Isolate Pool from Spa

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xeonman13

Member
Jul 25, 2022
19
Atlanta, GA
Hello All,
I have a new pool. It is 100% Jandy, iAqualink.

I have a question that my builder cant seem to comprehend or are playing dumb.

Right now, I have a "SPA" Mode. (main drain from SPA returns to spa only).
I have a problem. When in this mode, because skimmers are not running, pool gets filled with debris easily. Bugs, leaves, etc. Also, no heat to pool.
Does it make sense to have a "Pool Only" mode.
I want main drain from pool + skimmer to return only to pool.

My point here is once the spa is heated and spa blower is on, then return to operating pool skimmer and have ability to continue to heat pool.

This would solve my issues but pool builder says they dont understand what I need that for.

Thanks!
 
You cannot run both pool and spa mode at the same time. You run the spa mode when using the spa. Once done, you switch back to pool mode. You should also have a spillover mode to chlorinate the spa when not using it.
 
mknauss said:
You cannot run both pool and spa mode at the same time. You run the spa mode when using the spa. Once done, you switch back to pool mode. You should also have a spillover mode to chlorinate the spa when not using it.
Click to expand...
So I guess a better way to look at it is that I dont want to run both at the same time. Once the spa is hot I want to run the pool only and leave the Spa "As Is". That way if someone gets in there, even with no jets on, its still hot. Then the pool will run in isolation.

Make sense?

Think if it more as a "pause BUtton". water in the spa stays there, yes, with no circulation but I want to run the pool during that time.
 
You can do that. Follow what Allen posted above.
You will need to run/schedule Spillway a couple times per day to keep the spa chlorinated.
 
13,

Depending on how your equipment pad is plumbed, you might also be able to manually turn a valve to accomplish the same thing.

Show us several pics of how your equipment pad is plumbed.

If you don't want your Spa spillover to run all the time you are in the pool mode, then the automated spillover mode is the best option.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
xeonman13 said:
Great Thanks. And this would only be used in times where we are in the pool and others are in the spa. Just to get surface cleaned up and then happy to return to spa mode.
I will follow the guide! Thanks :)
Click to expand...
Thank you!
So im a little confused on spill over.
Rightt now I have a "SPA MODE" option. That turns off the spillover but if SPA MODE IS OFF spillover is always running. Sending a pic of the equipment layout and of the app.
 

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Follow what Allen posted above. You will need to adjust the cams in the actuator on the return valve so it closes the spa off in Pool mode.
 
Jimrahbe said:
13,

Depending on how your equipment pad is plumbed, you might also be able to manually turn a valve to accomplish the same thing.

Show us several pics of how your equipment pad is plumbed.

If you don't want your Spa spillover to run all the time you are in the pool mode, then the automated spillover mode is the best option.

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
I replied to wrong thread! @Jimrahbe i posted pics and info above.

@mknauss Thank you!
 

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13,

Your pool builder cheap'd out and did not include what is called a make-up valve. So, you can't just easily shut the constant spillover off.

Your only option is to go with adding the Spillover mode that Allen is talking about in his post #3

Thanks for the pics,

Jim R.
 
@Jimrahbe and @mknauss ,
So I have not done this yet but I am getting ready to do it today.
Here is my plan.
  • Move pool light from AUX3 to AUX6
  • Change DIP switch to enable spillover mode
  • Recam actuator so that when in pool mode, SPA return is fully closed
  • In Aqualink, make changes to AUX setup.
Here is where I have questions
  1. What will pool mode look like post changes?
    1. If spillover mode is on, it will do what it does today in pool mode?
    2. if spillover mode is off, the return goes only to the pool?
  2. Will I have the ability to make the spillover turn on in an automated fashion?
  3. Any drawback to doing this?
  4. Any good doc on how to adjust the actuator? Some of the YouTube videos are not clear.

