Pool equipment question. Intelliflo3 for spa? Superflo for pool?

[dandannoodles]

So after many delays we are finally plumbing up the pool! The plumber is lining up the equipment and I noticed we have an Intelliflo3 and a Superflo VST.

The plumber plans to use the Superflo for the main filtration and use the Intelliflo for the spa jets. I know the Intelliflo is the more powerful, full-featured model. Does it make sense to use it only as the spa pump?

We also originally had an EasyTouch system but I've asked my pool builder to swap it out for an IntelliCenter.

I'm also trying to figure out in my head how many actuators I need. Do I need an actuator on the suction between the spa and pool skimmer/drain? I have a pair of bubblers on the baja shelf and I guess I would also need one on the return coming out of the heater? I don't have a waterfall or anything but I have kind a of a spillover from the spa into the pool... So 3?

 

[HermanTX]

The plumber plans to use the Superflo for the main filtration and use the Intelliflo for the spa jets. I know the Intelliflo is the more powerful, full-featured model. Does it make sense to use it only as the spa pump?

I defer to @JamesW to guide you on this.

 

[HermanTX]

I'm also trying to figure out in my head how many actuators I need.

You need an actuator on the suction side between the spa & pool suction pipes. This actuator is connected to the INTAKE aux socket in automation. You need another actuator on the return side between the spa and pool return pipes. This actuator is connected to the RETURN aux socket in automation.

You can then add another actuator to control the bubblers but it may be best to have 2 actuators if each bubbler has a dedicated line back to the equipment pad. So you have one on each of the bubbler pipes so you can have #1 on/#2 off, #2 on/#1 off, both on or both off. Usually an actuator turns 180 degrees so one pipe is on and the other is off, i.e. Spa On, Pool Off or in the example of your bubbler, the valve is either open or closed.

 

[mknauss]

Why two pumps? Will both be used when in spa mode? The Intelliflo is more efficient and uses less electricity at normal pool mode rpm.

 

[dandannoodles]

You need an actuator on the suction side between the spa & pool suction pipes. This actuator is connected to the INTAKE aux socket in automation. You need another actuator on the return side between the spa and pool return pipes. This actuator is connected to the RETURN aux socket in automation.

You can then add another actuator to control the bubblers but it may be best to have 2 actuators if each bubbler has a dedicated line back to the equipment pad. So you have one on each of the bubbler pipes so you can have #1 on/#2 off, #2 on/#1 off, both on or both off. Usually an actuator turns 180 degrees so one pipe is on and the other is off, i.e. Spa On, Pool Off or in the example of your bubbler, the valve is either open or closed.

We do indeed have a dedicated line for each of the bubblers, to ensure a consistent height/pressure to each. They are side by side on the baja shelf, and I think it would be odd to run one and not the other, or have them at different pressures. So I believe the logic was to have a the two lines meet together with a Jandy valve between them, so we can equalize the pressure between the two. And a single actuator closer to the pump so that we can regulate the two bubblers together. Does that make sense?

 

[dandannoodles]

Why two pumps? Will both be used when in spa mode? The Intelliflo is more efficient and uses less electricity at normal pool mode rpm.

I agreed to two pumps on the recommendation from the contractor. One primary pump for filtration and a second pump just for the spa, to get greater movement and pressure from the spa jets. But I was a little surprised to see them deliver an Intelliflo3 to be used as the spa booster pump.

 

[ajw22]

I would use the Intelliflo3 as the main pool pump.

I would also swap the position of the filter and heater. Look at the position of the heater exhaust. You don't want the heater exhaust against the side of the heater. Get the exhaust on the left end of the equipment into the shrubs and fence.

 

[dandannoodles]

I would use the Intelliflo3 as the main pool pump.

I would also swap the position of the filter and heater. Look at the position of the heater exhaust. You don't want the heater exhaust against the side of the heater. Get the exhaust on the left end of the equipment into the shrubs and fence.

Do you mean against the side of the pump? I don't want heater exhaust against the side of the pump?

 

[mknauss]

When in spa mode, the pool is turned off. Unless you wish to have the bubblers work when the spa is on. Be aware that they likely will plumb it so you cannot turn off the spillover. And you will regret that with the pH rise and evaporation caused by it continuously running.

 

[ajw22]

Do you mean against the side of the pump? I don't want heater exhaust against the side of the pump?

The heater is in the middle.

Flip the heater and the filter so the heater is at the end.

Rotate the heater so the exhaust is pointed towards the fence.

The heater control panel can be rotated if necessary.

 

[dandannoodles]

When in spa mode, the pool is turned off. Unless you wish to have the bubblers work when the spa is on. Be aware that they likely will plumb it so you cannot turn off the spillover. And you will regret that with the pH rise and evaporation caused by it continuously running.

Would I not be able to just adjust the return to the spa so that the water volume is lower so the spa water stays in the spa?

 

[HermanTX]

Would I not be able to just adjust the return to the spa so that the water volume is lower so the spa water stays in the spa?In

In SPA Mode - suction is from the spa and the return is to the spa. So the flow is balanced out and there is no overflow to the pool.

this also means that any feature such as a bubbler that is plumbed to the pool side of the return will not have any flow either.
Overflow to the pool occurs when there is suction from the pool and the return is to the spa (or sometimes both to the spa and pool simultaneously). Then the spa will fill until the overflow point is reached and continue to flow to the pool