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Re: Autopilot TC - Low Amps Warning (yet another thread, sor Yep, Power module replaced, all is well now. Thanks. Any recommendations for a surge/power protector?

Re: Autopilot TC - Low Amps Warning (yet another thread, sor Thanks Sean. Will update when power module is replaced.

I've had my Autopilot TC since 2007. Actually has been rather trouble free other than an initial bad pH probe upon installation. However, ran into some electrical problems: I believe we had a power spike a few weeks back. It basically blew a relay in my EasyTouch control panel, which I just got...

Like others, I have had pretty good operation of my unit for the last several years. I have been using this cell for over 3 years now, maintaining a FC level of approx 5 throughout the usage time. However, I have noticed lower FC levels recently, wondering if the cell is near end of life. It...

When my pool was built last year, I also had so many questions about getting accurate pool testing readings. I was very unsure if I could tell the difference between small shades of yellow, pink, orange, etc.... so, despite reading all the good advice here, I went and got myself many hundreds of...

I think I see the problem. Also since the SWG water temp. is significantly higher after coming back from the solar panels, the saturation index is even higher in the SWG. I think I'll just lower the pH for now and see if that solves it for the rest of the summer. If it can wait till winter, the...

Ok, so about 1.5 weeks ago, I started to notice some white flakes in one corner of the pool. There were only a few, so I ignored them. However, as the sun got stronger, I needed to increase my SWG output, and then I noticed that the flakes were now coming out of every return. They are paper...

So I just had a FAFCO solar system installed and started up. The next day, i found that my pump lost it's prime. The company came out for some extensive troubleshooting.... and found that the problem was with the water sampling line that is for the Autopilot TC chemistry controller. pool...

When I had my TC system installed new, it had similar readings that were way out of line with the actual pH. I spent countless hours trying to troubleshoot the thing, because on occasion it would work for a few hours at a time. In the end, it was a faulty pH probe and all issues were solved with...

I left town for about 5 days, and forgot to disable the ORP sensor in my Autopilot TC. When I got back my FC is now about 14. Here are my #'s ph 7.7-7.8 FC 14 CC 0 TA 80 CH 420 CYA 70 Salt 3200 borates (est 40-45) So when is FC too high to swim in? Also, I notice that when I...

Hmmm, I'm sure it's all too technical for me. The water temperature is pretty frigid around 41-42F in the morning to 47-48F by the evening. Regardless, I'm not sure I can trust the ORP sensor to adequately regulate my SWG output. I oversized my SWG cell, so turning it on just a few hours...

Hello all, My pool got built this past fall, and I had some initial problems with my Autopilot TC system. After finally getting the pH probe replaced, the pH control has been working flawlessly. However, I haven't been able to get the ORP control to work consistently. I have a feeling that the...

Okay, today is day #5 of my new pool startup, pebblesheen finish, 18k gallons. Current #s: T.Chlorine=5 ph=7.5 TA=120 CH=110 CYA=30 Water temp 63 deg First 3 days, I had to add quite a bit of acid, maybe about 1.25 pints/day to keep pH down below 7.8 Last 2 days, I've added around 3.5 lbs of...

OKay, So, if I use an ORP controller, just make sure to calibrate it against actual FC levels. Once properly calibrated, and pH is controlled, then the ORP controller should roughly be able to maintain a constant level of FC? Take home message is don't trust the actual ORP reading? Thanks for...

Not interested in the ppm electrodes, as ORP seems to more accurately measure disinfecting ability compared to actual FC PPM measurements, (within a reasonable CYA range). However, PoolSean PM'd me and said that using gold ORP electrodes for the noble metal (rather than the standard platinum)...

I don't know if that's been tried before, but covering the rebar stubs with PVC pipe would seem to me to possibly lower the strength of the concrete surrounding the PVC. Anyway, it looks like the problem is that the main engineering firm has specified to use floating decks, and that main firm...

Thanks for the info Jason, I really appreciate it. I guess I'm considering buying a commercial controller and putting into my future residential pool. Now, in regards to CYA, do you know why levels above 50ppm make it so difficult? From my reading of the materials, ORP should more accurately...

Hello, I have been considering the AutoPilot Total control (with built in ph/ORP controller). However, i have been able to find a couple of posts alluding to some special concerns related the using a ph/ORP controller, but nothing specific. What are the pros / cons of using a chemistry...

Sean, Can you please elaborate on why you went to manual vs. Orp controlled and issues with the orp controller? I was just about convinced to buy the Total control, but if there's an issue with CYA levels, I may need to reconsider. Thanks.

Hi Mark, I live in Sacramento area, CA. The problem is not really freeze/thaw cycles here, but rather expansive soils due to the high clay content. Soil tends to dry out and shrink in the dry months, and then get saturated with moisture and expand in the wet months. This causes the deck to...

Hello, I've been having some pool builders submit proposals for my new pool. So far, the process of choosing a PB is slow, but methodical. Consistently, one builder seems to keep floating to the top of the list in terms of quality of design, reputation, build, etc.. (and consequently...

Sean, Thanks for digging this up. It's way more than you need to do, and it's appreciated. Yes I have SMUD at 17.8 cents /kwh and PG&E gas which varies monthly, but more often $1.40-1.60 per therm. My house is large, so I'm always at the highest tier. I've already put these numbers into my...

I never said I wouldn't use a cover. But I don't want to make my decisions based on the presumption of using a cover. This is why I don't want any data that goes into my model based on a cover. A cover can be used with any heating source, be it solar, electric or gas. The energy savings will be...

mas985, Thanks for the link. The city locales are all Canadian cities, so which one did you choose to make your calculations? I found a formula for estimated heat loss from a pool: Heat loss (BTU/hr) = Area (sq.ft.) * Temp. difference (pool - ambient) * R value (which is around 5 for mild...

Okay, I've been studying some of the Heat Output vs. Temperature curves for various heat pump manufacturers, and I've come up with a rough estimate that heat pumps will be about 25% less efficient in my area due to lower humidity and the lower average operating temp compared to published COP...

Hello, I was thinking of getting a heat pump to extend my swimming season for my planned pool. However, a local pool builder rep told me that heat pumps don't work well in my area because of the low humidity. Today is a fairly average summer day, and by the time the temp. drops to about 80 deg...

Okay, So in my brief stint here so far, I've read 2 very positive things about the infloor cleaners, but what sticks out most in my mind is the benefit of improved circulation is strongly touted at least as much if not more than the cleaning ability. If all I'm concerned is about the improved...

I don't even have a pool yet, and I plan on a SWG anyway, but I saw Costco/ Sacramento: 3 large jugs of Clorox Regular bleach (6%) (182oz). Looked at the label to try to find if there were any additives, I didn't see anything that would indicate additives. total = 4.26 gallons/carton for...

kmh, Thanks for your input. I understand that cartridge filters will filter better than sand alone, but some people on this board have had good results with sand + DE or zeolite media instead of sand. This to me seems to be the best of both worlds: the convenience of easy backwashing and the...

Hello all, I'm trying to decide between FG and gunite pool. If you had to do it all over again, what would you choose and why? I like the idea of customizing the pool so it fits my family's needs and blends into the landscape. However, I'm not sure how much extra work it will take to maintain...