Thank you All!
 
xeonman13 said:
If spillover mode is on, it will do what it does today in pool mode?
Click to expand...
Correct. Though you may need to adjust the pump rpm tied to that mode.
xeonman13 said:
if spillover mode is off, the return goes only to the pool?
Click to expand...
Correct
xeonman13 said:
Will I have the ability to make the spillover turn on in an automated fashion?
Click to expand...
Yes. Check your automation manual on doing that.
xeonman13 said:
Any drawback to doing this?
Click to expand...
Check FC in the spa occasionally to be sure you are running it enough to maintain proper FC
xeonman13 said:
Any good doc on how to adjust the actuator? Some of the YouTube videos are not clear.
Click to expand...

Valve Actuators - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
xeonman13 said:
  • Move pool light from AUX3 to AUX6
  • Change DIP switch to enable spillover mode
Click to expand...

Delete the light from AUX3 in Aqualink BEFORE you change dip switch 3. You will not be able to change the configuration of AUX3 with the dip switch on.

xeonman13 said:
  1. What will pool mode look like post changes?
    1. If spillover mode is on, it will do what it does today in pool mode?
Click to expand...

With SPILLOVER AUX3 ON suction will come from the pool and return will be to the spa.

xeonman13 said:
    1. if spillover mode is off, the return goes only to the pool?
Click to expand...

Correct.

xeonman13 said:
  • Will I have the ability to make the spillover turn on in an automated fashion?
Click to expand...

Create programs to schedule AUX3 for the SPILLOVER to run.
 
I have a stupid question. Why do you want your spa to remain heated throughout the winter? My spa only takes ~30 minutes to heat up. We use it multiple times a week in the winter, but there is no way I would want to pay to heat it the 99% of the time it is not in use.
 
xeonman13 said:
Rightt now I have a "SPA MODE" option. That turns off the spillover but if SPA MODE IS OFF spillover is always running. Sending a pic of the equipment layout and of the app.
Click to expand...
Go ahead and follow what Allen and others have stated to activate a spillover mode. However, if your spillover continues to run when in POOL Mode only. There is another possible issue.
 
JJ_Tex said:
I have a stupid question. Why do you want your spa to remain heated throughout the winter? My spa only takes ~30 minutes to heat up. We use it multiple times a week in the winter, but there is no way I would want to pay to heat it the 99% of the time it is not in use.
Click to expand...
Hi @JJ_Tex. Thats not the intention. What I am trying to solve is when we are using both the pool and the spa (summer time) and I have it in SPA mode, the pool is completely shutoff, there for the surface of the pool gets full of debris, bugs, as the skimmers are off.
I want it so when people are in the spa, and lets say the spa is at 103 degrees, I can simply turn off spillover mode, leave the blower on and then switch back to pool mode to run the skimmers. Right now if I do that, the spa begins to cool off as I am pumping cold water into the spa. I have no way of turning off the spillover today.

Hope that makes sense. Basically want to leave the SPA blower running, the water can mantain temp for a while, and run my skimmers while people enjoy the spa.

This summer (first summer with the pool) i had to run the pool filter and warn everyone that the spa was going to cool down for a while, then heat back up. Kind of a pain.
 
xeonman13 said:
This summer (first summer with the pool) i had to run the pool filter and warn everyone that the spa was going to cool down for a while, then heat back up. Kind of a pain.
Click to expand...
In addition to the jets in the spa, do you have any other return in the spa that flows water when in POOL mode but not in SPA mode. So if you have 6 jets that operate in SPA mode, do you have a 7th return in the spa that is off in SPA mode but on when in POOL mode?
 
HermanTX said:
In addition to the jets in the spa, do you have any other return in the spa that flows water when in POOL mode but not in SPA mode. So if you have 6 jets that operate in SPA mode, do you have a 7th return in the spa that is off in SPA mode but on when in POOL mode?
Click to expand...
I currently do not have a pool mode. My return is on 100% of the time now with no option to disable. Thats what I am trying to accomplish. But as far as I am aware all the jets are supplied from the same pipe and no additional return besides the jets.
 
POOL mode - water taken from POOL and returned to POOL
SPA mode - water take from SPA and returned to SPA
SPILLOVER mode - water taken from POOL and returned to SPA

As has been mentioned, you will need to reset the cams in the valve actuators to stop water return to spa when in pool mode. Then you will need to follow @ajw22 and @mknauss advice to correctly program the automation so that pool, spa and spillover modes are available and correctly working.
 

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