Timer recommendation

[PoolStored]

Sorry, I was out wake surfing.

It was my understanding that the timer would only be to start/stop the swcg and not the pump?

You can get a timer, like an intermec or other mechanical timer and hook the pump and the SWCG up to the same timer. Both would start and stop both.

I've read a couple of threads and honestly still no better off with understanding this. I guess I thought the timer's safety purpose was that it would still shut down the swcg in the event the flow switch failed open

Closed.

and the pump had shut off.

YEP.

But even that doesn't make sense to me because if that scenario were to happen 1 hr into a 6 hr run time then you'd still have 5 hrs of the problem???

Yes, if you were on a timer and the pump failed, it would not stop the SWCG.

This is where I am still confused. Your relay did make more sense to me than the timer.

That is why I went to the relay.
Pros:
Allows you to use the VSP scheduler to run your pump times, durations and speeds.
Pump not pumping (drawing current), SWCG will be off.
No need to start and stop the pump, which causes the most wear.
You can set the current switch to turn on 100-200 ABOVE the flow rate needed for the SWCG to work. If pump doesn't "fail" but doesn't pump enough, still protects the cell.

Hope that helps!!!

 

[rcs29]

Sorry, I was out wake surfing.

You can get a timer, like an intermec or other mechanical timer and hook the pump and the SWCG up to the same timer. Both would start and stop both.

Closed.

YEP.

Yes, if you were on a timer and the pump failed, it would not stop the SWCG.

That is why I went to the relay.
Pros:
Allows you to use the VSP scheduler to run your pump times, durations and speeds.
Pump not pumping (drawing current), SWCG will be off.
No need to start and stop the pump, which causes the most wear.
You can set the current switch to turn on 100-200 ABOVE the flow rate needed for the SWCG to work. If pump doesn't "fail" but doesn't pump enough, still protects the cell.

Hope that helps!!!

Sure does. I am likely going to just do the relay. Now though the other thing bothering me and maybe I didn't explain it well enough. Let's say you have your pump programmed to turn on @ 6, you turn it on by pushing start @ 4, you turn it off by pushing start @ 5, @ 6 it should turn on for it's regular programmed run correct? Well mine does not. Now if I then go and turn back on by pushing start at 7 it will then shut off when it was programmed to shut off. Is there something I'm missing program wise or is this just normal?

 

[PoolStored]

Is there something I'm missing program wise or is this just normal?

That is why I asked you for the below earlier. Knowing how it is programmed will help me help you...

Maybe I wasn't clear. I was asking you to go do this with your pump, write it down and bring back the setup here. Knowing that will help me answer your question...

Go to your pump, turn it off.
Press the 1 button, it will show speed 1, press 1 again, it will show start time, press 1 again it will show duration.
Press the 2 button, it will show speed 2, press 2 again, it will show duration
Press the 3 button and do same as 2.
Press start/stop to start pump again.

Bring back what it tells you as the setup.

 

[rcs29]

That is why I asked you for the below earlier. Knowing how it is programmed will help me help you...

Maybe I wasn't clear. I was asking you to go do this with your pump, write it down and bring back the setup here. Knowing that will help me answer your question...

Go to your pump, turn it off.
Press the 1 button, it will show speed 1, press 1 again, it will show start time, press 1 again it will show duration.
Press the 2 button, it will show speed 2, press 2 again, it will show duration
Press the 3 button and do same as 2.
Press start/stop to start pump again.

Bring back what it tells you as the setup.

Oh it's simple sorry yeah I didn't realize that's what you wanted. I just changed it again tonight:

1) 2300, 10pm, 24 hrs.
2) 1800 and obviously won't allow any adjustment for time.
3) 2900 and same for time.

Before that I had:

1) 2300 10pm, 12 hrs.
2) 1800 0, 0
3) 2900 0, 0

I've programmed all 3 to run different speeds and cover 24 hrs before at one point, 2 of them at one point but now I just run 1. No matter the programming the same thing has always happened.

Thanks for sticking with me here lol

 

[PoolStored]

Got it. Ok, I get you want to have it start a program at a particular time. Ignore that for now. When you want it to start at 8pm, when pump start has been pressed, what do you want it to do. Run 10 hours at 2300? I think I know the solution, but I need to know what you want it to do.

Try this for your schedule if you want 10 hours at 2300.
p1 10pm, 2300, 2 hours
p2 2300, 6 hours
p3 2300 2 hours

I believe that this will have the behaviour you are expecting. When the schedule is filled, the pump enters a stationary/paused state after the 10 hours and will restart at 10pm again.

If that does not fix it, then the pump behaviour sucks, and I can't help.

One thing that is confusing. When this issue happens, say you press start at 7pm, does it prime and then stop? And not restart at 10pm as you expect?

 

[rcs29]

Have not had that happen. I'll give your filling the schedule solution a shot. Never considered that. Thanks

 

[PoolStored]

Having said all that, I would program the pump to run 24/7 with 2-4 hours at your 2300. I have a 20x40 with two skimmers, I run 24/7 at 1400 and it skims just fine. Every pool is different.

program 1 10pm (or whatever time you want to skim), 4 hours, 2300
program 2 10 hours, 1400
program 3 10 hours, 1400

This will give you consistent flow through SWCG, constant chlorine, allowing you to maintain a lower FC (rather than the swings running higher for shorter period). Will also reduce your $$ on pump electricity.