Equipment for Salt Water Pool with Automatic Pool Cover

[Robertd38655]

Hey Folks, I just finished a pool decking, stonescapes interior, and automatic pool cover project, but my local pool builder is ZERO help on equipment (He does not speak english very well and pretty much just asked if I want all new stuff or not and which brand, without telling me why I need anything).

Pictures of my current equipment and pool (not showing the automatic cover yet since it wasn't installed yet when I took the pictures) are at the link below. The equipment wasn't all connected when I took these pictures, so that's why the one pipe isn't even connected to the pump.

The pool is about 15x30 ft salt with an automatic cover that will cover the pool all the time we are not using it, so it will stay very clean. I currently have a 1 HP Pentair Whisperflow pump and a Hayward Aqua Rite salt system. The salt water cell is barely used since it broke and was replaced just before the pool project. WIth the automatic cover, maybe all I really need is some sort of timer, or maybe I need a variable speed pump, smart features, and everything else. Right now, I have everything needed for LED lights but no LED lighting/system yet. The pool heater is broken and multiple attempts to repair it were just throwing money away.

So my definite needs are a new pool heater and LED Lights. After that, I'm not really sure. I like the idea of automation, but it's a fairly simple pool, so maybe that's a waste of money or maybe I should get Easy Touch or Intellicenter or something. I don't think I need this whisperflow pump running all day every day though.

Any advice would be much appreciated. What would you do?

5 new items by Robert Dunlap

photos.app.goo.gl

Thanks,

Robert

 

[Robertd38655]

also the pool is only about 5.5 to 6 ft deep at the deepest point.

 

[1poolman1]

With the exception of installing a V-Green 165 to your pump, I wouldn't replace anything else unless its broken, like the heater. The motor will allow you to have long filter runs, which will allow an SWG to continue to produce chlorine, but without having to spend more than is necessary for energy. It can be used with your existing timeclock. Depending on the age of the system, you may need to add a bag of sand to the filter.

When VSPs first came out, the recommendation from manufacturers was to install them along with a large sand filter. You've already got half that combo and just need the motor to complete. ECM16SQU is the motor. While the only thing "good as new is new," adding a new motor, seal, O rings to your existing Whisperflo will give years of service.

If you don't have a spa, you don't really need automation unless you like to "play" with the system, which will get old after the newness wears off. As for the lights, there are many post on this forum about WiFi switches that are very much less expensive than full-blown automation. Be aware that if you decide on automation, most, if not all, won't communicate with the V-Green "out of the box."

This would be my recommendation to any customer of mine in your situation, and I sell equipment.

 

[Robertd38655]

Thanks a lot. Is there a certain light brand/solution you might recommend also? I'm fine with WiFi switches as a solution on automation there; I even use home assistant and can do some neat things with it if I wanted.

 

[Robertd38655]

and is there a particular heater you might would recommend potentially? It already is broken.

 

[1poolman1]

Thanks a lot. Is there a certain light brand/solution you might recommend also? I'm fine with WiFi switches as a solution on automation there; I even use home assistant and can do some neat things with it if I wanted.

Not sure what light niche/fitting you have now. Given the unreliability of color LED lighting, I generally recommend against them. They are fun for a while, but don't seem to last long enough to justify the cost.

If you have a "regular" pool light now, you could replace with the same, if needed, and get an LED bulb for it. If your existing light doesn't need replacing, try one of those. Less expensive way to get color and when it dies you can go back to white. That's what I did with mine.

 

[1poolman1]

and is there a particular heater you might would recommend potentially? It already is broken.

RayPak 406A (don't go smaller)(not the Avia) seems to have solved the issues they had that caused me to stop selling them. When they need repair the cost is less as they are simpler than other designs.
No experience with the RayPak Avia. It is similar to the Pentair/StaRite which are good. I have no experience with the new Jandy. Efficiency of all is so close as not to be an issue.

 

[Robertd38655]

Not sure what light niche/fitting you have now. Given the unreliability of color LED lighting, I generally recommend against them. They are fun for a while, but don't seem to last long enough to justify the cost.

If you have a "regular" pool light now, you could replace with the same, if needed, and get an LED bulb for it. If your existing light doesn't need replacing, try one of those. Less expensive way to get color and when it dies you can go back to white. That's what I did with mine.

Thanks. I have just 1.5 inch conduit right now. There are three spots for lights along 30ft of the 30x15 pool. I was thinking about the Pal Treo Max but worry at 7w if they might not be bright enough. Luckily it’s a small pool. I had one of the large lights at one end originally, but the pool builder took it out when we redid the interior.

 

[Robertd38655]

RayPak 406A (don't go smaller)(not the Avia) seems to have solved the issues they had that caused me to stop selling them. When they need repair the cost is less as they are simpler than other designs.
No experience with the RayPak Avia. It is similar to the Pentair/StaRite which are good. I have no experience with the new Jandy. Efficiency of all is so close as not to be an issue.

Thanks a lot!

 

[1poolman1]

Thanks. I have just 1.5 inch conduit right now. There are three spots for lights along 30ft of the 30x15 pool. I was thinking about the Pal Treo Max but worry at 7w if they might not be bright enough. Luckily it’s a small pool. I had one of the large lights at one end originally, but the pool builder took it out when we redid the interior.

LED light is very different from incandescent. I had a 500w standard light in my pool that I replaced the bulb with a 22w LED one. While not as bright, the light is so much "whiter" that it lit the entire length of my pool with a very nice glow.
While they are still newer LED fixtures that don't seem to last, I've seen Treo lights and they do a very nice job.