Jandy valve position options

[OWSwimmer]

New pool owner here just getting my feet wet.
I believe this Jandy valve is in the open position for normal operations and so allows water from the filter to return to the pool via the jets and in floor cleaners. If this is true then under what circumstances would I want to isolate the infloor cleaners or return jets?

 

[PoolGate]

Yes that's wide opened. Looks like it switches between your pressure cleaner port and the normal returns. You could do any combination. Only time to change is adjustment for what the cleaner requires.

 

[Jimrahbe]

OW,

If your in floor cleaning system (IFCS) fails, that valve would give you the ability to run just the pool returns. This is great, because not all pools have this option.

Also it could allow you to run the pump at a lower RPM with the IFCS set to off. Or, run the IFCS at a lower pump speed if the Pool Returns were set to off.

I am personally not much of a fan of IFCS, if this were my pool, I would set the valve to shut off the IFCS.

In your case, I would ask how well the IFCS works for you?? If you like it, and it works well, then just leave the valve like it is. Edit.. I like Gene's idea below better..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[proavia]

If you use the IFCS to clean the pool, set that valve to send ALL the return water to the IFCS. This will provide the best cleaning from the infloor. Just leave it set to full infloor. You can change it if the pump is running and you are using the pool (so no one stubs their toe on the pop-ups) or set it to returns for a few minutes once a week to run water thru the return lines.

With it set fully to the IFCS, you may also be able to redude the pump RPMs a little to still get decent cleaning.

I run mine at 2900 RPM for two 2 hour periods daily. The rest of the day I run at 1200 RPM.
My pump runs 24/7 at that schedule and costs me less than $20/month.
I leave mine set to full IFCS except for about 10 minutes once weekly.

 

[OWSwimmer]

OW,

If your in floor cleaning system (IFCS) fails, that valve would give you the ability to run just the pool returns. This is great, because not all pools have this option.

Also it could allow you to run the pump at a lower RPM with the IFCS set to off. Or, run the IFCS at a lower pump speed if the Pool Returns were set to off.

I am personally not much of a fan of IFCS, if this were my pool, I would set the valve to shut off the IFCS.

In your case, I would ask how well the IFCS works for you?? If you like it, and it works well, then just leave the valve like it is. Edit.. I like Gene's idea below better..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Seems like my IFCS works fine although I’ve nothing to compare it to. So just not sure how well it’s working or how to tell if it could be working better. I do get a lot of debris in my filter basket at the pump.
I do think I should try Genes idea.

 

[OWSwimmer]

If you use the IFCS to clean the pool, set that valve to send ALL the return water to the IFCS. This will provide the best cleaning from the infloor. Just leave it set to full infloor. You can change it if the pump is running and you are using the pool (so no one stubs their toe on the pop-ups) or set it to returns for a few minutes once a week to run water thru the return lines.

With it set fully to the IFCS, you may also be able to redude the pump RPMs a little to still get decent cleaning.

I run mine at 2900 RPM for two 2 hour periods daily. The rest of the day I run at 1200 RPM.
My pump runs 24/7 at that schedule and costs me less than $20/month.
I leave mine set to full IFCS except for about 10 minutes once weekly.

Thanks Gene. Sounds like something I should try. One question -do the pool jets not push surface water and debris to the skimmers? So could this possibly reduce the efficiency of the skimmers if all return water comes from the IFCS?

 

[proavia]

It may slightly reduce skimming efficiency.
I really haven't noticed a difference - unless we get high winds and a lot of surface debris. But then I usually skim the surface manually with a net.
Remember, trouble free doesn't mean maintenance free.

If you have a spare relay in your EasyTouch you could add a valve actuator to the IFCS/Returns valve and setup programming to switch between the two to give the best of both options without daily interaction ln your part.

 

[Jimrahbe]

If you have a spare relay in your EasyTouch you could add a valve actuator to the IFCS/Returns valve and setup programming to switch between the two to give the best of both options without daily interaction ln your part.

I agree with this idea..

What is the point of having an automation system if you don't use it.

Thanks,

Jim R.