I need to replace/repair mechanical intermatic panel.

[smw2102]

I have a rental property with a ~30k gallon pool/spa and my pool cleaning service company advised my pool's floor sweeper was not working properly due to the electrical box/timer needing to be replaced. He does not do that type of work and recommended a company in town that does, which I ended up getting a quote. Which was as follows:


-2 Double GFCI breakers: $380
-Digital control intermatic: $700
-115A GFCI breaker: $80
-Double pole switch: $60
-Labor: $700

Here are some photographs of my old control panel: http://imgur.com/a/GU3QK

I was thinking I was going to have to pay around $500-$900 for parts/labor, and boy was I mistaken. I asked the pool repair company if there were any cheaper options for a control intermatic (specifically a non-digital), and they advised it was a new law that required digital in California? What? Is this true? After comparing prices online, it seemed like they were marking up the price 100-150%, and I concluded that they just may not want the job. I was going to buy the parts online, and then hire a licensed electrician to carry out the task.

I have a Pentair variable speed pool pump (with a digital keypad timer- not sure on exact model), spa pump, spa blower, light, and a pool sweeper. As mentioned, it is a rental so I want a dependable/reliable control panel, without all the bells and whistles that would add up to a $700 digital control panel.

 

[Richard320]

Sounded fishy to me so I did some looking.

It's because of your variable speed pump that you need to go digital. A single or dual speed pump would likely work right on a manual timer, but not a variable. Kill all the power with a mechanical timer and the electronic brain shuts down and, I suspect, lose the programming.

2.4 Pool Pump Controllers and Other Pool Controls
Variable and multi-speed motors must use a motor controller or drive to modulate speed.
Specialized controls allow the installation contractor to set the appropriate low and high speed
operation times for filtration and cleaning functions respectively. Low-speed operation is
appropriate for pool filtration. Higher speed is required for operating sweeps or bottom crawlers
for a few hours per day, backwashing filters, or for priming the pump. Most controls manufacturers
currently offer two-speed or variable-speed control options, with automatic or manual override to
allow higher-speed, high-flow operation for cleaning no longer than 24 hours (DEG & ES 2004a,
7).
Variable speed pumps now commonly offer integral controls on the pump to allow choice of speeds
and times. More sophisticated controls can manage auxiliary pool components such as spas,
waterfalls, and lights.

Bold emphasis added. http://www.energy.ca.gov/appliances/2013rulemaking/documents/proposals/12-AAER-2F_Residential_Pool_Pumps_and_Replacement_Motors/California_IOUs_Response_to_the_Invitation_to_Submit_Proposals_for_Pool_and_Spas_2013-07-29_TN-71756.pdf

That seems to be the rub. The limit to how long it can be over-ridden.

The GFCI breakers make sense. I think things need to be brought up to code when major repairs are made.

 

[Mkubacki]

90$ each for your double pole breakers 50$ for single 15 amp gfci breaker and 12$ for double pole switch so about 250$ in parts minus the timer they are over pricing everything big time can't hurt to call someone else for a second opinion