Champagne Spa water exchange in POOL mode

[jmcmd1980]

Wherever AUX3 was in the OneTouch it should be there. I don’t know if the OneTouch changes the name from AUX3 to SPILLOVER.

It did change the name to spillover in the VSP set up, it does not show up in one touch, I think because there’s a maximum of six spaces, and I use them all

 

[jmcmd1980]

When you shut off that 50/50 makeup you will be able to lower that pump speed considerably. Leaving it open kinda defeats the purpose of scheduled spillovers.

Unfortunately (for me), when I closed off the pool-spa valve, which was set to 50-50, to 100-0, then in Spillover mode, the spa does not fill and overflow the sides. Apparently, the way the plumbing is set up, the way they are configured, when the automatic valves change, the water to fill the spa from the pool in Spillover mode comes from the bottom of the spa, not the jets, and that pool-spa valve has to be open to fill the spa when in Spillover mode. That is unless I am missing something and the way the automatic valves behave for spillover mode can be changed in setup?

Jim

 

[HermanTX]

With the spa return closed (the manual valve between the pool return and spa return), then activate Spillover mode.
Does either of your automated valves turn? If so, what is open and what is closed? Maybe show a picture in that mode.

Do you have 1 return in the bottom of the spa that is where water flows from when the SPA RETURN valve is open?

 

[jmcmd1980]

It looks to me that only one automatic valve changes, as shown in the picture. If I close the water to the spa manually before Spillover mode, it doesn’t look like there’s any flow to the spa, no spillover, just enhanced flow to the pool. The other automatic valve does not change. I took a picture of the bottom of the spa. It is one long drain, that feeds the spa in pool mode, and drains the spa in spa mode when the Jets are on. Sorry for the multiple follow up questions. In spill over, I do get enhanced spill over from the champagne spa, it just looks like the water comes less forcefully from the bottom fill, and not the jets likely due to the way it is set up, I’m guessing.


Jim

 

[jmcmd1980]

With the spa return closed (the manual valve between the pool return and spa return), then activate Spillover mode.
Does either of your automated valves turn? If so, what is open and what is closed? Maybe show a picture in that mode.

Do you have 1 return in the bottom of the spa that is where water flows from when the SPA RETURN valve is open?

My basic pool rate is 1750 RPMs. I wonder if I turned that down just above the rate needed to generate chlorine, and turned up the RPMs in the spillover mode, if that would accomplish the same thing, no spill over in basic filter mode, and enhance spill over in spill over mode.

 

[HermanTX]

It looks to me that only one automatic valve changes, as shown in the picture. If I close the water to the spa manually before Spillover mode, it doesn’t look like there’s any flow to the spa, no spillover, just enhanced flow to the pool. The other automatic valve does not change.

So the automated valves moved correctly. On the suction side, it did NOT move and only have suction from the pool. (EDIT - this correct as it should not move - you want suction from the pool in SPILLOVER mode.) On the return side, the valve moved correctly from return to pool to ONLY to return to spa. So there should be water flow coming from the jets. Did you feel the flow? Therefore the water in the spa will rise and overflow the spa back into the pool.

 

[HermanTX]

My basic pool rate is 1750 RPMs. I wonder if I turned that down just above the rate needed to generate chlorine, and turned up the RPMs in the spillover mode, if that would accomplish the same thing, no spill over in basic filter mode, and enhance spill over in spill over mode.

The iAquaLink screen you show indicates 2750rpm when in SPILLOVER mode. That should generate pretty good flow for the overflow into the pool.

EDIT
Yes - turning your POOL mode speed to a lower rpm would reduce the force of the flow but there will still be spillover, maybe at a trickle. The only way to stop all flow to the spa during normal POOL mode is to manual close the valve between the spa return and pool return which is currently set at open to both pipes.

 

[HermanTX]

In spill over, I do get enhanced spill over from the champagne spa, it just looks like the water comes less forcefully from the bottom fill, and not the jets likely due to the way it is set up, I’m guessing.

At 2750rpm in Spillover mode, you should get enhanced spill over. There should be NO water flow from the bottom as that return pipe has been closed with the automated valve. All flow should be coming from the jet returns on side of the spa.

 

[jmcmd1980]

In spill over mode, there was no flow from the Jets, the only flow I see comes from the floor of the spa filling the spa and overflowing the sides. There’s likely a way to program what the automated valves do in different modes, but beyond my expertise at this point. In my situation as things are now, is there any advantage to spill over mode over just running the pump at an enhanced rate, a few times a day to spill over the spa more and then go back to a lower base rate?

 

[ajw22]

In spill over mode, there was no flow from the Jets, the only flow I see comes from the floor of the spa filling the spa and overflowing the sides.

Why do you think from from the jets is preferable to flow from the floor return?

There’s likely a way to program what the automated valves do in different modes, but beyond my expertise at this point. In my situation as things are now, is there any advantage to spill over mode over just running the pump at an enhanced rate, a few times a day to spill over the spa more and then go back to a lower base rate?

You can do it either way. You have more tools now to control the spa spillover.

It makes no difference if the water flow into your spa comes from the jets or the floor return.

 

[proavia]

Using Spillover mode allows you to program when the spa spills over.
Using the make-up line gives a continuous spillover anytime the pump runs.

The water source used for Spillover mode or the make-up line is still pool water. Where this pool water comes out in the spa makes no difference.

Using Spillover mode refreshes the spa water automatically based on your program - and also helps limit pH rise do to aeration (continuous water spillover when using the make-up line). Two 15-20 minute programs of Spillover mode daily usually is sufficient to keep the spa water well circulated.

 

[HermanTX]

In spill over mode, there was no flow from the Jets, the only flow I see comes from the floor of the spa filling the spa and overflowing the sides.

Based on the photo you provided, the flow from the spa floor should not occur because the automated valve has that side closed off and only open to the spa jets. This is the pipe that says SPA.

You earlier stated that the flow from the floor occurs when the manual valve between pool return & spa return is set to full open from both pipes. So if the automated valve in front of that is CLOSED then no flow should occur from the floor.

Just want to ensure that we all understand where flow is coming from with certain pipes open or closed.

As test. Put the system in SPA mode - does your jets produce flow?

 

[jmcmd1980]

You were right, I was wrong and happy to admit it. I just went through the process again, but this time I closed the 50-50 valve to the spa. BEFORE I went into spillover mode as you advised , and flow, indeed, did come from the Jets. So it looks like all is well, I just have to figure out what rate to run the pump at to produce salt and optimize cost. Spa mode works fine.

Thanks for everything!