never told me a VS pump is win-win for spouse. I might have been able to convince her on the 3 hp!

Chris

 

[jwcod]

John,

The good thing about the spillway mode with a VS pump is that you can adjust the amount of spillover with pump speed. And.. if you want to just show off for company, you can just manually turn it on by selecting the spillway function.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Jim,
Another basic question -- what's the difference between auxiliary and feature circuits on the ET 4? Not sure I really understand how they are used.
Thanks, John

 

[jwcod]

Jim,
Regarding my previous message, I forgot to mention that my ET 4 buttons are labeled as follows:
P - normal pool mode
Spa
Spa light
Pool light
Aux 3 (not sure what this is, if anything.
There's also an Aux Extra circuit in the Intelliflo menu set at 2400 rpm and the remaining circuits are set at 1000 rpm, but I don't know what any of these are for.
John

 

[Jimrahbe]

John,

An Aux Circuit has a relay and is normally used to control an external device like a blower or pump.. The Aux Circuits also have buttons next to the LCD.. If you don't care about wasting a relay, then you can use an Aux Circuit in place of a feature circuit..

Feature circuits work just like Aux Circuits, but they have no relays, so you must use them for internal control.. Things like valve movements, pump speeds, etc. Feature Circuits do not have buttons, but you can turn them on and off via the main Menu.

Edit.. Do you not see any Feature Circuits??

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jwcod]

John,

An Aux Circuit has a relay and is normally used to control an external device like a blower or pump.. The Aux Circuits also have buttons next to the LCD.. If you don't care about wasting a relay, then you can use an Aux Circuit in place of a feature circuit..

Feature circuits work just like Aux Circuits, but they have no relays, so you must use them for internal control.. Things like valve movements, pump speeds, etc. Feature Circuits do not have buttons, but you can turn them on and off via the main Menu.

Edit.. Do you not see any Feature Circuits??

Thanks,

Jim R.

Where do I find the Feature circuits? My ignorance is really showing.

 

[mknauss]

You find the Feature Circuits within the Menu. Without ScreenLogic (which I do not have either) it is a chore to understand the programming. Brings you back to the 90's and PLC logic.

Do you have your owners manuals? If not download them. They are a guide, though even with them you must get out there and dive in to figure it out.

 

[jwcod]

Thanks, I certainly feel challenged. I do have the manuals.

 

[Jimrahbe]

John,

Pentair is a foreign language.. , so don't feel bad...

In my list of things to do (Post #18) where are you? I assume Here...

To add a Circuit... Enter MENU, you may have to hit menu twice to start... Use the up/down buttons and scroll to SETTINGS and Select, then scroll to CIRCUIT NAMES and Select.. Then scroll until you find Feature Circuit #8.. (You can use any unused feature circuit I just picked #8).. Select #8. Scroll until the [ name ] becomes [ Spillway ] . Hit Menu to save.

When you select Circuit names, you should see a display that looks something like this..

Circuit Names
Circuit # 1/18
Circuit: Spa
[Spa ]


You can have 18 circuits.. 1/18 thru 18/18... When you use the up/dn (scroll) buttons the display will go to 2/18, 3/18 etc... When you find one that says Feature Circuit select it and then you can scroll until the name in the brackets changes to [ Spillway ]

Tell me if you are able to get that far..

Once you get the name changed to Spillway, stop and let me know, as I left out a step after this ... oops... ?

Jim R.

 

[setsailsoon]

Thanks, I certainly feel challenged. I do have the manuals.

John,

Don't feel bad. You're asking some of the same questions I did earlier this year when Jim talked me through setup of my new Pentair automation. Jim is a great teacher on Pentair speak. Once you learn a few basic things Jim is helping you with you'll be off to the races. And you'll begin to discover how powerful their automation can be. It's really fantastic! The only serious weakness I found was the documentation. But Jim and a couple other's here are experts on Pentair automation. They more than make up for this shortcoming.

Chris

 

[jwcod]

John,

Pentair is a foreign language.. , so don't feel bad...

In my list of things to do (Post #18) where are you? I assume Here...

