I apologize in advance for these questions. I was a longtime reader and occassional poster at TPF but I have been lurking here for a few months. I see most of my "friends" and respected pool owners have migrated here, so I will post my problems only here.
I have a "Utopia" pool that is unique in its filtration and pump system. The pool is approximately 25,000 gal vinyl liner. You can go to http://www.desjoyauxusa.com/index.htm for some more information.
The short story is that the pump is in a self-contained unit that sits under the deck. It really works well with a few noticable exceptions. The filtration is done via bags that get cleaned/washed/changed weekly. I have three pairs of bags so this is not a big chore. The only problem is that the AFT can flood. There is drainage from the AFT but if I get forgetful when filling the pool, it can overflow and flood the AFT where the pump is. This has happened on a few occassions and I have had to replace the pump, which is expensive ($800.)
A back story is that the pool manufacture now has very little US presence. The pulled out of the States few years back.
I am considering converting the AFT/bag filter system to a convention sand filter. The pool builder has done this a few times with no problems. In addition, I had a brief exchange with a previous TPF user and he had no problems after his conversion.
If I were to convert, what size filter and pump should I use? The PB wants to sell me a single speed 2 hp pump with 300# sand filter. This does not seem correct to me. One issue is that there are only the two skimmers (one) in the AFT and one return line. But everthing is 2 inch pipe. The volume of water that runs though this AFT is fairly impressive. I have had absolutely no problems with clarity.
The next thing is my heater. I have a 7 year old Raypak RP2100. I believe that there is a design defect with the heater. My control panel has been replaced multiple times due to warping from the sun. See the pictures linked below. After much ado, Raypack put a new style control panel on the heater. But, this was done at the end of the season and it kept throwing error messages and did not work correctly. I suspect that another sensor was bad, but I grew tired of hassling the PB because they did the whole thing for free.
So, my heater may not be working either. I am considering a AquaCal heat pump. But, WOW are these things expensive. I never really thought that I had to do a ROI on pool equipment.
Finally, while I am throwing money around like water...I am going to get a SWG. Obviously the Pool Pilot is my only choice. Can I have this thing control my pump/heat pump on a timer without concern about everthing going off and on?
My PB tells me that I will need some type of "fireman switch" ?? so that went the pump turns off, the hot water does not accumulate in the pipes and cause them to warp. Very confusing to me.
So, I guess my question is...If I were going to convert to a sand filter/pump...how big a pump is needed?
Should I replace my heater at all...or try to get it to work...or get a heat pump (if so which model)...or just a new heater??
Can the Pool Pilot control everything...SWG cell, pump/filter and heater/heat pump???
My gas is $9.42 mcf and electric is 6.3 cents/kwh. I live in Northeastern Ohio and have kids that like to swim...early may til mid october...
If I were to do all of this, I would also have to move some serious landscaping also...so I need to think hard on this one...
Some pics at http://gallery.mac.com/anthony.desalvo
Please feel free to ask for more information...because it is difficult to be clear with so many issues...
I have a "Utopia" pool that is unique in its filtration and pump system. The pool is approximately 25,000 gal vinyl liner. You can go to http://www.desjoyauxusa.com/index.htm for some more information.
The short story is that the pump is in a self-contained unit that sits under the deck. It really works well with a few noticable exceptions. The filtration is done via bags that get cleaned/washed/changed weekly. I have three pairs of bags so this is not a big chore. The only problem is that the AFT can flood. There is drainage from the AFT but if I get forgetful when filling the pool, it can overflow and flood the AFT where the pump is. This has happened on a few occassions and I have had to replace the pump, which is expensive ($800.)
A back story is that the pool manufacture now has very little US presence. The pulled out of the States few years back.
I am considering converting the AFT/bag filter system to a convention sand filter. The pool builder has done this a few times with no problems. In addition, I had a brief exchange with a previous TPF user and he had no problems after his conversion.
If I were to convert, what size filter and pump should I use? The PB wants to sell me a single speed 2 hp pump with 300# sand filter. This does not seem correct to me. One issue is that there are only the two skimmers (one) in the AFT and one return line. But everthing is 2 inch pipe. The volume of water that runs though this AFT is fairly impressive. I have had absolutely no problems with clarity.
The next thing is my heater. I have a 7 year old Raypak RP2100. I believe that there is a design defect with the heater. My control panel has been replaced multiple times due to warping from the sun. See the pictures linked below. After much ado, Raypack put a new style control panel on the heater. But, this was done at the end of the season and it kept throwing error messages and did not work correctly. I suspect that another sensor was bad, but I grew tired of hassling the PB because they did the whole thing for free.
So, my heater may not be working either. I am considering a AquaCal heat pump. But, WOW are these things expensive. I never really thought that I had to do a ROI on pool equipment.
Finally, while I am throwing money around like water...I am going to get a SWG. Obviously the Pool Pilot is my only choice. Can I have this thing control my pump/heat pump on a timer without concern about everthing going off and on?
My PB tells me that I will need some type of "fireman switch" ?? so that went the pump turns off, the hot water does not accumulate in the pipes and cause them to warp. Very confusing to me.
So, I guess my question is...If I were going to convert to a sand filter/pump...how big a pump is needed?
Should I replace my heater at all...or try to get it to work...or get a heat pump (if so which model)...or just a new heater??
Can the Pool Pilot control everything...SWG cell, pump/filter and heater/heat pump???
My gas is $9.42 mcf and electric is 6.3 cents/kwh. I live in Northeastern Ohio and have kids that like to swim...early may til mid october...
If I were to do all of this, I would also have to move some serious landscaping also...so I need to think hard on this one...
Some pics at http://gallery.mac.com/anthony.desalvo
Please feel free to ask for more information...because it is difficult to be clear with so many issues...