Startup plaster and chemicals

[Poolparty2022]

It matters with your steps, and how much both you and the PB want to amend the plans.

To accommodate the extra step (or 2) they would need to push back the sun shelf accordingly and that may need new/amended permits depending on how far along it is in the process if they have to change the footprint.

Or they would have to put the extra steps on the inside of the pool which would be toe stubbers when moving down that side.

The PB might just be saying they don’t do it because they know what headaches and delays they will get from both the town and the customer at this point. It’s easier to say they don’t, then to say they can but it will suck for both of you.

That makes sense, thanks!

I have a question about the gas line... My home gas meter has a 1” line from the street, so I’m wondering if any line off that needs to be equal or smaller when running to the pad heater. At the moment, the plumber has 1 1/4” in the estimate to run from meter to heater.

 

[Poolparty2022]

Pool digging has commenced after a phone call late last night wanting to start digging this morning. First day required over digging to hit virgin soil. Intent was to finish in 1 day but they are now saying 2. $$ added to accommodate “Fill,” overdig, and more material.

 

[Poolparty2022]

Rebar finished! Seems odd the Baja shelf next to the spa was not framed, but rather made into a slope.. anyone have experience knowing if the the Baja shelf should be framed?

 

[Poolparty2022]

update: excavation and rebar complete. Plumbing has been stubbed out but equipment and plumbing lines not yet complete. No equipment has been put on site yet. The PB (US wide) indicated he is planning to move on to concrete prior to finishing these steps. Is this common?

 

[Poolparty2022]

5 mths since signed contract.. gunite finished!

 

[Poolparty2022]

Looking for advice… large PB has 80% payment already and now says aquapure (added as addendum a few mths back) is back ordered and won’t be available until Nov. I checked their website and PLC1400 replacement is showing in stock. Is this the same component needed? Prior to shooting the gunite, they skipped full plumbing and equipment install even though it was on the schedule prior to gunite. I asked for impacts to the build/schedule if remaining with aquapure and received this response:

It would impact the plumbing and electrical installs. We could potentially install retroactively, but it might become haphazard. We could probably do it, but it might throw us off some and it could make the construction process a bit more choppy and not as aoomth as it could be. I am a bit concerned about the pre deck pressure text inspection required and how this would impact that.

I’m not sure what to think or if this is the last material hurdle (unlikely right?); We want the pool rdy for next summer.

 

[PieterS]

I'm no expert here - but plenty of folks add SWCG systems years after the fact. It's a fairly simple install. All they would have to do is make sure there's enough straight pipe in the plumbing to plop it in when it does become available. You could just manage your pool with liquid chlorine until the SWCG is installed. I believe there's even 'blanks' they can install so it's dirt simple to just remove the blank, plop in the SWCG. Not sure on electrical/automation, but if your equipment pad isn't finished/plumbed yet, should be just as simple to just accommodate for future SWCG.

 

[JimMarshall]

Looking for advice… large PB has 80% payment already and now says aquapure (added as addendum a few mths back) is back ordered and won’t be available until Nov. I checked their website and PLC1400 replacement is showing in stock. Is this the same component needed? Prior to shooting the gunite, they skipped full plumbing and equipment install even though it was on the schedule prior to gunite. I asked for impacts to the build/schedule if remaining with aquapure and received this response:


I’m not sure what to think or if this is the last material hurdle (unlikely right?); We want the pool rdy for next summer.

Wait out the aquapure. All that they plumbers need to know is that you have a SWG coming so they can accomodate that in the plumbing layout. Once it's available it's a quic fix to cut one pipe and install it.

 

[Poolparty2022]

Wait out the aquapure. All that they plumbers need to know is that you have a SWG coming so they can accomodate that in the plumbing layout. Once it's available it's a quic fix to cut one pipe and install it.

Waited out the aquapure and the 1400 was installed today, along with most of the plumbing. Still have electrical, gas line, decking, spa stone, coping, fence, landscaping, and plaster remaining, even after being 7 months into the project.

I see the aqualink 2.0, iq20 and pda is in my contract and was wondering if I should push for 3.0 and the pda removal.

 

[TampaKathy]

That is so frustrating. They could have gotten other stuff done while waiting for the aquapure.

 

[Poolparty2022]

I am kicking myself for not understanding the automation model well enough (probably still don't). I have reviewed this Jandy sheet for comparison. Electrical sub said we didn't have automation and I started digging... the Jandy PDA-PS8 is in the contract with the iaqualink IQ-30. He didn't have the IQ component ready so electrical install will be delayed a bit.

