Help/Recommendations for Equip Layout

[jkleintech]

Hi all!! New to pools and building our first one! My PB started placing equipment last week. I have a 12'x4' overhang on the back of my shed I'm planning to put most of the equipment under. I'm not stoked about how things are laid out right now (looks messy) and just found out the chiller needs 5' of clearance above it, so it's going to need to come out from under the roof.

We have a 16x30 pool + spa. Went with an LP heater and a heat pump / chiller. How would y'all lay this all out to get it looking the cleanest? I drew up the best one I could come up with. Am I overthinking this?

 

[HermanTX]

Welcome to TFP.
It is set up with a nice straight run into the pump. You want easy access to the pump and filter. I could not see where the drain on bottom of filter is positioned. That needs easy access to clean the filter.
The heater is on the edge to allow the exhaust to be to open air which is good.
Ask the plumber to put a heater bypass.
If you need to move the chiller, will you set that on a new concrete pad?

Heater Bypass - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[jkleintech]

I could not see where the drain on bottom of filter is positioned. That needs easy access to clean the filter.

Thanks for the note about the drain on the filter. It's definitely facing backwards right now.

Ask the plumber to put a heater bypass.

I asked about bypasses and he hadn't even heard of this. He apparently asked the guys at the store and they're just a kit so he's jist creating his own. The JXi LP heater is supposed to have one built in? It says "w/ VersaFlo" on my contract. Does anyone have any info on this? Do I still need an external bypass?

If you need to move the chiller, will you set that on a new concrete pad?

They're using the composite ones, but yes.

 

[BMerrill]

Ditch the chiller, its not needed in Eastern NC. Hope you have a large LP tank. Bypass on the heater.

 

[HermanTX]

I asked about bypasses and he hadn't even heard of this. He apparently asked the guys at the store and they're just a kit so he's jist creating his own. The JXi LP heater is supposed to have one built in? It says "w/ VersaFlo" on my contract. Does anyone have any info on this? Do I still need an external bypass?

I would still do the Heater bypass. Show the plumber the layout in the link sent earlier. He needs to purchase a 3-way valve and a check valve for the pipe size he is using. It is simple to put in and it appears there is ample space to do it.

 

[HermanTX]

One item that I missed that should be added. In the line between the pump and cartridge filter inlet, put another 3-way valve. Then run pipe from that 3rd port to the end of the pad where you can attach a flexible hose. This will be a easy drain line that bypasses the filter if that is needed to remove water from your pool without having to set up a syphon. Now if you drain your total pool, it would be best to use a sump pump but for a partial drain due to excessive rain or some other need it is nice to have this option. Just remember to only use the main bottom drain for suction and not the skimmers.

 

[jkleintech]

Thanks all! They ended up getting concerned about passing inspection and started to lay out everything even more dumb. I escalated to the leadership at the builder and they're going to get everything into a nice line. Probably just going to put it along the fence so we don't have to worry about clearances.

Ditch the chiller, its not needed in Eastern NC.

I wanted a chiller because the size of that tanning ledge and because we did a medium color for the plaster. It's a heat pump so I get heat also and it's way more efficient ($ per BTU) than the LP is but I need the LP for the spa, especially when it's cold outside.

Hope you have a large LP tank.

I'm doing a 250gal.

Bypass on the heater.

Yep thanks will do.

Also - thanks for the layout diagram. Did you draw that? If so, what'd you use?

 

[HermanTX]

Thanks all! They ended up getting concerned about passing inspection and started to lay out everything even more dumb. I escalated to the leadership at the builder and they're going to get everything into a nice line. Probably just going to put it along the fence so we don't have to worry about clearances.


I wanted a chiller because the size of that tanning ledge and because we did a medium color for the plaster. It's a heat pump so I get heat also and it's way more efficient ($ per BTU) than the LP is but I need the LP for the spa, especially when it's cold outside.


I'm doing a 250gal.


Yep thanks will do.

Also - thanks for the layout diagram. Did you draw that? If so, what'd you use?

That is a big improvement.