Pentair freeze protection

[thataway61]

I’ve got pool and spa set up where it can run just pool or just spa without the spa spilling over the spillway unless the spillway is toggled on. Also, have an automatic cover. The controller is a Pentair.

Problem:
When Pentair freeze protection mode engages, the spa turns on, but does not run isolated by drawing from spa drain, instead it spills over the spillway and floods the cover with tremendous water load.

When there is no freeze, I have the spa running a few hours in the evening and then switching back to pool via scheduling. Everything performs well in a non freeze situation with the cover closed in that both the spa get filtered and chlorinated daily. I also have the pump running 24 hours a day where I used to run it from 7:00 am until 12 am.

I’ve replumbed twice so that the spa and pool could be isolated and both still run a daily cycle to accommodate the cover being closed.

I need recommendations on the cure for this flooding situation.

 

[Jimrahbe]

61,

When you have a pool/spa set up, the system with "automatically" switch back and forth between the pool mode and spa mode every 15 minutes or so. I don't think that you can shut this off.

Show us several pics of your equipment pad so we can see how your spillover is plumbed..

Not sure I fully understand your set up, but if you have valves that shut off your spillover, then maybe water is getting on your cover as the valves move between the pool and spa modes. If this is the case you can select the option that shuts off the pump as the valves move.

In theory, if your spillover only works when you turn on the "Spillway" mode, I don't see how freeze control would turn it on, unless you have it set up for "on with freeze"..

As far as I know, the EasyTouch does not know when your cover is closed or opened..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[thataway61]

Here is the plumbing setup. It works fine until freeze mode kicks in. When freeze mode does kick in, the control panel is opening the valve to output water to spa, but it does not switch the valve to pull from spa drain, so the spa ends up spilling over onto cover in 15 minute increments.

When there is no freeze, the way it is plumbed the spa will run with input and output to spa only and when pool runs input and output are to pool only and the spillway never operates unless I manually toggle it on. When spillway toggles on, the input to pump switches off the spa drain valve and draws from skimmers or main drain.

A small spillover when switching would not be a big deal, but what is occurring is when it is in freeze protection cycle for the spa, every bit spills over for the entire freeze cycle.

The spillway “feature” does not have freeze protection toggled on.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[Jimrahbe]

61,

The automated valve that is in front of your pump is called the "Intake" valve.. as you point out, it has to move from the Pool mode (sucking water from the pool) to the Spa mode (sucking water from the Spa drain. If it does this correctly, when not in freeze mode, it should work when in the freeze mode..

The Intake and Return valves must be connected to the Intake and Return connection on the main card and not valve A or B.. I'd want to double check that the right valve is connected to the right valve connection at the main card.

What does the Intake valve do, when you are under freeze control???

As a side note.. The EasyTouch actually has a "spillway" mode, but you do not have that set up. It appears you have added an automated valve to control the spillover, which will work, but not really necessary...

Please tell me what the Intake valve does when in your normal spa mode and what it does in the freeze mode. You can force the system to go into the freeze mode by putting the air Temp probe in a glass of ice water.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[thataway61]

Thanks for your response Jim. I’m forwarding to my pool guy for him to check out.

This is his reply:
Good morning sir
I have discussed with my father about it and we have called the company. But the intake valve does work properly when switching from spa and pool mode. The problem is that it doesn’t seem to be switching when in freeze protection mode. This is not a programming or wiring issue but a software problem.

Any further suggestions Jim?

 

[Jimrahbe]

61,

Since the freeze protect works on all the other EasyTouch systems with a pool and spa, I can't see how this could be a software problem..

I'd still want to physically make sure that each automated valve is connected to the correct connection inside the EasyTouch.

I guess they could also reload the F/W, something you can't do..

Show me a pic of the back side of the EasyTouch's main card so I can see all the connections.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[thataway61]

Thanks again, I will relay the reply. Can you clarify for me what F/W is? Firmware?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Yes, F/W = Firmware..

I don't understand your pool guy... Either the system is broken or mis-programmed, either way, you are paying them, so why do they not fix it.?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Jimrahbe]

61,

I assume these are the same guys that plumbed in an extra automated valve to shut off your spa spillover.. I bet that cost more than the 5 minutes it would have taken to set up the built-in "Spillway" function inside the EasyTouch... I guess it also shows you how much they know about your automation...

Jim R.

 

[thataway61]

Yes, F/W = Firmware..

I don't understand your pool guy... Either the system is broken or mis-programmed, either way, you are paying them, so why do they not fix it.?

Thanks,

Jim R.

The original contractor ripped a dozen people off and left them scrambling to find people to complete their constructions, so I’m grateful to the young man that’s been helping me.

Here is what he said:
“Each automatic valves are properly connected. The valve for suction of pool/spa is in the intake line. The return line for pool/spa is in the outtake line. The additional valves are connected to A and B. Both correctly connected. However, it seems they the intake valve is not switching when the freeze protection kicks on for the spa. It remains taking water from the pool.”
________________

Can I safely open the panel to see the backside of the card for a photo without opening the high voltage portion of the panel? I’ll try to get a photo if so.

I’m running out of sources. I guess my next thing to try will be to see if Leslie’s pool supply’s repair service has someone that can figure it out. If there is anyone on the forums in the Atlanta area that knows the fix, I’d gladly pay them to do so.

 

[Jimrahbe]

61,

You can just drop the front panel down by removing two small screws.. The is no high voltage in that area.

With the front panel down, there should be a label on the card that will show the firmware version.. Try to get a picture of that, as well as the whole area..

I suggest that you call Pentair and ask them for your local Pentair rep. He may be able to come out, or at least recommend a Pentair qualified tech that can come out..

Do you have ScreenLogic on your PC? If so, I need to see the following set up pages..

Set up page 2.JPG

• Jimrahbe
• Jun 8, 2020

Page 3 of 5.PNG

• Jimrahbe
• Jul 14, 2017

Let's see if Tom knows about any F/W bugs that could cause the freeze protect issue with your Intake valve.. Calling @ogdento


Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ogdento]

I can't think of anything off the top of my head but I'll check the firmware readme
One question... Are we sure this is a dual body system?

You can get the firmware version from Menu > Diagnostics > Software Rev... give us the UOC (universal outdoor controller) number. It might tell us the board type there... whether it's an easytouch 8 (dual body) or 8P (single). But if not, from the same diagnostics menu you can start a test and the first screen should show the board type

 

[Jimrahbe]

Tom,

The card switches between Pool and Spa just fine in normal operation. It just does not move the Intake valve from the Pool mode to the Spa mode, when under freeze control.. An odd one, indeed..

Jim R.

 

[Jimrahbe]

61,

Please confirm that the Intake and Return valves marked in the below pic are the only ones that move when switching between the Pool and Spa modes..



Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[thataway61]

Thanks guys. I’m getting over my skill set here and can’t risk experimenting myself with freezing temps now. I’m going to follow your guidance and see if I can get a Pentair Rep involved. This thread will be helpful getting him up to speed.