Having a pool built and need advice

[ajw22]

You need a diverter valve put in the "spa bottom return jet" pipe so you can turn it off.

A 2-way valve can be inserted in place of the check valve in that pipe so no PVC changes are required.

 

[voidpointer]

You need a diverter valve put in the "spa bottom return jet" pipe so you can turn it off.

A 2-way valve can be inserted in place of the check valve in that pipe so no PVC changes are required.

Won't I also need a JVA for that diverter valve? Or are you suggesting I keep it off permanently or switch it manually when I change between spa/pool/spillover mode?

 

[ajw22]

Keep it off permanently and use SPILLOVER mode whenever you want the spillover running.

 

[voidpointer]

Keep it off permanently and use SPILLOVER mode whenever you want the spillover running.

So just to make sure I understand: You're suggesting to keep it off permanently and only use the side jets to bring water into the spa? Will that create pressure issues in SPA mode? I imagine those jets will be more forceful. Never mind, I forgot that in SPA mode it doesn't use it anyway!

I like your idea. It's the cheap way out and I'm not even sure why they plumbed two separate lines to the spa like this.

Where can I buy a kit to convert the check valve into a diverter valve? I assume I just unscrew that window and screw in a different cap that has a valve in it. Looking on Amazon, I see "Neverlube" converter kits but they don't seem to have a replacement cap. Example: https://www.amazon.com/Diverter-Valve-Jandy-Neverlube-Replacement/dp/B01E5XYKIA?th=1

 

[ajw22]

I like your idea. It's the cheap way out and I'm not even sure why they plumbed two separate lines to the spa like this.

Because most Builders don't understand how automation and the SPILLOVER mode work.

Where can I buy a kit to convert the check valve into a diverter valve? I assume I just unscrew that window and screw in a different cap that has a valve in it. Looking on Amazon, I see "Neverlube" converter kits but they don't seem to have a replacement cap. Example: https://www.amazon.com/Diverter-Valve-Jandy-Neverlube-Replacement/dp/B01E5XYKIA?th=1

Buy a 2-way valve. The housing is the same. Unscrew the guts of the check valve from the housing and attach the guts of the diverter valve that you remove from the housing.

 

[voidpointer]

Buy a 2-way valve. The housing is the same. Unscrew the guts of the check valve from the housing and attach the guts of the diverter valve that you remove from the housing.

I can't even find a two way valve. Amazon has 3 way valves for over $60. Where do you buy them?

 

[mknauss]

Where can I buy a kit to convert the check valve into a diverter valve?

I suspect you need to buy an entire valve. Then use the internals/cap to change the installed one to a valve. Keep the check valve you will then have, or sell it.

 

[mknauss]

I take that back, just looked on Amazon. They do have just the caps.
Use '2 port Jandy Never Lube' to search.

 

[voidpointer]

I take that back, just looked on Amazon. They do have just the caps.
Use '2 port Jandy Never Lube' to search.

I found it and ordered one. Thank you!!

 

[voidpointer]

Before mucking with the dip switch and aux plugs on the aqualink, should I flip the breaker off or is it enough to simply put it in service/timeout mode?

 

[ajw22]

Before mucking with the dip switch and aux plugs on the aqualink, should I flip the breaker off or is it enough to simply put it in service/timeout mode?

Flip the breaker off and power the Aqualink down. Electronics can be sensitive and some changes need a reboot to work properly.

 

[voidpointer]

Ok spillover mode is working. I had to move my sheers from AUX3 to AUX7. I have a few questions:

- The two JVAs the PB added do not take up AUX5 and AUX6 on the board, even though those two control them. Are the JVAs plugged in somewhere else and the AUX5 and AUX6 are basically just reserved to control them with buttons on the interface? Reason I'm asking is, when I was moving my sheers, I could have plugged them into either 5 or 6 but those were in use in the web interface, even though physically they were available on the panel.

- When I enter spillover mode, the JVA does a 180 degree turn on the return side of the plumbing so that 100% of the water goes through the spa jets. Also, I think the VSP uses the "Spa" RPM setting for spillover mode, which ends up using 3100 RPM at the moment. What this all means is: There is a lot more pressure in the system, because the amount of water getting sucked in is more than it can return, I imagine. Also means that the spillover sprays water like the hoover dam is fully open and doesn't look good at all. So: 1) I assume I want lower RPMs for spillover. Should the spa & spillover modes share the same RPM? If not, how do I specify a VSP speed setting separately between the two? 2) Should the spa return be full open or do I need to cam the JVA? If I do need to cam it, I have no idea how to.

 

[ajw22]

- The two JVAs the PB added do not take up AUX5 and AUX6 on the board, even though those two control them. Are the JVAs plugged in somewhere else and the AUX5 and AUX6 are basically just reserved to control them with buttons on the interface? Reason I'm asking is, when I was moving my sheers, I could have plugged them into either 5 or 6 but those were in use in the web interface, even though physically they were available on the panel.

