Diverter & Check Valves

[KDpoolguy]

CHECK VALVES: Looking at either a Magic Plastics Check valve or The Jandy style flapper slip style. Need a 1/2lb spring 2”PVC. The Magic Plastics one:

"CR2" Corrosion Resistant Check Valves - Magic Plastics, Inc.

ALL PRODUCTS “CR2” CORROSION RESISTANT CHECK VALVES* The "CR2" Back-Flow prevention check valve is completely corrosion resistant, making it the ultimate solution for protecting your expensive Heat Exchangers from the potential damage of inline Chlorinators while also maintaining a Full-Flow...

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is corrosion resistant and has a top screw-down replacement/rebuilt access just like the Jandys.

DIVERTER VALVES: Looking at a Pentair 263038 (1.5”-2”) diverter valve or 263029 (2”-2.5”). The price is on-point especially for a positive seal comparable to the Jandy NeverLube at twice the price. I need one that allows my 2” PVC to slip over the valve for it to fit in a tight area and avoid issues with the painted PVC.

Does anyone have these Pentair valves? I’d really appreciate anyone to:
—-provide length dimensions of these
Pentair valves, and
—- if the 263038 (Pentair valve) is able to have the 2” PVC pipe slip over it without a coupler (Jandy Space Saver’s space saving is moot as it requires a coupler for 2”).
—even if you only have the 3 way valve, providing me with the length dimensions should be similar or exact to the length of the 2-way.

Thanks!

 

[KDpoolguy]

I’m leaning toward the Magic Plastics Check valve. P

 

[KDpoolguy]

Gonna take a stab and bump my thread here. I’m tackling this another way.
Can’t I just get a higher Spring tension? I cannot find any specifics on spring tension for check valves. I have a 1/2 lb, and since I can more simply handle this problem by getting a 2lb spring, that’d be my preference. Any advice?
It’s presently a Flo Controls Clear check valve and I would preferably like to replace the 1/2lb spring with a 2 lb. spring. Can’t find it anywhere, other than buying entire new valve assembly. I can then throttle up pump to get water to spillover into the spa.

 

[Jimrahbe]

KD,

As you can imagine, I read a lot of posts and it is very easy for me to forget things and to get confused between member's problems and posts....

We may have talked about this in the past, but why do you need a check valve to have a spillover of your spa into the pool? Basically you just need to add the Spillway function to your EasyTouch. Takes about five minutes and uses your existing Intake and Return valves...

Please let me know what I am missing... (Other than mental stability... )

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[KDpoolguy]

Hi Jim,
Yes, the Spillway function would be path 1, but for it to work I’d have to add something to prevent water going to this bypass check valve. This ‘something’ would either be a 2-way diverter (to stop any water from going this way) or a higher tension check valve.
Ya see no matter what, in pool setting, water goes thru in 2 directions 1) to a check valve to the supply the spa & 2) to supply the pool. It was setup this way before the pool had automation.
I figured I could avoid this by simply adding a higher Spring tension to the existing check valve. I could then set a higher speed schedule (for a hour or so) so water pressure opens the check valve to supply filtered water to the spa, make the spillover/fountain operate.

I want to heat the pool, and not the spa, but have no way of doing that because of this setup.

 

[Jimrahbe]

KD,

I think I remember now... With automation you do not need that line at all.. You could just cap it off at both ends...

The spillway function can be used two ways.. You can just schedule it twice a day for 30 with the pump running at 2500 or so.. Or if you were having a party and wanted to have the spillway run all the time, you could just set the speed to something like 1200 RPM and you would get a smaller spillover.

Jim R.

 

[KDpoolguy]

Thanks Jim,
I’ve got the Screenlogic2 here in the box, and my old neighbor was going to install it but won’t be able to until June. I’ve got a mountain of projects, otherwise I’d tackle it now. I love the Active 20 btw, throw it in and pool is spotless-that was simple! I do have a couple of 2” PVC caps in the garage. Should I venture to setup the Spillway just using the EasyTouch panel? Or wait for Screenlogic2?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Kevin,

You can use the ET if you like.

Menu, Setting, Circuit Names.. Scroll down to a Feature that is not used and change it to "Spillway" then menu, menu to save.

I forgot.. you need to go to Circuit Functions and find "Spillway" and set the Function to Spillway...

You can test it by going to Menu, Feature Circuits, and select Spillway... it should show ON and (assuming you are in the Pool mode) the Return valve will move 180 degrees to the Spa mode.

