A&A vrs Paramount
- Thread starter JimWilson
- Start date
- Feb 6, 2015
- 7,807
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
New build?
I may be a little biased (check my signature), but I think the A&A (now owned by Pentair) is a much simpler system and easier to work on when needed.
If I was building a new pool, not sure I'd spend the money on an IFCS though.
I may be a little biased (check my signature), but I think the A&A (now owned by Pentair) is a much simpler system and easier to work on when needed.
If I was building a new pool, not sure I'd spend the money on an IFCS though.
that is fair and I respect that. So I not on a new build I'm doing a little remodel. I currently have the pentair setup (low profile 6 port 2" setup and have been happy with the results It really does a decent job cleaning. As part of my remodel, I'm adding a baja shelf and this shelf will add like 6 more popups to the pool floor. I have some issues with my old 6 port and at the very least I need to replace my housing which is really not a big deal, and I agree it is a very simple system to work on. however, the pool contractor wants to replace the A&A setup with a paramount setup because it is more flexible ? I think ? he could add 2 heads and tie them together to make a 9 port setup, and to do the samething with A&A I would need 3 housing. I think ? so since I know very little about paramount I'm looking for some advice what should.
- Feb 6, 2015
- 7,807
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
A&A makes a 5 port and a 6 port water distribution valve.
I would stick with what you have now. Commonality of most parts might come in handy in the future if you need to switch popups around to diagnose an issue or to get by until you secure a replacement part.
I'm pretty sure you can swap out to a different water distribution valve manufacturer without any operational issues. They basically all function the same.
I would stick with what you have now. Commonality of most parts might come in handy in the future if you need to switch popups around to diagnose an issue or to get by until you secure a replacement part.
I'm pretty sure you can swap out to a different water distribution valve manufacturer without any operational issues. They basically all function the same.
Jim, I would second @proavia’s opinion about using the same for existing and new popup heads/valves so that you can manage the parts more easily. I don’t have an opinion on which water valve is better as I only have experience with A&A.
However, I would urge you to consider NOT adding a second distribution valve if at all possible. It will reduce some of your zones’ pressures (possibly require a higher cleaning RPM), and it will increase your high RPM “cleaning time” to get the same sweep coverage of your pool floor. If your proposed 9-zone system is implemented incorrectly, as I have seen in some user systems, it can more than triple your cleaning time requirement for the same sweep coverage. If done correctly, it will require a maze of rework plumbing that I personally wouldn’t trust any contractor to do without closely monitoring. In any case, it still will not be as effective/efficient as the 6-zone system.
Consider implementing your Baja shelf with just a single popup zone, and then swapping it in to replace the spa ‘s zone (I am assuming you have one). I have always had a hard time understanding how valuable that spa popup zone really is with the return drain in the main pool. Hopefully your automation would still allow you to run in a “spillover mode” (pool drain suction, spa return) to replenish the chlorine…if not, that would present an obstacle to that suggestion.
Edit: When I first responded, I thought you were proposing an 8-zone system (6>8)…then I saw you wanted 9-zones (6>9) You must be adding a huge baha shelf for those 3 additional zones. My suggestion to try to do it with ONE additional zone is probably not likely, sorry.
However, I would urge you to consider NOT adding a second distribution valve if at all possible. It will reduce some of your zones’ pressures (possibly require a higher cleaning RPM), and it will increase your high RPM “cleaning time” to get the same sweep coverage of your pool floor. If your proposed 9-zone system is implemented incorrectly, as I have seen in some user systems, it can more than triple your cleaning time requirement for the same sweep coverage. If done correctly, it will require a maze of rework plumbing that I personally wouldn’t trust any contractor to do without closely monitoring. In any case, it still will not be as effective/efficient as the 6-zone system.
Consider implementing your Baja shelf with just a single popup zone, and then swapping it in to replace the spa ‘s zone (I am assuming you have one). I have always had a hard time understanding how valuable that spa popup zone really is with the return drain in the main pool. Hopefully your automation would still allow you to run in a “spillover mode” (pool drain suction, spa return) to replenish the chlorine…if not, that would present an obstacle to that suggestion.
Edit: When I first responded, I thought you were proposing an 8-zone system (6>8)…then I saw you wanted 9-zones (6>9) You must be adding a huge baha shelf for those 3 additional zones. My suggestion to try to do it with ONE additional zone is probably not likely, sorry.
Last edited:
- Feb 6, 2015
- 7,807
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
I'm not sure if this has changed with the Pentair acquisition of A&A - but back in the day, A&A designed each IFCS setup. The PB contacted A&A and A&A would do the engineering/designing to make the IFCS efficiently work. Then it was up to thr PB to follow A&A plans.
Let's see what you currently have and your proposed plans.
Pics may help as well.
Fill out your signature with pool, all pool equipment (include manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit info.
This assists us in providing you help without needing to ask you each time for this important information.
Let's see what you currently have and your proposed plans.
Pics may help as well.
Fill out your signature with pool, all pool equipment (include manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit info.
This assists us in providing you help without needing to ask you each time for this important information.
the plan was to replace my existing A&A 6 port with a new paramount valve. Keep the popups as is but convert the housing over so they could add addition valve and keep them all the same. Was not to mix/match but more of an issue finding another A&A housing with lees ports
- Feb 6, 2015
- 7,807
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
A&A only have 5 port and 6 port water valves.
Multiple valves can be done.
Call A&A for advice on how to set that up correctly.
Multiple valves can be done.
Call A&A for advice on how to set that up correctly.
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