- Jan 14, 2023
- 7
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-3)
Hello all,
First, I did some digging and didn't find an answer to this question, so I apologize in advance if it was already asked/answered.
I live in the DFW area of Texas and do not close my pool for the winter. My old pump died it's final death this week (not even sure what it is since the label is obliterated, it looks like a Sta-rite though, I inherited it when I bought the house) and decided that it was time to upgrade to a variable speed pump. I currently use the Intermatic P1353 digital timer with freeze sensor to keep the pump running when temps drop near freezing. Been researching pumps and I'm thinking I'm going with a Hayward TriStar W3SP3206VSP. I already have a Hayward salt cell, so if I decide to go with Hayward automation down the line then at least my brands are already lined up. (Since it's just sitting there not circulating, I'm trying to move fast.)
In the manual for the pump I see it has a temperature sensor and freeze protection built in, but per the manual, "Low temperature operation is NOT intended to protect the pump, system plumbing, or pool from freezing." This immediately makes me nervous. Could just be a disclaimer, but I didn't see that kind of disclaimer in the documentation for my Intermatic timer when it's used with the temperature sensor for freeze protection.
If I decide to go with this (or a similar) pump, then it seems like I have three options:
1) Set the Intermatic to be on 24/7 but turn the salt cell on/off during normal operating times. Use the pump timer to control on/off times. Manually override when it's getting too cold. (Least favorable, would suck for times when I'm not home and it gets cold.)
2) Set the Intermatic to be on 24/7 but turn the salt cell on/off during normal operating times. Trust the pump's low temperature operating setting to turn the pump on when it's cold. (Should be fine, but the disclaimer text makes me nervous.)
3) Leave the Intermatic where it is and operate the pump same as the old one. Program the pump to operate 24/7 no matter what time of day, so when the Intermatic's freeze sensor kicks in the pump will run. (Proven to be effective in the past, even when we hit crazy cold temperatures in February 2021. No damage to my system.)
Option 2 seems like it should be fine, but I wanted to get some feedback from folks who operate this (or any other modern pump) with its own controller and how they handle low temperature situations, if it operates the same as a freeze sensor in the timer does. Option 3 should also be fine, however that means power is consistently being cut to the pump's controller, and I cannot find any documentation as to how long the Hayward will retain current time and settings with no power, meaning that programmed speeds wouldn't operate as intended.
First, I did some digging and didn't find an answer to this question, so I apologize in advance if it was already asked/answered.
I live in the DFW area of Texas and do not close my pool for the winter. My old pump died it's final death this week (not even sure what it is since the label is obliterated, it looks like a Sta-rite though, I inherited it when I bought the house) and decided that it was time to upgrade to a variable speed pump. I currently use the Intermatic P1353 digital timer with freeze sensor to keep the pump running when temps drop near freezing. Been researching pumps and I'm thinking I'm going with a Hayward TriStar W3SP3206VSP. I already have a Hayward salt cell, so if I decide to go with Hayward automation down the line then at least my brands are already lined up. (Since it's just sitting there not circulating, I'm trying to move fast.)
In the manual for the pump I see it has a temperature sensor and freeze protection built in, but per the manual, "Low temperature operation is NOT intended to protect the pump, system plumbing, or pool from freezing." This immediately makes me nervous. Could just be a disclaimer, but I didn't see that kind of disclaimer in the documentation for my Intermatic timer when it's used with the temperature sensor for freeze protection.
If I decide to go with this (or a similar) pump, then it seems like I have three options:
1) Set the Intermatic to be on 24/7 but turn the salt cell on/off during normal operating times. Use the pump timer to control on/off times. Manually override when it's getting too cold. (Least favorable, would suck for times when I'm not home and it gets cold.)
2) Set the Intermatic to be on 24/7 but turn the salt cell on/off during normal operating times. Trust the pump's low temperature operating setting to turn the pump on when it's cold. (Should be fine, but the disclaimer text makes me nervous.)
3) Leave the Intermatic where it is and operate the pump same as the old one. Program the pump to operate 24/7 no matter what time of day, so when the Intermatic's freeze sensor kicks in the pump will run. (Proven to be effective in the past, even when we hit crazy cold temperatures in February 2021. No damage to my system.)
Option 2 seems like it should be fine, but I wanted to get some feedback from folks who operate this (or any other modern pump) with its own controller and how they handle low temperature situations, if it operates the same as a freeze sensor in the timer does. Option 3 should also be fine, however that means power is consistently being cut to the pump's controller, and I cannot find any documentation as to how long the Hayward will retain current time and settings with no power, meaning that programmed speeds wouldn't operate as intended.