By default AUX buttons control high voltage relays.

To control a JVA you map an AUX button to the JVA.

When an AUX button is mapped to a JVA you lose the ability to control that high voltage relay socket.

That is the way Aqualink works. A Pentair IntelliCenter creates virtual buttons to control a JVA and you do not lose high voltage relay slots. One of the many reasons I prefer the IntelliCenter.

- When I enter spillover mode, the JVA does a 180 degree turn on the return side of the plumbing so that 100% of the water goes through the spa jets. Also, I think the VSP uses the "Spa" RPM setting for spillover mode, which ends up using 3100 RPM at the moment. What this all means is: There is a lot more pressure in the system, because the amount of water getting sucked in is more than it can return, I imagine. Also means that the spillover sprays water like the hoover dam is fully open and doesn't look good at all. So: 1) I assume I want lower RPMs for spillover. Should the spa & spillover modes share the same RPM? If not, how do I specify a VSP speed setting separately between the two? 2) Should the spa return be full open or do I need to cam the JVA? If I do need to cam it, I have no idea how to.

@PoolGate should be able to help you set a VSP speed for your SPILLOVER mode separate from the SPA mode VSP speed.

You cannot cam the spa return differently for SPILLOVER mode. The JVA can only have two settings unless you have the SMART JVA board which @PoolGate can also tell you about.

 

[voidpointer]

For @PoolGate :

This page talks about the speeds and how they map to certain functions. Specifically, it states that spillover should be speed 4. I set up my speeds as follows:

When I toggle "Spillover" mode, the pump stays on speed 1 (Pool). I expected it to switch to speed 4 as the guide suggests.

What am I missing? I tried an Aux assignment but AUX3 does not show up in the list.

 

[PoolGate]

For @PoolGate :

This page talks about the speeds and how they map to certain functions. Specifically, it states that spillover should be speed 4. I set up my speeds as follows:
View attachment 478500
When I toggle "Spillover" mode, the pump stays on speed 1 (Pool). I expected it to switch to speed 4 as the guide suggests.

What am I missing? I tried an Aux assignment but AUX3 does not show up in the list.

Check the manual below and search on "spillover". Keywords show as all caps I am not sure if it makes a difference or not. Also you need dipswitch 3 set for splillover mode to function.

https://cdn.fluidrausa.com/-/media/zodiac/global/downloads/0748-91071/6594.pdf?rev=8ef7e65bffb247efb962fe23e434b87e

 

[voidpointer]

you need dipswitch 3 set for splillover mode to function

I did flip that on. I can tell it works because there is a new spillover toggle and spillover itself is working (the return JVA changes but not the suction)

Can you post this page

The image you posted there is not visible; which page do you want me to show?

 

[PoolGate]

I did flip that on. I can tell it works because there is a new spillover toggle and spillover itself is working (the return JVA changes but not the suction)

The image you posted there is not visible; which page do you want me to show?

Sorry - try again! These 2.

 

[PoolGate]

Also did you label that or did it magically appear as "Spillover" when you flipped the dipswitch? Try renaming it if you can to SPILLOVER since that is what is show in the instructions. Finally, try power-cycling the system.

 

[voidpointer]

Also did you label that or did it magically appear as "Spillover" when you flipped the dipswitch? Try renaming it if you can to SPILLOVER since that is what is show in the instructions. Finally, try power-cycling the system.

Screenshots below for the requested menus. I did use a custom name. There was no premade label for "Spillover". There is one named "Spillway" though. I tried both "Spillover" and "SPILLOVER", but neither work. Here is how I test:

1. Go to Home > Other Devices > VSP1 Spd, verify speed is on preset 1 "POOL" mode
2. Go Back, select "Spillover". Will go from OFF -> ON
3. Immediately go back to VSP1 Spd and observe that it is still set to preset 1 "POOL" mode. At this point, I expected it to go to preset 4 "Spillover".
4. Go back, select "Spillover" so it goes from ON -> OFF.

 

[PoolGate]

Screenshots below for the requested menus. I did use a custom name. There was no premade label for "Spillover". There is one named "Spillway" though. I tried both "Spillover" and "SPILLOVER", but neither work. Here is how I test:

1. Go to Home > Other Devices > VSP1 Spd, verify speed is on preset 1 "POOL" mode
2. Go Back, select "Spillover". Will go from OFF -> ON
3. Immediately go back to VSP1 Spd and observe that it is still set to preset 1 "POOL" mode. At this point, I expected it to go to preset 4 "Spillover".
4. Go back, select "Spillover" so it goes from ON -> OFF.

View attachment 478549View attachment 478550

I think this is the problem. I think when you do the dipswitch 3 it should just appear. The instructions (link above) says you cannot change it. Try powering it down, switching dipswitch 3 off and on, power up and see what shows up. I do not have a spillway so I cannot look at mine for it. If all else fails, try assigning that speed to aux3.