Pool Equipment Replacement/Plumbing

[rydergillen]

I am renovating my pool and have purchased all new equipment; I plan to relocate the the equipment in the process.
I have dug out and exposed all the old PVC piping so I can re-route it to the new equipment location (behind pool shed).

I still need to purchase the diverter values, etc.. to actually connect all the equipment together.

Here is a list of what I have purchased so far...

1. - 522353 PL4 EasyTouch Control System with ScreenLogic Bundle
   
   
2. - Pentair 188593 Quad D.E. Cartridge Style D.E. Pool Filter, 80 Square Foot, 160 GPM
   
   
3. - Pentair 011028 IntelliFlo VS Pool Pump, Almond

Here is what I think I need to purchase... but am somewhat confused as there are 'many' similar components

1. Multiport Valve (there are probably others I have missed... but which one is best/correct?)
   a) Pentair - 261055 Multiport Valve Kit 2" for Triton II Sand and Quad D.E. Filters
   b) Pentair - 261142 Hi-Flow 2" Multiport Valve Kit for FNS Plus/FNS/NSP D.E. Filters
   c) Pentair - 261152 Multiport Valve Kit 2" for FNS, FNS Plus Filters
   
   
2. Diverter Valve
   a) Pentair - 263026 Three-way Diverter Valve with 2" CPVC Pipe
   
   
3. Check Valve (I don't know if I need this)
   a) Pentair - 263042 Check Valve with 2" CPVC Pipe - Straight 2-1/2" Slip Outside

I also need to install a 2nd skimmer box

The existing skimmer box & main drain are connected on a single existing line (there is no diverter valve).
I would like to install a 2nd skimmer box on the opposite side of the pool, I plan to connect the pipes near the pool equipment (~ 10' from the pump).

My concern is there will be significant piping after the 'T junction' where it splits to go either side of the pool ( ~ 40').
I have read about dynamic head and have run a rough calculation and will be around 50-60' for most of the pipe runs.
However because the T junction I am somewhat confused on the calculation

- 10' from pool equipment to T junction]
- 40' left to existing skimmer box + main drain
- 40' right to new skimmer box

Is that 90' or 50' ? I am thrown off because of the split and am concerned there will not be enough suction to avoid running the pump on LOW speed (I've read running higher speeds reduces lifetime of pump)

 

[Jimrahbe]

Ryder,

I want to make sure you know what you are getting with the P"L"4.. The "L" stands for lite.. This system only allows you to have a very limited amount of functions. Only 4 schedules/programs, and I think only 1 or maybe 2 features circuits. It also has no load center for all your circuit breakers.

As long as you know what it can do, then it will work, but you need to decide exactly how you plan to run your pool to make sure it will do what you want.

With the IntelliFlo pump, you will be running most of time at very low RPM, so you really do not have to worry about "dynamic head"...

The pump is a great pump. I am not a fan of DE filters, but the Quad DE is a great filter.

Good job on getting ScreenLogic. Having an EasyTouch without ScreenLogic is like having a horse without a saddle.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[rydergillen]

Regarding the PL4 EasyTouch Control System... I was not aware that the L stood for lite.

I researched the systems before I bought, there were a lot of very similar bundles to choose from. Because Pentair only offers 60 Warranty if installed by a non-professional & purchased from a retailer (not online) which almost doubles the cost of the components; I elected to purchase on Amazon and buy extended service plan (very cheap) + bought using AMEX (adds 1yr of warranty). This in turn somewhat limited my buying options, I thought I purchased the correct one but could have goofed and missed the L in the model number.

Anyways I am stuck with what I have so I really need to find a way to make it work with what I bought...

As long as you know what it can do, then it will work, but you need to decide exactly how you plan to run your pool to make sure it will do what you want.

This is what I am planning, feel free to poke any holes or provide some recommendations

Summary of my layout / configuration

1. 3 Way Diverter Valve feeding into pump (incoming)
   a) Main Drain + Skimmer Box 1 + Skimmer Box 2
   b) Vacuum Port
   
   
2. Pump feeds into Multiport connected to D.E. Filter
   a) Incoming Water (unfiltered)
   b) Outgoing Water (filtered)
   c) Filter Bypass (unfiltered)
   d) Drain to Waste (unfiltered)
   
   
3. 3 Way Diverter Valve from Multiport connected to D.E. Filter
   a) Check Valve + Auto Sanitizer (I still need to purchase)
   b) Auto Sanitizer Bypass
   
   
4. 3 Way Diverter Valve from Auto Sanitizer/Bypass
   a) Return Line to pool (3 exit points back into pool)
   b) Waterfall

 

[Jimrahbe]

Ryder,

No sure where to start...

