Recent content by chiefwej

What are you trying to accomplish. You can do a lot with the Intelliflo’s onboard controller, but you can also setup preset speed that can be triggered by an outside source. A few years ago I set up some simple smart controls for my pool lights and pumps...

1. Make sure SWG is off when adding salt. 2.SWG is designed only to maintain chlorine level. Use liquid chlorine to get your pool balanced before turning on the SWG.

A saltwater chlorine generator is designed to maintain chlorine levels. Go buy some liquid chlorine to raise your level, then use the SWG to maintain the chlorine level. SWG produces chlorine at a low rate, you should never have it start from zero. Balance the pool first, then turn on the SWG.

You can do a lot with simple smart switches. Here is what I did a few years ago. https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/alexa-pool-control-on-a-shoestring-budget.170894/

Since the switch is right off of the panel it should be pretty simple. But if you don’t know what to do, get someone who does. This is a very simple job, but you need to know what you are doing anytime you are working with an electrical panel.

Are you looking for simple “on/off” or do you need multiple switch throws to control colors or functions? If all you need is “on/off”. It should be pretty easy to test which side is hot, and then pull a neutral wire into the box to operate a smart switch.

I don’t know that it would have helped with a lightning strike that close, but I have two ”whole house” surge protectors installed to protect my equipmen. One on the main panel at the house and a second one on the pool sub pane. So far no problems.

When looking for a suction side air leak two useful tools are old style shaving foam and food wrap film. Suspected areas can wrapped with plastic food wrap to provide a temporary seal or coated in shave foam while watching for the foam to show up in the pump’s basket.

Two tools that can help find a suction side leak are plastic food wrap and old fashioned shaving cream. You can wrap pipe joints to provide temporary seal or apply shaving cream and watch for it to show up in the pump.

My first pool had a Polaris booster pump and cleaner. I have also had a pool with a pop up floor cleaning system and have used suction side cleaners. Then I broke down and bought a robot. There is no comparison. Sure, they are expensive (about $1k) and can fail after a few years use. But...

Mine used to tangle, but someone suggested I learn and practice the “over and under” method of coiling the cable. That has solved 90% of the problem. If you don’t know what that is, Google is your friend.

Here in Tucson you need a jackhammer to dig a hole. But if you pour a 5 gallon bucket on the ground, wait a while, then do it again, it gets very easy. I learned this when having to put in a few fence posts.

Repaired and back in service. I found out why local pool service didn’t want this job. It was a PITA, right to the end. Even what I thought wouldn’t be a problem (reconnecting the supply and discharge unions) seemed to take forever. Just couldn’t get them to line up without cross threading...

Instead of the paint department, try looking outside in the garden section. Both Lowes and Home Depot here in Tucson have either 14% or 31% MA there.