I have a 1 1/2” line that runs 20’ to the outside of my deck as an overflow. I believe this comes from a port on the skimmer box. Is it possible to use this 1 1/2” pipe outside the deck to install an Autofill from a plumbed water supply line?
Auto Fill
- Thread starter divingkevin
- Start date
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,835
- Pool Size
- 12300
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- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Sort of. It wouldn't be a true auto-fill because for that you need some sort of float mechanism that can sense the level of the water in the pool. Or the outlet in the skimmer would have to be well below the waterline, but then that wouldn't be an overflow port. But you could use the pipe and port you describe to go "semi-auto." You could do it a couple of ways. You could plumb a sprinkler valve to the end of the pipe and run it with pool automation or an irrigation timer, to pump water for x minutes a day. You'd have to keep an eye on it until you figured out the schedule, and of course that would change with the seasons (hotter days = more water).
That would abandon your overflow system though. Alternately (and this is not a tried thing, just another hair-brained idea), if the pipe is a straight run to the skimmer, you could try running a 1/2" drip irrigation tube up the pipe, so it sticks out a bit into the skimmer, and connect the other end of the tube to the same valve and timer I mentioned above. This should maintain the overflow as an overflow, though it would reduce its capacity. In a 1-1/2" line, that should still be fine.
If the sprinkler valve you'd use is anti-siphon, and located well above the water line (elevation-wise), then we don't need to get into proper backflow prevention, as the anti-siphon component of the valve will serve that purpose well enough.
That would abandon your overflow system though. Alternately (and this is not a tried thing, just another hair-brained idea), if the pipe is a straight run to the skimmer, you could try running a 1/2" drip irrigation tube up the pipe, so it sticks out a bit into the skimmer, and connect the other end of the tube to the same valve and timer I mentioned above. This should maintain the overflow as an overflow, though it would reduce its capacity. In a 1-1/2" line, that should still be fine.
If the sprinkler valve you'd use is anti-siphon, and located well above the water line (elevation-wise), then we don't need to get into proper backflow prevention, as the anti-siphon component of the valve will serve that purpose well enough.
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If the line is straight out of the skimmer to outside the pool deck can I add the auto fill outside in the same manner as if it was next to the pool?
Stoopalini
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- Jun 8, 2020
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- 14060
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- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
No, because the 1.5" overflow line is located above the waterline.
An autofill needs to sense the level of the water, so it needs to be installed where pool water flows to it when the water is at normal levels.
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,835
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
My auto-filler is part of an auto-leveler system (fill and overflow), both contained in a small PVC well. It can be located up to 30' from the pool by connecting it to the pool via a PVC pipe, called an equalizer pipe. But the catch is: that equalizer needs to connect to the pool a few feet below the surface.
If your pipe is at or above the waterline you can only use the options I described above.
Alternately, there are systems that connect to the plumbing back at the pad that might work for you. Like this one from Pentair. I don't have any experience with these, so don't know how well they work. The principal seems sound. Read the owner manual for a description of how it works and where it installs. There's a link to it on this page:
www.pentair.com
If your pipe is at or above the waterline you can only use the options I described above.
Alternately, there are systems that connect to the plumbing back at the pad that might work for you. Like this one from Pentair. I don't have any experience with these, so don't know how well they work. The principal seems sound. Read the owner manual for a description of how it works and where it installs. There's a link to it on this page:
IntelliLevel™ Automatic Water Leveling System
The best water level for new construction with pool automation. With the IntelliLevel Water Leveling Monitor’s multi-sensing technology, your pool’s water level stays at just right amount, no more overflowing or wasting water.
The 1 1/2” line is off the bottom of the skimmer box and runs outside the pool deck then up and out of the ground with a 90 at the desired water level. I was thinking g of digging down and cutting the pipe to install the autofill housing. Would that work and if so what autofill do you recommend?
Stoopalini
Gold Supporter
- Jun 8, 2020
- 590
- Pool Size
- 14060
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
If I understand what you are describing, then yes, you can install an overflow/autofill device in that line. I have the Paramount Paralevel, and really like it. It can be setup to handle both overflow and autofill.
Can you post a pic, or diagram, of your setup?
- Nov 12, 2017
- 11,835
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Ah, well why didn't you say so!
You stumped some of us because some skimmers do have overflow ports, but they're located near the top. Your's is plumbed off a port usually used for something else, typically a main drain.
If you're sure you've got the right pipe and port combo, then you should be able to use that for an auto-leveler. I have a PoolMiser, that might work in your setup up. It will do both filling and overflow.
PoolMiser | The Original Pool & Spa Water Leveler
poolmiser.com
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