I can't think of any reason that anyone would bypass a filter or for that matter a chlorinator..

You want to be able to manually select between Skimmer 1 and Skimmer 2.. (I assume that your main drain is plumbed into the bottom of skimmer 1)

Diverter valves are manual.. Was your plan to have the valves moved by the EasyTouch???

Tell me what you want the automation to do or control???

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[rydergillen]

Yes my plan was to move the valves via the easy touch. Basically I would like the easy touch to control all the day-to-day stuff and then leave the drain to waste as a manual option. I am wary of 'over automating' everything (seems like more stuff that will break)... but don't want to be out maintaining the pool everyday. I am a DIY guy and don't want to spend $200/month on a pool guy... yet I know little about pools. I bought a home 2 yrs ago w/30yr old equipment (very basic setup... 2 Diverters, D.E. Filter, 1hp pump)... the equipment constantly failed (on a daily basis) and I got sick of spending 1-2hrs a day fixing stuff. So I dove in head first and decided it was time for a full on pool renovation + new equipment relocation

 

[Jimrahbe]

I got sick of spending 1-2hrs a day fixing stuff. So I dove in head first and decided it was time for a full on pool renovation + new equipment relocation

Ryder,

I did the same on two rent house pools and it was the best money I ever invested, pool wise..

An EasyTouch can only control two user programable valves.. It has 4 valve circuits, but two of them are restricted for the Intake and return valves that switch between the pool mode and the spa mode.. You cannot program them to do other things.

For an automated valve to work, it needs to have an actuator that is mounted to the top of the Jandy valve.. Like this... Pentair CVA-24L, 2-Port Valve Actuator, 90 Degree Rotation, 24v

This is just an example, there are other brands.

Why do you think you will need to by-pass the filter or the chlorinator?

If you have not already done so, when you install the pump use "Pump Unions".. They look like this... Amazon.com: 2 PACK -CMP Hi-Temp Union 2" inch 2MIP x 2" inch PVC Whisperflo & Intelliflo - 2 PACK: Garden & Outdoor

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[rydergillen]

An EasyTouch can only control two user programable valves.. It has 4 valve circuits, but two of them are restricted for the Intake and return valves that switch between the pool mode and the spa mode.. You cannot program them to do other things.

I looked up the specifications to Pentair #522353...

" The EasyTouch PL4 control system is a four-circuit system designed for a single body of water, while the EasyTouch PSL4 system is a four-circuit system designed to control a pool/spa combination "

The PL4 (P = Pool)... whereas the ones with Spa functionality is PSL4 (S = Spa).
So I am somewhat confused as it I don't understand how I have a dual use Pool/Spa model.
Reading the description it seems I can control 4 valve circuits with no mention of only 2 at a time... or am I reading that wrong?

Why do you think you will need to by-pass the filter or the chlorinator?

Without bypass maintenance would be difficult if a component went down. If something needed to be serviced and for some reason and I still needed to run equipment I could bypass it.

 

[setsailsoon]

Ry,

The point Jim's making is very important. True you do have capability to do simple control of a pool/spa and the price is great. When I was looking at automation 7 years ago I almost fell into this trap thinking I could always expand it in the future. Not so. There's no expansion capability. The other models that don't have the "L" do have expansion capability by simply adding a relay or just plugging a valve into an extra valve circuit. I quickly realized the "L" version wasn't for me. Good thing since I now control gas heater, solar heater, pool lights, swg, spa booster pump in addition to the basic stuff. And my wife wants to do landscape lighting plus water features now. I would not buy the "L" version unless you are very certain you don't want to ever add anything. If you do you will have to junk the system and restart. So instead of saving $1000 it costs you $1000. If there's any possibility you will expand I'd go with at least an 8 channel expandable system.

I hope this helps.

Chris

 

[Jimrahbe]

Ryder,

Page 12 of this manual... https://www.pentair.com/content/dam...ontrol-system-pl4-psl4-installation-guide.pdf

The manual says.. " Installing Valve Actuators The EasyTouch PL4/PSL4 Control Systems can control up to four automatic valve actuators. Two of the valve outputs are dedicated to the pool/spa intake (INTAKE) and return (RETURN) valves. Valve A or Valve B actuators are for general purpose use (solar, water-feature, in-floor cleaner, etc.). "

I try not to just make stuff up... Well, most of the time anyway..

Thanks,

Jim R.