AGP pump timer with remote control

[volcano]

Hi all-- new tiny AG intex, looking to set up a timer to control the pump. Our pump (Intex 637R) doesn't have a power button. The pool is located behind our garage, and the electrical outlet is inside the garage (the cord runs through an unused dog door in the back wall of the garage). This means that there's no way for us to turn the pump off/on without going through the house and into the garage to plug it in/unplug it.

Ideally, I'd like to attach a timer (to automatically run the pump once or twice a day), and also have a way to turn on the pump from outside when we're using it. So something like a timer with a remote control (that can be stored outside) to override it as needed. Has anyone used something similar? I know Intex admonishes users of extension cords; are there similar concerns with timers? Thanks!

 

[jeffchap]

I used a timer with mine for years. The only problem was that the timer would cause the GFCI on the pump's cord to trip every time it turned it on. So I replaced the GFCI with a regular plug. The entire circuit was already GFCI protected at the house.

 

[volcano]

I used a timer with mine for years. The only problem was that the timer would cause the GFCI on the pump's cord to trip every time it turned it on. So I replaced the GFCI with a regular plug. The entire circuit was already GFCI protected at the house.

I've heard of others having that problem, too-- I should test ours with a regular timer and see if it trips under those conditions, too.
Was yours a regular timer, or one with a remote control?

 

[jeffchap]

Just a regular timer like you'd use for outdoor Christmas lights.

 

[DaneCE]

I've been using a Woods timer with my 1 HP Hayward pump. It's been serving me well for 4 years now.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006LYHG42/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It has 24 on/off possible settings which is useful for me in the Winter so I can run my pump for just 5 minutes every hour or two to be sure my pipes don't freeze.

I also have a Woods remote that I initially bought for my pump just for when I want to control my pump for attaching a hose to the skimmer. I ended up not needing it for that purpose but instead use it to remotely control a nebulizer.

https://www.amazon.com/Woods-32555WD-Outdoor-Wireless-Weatherproof/dp/B001Q9EFUK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1531173517&sr=8-5&keywords=remote+power+switch

 

[chayne]

here is a smart plug that is outdoor rated. you could use your phone. i bought one of these.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B077HPJXR6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[volcano]

Our outlet is inside so I don't need outdoor rated, actually-- I just ordered a Kasa smart plug from TP-Link, and hopefully that will work!

 

[chayne]

TP link smart plugs are the best. i have 15 around my house. have never had a problem with any of them.

 

[Hayseed]

I fail to understand these timers and the way they are designed to be wired. I wonder this. The timer comes with a plug, you plug the plug end into an outlet or extension cord, to power the unit up. Now the thing you want to control has to be hardwired into the time. So if you have anything with a plug end like most pool pumps do, you have to cut the plug off and hardwire unit. So instead of having to hardwire to timer, why don't they have plug ins on the timers. You plug the timer in then plug pool pump to timer, and have another plug in unit for something else? There must be a reason but I don't know what it would be. When I put my panel up for my pool I intend to have it set up this way, instead of hardwiring things to the timer, I am going to hardwire a four receptacle box to the timer and mount it next to the timer. If something weird comes along, where I am dealing with a hard wire connection device, I will simply attach a plug end on to it, and plug it in. Beats the heck out of tearing down the timer and fooling around trying to connect wires everywhere. Would there be something wrong with doing it this way? I intend to have the timer and receptical box attached to the wall with water protection, and of course gfi at the panel

 

[volcano]

I fail to understand these timers and the way they are designed to be wired. I wonder this. The timer comes with a plug, you plug the plug end into an outlet or extension cord, to power the unit up. Now the thing you want to control has to be hardwired into the time. So if you have anything with a plug end like most pool pumps do, you have to cut the plug off and hardwire unit.

I'm not sure I follow you here-- while there certainly are timers that need to be hard-wired, there are also a lot of timers that have a plug receptacle. Like this (just one random example).

When I put my panel up for my pool I intend to have it set up this way, instead of hardwiring things to the timer, I am going to hardwire a four receptacle box to the timer and mount it next to the timer.

There are timers with multiple receptacles, too, like this 6-outlet version from Intermatic. There might be code issues with hard-wiring one of these off-the-shelf versions, though, but I'm sure that hard-wired options exist (our house came with one for the water heater).

 

[Hayseed]

Thank you for posting these timers with plug ins attached. I have been looking at various timers, and had never came across this version of timer. Before now I thought they did not exist, thank you for the info and the link.