To add a Circuit... Enter MENU, you may have to hit menu twice to start... Use the up/down buttons and scroll to SETTINGS and Select, then scroll to CIRCUIT NAMES and Select.. Then scroll until you find Feature Circuit #8.. (You can use any unused feature circuit I just picked #8).. Select #8. Scroll until the [ name ] becomes [ Spillway ] . Hit Menu to save.

When you select Circuit names, you should see a display that looks something like this..

Circuit Names
Circuit # 1/18
Circuit: Spa
[Spa ]


You can have 18 circuits.. 1/18 thru 18/18... When you use the up/dn (scroll) buttons the display will go to 2/18, 3/18 etc... When you find one that says Feature Circuit select it and then you can scroll until the name in the brackets changes to [ Spillway ]

Tell me if you are able to get that far..

Once you get the name changed to Spillway, stop and let me know, as I left out a step after this ... oops... ?

Jim R.

I hadn't done this as I hadn't changed the return diverter valve to rotate 180 degrees. I assume it's ok to go as far as naming the circuit and not actually scheduling it until I change the return valve.
John

 

[Jimrahbe]

John,

Sorry, I misunderstood your post #31...

Push the Menu button once to wake up the display and then once again you will see a list.. At the top of the list will be "F. Circuits" If you then push Select you will see a list of all your Feature circuits and selecting any of them will turn the circuit on and off.. Once you look at it, it will make sense.

As long as you do not schedule anything it will not matter if you set up the spillway or not..

Keep in mind that I do this for fun, so it will not hurt my feelings one bit if you decide you don't want to set up a spillway circuit. I just don't want to push you into doing something that you really don't want to do.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jwcod]

John,

Sorry, I misunderstood your post #31...

Push the Menu button once to wake up the display and then once again you will see a list.. At the top of the list will be "F. Circuits" If you then push Select you will see a list of all your Feature circuits and selecting any of them will turn the circuit on and off.. Once you look at it, it will make sense.

As long as you do not schedule anything it will not matter if you set up the spillway or not..

Keep in mind that I do this for fun, so it will not hurt my feelings one bit if you decide you don't want to set up a spillway circuit. I just don't want to push you into doing something that you really don't want to do.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jwcod]

Jim,
I don't feel that way at all. To the contrary, I very much appreciate your advice as my main objective is to learn how to take proper care of this pool. Thanks to you, I believe I now know how to program the ET 4 to set up a circuit and schedule for the spillway should I decided to not have it run continuously during the pool mode as it now does. None of my feature circuits or Aux 3 are programmed for anything. I understand that feature functions cannot be controlled by a button; however, is there any other difference between what a feature and auxiliary circuit does? I know you said that feature circuits are used for internal controls and have no relays, but I am not sure what that means in practice.

Thanks again for taking the time to help me and be assured that I do not feel pressured in any way by your comments.

Thanks, John

 

[Jimrahbe]

I know you said that feature circuits are used for internal controls and have no relays, but I am not sure what that means in practice.

John,

Try this.. Your ET 4 only has 4 relays and one of them is restricted to being the Pump/Filter relay. That leaves you with only three relays to control things, like your lights or anything else that needs 120 or 240 volts to run. The relays are what allows you to turn the lights on and off.. A lot of things do not need relays, so Pentair was kind enough to also provide you with 8 Features Circuits.. The actions of a feature circuit are all contained inside the main circuit board in the EasyTouch. As an example.. If you want the speed on your VS pump to change, no high voltage relay is needed.. The ET just tells the pump to run at the new speed when you select a specific Feature Circuit. The same thing happens when you want to change a valve position.. Valves use 24 VAC that is provided by the main circuit card.. So you can program the ET to turn a valve when a specific Feature Circuit is turned on.

Another example.. I have a waterfall wall. In order for the waterfall to come on two things have to happen... a valve must turn to allow the water to flow to the waterfall and the pump must increase speed to 2800 RPM so that water does not just dribble out.. I have Feature Circuit named "Waterfall".. I have programmed the system so that when the Waterfall Circuit is turned on two things happen.. The valve turns and the pump speeds up.. All without using any of the high voltage relays in the bottom of the EasyTouch.

Thanks,

Jim R.