Automating Vacuum to Waste

[larry's_pool]

View attachment Automation plan.pdf
I have a 36000 gal indoor pool at one in of my house. All the pool equipment is in the basement, the stairs to the basement are at the other end of the house, so anytime I want to change anything, I have to run up and down the stairs, sometimes several times. This is especially painful when I want to vacuum to waste. I intend to automate my pool /spa combination setup per the drawing using a Jandy RSPS12. I am automating.

Based on my research, automating the multiport valve is not really an option, this is not a huge deal; except for vacuuming to waste. To get around that, I plan to use a 3-way diverter on the outlet of the pump. One side will go normally to the multiport, the other to "waste". This will allow me to start my system normally, then redirect the pump discharge directly to waste without running up and down the stairs a total of four times just to vacuum.

Two questions: 1. Is there a reason I can not/should not do this? 2. Please critique my plan and make suggestions. With a RSPS12, I have a lot of flexibility. I haven't found a lot of details on programming the unit, I am assuming the I can program it to operate any powered/connected component however I want, within the mechanical/electrical limitations of those devices.

The attached drawing has five actuators: 1. east or west skimmer, 2. drain or skimmers, 3. pool or spa, 4. waste or multiport, and 5. pool or spa return. Many of the sample drawings found do not have so many actuators, but why bother automating if you are not going maximize options, am I missing something?

Another question, normally I would like to pull from both skimmers, but when vacuuming, just one, is that level of control available with the Jandy system?

Thanks,
Larry

 

[Captain 776]

Get a robot, so much easier, never vacuum to waste again. If you would like detailed info, please ask me

 

[larry's_pool]

I was fighting yellow algae for a bit. Once I finally killed it, I was left with grey dead algae. I sweep twice daily and the dead algae returned everyday, layer of great stuff. I then vacuumed to waste, several times, to get rid of the dead algae. This worked.

I then over filled my pool for about 30 hours diluting my cl to zero and starting the algae battle anew. The only way I've gotten rid of algae is to super chlorinate followed by vacuum to waste.

How could I do this better?

Thanks
Larry

 

[Pool Clown]

You're on the right track. Jandy/Zodiac has an "add on" board PN#5254 that provides for more actuators (2), but you need to keep in mind that this will need a free aux socket to operate. You can also get more than one of these boards, but i would be careful not to operate more than 2 actuators (one board) at once. Example: You have the system in spa mode and decide to vacuum the pool. Logically you would need to take the system out of spa mode and start your vacuum system. This would run 3 to 4 actuators at once over loading the board. The board has a 3 amp fuse that would protect the board, but you just don't want to do this, so keep that in mind.

 

[xyz]

I was fighting yellow algae for a bit. Once I finally killed it, I was left with grey dead algae. I sweep twice daily and the dead algae returned everyday, layer of great stuff. I then vacuumed to waste, several times, to get rid of the dead algae. This worked.

I then over filled my pool for about 30 hours diluting my cl to zero and starting the algae battle anew. The only way I've gotten rid of algae is to super chlorinate followed by vacuum to waste.

How could I do this better?

Thanks
Larry

X2 on the robot. I had a DE leak, and my robot was even able to clear up all the DE on the pool bottom.

Also, maybe add an autofill? One guy on here says he will never build a pool without an autofill, and a overflow.

 

[Pool Clown]

I was going to add that to have a vacuum to waste ability is a good idea if you use "stabilized" Cl. Most tablet form Chlorine is stabilized. (It) can also be called conditioner or cyanuric acid. The levels of conditioner can build up over time to levels that make the function of it non-existent. It's function is to "hold" chlorine for a longer period of time. A common symptom of too high of levels is that you will begin to go through more Cl than you used to. The cheapest way to remove it is to drain and dilute the pool. So vacuum to waste, then refill (dilute), is a great way keep those levels in check.

Note: 1) There is a new chemical way to remove CYN that, for my customers, has been hit or miss. It is a bit pricey. But for now, it seems to be cheaper than local fines for over water use.

Google: Bio-Active. (I have no ties or interest in this Co.)

2) Were currently going through a pretty good drought in my area, so draining is not real popular right now...

 

[larry's_pool]

I appreciate all the advice. Will the robot pick up the dead algae? It clouds up instantly when I sweep and my sand filter is useless in cleaning it up, that is why I use vacuum to waste.

- - - Updated - - -

I am interested in your thoughts on a robot, will it pick up dead algae?

 

[xyz]

My robot filters out DE which is in theory 3 microns. The filter is designed for 50, but I think the DE likes to cling. Having said that, the Robot will eventually get everything, and will also stir up the water and get it into your DE filter which will do a great job of getting dead algae out.

If you want to speed things up, a clarifier will make the small particles clump into big particles so your filter and robot will pick them up much more quickly. But it is spending money for speed, and just running the robot and filter will clear it all up eventually.

 

[xyz]

Basically, now that I have a good robot, the only time I see myself ever vacuuming to waste is if there was a storm and I didn't want to wait for the robot, or if I had an "issue" and wanted to use a flocculant.

I also think you could see a payback for the robot because it doesn't require to run your pump at higher RPMs. Lower RPMs provide a disproprtionate reduction in power use.

 

[jblizzle]

Welcome to TFP!!!

So everyone is focusing on your question how to remove dead algae ... well, if you were properly maintaining the chemistry, the algae would never start and you would never need to worry about how to remove it.

Also, I am not sure how you killed all the algae, but if you did not ensure it was all gone, it could have been repeatedly growing and continuing to pile up. We recommend following the SLAM Process process to ensure that the algae is all dead.

I guess my point is, perhaps focusing on the chemistry might eliminate the problem you think you are going to have.

 

[MarianParoo]

Great point. Good chemistry is the key.

I never vacuum to waste even with a sand filter and cleaning up wind-blown dirt but I do add DE to my filter. If I have a lot of gunk in the pool, I vacuum to filter with socks in my skimmer and a vacuum plate. If it is minor, I use my robot.

With your indoor pool, wind-blown debris is not an issue, but just trying to say that vacuuming to waste may not be as important as you think.

 

[pooldv]

There have been a number of TFP members who tried bioactive with limited to little success. Including Bioactive joining and helping them. A search at the top right will turn up a number of bioactive experimental threads. We wish it worked and if it worked we would gladly recommend it. But, it doesn't seem to.