New Hotness

Blueskies21 · Feb 5, 2024

Hey guys - We built a 18 x 36 ft vinyl pool with a Cover Star auto cover in 2013 with Hayward Aqualogic Automation (which we didn't really use except for a easier to program timer), Hayward 40k salt cell, 2x Hayward ColorLogic LED's, Jandy Valves and Hayward Heat pump.

We've since moved and we're going to build the same-ish pool again in 2024. An 18 x 36 ft rectangle with an auto cover.

I haven't really kept up with the forum and research in between, is there any "new hotness" in the world of pools that I need to make sure we include?

Maybe a more app enabled controller?

We did a 2 speed pump then because at the time the consensus was variable was not much more cost savings? Is that still true?

Help me learn what I've missed!

dfwnoob · Feb 5, 2024

My two pennies: VSP or bust. With a SWCG, the only way to go is really VSP. And Pentair Intellicenter or bust.

JJ_Tex · Feb 5, 2024

My 2 cents on what has changed in the last 10+ years:
- Get a variable speed pump with a SWCG
- Automation is a nice to have, but makes it very easy to control speeds, lights, water features from your phone. I rarely have to walk over to my equipment pad.
- Pool cleaners have shifted to Robotic Pool cleaners, and those are generally recommended for new builds since it is newer technology and no need for a booster pump.

Blueskies21 · Feb 5, 2024

dfwnoob said:
My two pennies: VSP or bust. With a SWCG, the only way to go is really VSP. And Pentair Intellicenter or bust.

Sounds like Pentair all the way for you... Does the Intellicenter do app control out of the box or is there an add-on module required? Are there color changing Pentair LED's?

Blueskies21 · Feb 5, 2024

JJ_Tex said:
My 2 cents on what has changed in the last 10+ years:
- Get a variable speed pump with a SWCG
- Automation is a nice to have, but makes it very easy to control speeds, lights, water features from your phone. I rarely have to walk over to my equipment pad.
- Pool cleaners have shifted to Robotic Pool cleaners, and those are generally recommended for new builds since it is newer technology and no need for a booster pump.

Two votes for variable speed pumps. I'm onboard.

With an auto cover I didn't even have a pool cleaner last time. Just did it manually every once in awhile. Any suggestion on brand/type of robot?

JJ_Tex · Feb 5, 2024

Blueskies21 said:
Two votes for variable speed pumps. I'm onboard.

With an auto cover I didn't even have a pool cleaner last time. Just did it manually every once in awhile. Any suggestion on brand/type of robot?

Maytronics/Dolphin is the leader and even manufacture robots for Pentair and others. A basic one will do the job if you are just wanting to drop it in and do its thing. They can get expensive when adding features like Bluetooth, scheduling, etc.

With that said, with a cover and the willingness to manually vacuum that may be your best bet. You could give that a shot and if it is too much work you can go buy a robot. The beauty of the robot is that it just runs off of a power outlet, so you can easily add it after your build.

Blueskies21 · Feb 5, 2024

JJ_Tex said:
Maytronics/Dolphin is the leader and even manufacture robots for Pentair and others. A basic one will do the job if you are just wanting to drop it in and do its thing. They can get expensive when adding features like Bluetooth, scheduling, etc.

With that said, with a cover and the willingness to manually vacuum that may be your best bet. You could give that a shot and if it is too much work you can go buy a robot. The beauty of the robot is that it just runs off of a power outlet, so you can easily add it after your build.

Thanks! I'll look at the Maytronics/Dolphin's. Depending on how broke I feel as we get to the end of this project probably dictates whether I'll keep manually vacuuming the pool or not...