PoolMiser Repair

[Dirk]

My PoolMiser autofill system stopped working, or rather kept working. It won't shut off. It's probably got crud in it as a result of my replumbing it to my water softener. Probably some dirt got in there.

Sidebar: I pinged PoolMiser about it late last night. I had an email waiting for me this morning, informing me that I'd be getting a call shortly. Phone rang a bit later and it was PoolMiser tech support. Loooove the product, looooove the customer service.

He suggested how to flush it out, but recommend I replace the fill mechanism. I think with 6 years of high-CH water running through it, I should start fresh (with my soft water supply), even if I could get it working with a flush. It ran for quite a while before I found it, and I think it'd be smart to not take a chance with the old one.

So the question: is there an online pool shop you all use? Or does TFP not like to get into recommending like that?

discountpoolmart.com has one for $22

Amazon for $36

poolmartcenter.com for $21

I trust Amazon, but I wouldn't mind saving $15 (which will become part of my Watermelon Ball fund!).

Or maybe PM me your trusted online source, if this question is not cool in a post?

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Never mind, PoolMiser's going to send me one, for the best price. Straight up company, I'm tellin' ya!

 

[kimkats]

That is awesome to hear! Nice to see good customer service in action!

We don't mind company suggestions in response to direct questions like this.

Kim

 

[hollywoodfrodo]

+1 For great customer service. Still some companies around who do that! But this does reiterate why my builder said he generally doesn't recommend auto-fill systems... I guess it's like most things in life - they have their +'s and their -'s and you just have to weigh them all and go with what's best for you.

 

[Dirk]

I've been pushing auto fill in a few threads (new builds) and even for their pump-protecting aspect. Apparently there are a lot of owners and builders concerned about what happens to a $1000 pump when water level drops below skimmer. I offered that auto-fill is one layer of protection, and for my pool the only layer (I have no drains). I think this is the first time in six years its failed, and I also think it failed because I filled it full of dirt. But it does cause me pause, because it is a pool mechanism that can fail, and a failure that could conceivably cost a pump if it stopped turning on, or a big water bill if it stopped turning off. I check my pool everyday, so I caught my failed autofill pretty quick. Doesn't answer for how well it protects a pool when you're away for a few weeks, though. But the same could be said for pumps, SWGs, three way valves, automation, etc.

I kinda like Marty's solution. He hires someone to check on the pool while away, and he has a webcam watching his pool. Just like pool safety, you add enough layers of protection to make yourself comfortable, I guess.

I think by replacing my autofill valve, and by running mostly softwater through it, I'm likely to get some reliable service out to it for years to come. But like filter cartridges, maybe being proactive and replacing it every, what, five or ten years, would be good practice.

I can see why a builder would hesitate to recommend one, because it offers him no direct benefit if it works, but could create a real nightmare for him if it fails. Not a great item to add to a pool from a business point of view. And he's protecting his customers, too, to some degree...