- Apr 7, 2011
- 45
We bought a house with an existing pool and older equipment. Some parts have failed, some parts are failing, and a major overhaul is needed in general. We can't do it all now, as we have other concerns, but we would like to at least automate the chlorine generation as that has been the biggest hassle. I have a number of competing concerns and could use some experienced advice working through the issues.
The pool is somewhere between 30 and 40k gallons, with an attached spa. I plan to move the equipment pad and add back in a heater when we do the major overhaul, but in the near term I would like to add a SWG that can work now and in a future update.
Our mechanical timer is a rusted hunk of junk, so we need a new timer. My initial plan was to connect it to our insteon network with a 240v relay switch controller so it could be timed and accessed with our other electrical units. (ISY 994i) I have read that Jandy and Goldline are the only manufacturers whose equipment can be directly controlled through the serial interface by DIY automation products (NOT Crestron) but they don't make big enough SWGs. Some day I would want to integrate valve actuators and heating control into the automation system as well, but that is a longer term issue.
Wanting to follow the advice on having an oversized SWG, I am considering only a few of the larger options: Intellichlor IC60, AutoPilot SC60 RC52, Compupool CPSC48, Circupool rj60.
I currently have a 2hp pentair singlespeed pump, serving both pool and spa, which is probably overkill. It was replaced under warranty in our first summer, and I didn't understand pools enough to accept a smaller pump than the 2hp that had been there previously. When I move the equipment pad I will probably opt for something 2speed or variable. In the mean time I have to be concerned about whether the flow rate is too high for a SWG and whether I would need to plumb a bypass with checkvalve (Or buy the autopilot).
Quick aside: is there any use for the 2hp pump after I replace it? Can it drive just the spa, or water features or anything else, or would I be better off selling it?
My current preference is the intellichlor because it is stand alone and simple to manage with my existing stuff.
The autopilot is interesting because it has the checkvalve included and can be a pump timer, but is the most expensive by over 50%.
The compupool is interesting because it is cheap, and may be able to serve as a timer.
The Circupool has a deep discount for a couple more days, so that is also in the running.
Have I missed anything I should be considering? The discussion threads on these machines, have been helpful, but have not gotten me to a decision. Any thoughts?
Thanks for your help!
The pool is somewhere between 30 and 40k gallons, with an attached spa. I plan to move the equipment pad and add back in a heater when we do the major overhaul, but in the near term I would like to add a SWG that can work now and in a future update.
Our mechanical timer is a rusted hunk of junk, so we need a new timer. My initial plan was to connect it to our insteon network with a 240v relay switch controller so it could be timed and accessed with our other electrical units. (ISY 994i) I have read that Jandy and Goldline are the only manufacturers whose equipment can be directly controlled through the serial interface by DIY automation products (NOT Crestron) but they don't make big enough SWGs. Some day I would want to integrate valve actuators and heating control into the automation system as well, but that is a longer term issue.
Wanting to follow the advice on having an oversized SWG, I am considering only a few of the larger options: Intellichlor IC60, AutoPilot SC60 RC52, Compupool CPSC48, Circupool rj60.
I currently have a 2hp pentair singlespeed pump, serving both pool and spa, which is probably overkill. It was replaced under warranty in our first summer, and I didn't understand pools enough to accept a smaller pump than the 2hp that had been there previously. When I move the equipment pad I will probably opt for something 2speed or variable. In the mean time I have to be concerned about whether the flow rate is too high for a SWG and whether I would need to plumb a bypass with checkvalve (Or buy the autopilot).
Quick aside: is there any use for the 2hp pump after I replace it? Can it drive just the spa, or water features or anything else, or would I be better off selling it?
My current preference is the intellichlor because it is stand alone and simple to manage with my existing stuff.
The autopilot is interesting because it has the checkvalve included and can be a pump timer, but is the most expensive by over 50%.
The compupool is interesting because it is cheap, and may be able to serve as a timer.
The Circupool has a deep discount for a couple more days, so that is also in the running.
Have I missed anything I should be considering? The discussion threads on these machines, have been helpful, but have not gotten me to a decision. Any thoughts?
Thanks for your help!