AquaLink RS, Pool Service Can't Figure it Out

[paddy0furniture]

The K-1766 is a good choice.

Got the K-1766, thanks, @JamesW. It's at 6000ppm. It looks like the pool was being filled with conditioned water for quite a while.

I'm guessing I need to partially drain it down to an acceptable level since the salt won't evaporate with the water. Is the equipment, plaster, or tile at risk with the level being as high as it is? How quickly should I plan on doing the draining?

I also got the K-2006C kit, but since I'm looking at doing a partial drain/fill I don't think testing levels quite yet is the right move, should probably do it after salinity is good, then worry about chlorine, and whatever else I discover I need to add.

Does this approach sound good?

 

[JamesW]

It's at 6000ppm.

I would dilute the salinity by 1,000 ppm and then recheck everything.

Is the equipment, plaster, or tile at risk with the level being as high as it is?

What is the current CSI?

How quickly should I plan on doing the draining?

I would begin to work it down by at least 1,000 ppm.

I also got the K-2006C kit, but since I'm looking at doing a partial drain/fill I don't think testing levels quite yet is the right move, should probably do it after salinity is good, then worry about chlorine, and whatever else I discover I need to add.

Does this approach sound good?

I would do a full set of tests on the current water and the fill water.

 

[paddy0furniture]

What is the current CSI?

CSI is currently 0.64.

I would do a full set of tests on the current water and the fill water.

Pool:
pH: Higher than 8
Alkalinity: 100
CH: 1250ppm (wow)
CYA: 51
Free chlorine: 5ppm
0 combined chlorine

Fill:
pH: 7.9-8
TA: 150ppm
CH: 175ppm
Salt: 400ppm
CYA: didn’t get cloudy, none?
Free chlorine: 1ppm
0 combined chlorine

 

[JamesW]

Ok, looks like dilution is the solution.

 

[paddy0furniture]

Ok, looks like dilution is the solution.

Ok. Why only do it 1,000ppm at a time?

 

[JamesW]

You can do more, but be careful not to overshoot the goal.

 

[JamesW]

Don't lower the water level too much without verifying the ground water level because a pool can pop out of the ground if the ground water is high when the pool is drained.

 

[paddy0furniture]

You can do more, but be careful not to overshoot the goal.

Based on the photos of my equipment I posted prior, can you see a way I can drain the pool directly to my drainage system? I see "Spa Drain", but no pool drain. There is a drain at the bottom of the pool, and the filter has a drain valve, but it would drain basically right onto my grass, and likely kill it with the high salinity.

 

[JamesW]

I would connect a garden hose to this spigot and begin draining and also begin filling at the same time and at the same rate.

 

[paddy0furniture]

So I didn't see your text above this pic, and I've been draining it without filling it for the last 5-6 days. it's nearly 1/2 way there, however the pump sounds like it's working, but it isn't pulling water anymore, and Spa Fill doesn't fill either. I hear gurgling, but that's it. Did I burn my pump out? I completely drained the spa as well.

 

[JamesW]

Probably just sucking in air from the skimmers.

Refill and see what happens.

Turn the pump off until the pool is full.

Once the pool is full, see if the pump works and check under the pump for any sign of a seal leak.

 

[paddy0furniture]

Salt level is at 3300ppm, appreciate the assist in getting that right, @JamesW.

Next issue. I bought a in-ground automatic cleaner, the Zodiac Baracuda G3. I assumed getting the port for pool cleaner going would be simple (the port about one foot below the surface in the deep end that is threaded) , but I cannot find anything that controls it in the AquaLink R4 remote. I found "In-Floor Cleaner", but switching it on doesn't produce suction at that port, and doesn't visibly do anything to the leaves near the two drains at the deep end, so I am at a loss of what to try next to get this going.

Any ideas?

 

[PoolGate]

Post a picture of your valves on your pad and note which one goes to that port. I could be a manual valve turn for you or your builder could have assigned a JVA to it and a button in your Aqualink. It is not the in-floor cleaner button that is another product.

 

[paddy0furniture]

Post a picture of your valves on your pad and note which one goes to that port. I could be a manual valve turn for you or your builder could have assigned a JVA to it and a button in your Aqualink. It is not the in-floor cleaner button that is another product.

It drives me crazy not knowing what the valves do. Nothing is labeled, so I can't help explain it.

 

[PoolGate]

You have 1 automated valve going back to your pool (top one in your pic). What button on your Aqualink controls that? That could be the valve between your normal returns and a pressure vacuum port. You also have an automated suction valve coming from your pool (bottom one in your pic). That could be a suction vacuum port. There should also be a button to activate it in your Aqualink. What options do you have?

Just looked at the specs on your Zodiac Baracuda G3 - it is a suction side cleaner. So that lower valve is what would activate the port. You can check the Aqualink setup and see where that is assigned to if you don't have any obvious buttons for it.

 

[PoolGate]

This is the assignment screen.......

 

[paddy0furniture]

You have 1 automated valve going back to your pool (top one in your pic). What button on your Aqualink controls that? That could be the valve between your normal returns and a pressure vacuum port. You also have an automated suction valve coming from your pool (bottom one in your pic). That could be a suction vacuum port. There should also be a button to activate it in your Aqualink. What options do you have?

I have a button that turns on "Cleaner" (see pic), it's the one labeled "Solar" on the left (I have no solar system.) This button doesn't turn on the vacuum port, and as far as I can tell by watching/listening at the pad just ups the RPM of the pump.

The bottom manual valve is the vacuum port! Awesome, thank you. The cleaner/solar button does not turn this on/off, and doesn't turn on/off the skimmer. Just seems to be RPM.

 

[PoolGate]

The bottom automatic (not manual) valve is most likely the cleaner valve. There is a toggle switch on the bottom of that automated valve. Center is neutral. Right/left turns the valve one way or the other. Toggle it and see what happens. Sometimes when they winterize the system they leave it in the center neutral position which prevents it from working when you activate it from the panel.

I went over this whole post again to refresh my memory. Did you ever get the WiFi antenna? That would solve a LOT of problems.

 

[paddy0furniture]

I never did get the WiFi antenna, I've been able to do everything I've needed so far without it. Obviously it would be great to have now, I'll have to give it another look.

I was able to turn the manual valve to make it so both the skimmer & auto vac are working perfect, but I'll try the button on the auto valve and report back, I had no idea how to trigger it before.

 

[PoolGate]

I never did get the WiFi antenna, I've been able to do everything I've needed so far without it. Obviously it would be great to have now, I'll have to give it another look.

I was able to turn the manual valve to make it so both the skimmer & auto vac are working perfect, but I'll try the button on the auto valve and report back, I had no idea how to trigger it before.

Do you mean that manual valve in the bottom of the picture to the right of the automated valve? If so, then I wonder what the pipe on the left is for. I would bet your bottom/floor drain.