Installing Kona Labs LevelSmart Auto Fill

Jump to latest Follow Reply
bradgray said:
But OP is in a tough spot and given their options, this was the most transparency the OP was gonna get in terms of what they're looking at getting into. Wanted OP to see the bad, and concede that despite it, we had to admit it had worked so far.
Click to expand...

Bingo.

Given the choice between jackhammering 30 yards of 8” deep, 50 year old concrete (plus 2” of pavers on top) to install a dedicated fill line then repairing that concrete and pavers OR trying this wireless product…. im gonna try the product haha.

If it goes to crud, I shall report the negatives! But i’m hoping for it to work properly.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dirk, Ahultin and Newdude
Is one of these suction lines the MD line? If you keep it off all the time or most of the time, you could use that for the passive fill bucket. MDs are mostly useless anyway. You could plumb it with valves so you can still use the line as an MD OR a fill line. Just another option.


microscopes said:
This is the only photo I have on me at the moment.

View attachment 476866
Click to expand...
 
mas985 said:
Is one of these suction lines the MD line? If you keep it off all the time or most of the time, you could use that for the passive fill bucket. MDs are mostly useless anyway. You could plumb it with valves so you can still use the line as an MD OR a fill line. Just another option.
Click to expand...

Sorry i’m not sure what MD means?

But the plumbers just came today and installed the water line and backflow preventer (big, beefy one) that works against both siphon AND pressure, so even if the LevelSmart valve malfunctions someday, we won’t have any problems with contaminated water.

B1BE83D5-A4DF-4CA0-864B-A1DF692D3628.jpeg

7236573E-4ED0-4EFA-8600-996514CB1CBC.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ahultin
On the suction side of the pump, there are two lines with valves that come together. Is one of the lines the MD line?
 
microscopes said:
Sorry i’m not sure what MD means?

But the plumbers just came today and installed the water line and backflow preventer (big, beefy one) that works against both siphon AND pressure, so even if the LevelSmart valve malfunctions someday, we won’t have any problems with contaminated water.

View attachment 480228

View attachment 480227
Click to expand...
The only critique of this install is had he pulled it off the wall another ~6inches the test ports would have been usable 🤦‍♂️
Other than that good to go
I assume you are doing the rest of the install? If so, make sure you go male pvc into female metal pipe and not the other way around or you risk cracking the fitting. I would put a brass elbow on the nipple they left you then use a pvc schedule 80 nipple into that to continue your pvc.
 
Last edited:
Ahultin said:
The only critique of this install is had he pulled it off the wall another ~6inches the test ports would have been usable 🤦‍♂️
Click to expand...

Ahh, I didn’t know that! First time ever having a backflow preventer.

Ahultin said:
I assume you are doing the rest of the install? If so, make sure you go male pvc into female metal pipe and not the other way around or you risk cracking the fitting. I would put a brass elbow on the nipple they left you then use a pvc schedule 80 nipple into that to continue your pvc.
Click to expand...

Appreciate this advice! I was just looking at female pvc adapters. Will switch gears now.

I’ve heard these backflow preventers can crack in the winter. I’m hoping this pool being in Florida will mean that won’t happen. Winters in our area average around 60 degrees, but there is a night or two that can get down to 35-40.
 
microscopes said:
I’ve heard these backflow preventers can crack in the winter. I’m hoping this pool being in Florida will mean that won’t happen. Winters in our area average around 60 degrees, but there is a night or two that can get down to 35-40.
Click to expand...
We have the same in southern California, a few near freezing nights a year, but never cold enough that I have worried about covering my three exposed backflow devices .
 
  • Like
Reactions: microscopes

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
microscopes said:
Got it all installed. Time will tell how it does.
Click to expand...

Keep an eye on this male adapter, it looks there may be some weight on it and they are prone to cracking. If you do have an issue with it, change it to a pvc schedule 80 nipple (it needs to be the threaded ones not the cast ones, I get the 12" ones at the orange or blue box store and cut them in half. Threaded side into your coupler and smooth side solvent welded to the fitting)
F9639371-B493-4430-88DC-3F62CCF515B5~2.jpeg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: microscopes
Ahultin said:
Keep an eye on this male adapter, it looks there may be some weight on it and they are prone to cracking. If you do have an issue with it, change it to a pvc schedule 80 nipple (it needs to be the threaded ones not the cast ones, I get the 12" ones at the orange or blue box store and cut them in half. Threaded side into your coupler and smooth side solvent welded to the fitting)
View attachment 481155
Click to expand...
Thank you for this advice.

I’ll watch it very carefully.
 
How is this working so far? I’d like to installl an auto fill and don’t have a dedicated line back to the pool.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply