Please explain the necessity of valves

[ckinchen]

Hi,
We should have our permit approved in a week or two so need to make some final decisions. I will have the following:
PENTAIR INTELLIFLO VARIABLE 8-SPEED 3 HP PUMP,
PENTAIR CARTRIDGE FILTER CC200
PENTAIR CHLORINE GENERATOR IC40 (SALT MACHINE)
PENTAIR EASYTOUCH WIRELESS REMOTE USING YOUR OWN CELLPHONE / COMPUTER
Pool is 14x32, unscreened.

I will have one small sheer decent, 4 feet by 18 inches, 16 inches tall, either 24 inch decent. And 1 bubbler.
I recall the pool builder telling us it would be $300 per valve to control turning on and off the bubbler and sheer decent, so $600. I think lights would be controlled via phone. He said just keep on manual valve since you keep on all the time.
My question is do you keep the bubbler and sheer decent on all the time? Is that wise? Or should we turn on and off when we use and adding auto valves are worth it? Is it worth the expense or unnecessary? Our equipment will be on the opposite side of the house.
Any advice is appreciated!!

 

[mknauss]

You will not want to run the descent and bubbler all the time. You really should only run them when you plan to be at the pool to enjoy them. They will both create significant aeration that will drive your pH higher.

I would suggest both should be controlled by an automated valve set up in your Easytouch.

 

[ckinchen]

@mknauss Ok, thanks! That is what I needed to know.

 

[Jimrahbe]

C,

The whole point of automaton is so you can control things.. To do that you need automated valves.. Actually, the valves are manual and an actuator is attached to the valve and can turn it when commanded by the automation system.

In my mind it is silly to spend a lot of money on the EasyTouch and not finish the job by installed automated valves.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JJ_Tex]

I would get one for sure on the sheer descent. I'm the oddball and leave my bubbler on all of the time but I partially close the valve so the bubbler only barely breaks the surface of the water on low speeds and doesnt cause a lot of aeration.

I know my Intellicenter came with 2 actuators included. Does EasyTouch not come with any actuators? Hopefully you are not being asked to pay for something twice.

 

[ckinchen]

Yes! Makes sense. I didn’t realize how many decisions need to be made with a pool build, it is exhausting! Glad I can ask you guys. I will fully enjoy this pool when done!

 

[JamesW]

Get the Intellicenter with the load center, integrated SWG power supply and automated valves.

IntelliCenter® Pool Control System

The IntelliCenter Pool Automation system works with the Pentair Pool app to put total pool control right in the palm of your hand.

www.pentair.com

 

[ckinchen]

@JJ_Tex
I think one might be being used for the light but I have no clue, lol! Just know 600 for 2.

 

[Matt F 1]

My PB didn't up charge for the auto valves or manual ones. When they did the install I noticed that they had put manual valves after the auto valves. When I asked why, they stated that they include the valves in the cost of the features. When the auto valves came out they would installed them without the manual behind it. Well in became a PITA to adjust the flow with the auto valves. So they decided to add manual valves after the auto valve so the homeowner could adjust the flow anytime they wanted.

In the picture below; The auto valve on the right controls the bubblers, the manual valve is just below it in the picture. The auto valve in the center controls the Luminaire, you can see the 3 manual valves to the left of it.

My neighbor put his pool in 5 years ago (Same PB) with the old IIntelliCenter, Just jealous of the new version. Though it was an 2800 upcharge.

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

PENTAIR CARTRIDGE FILTER CC200
Pool is 14x32, unscreened.

May I suggest this filter is too small for your pool. The larger the filter area, the less often you'll need to clean the cartridges.

 

[cowboycasey]

he is from Florida and they (pool builders) LOVE small filter I have a CCP 320 on my pool and I bet mine is half the water of yours... I clean mine once a year

It is easier and better for you to get a bigger filter...

 

[ckinchen]

@Rocket J Squirrel and @cowboycasey So I tried to get a bigger filter in the beginning and the pool builder said this is all I need and at that time everything was adding up so much that I let that go. I am about 10K gallons or maybe a little more. How often do you think I would be cleaning? If you are once a year, and I just do 2-3 times a year I can live with that.

 

[ajw22]

Will your pool be in a cage? If so, you can get away with a small filter.

 

[ckinchen]

@ajw22 No, no screen. But we do not have many trees, all trees are about 80ft away. It will be on the side of my house and also blocked by my neighbors house.

 

[ajw22]

Trees are not the issue as much as general dirt in the air and pollen getting blown into the pool water and into the filter. Especially during storms.

Depends what your time is worth to breakdown the filter, clean the cartridge, and reassemble. You might want to plan on having a second cartridge so you can rotate a clean one in and clean the other at your leisure.

The other negative of a small filter is when you get an algae bloom. A small filter can clog quickly during the SLAM Process. You may find you cannot SLAM and filter at the same time. You may need to clean the filter every hour to get the algae cleared. That is when you will appreciate a larger filter.

A larger filter is HIGHLY recommended.