I also do not see a power center in the contract, even though the Jandy sheet says one is required.

How important are the differences between the RS and PDA automation? Is there a rough dollar amount you would expect for going from PDA-PS8 to RS-PS8? Is it worth the difference in functionality?

 

[ajw22]

How important are the differences between the RS and PDA automation? Is there a rough dollar amount you would expect for going from PDA-PS8 to RS-PS8? Is it worth the difference in functionality?

@PoolGate can explain the differences between the RS and PDA. I think you want an RS system and not the PDA.

 

[PoolGate]

What is actually in your contract? The PDA system or the RS system? There is a world of difference. Namely, the RS system is internet accessible meaning you can access it from anywhere in the world from a web browser. Tech support can also take full control of your system if needed for troubleshooting or programming. It also allows Alexa control if you want (Alexa, turn on waterfall/light/heater, etc). In addition, with an RS system you program from a web browser interface. With a PDA system, you program from the PDA, which is super clunky (you will hate life). For sure you need to push very hard for the RS system. That said, it is very easy to upgrade the PDA system to the RS. All it takes is a daughter board (PCB) swap which is about a 10 minute job (I did this myself on my system which started out as a PDA as well). You can keep or sell (or turn in for builder credit) the actual PDA and the PDA antenna (worth $500-$1000 on eBay). Either version of Aqualink should include the powercenter as that is where the system itself is located. The only thing of note here is that you said you didn't get Aqualink but you did get the AquaPure already. Getting them together, the AquaPure powersupply/control box would be integrated in the Aqualink powercenter box. Getting them separately you may end up with 2 boxes. 6 of one really but not as clean an install. Upgrading from the PDA to RS is around $1k. Depends if you have the IQ20/30 antenna already. A little under $1k if you have the antenna, a little over $1k if you don't.

FYI: Many builders do not know the difference between the IQ20a and the IQ20-RS upgrades. IQ20a is just the WiFi antenna. This does virtually nothing for you. You still have a PDA based system but now with the ability to turn things on/off with your phone. Big deal. The IQ20-RS is the full PDA based to RS based conversion which switches roles and gives you Internet access (and makes the web interface is your primary interface). Quite frankly, the PDA based systems are totally obsolete and Jandy should discontinue them.

You need to sit down with your builder and talk this out and get some firm commitments to what he is going to supply and how it will be installed.

 

[Poolparty2022]

What is actually in your contract? The PDA system or the RS system? There is a world of difference. Namely, the RS system is internet accessible meaning you can access it from anywhere in the world from a web browser. Tech support can also take full control of your system if needed for troubleshooting or programming. It also allows Alexa control if you want (Alexa, turn on waterfall/light/heater, etc). In addition, with an RS system you program from a web browser interface. With a PDA system, you program from the PDA, which is super clunky (you will hate life). For sure you need to push very hard for the RS system. That said, it is very easy to upgrade the PDA system to the RS. All it takes is a daughter board (PCB) swap which is about a 10 minute job (I did this myself on my system which started out as a PDA as well). You can keep or sell (or turn in for builder credit) the actual PDA and the PDA antenna (worth $500-$1000 on eBay). Either version of Aqualink should include the powercenter as that is where the system itself is located. The only thing of note here is that you said you didn't get Aqualink but you did get the AquaPure already. Getting them together, the AquaPure powersupply/control box would be integrated in the Aqualink powercenter box. Getting them separately you may end up with 2 boxes. 6 of one really but not as clean an install. Upgrading from the PDA to RS is around $1k. Depends if you have the IQ20/30 antenna already. A little under $1k if you have the antenna, a little over $1k if you don't.

FYI: Many builders do not know the difference between the IQ20a and the IQ20-RS upgrades. IQ20a is just the WiFi antenna. This does virtually nothing for you. You still have a PDA based system but now with the ability to turn things on/off with your phone. Big deal. The IQ20-RS is the full PDA based to RS based conversion which switches roles and gives you Internet access (and makes the web interface is your primary interface). Quite frankly, the PDA based systems are totally obsolete and Jandy should discontinue them.

You need to sit down with your builder and talk this out and get some firm commitments to what he is going to supply and how it will be installed

This is very insightful, so thank your very much! It confirms my 90s tech suspicion. It was an oversight on my part in the early stages of the contract. Here is what’s stated on the drawing.
“Automation: PDA-PS8 (8 function/7aux)
Auto misc: iaqualink 2.0 & IQ20RS web connect kit”

The contract simply states: “Jandy 8 function PDA w iAqualink”

The aquapure was installed during plumbing but a power center was not. There is not a power center mentioned in the contract or a predefined field on the drawing for one to be recorded. PB has mentioned moving to IQ-30.

