Help me identify valves and where they should point & VSF setting

[ZellyBelly]

Hi all! I really hope someone can help me identify what all the valves are and how they should be set and hopefully the VSF pump settings. This is my parent’s plaster in-ground pool installed in December 2019 in California. Use the Clorox XtraBlue 3" Chlorine Tablets in float. Use a bubble solar cover to keep temperature comfortable at ~90° for my Dad to swim laps. Dad is blind and they are in their 70s so I want to label them REALLY BIG and clear. Unfortunately builder only labeled 7 pipes (the white words on the picture) and have no clue what the others are for. Honestly, valves #1&3 (yellow) are the only ones that get turned to “spa” for the spa jets. The vacuum is always plugged into the side suction. We are trying to get the VSF set right as the installer had him set it at 3200 RPM for 4 hours daily not utilizing the efficiency. I recently started researching on here for how to set the variable speed but when it gets below 2,800 the PoolCleaner wheels don’t revolve as much as it should and hardly sucks and he gets yellow on the walls. So don’t think it or valves are set right. Currently set at 2,800rpm 9am-1pm, 2,050rpm 1pm-4pm then 2,850rpm 4pm-5pm.
Thank you

Dec 2019 IG plaster 18k gal Clorox XtraBlue 3" Chlorine Tablets
Pool 4 drains (2 bottom, 2 pump side wall) [blue X]
Spa 2 drains [blue X]
1 skimmer [green Y]
Water feature (waterfall side pool) [red line]
Side suction vacuum [yellow O]
Pool returns 4 [pink arrow]

18K gal, IG plaster, 1/2 hp Pentair IntelliFlo VSF pump, Pentair 1/2hp whisperflo high-performance pump for spa and water feature, Pentair MasterTemp 400 high performance heater, Pentair SolarTouch Solar Control System, 520sqft Pentair Clean & Clear Plus cartridge filter, Hayward The PoolCleaner 2 Wheel Suction Cleaner, Poolmaster #22260 5-Way Test Kit

 

[ajw22]

Use the Clorox XtraBlue 3" Chlorine Tablets in float.

Welcome to TFP.

Those tablets contain copper. Any pool chemicals saying “blue” probably contain copper.

Copper will accumulate in the pool water and eventually stain the pool.

Copper in Pool Water - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Continuous using of Trichlor tablets will lead to high CYA levels.

What is the water chemistry in the pool and how do you test it?

Pool Care Basics Archives

Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[ZellyBelly]

Thank you for the information on the blue and copper. I’m reading about it and let my dad know. I test using the five way drops and the strips and the CYA is normal. I mentioned to my dad we do need to invest in a better kit so I’ll look for one.

Can anyone help with Identifying the valves and settings?

 

[ajw22]

Can anyone help with Identifying the valves and settings?

Valves:

1. POOL/SPA Return valve - POOL pipe on left; SPA pipe on right. - Handle on left POOL is on; Handle on right SPA is on
2. Vacuum valve - Handle down suction is coming from skimmers and vac line. That is not optimal and why you need to run pump at least 2800 rpm to keep vac running. When you don't want vac running handle should be up to have all water coming from skimmer. When you want vac handle should be rotated about 45 degrees counter colockise from the bottom so that SKIMMER is partially closed and more water is pulled from the vac line then from skimmer. You need to experiment with skimmer and vac line balance at different pump RPM. At high RPM closing skimmer line may starve pump or water, at lower RPM vac line alone may run cleaner fine.
3. POOL/SPA suction valve - POOL pipe on left; SPA pipe on right. - Handle on left POOL is on; Handle on right SPA is on
4. SPA BYPASS - feeds pool water into spa when in pool mode - keeps spa water fresh. You can adjust the valve to adjust the flow over the spillover depending on pump RPM.
5. Sends water to spa jets or water feature. Adjust for the force you want the spa jets and let remaining water flow to water feature.
6. Solar actuator - automatically controlled by actuator and Pentair SolarTouch controller. Is the Intelliflo VS pump RS-485 comm line connected to the SolarTouch controller such that the SolarTouch varies the pump RPM when solar heat is on or off?