Help with Auto drain configuration

[kevin76]

I'm having autofill and autodrain as part of my pool build. The autofill housing has been installed already.

For the autodrain, they are recommending it be plumbed from the back of the skimmer by attaching a pvc pipe to the knock out hole. The knockout hole looks to be maybe 1.25 inches diameter.

The autofill housing also has a hole that could be plumbed for autodrain and is smaller, probably 0.75 inches in diameter. Any thoughts on the best option?
I'm wondering if the skimmer hole might be too big and not allow me to dial in the water level as much. TY

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Mine is a pool miser autofill and is plumbed through the can and it works very well at preventing any sloshing of the pool from draining it, as the connection/equalizer line is 18" or so under the waterline. I would be concerned about losing more water through the skimmer from general splashing around.

I also doubt we get as much rain as you guys. Mine has not overflowed through some heavy rains, but maybe some other Floridians can chime in on their experience. Maybe you need the larger line to prevent overflowing the pool?

--Jeff

 

[kevin76]

This is a pic of the autofill can. I believe the white plug opening can be used for autoleveling.

 

[kevin76]

Mine is a pool miser autofill and is plumbed through the can and it works very well at preventing any sloshing of the pool from draining it, as the connection/equalizer line is 18" or so under the waterline. I would be concerned about losing more water through the skimmer from general splashing around.

I also doubt we get as much rain as you guys. Mine has not overflowed through some heavy rains, but maybe some other Floridians can chime in on their experience. Maybe you need the larger line to prevent overflowing the pool?

--Jeff

When you say the line is 18" under the waterline, is it plumbed kinda like a P Trap or something to prevent water from flowing out?

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Mine is plumbed all from the bottom. The top hole in the above photo is the equalization line that goes to the pool. The bottom hole, or standpipe, is the overflow.

The outlet comes out on the wall of the pool, and just has a standard return fitting in it. See below photo, a little difficult to see on the wall there.



--Jeff

 

[TampaKathy]

Where is your autofill plumbed? Is this it?

 

[kevin76]

Where is your autofill plumbed? Is this it?
View attachment 384086

No they had to drill a hole afterwards. I assume it was missed in the plans since it was a late addition. Here I a pic of the new hole

 

[TampaKathy]

Yeah, I would ask why they don't want to use the hole in the bucket. I'm still waiting for mine to be installed.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

The hole in the bucket can only handle a small amount of over flow and it’s design is not for a heavy rain. The picture included shows the most capable over flow pipe and is installed at the top of the tile line and cut during Shotcrete but installed by the coping crew.

 

[kevin76]

The hole in the bucket can only handle a small amount of over flow and it’s design is not for a heavy rain. The picture included shows the most capable over flow pipe and is installed at the top of the tile line and cut during Shotcrete but installed by the coping crew.

Ok thx for the pic. I'm guessing they probably forgot to do that during gunite and are trying to go this route instead. We never really went into detail as to how they would accomplish autodraining. They did install a manual valve I can use to drain during heavy rains.

 

[kevin76]

I'm leaning towards going with the skimmer hole route verses the autofill can. That will at least ensure its in the right level. I realize this won't handle torrential downpours.

 

[AQUA~HOLICS]

Just don’t put too much confidence in that over flow pipe inside the auto fill.

 

[kevin76]

Just don’t put too much confidence in that over flow pipe inside the auto fill.

I think I'll go with what the PB recommends which is to plumb the overflow into the back of the skimmer. There is a knockout hole that could be used. I know it can only handle so much.