Automate Suction Valve

[parsog]

First post - I’m a first time pool owner as of a month ago. I found a thread where this Q was asked but not really answered so I’m asking again.

Installing Valve Actuator between wall suction and skimmer/main drain

I inherited this pool when I bought my house. It looks like the pool returns splits off into wall suction and skimmer/main drain. I believe the skimmer and main drain share the same return pipe. There is a valve that lets me manually control the amount of flow that is split from the wall...

www.troublefreepool.com

I have the same scenario where I’d like to add an actuator with automation to an existing valve in order to direct the suction 100% from my in-wall cleaner port for a couple of hours a day and then have it switch to skimmer suction for the rest of the day. But I also worry what would happen if someone takes out the cleaner hose from the in-wall suction port and the spring-actuated flap closes, depriving the pump of water.

Suggestions?

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Welcome to TFP!

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

But I also worry what would happen if someone takes out the cleaner hose from the in-wall suction port and the spring-actuated flap closes, depriving the pump of water.

You would run the pump dry and possibly cause damage to the pump.

 

[parsog]

Welcome to TFP!

I’ve been reading and it looks like the value actuators have cams that let you set the valve position stops at other than 180 degrees so maybe if I set the stop to continue to allow some flow from the skimmer and bump up the pump flow during the bottom cleaner time so the cleaner gets enough flow to do its thing, it will allow me to still set this up in a way that will work for me.

I guess I’ll have to play with it once I receive the actuator.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

That would be a good way to keep the pump from running dry if you can get enough suction to the cleaner. Some tweaking with cams and pump speed might get you there.

I do have an actuator that controls my suction vacuum. I don't program a run. I turn it on through my app and set an egg timer to switch it off after a couple hours.

 

[parsog]

I like that idea. I want to make sure I get enough bottom cleaning time though even if I’m not home or thinking about it. Maybe the bottom cleaning just isn’t as critical as I’m thinking it is.