 

[PoolGate]

This is very insightful, so thank your very much! It confirms my 90s tech suspicion. It was an oversight on my part in the early stages of the contract. Here is what’s stated on the drawing.
“Automation: PDA-PS8 (8 function/7aux)
Auto misc: iaqualink 2.0 & IQ20RS web connect kit”

The contract simply states: “Jandy 8 function PDA w iAqualink”

The aquapure was installed during plumbing but a power center was not. There is not a power center mentioned in the contract or a predefined field on the drawing for one to be recorded. PB has mentioned moving to IQ-30.

It looks like you paid for the Aqualink PDA with the IQ20/30 WiFi antenna add-on. This means you just need the RS PCB board.

Getting the "Jandy 8 function PDA w iAqualink" system really implies an included power center as it is part of the system. The AquaPure as a stand-alone product includes its own power cabinet (which looks very similar to the PDA cabinet just a bit smaller). There might be a way to get the system without a power center but I really cannot imagine any builder not including that part. All it is is a load center that is inside Aqualink metal box. He is moving to the IQ30 because he probably can't get the IQ20 anymore.

You are saying he has not delivered the Aqualink PDA system yet?

Can you post pics of the equipment pad showing what is already installed?

Here is my old PDA board. This is what is replaced with the RS board to change your system. I did the swap myself.

 

[ajw22]

Auto misc: iaqualink 2.0 & IQ20RS web connect kit”

IQ20RS web connect kit would imply that is the IQ20 with the iAqualink RS upgrade board.

That sounds like a roudabout, and maybe more expensive way, of getting you the Aqualink RS8 system with the iAqualink 2.0 or preferably 3.0 antenna. And the Aqualink cabinet should contain the Aquapure SWG power center.

You really need to confirm with your PB that he understands the Aqualink configuration and what exactly you will end up with at what price.

 

[PoolGate]

IQ20RS web connect kit would imply that is the IQ20 with the iAqualink RS upgrade board.

That sounds like a roudabout, and maybe more expensive way, of getting you the Aqualink RS8 system with the iAqualink 2.0 or preferably 3.0 antenna. And the Aqualink cabinet should contain the Aquapure SWG power center.

You really need to confirm with your PB that he understands the Aqualink configuration and what exactly you will end up with at what price.

I took that to be the worksheet he was talking about that did not make it into the contract.

 

[ajw22]

I took that to be the worksheet he was talking about that did not make it into the contract.

Could be. That's why he needs to confirm with the PB what the ending configuration of his Aqualink/Aquapure system is intended to be.

 

[Poolparty2022]

I took that to be the worksheet he was talking about that did not make it into the contract.

The drawing is the design spec/included with permit (contractually binding as well), while the “Jandy 8 function PDA w iAqualink” was in the signed contract word document --- sorry for the confusion!

I just had a phone conversation with PB and mentioned I am interested in the rs-ps8 and IQ-30A functionality...no power center/system has been installed yet. The electrician (a sub to the PB) told me I wasn't getting automation yesterday.. that led me down this path.

Attached is a pic of the pad; I do not see a power center hooked up to the aqua pure, but I will assume that is part of the electrical install and ask.

 

[Poolparty2022]

It looks like you paid for the Aqualink PDA with the IQ20/30 WiFi antenna add-on. This means you just need the RS PCB board.

Getting the "Jandy 8 function PDA w iAqualink" system really implies an included power center as it is part of the system. The AquaPure as a stand-alone product includes its own power cabinet (which looks very similar to the PDA cabinet just a bit smaller). There might be a way to get the system without a power center but I really cannot imagine any builder not including that part. All it is is a load center that is inside Aqualink metal box. He is moving to the IQ30 because he probably can't get the IQ20 anymore.

You are saying he has not delivered the Aqualink PDA system yet?

Can you post pics of the equipment pad showing what is already installed?

Here is my old PDA board. This is what is replaced with the RS board to change your system. I did the swap myself.

PB/electrician has not delivered PDA yet. I can be hands on, so worst case scenario, this is reassuring and gives me a path forward.. Does the upgrade kit give all the same functionality of the RS-PS8 (e.g. setting schedules and connecting to home automation)?