You can turn it off and then schedule "Spillway" to come on twice a day for 30 minutes.. (two schedules)..

You may want to go to your pump speed menu and assign a speed to the "Spillway" circuit...

(Set up spillway and test it first... and let me know if you have any problems..)

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[KDpoolguy]

Got the Spillway working, Jim. Thanks!
Flawless. I am still feeling I’ll add a 2-way diverter valve and a new check valve instead of capping it.

That ‘bypass’ offers a certain amount of structural rigidity and even though this route will cost me an afternoon and $100, it still offers me more options. If I cap it, the run of PVC torques back and forth a lot when the pump comes in and causes a leak at the heater. I’ll post pics when I’m done.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Kevin,

Glad you got it working...

Adding a 2-way valve works for me.. I like the rigidity idea and I agree it gives you more options.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[KDpoolguy]

I’ve got the goods. Decided on all Jandy valves (check valve and positive seal NeverLube 2-way diverter valve) in 2-2.5” size so no couplers needed. Found great Warehouse deals on both! Should be an easy job, but may need to drain spa a bit.

The Jandy spec says to use Gray CPVC cement, but I have a mountain of Hot Medium Blue PVC cement.

 

[KDpoolguy]

Job done.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Kevin,

"It" is never done!!!

Jim R.

 

[KDpoolguy]

@Jimrahbe or any other ScreenLogic2 pros.
A question to tackle since I replumbed:

1. How can I remotely engage the Spillway function? Meaning as a on-the-fly or Egg-Timer ‘feature’ having it move the return valve to run my Spillway fountain and then rotate it back by pressing one Spillway button on my Screenlogic app. I can easily set a schedule for Spillway, & it works fine, by rotating the return valve. This works every night to provide filtered water to the spa. I have tried by setting it as a Feature, I think I’ve tried everything: having it under pool settings and as a circuit-everything and even within the SL2 setup on the laptop so everything named Spillway is selected as a feature it doesn’t engage. Since I replcumbed this, my alternative is purchasing another valve actuator as Valve A, but I’m concerned I’ll have the same outcome.

Thanks all, Kevin

 

[Jimrahbe]

Kevin,

Maybe I just don't understand...

If you already have the Spillway function set up and it runs on a schedule, you can just push the Spillway icon on Screenlogic and the spillway should work until you shut it off..

What happens when you do this?

This assumes you are using the build-in spillway function that rotates the return valve so that the water that is sucked from the pool is returned to the spa..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[KDpoolguy]

Hi Jim, happy Saturday. It’s strange huh? It runs fine as a schedule, the valve turns and comes up to the associated pump speed, but when I push the Spillway button, it doesn’t turn the valve. The Spillway function is set to 1350 rpm, and when I press the Spillway button in SL2, it runs at 1350 pump speed, but does not then turn the return valve.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Kevin,

I am sure what you say is true, but it does not make sense.. If it works when scheduled, it should work when the icon is pushed.

Go into the main panel ( Menu, Feature Circuits) and turn on the spillway from there and see if it works...

Show me your Circuits page and valve page.. Like the following..


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• Jimrahbe
• Jul 14, 2017

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[KDpoolguy]

 

[Jimrahbe]

Kevin,

I don't see anything stupid...

If this were my system, I would try the outside panel and see if it works from there..

I'd also delete the schedule for the spillway and then see if the icon works by pushing it..

On the surface it makes no sense.

Did you ever add the make up valve back into your equipment pad? If you did, and we can't figure this out, you could add an actuator and control it via valve A or B..

You are not trying to turn on the spillover when in the spa mode are you?

Let me know what you find out..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[KDpoolguy]

I’m really confused, but assume it’s something related to the way I inouted it in the SL2 and it’s using a different Spillway circuit on the panel.

So yes, it’s working on the physical panel, return valve turns as per the proper spillway function. I deleted the spillway on the schedules and added it again, and it’s working tonight. Then, It won’t work thru Screenlogic2. It just turns the pump on to that preset spillway speed (1350rpm), but doesn’t turn the valve. Argh! And Hmmm!?
I have too many projects, too much heat and not enough summer left. I begin my classes next week, and am avoiding the need to prep lectures so I distract myself with these challenges. I have the makeup valve Jandy valve, but haven’t taken the time to put the actuator on it (as a Valve A control). I’m still tackling my issue with the Hayward SWG panel intermittently talking to the Screenlogic2 so I’m not wanting to open the panel again for fear a lose wire is the culprit.