Pros and cons of Autopilot Total Connect

[Hudsonbard]

Although only an hour from Manhattan, our house lives in a service desert because we are surrounded by state parks and the USMA at West Point. For the last 3.5 years TFP has been a lifeline. But I have finally gotten someone willing to travel here and service the pool who is reasonably competent. I need to replace my SWG.
On TFP, I've learned about Autopilot Total Connect PPC4 and I hope it will make my life easier and keep my chemistry better controlled. Most users seem quite happy.
My pool servicer recommends against it for the following reasons. He has only come across two pools with units like this. He used to be a plumber.
- Residential units like this are cheaper versions of high end commercial units using cheaper parts. No doubt true, but isn't that true of almost everything in a home. How 'insanely expensive' are commercial units BTW?
- It will need constant calibration. What needs to be calibrated and how often is that needed?
- A complicated system like this will require more repairs. Is this what others have found?
- Repairs are poorly documented and we will be on our own trying to find out the cause of the problem. So it would be best to have a property manager to handle this issue. Does that reflect the experience of other users? How responsive is support?
- Muriatic acid is dangerous to store near a pool. But my equipment is not near the pool, and is on concrete and a patio with pavers. We have no kids or outdoor pets.
These are my questions as well:
- Is a unit rated for 60,000 gallons too large for a 15,000 gallon pool? I'm happy to pay more to extend the useful life.
- Will it work with my existing Poolsync app and controller that's on my Aquacal Avia?
- Can I sync my Pentair VS pump using a relay and Poolsync? What kind of control does that offer - I'm guessing just on and off.
Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[Bperry]

Although only an hour from Manhattan, our house lives in a service desert because we are surrounded by state parks and the USMA at West Point. For the last 3.5 years TFP has been a lifeline. But I have finally gotten someone willing to travel here and service the pool who is reasonably competent. I need to replace my SWG.
On TFP, I've learned about Autopilot Total Connect PPC4 and I hope it will make my life easier and keep my chemistry better controlled. Most users seem quite happy.
My pool servicer recommends against it for the following reasons. He has only come across two pools with units like this. He used to be a plumber.
- Residential units like this are cheaper versions of high end commercial units using cheaper parts. No doubt true, but isn't that true of almost everything in a home. How 'insanely expensive' are commercial units BTW?
- It will need constant calibration. What needs to be calibrated and how often is that needed?
- A complicated system like this will require more repairs. Is this what others have found?
- Repairs are poorly documented and we will be on our own trying to find out the cause of the problem. So it would be best to have a property manager to handle this issue. Does that reflect the experience of other users? How responsive is support?
- Muriatic acid is dangerous to store near a pool. But my equipment is not near the pool, and is on concrete and a patio with pavers. We have no kids or outdoor pets.
These are my questions as well:
- Is a unit rated for 60,000 gallons too large for a 15,000 gallon pool? I'm happy to pay more to extend the useful life.
- Will it work with my existing Poolsync app and controller that's on my Aquacal Avia?
- Can I sync my Pentair VS pump using a relay and Poolsync? What kind of control does that offer - I'm guessing just on and off.
Thanks in advance for any replies.

Are you planning to continue using TFP recommendations for water quality? Assuming you get both the chlorsync and the chemsync since it sounds like this is not your main home?

Be aware that ORP systems tends to not work reliably especially in the presence of CYA much over 30ppm. Also acid is stored near equipment all the time. Generally it’s diluted in the dispensing equipment though.

 

[ajw22]

Lovely setting. I drive by you all the time.

We tend to agree with your pool servicer. We don't recommend automatic chemical systems. They are more troublesome and maintenance intensive then they are worth. You are trading in a simple set of manageable problems for more complex problems.

The Stenner pumps need annual maintenance of its components.

ORP chlorine control does not work well with high levels of CYA that a SWG needs to be efficient.

The ORP and pH sensors are finicky. I assume you close your pool during the winter. The sensors don't like to be dry and need to be properly stored so they will work in the Spring or you will be buying new sensors every year. When the sensors go wonky you will spend a lot of time figuring out what is happening with your water chemistry. And that means you have to do as diligent water chemistry testing to be watching over what the robot is doing to your pool.

Following TFP Pool Care Methods are straight forward and don't take any more time. We can help you here much better with TFPC then with the Autopilot Total Control System.

 

[Hudsonbard]

Are you planning to continue using TFP recommendations for water quality? Assuming you get both the chlorsync and the chemsync since it sounds like this is not your main home?

Be aware that ORP systems tends to not work reliably especially in the presence of CYA much over 30ppm. Also acid is stored near equipment all the time. Generally it’s diluted in the dispensing equipment though.

My goal is to be like my more ignorant friends who never worry about their pools, but just swim - I guess until something bad happens. But TFP has taught me too much to be happy with not knowing. So I thought this system would at least keep FC and PH under control no matter what the servicer is doing.

I understand from comments here that the ORP system can be bypassed if it is not working properly. And with two homes, it would be good to be able to control as much equipment as possible.

 

[Bperry]

My goal is to be like my more ignorant friends who never worry about their pools, but just swim - I guess until something bad happens. But TFP has taught me too much to be happy with not knowing. So I thought this system would at least keep FC and PH under control no matter what the servicer is doing.

I understand from comments here that the ORP system can be bypassed if it is not working properly. And with two homes, it would be good to be able to control as much equipment as possible.

I would think that you can ditch the idea of an acid dispensor and just not overdose the TA so it stays stays on the low end which somewhat stabilzes the pH. On top of that, I’ve not had to add any acid since I opened in march since Ive had a trichlor tablet in a floater which seems to keep the pH quite stable. I dont need it for the chlorine but the pH stabilty is nice. Might be an option for you.

The chlorine made by the SWCG should be pretty reliable, its just that the remote monitoring isnt.

 

[Newdude]

Northeast vinyl pools are on Easy St for Ph management, there's no need to over complicate it. I added muriatic acid once last year and only to appease the pool gods before a blowout party. I probably won't add any this year.

Once you learn how pool 2 responds to the SWG, weekly or biweekly visits should be enough to keep FC in range. You can err all the way up to SLAM per your FC, buy only a little below target range.

 

[Hudsonbard]

Thanks for the replies.
I love TFP. But age and illness require me to simplify my life. I will need to educate my pool servicer, who used to be a plumber. He was surprised when I told him that low ph can damage the pool heater.
Meantime, I will try to get my Intellichlor replaced under warranty by Pentair. For some reason 4 out of five of my water feeds are completely anemic while one is spewing water like Niagra. And, to be honest, I've only focused on the importance of TA and CYA just recently.
So trichlor is good to keep FC up while we're at the other house, but my CYA at 55 or so, should not go higher while I'm using liquid chlorine, but should go higher when I replace my swg. And my TA is too low at 30, so I have to add more baking soda. There is no rest for the weary.

Is there no TFP approved way to remotely monitor chemical levels?

 

[ajw22]

Is there no TFP approved way to remotely monitor chemical levels?

WaterGuru seems to be okay as a secondary test remotely if you back it up with a full test kit before you believe its tests and add chemicals.

 

[Hudsonbard]

Not concerned about cost at this point.

Is Sutro better than WaterGuru?

Is there a more pricey system that is more accurate and requires less intervention?

 

[ajw22]

Not concerned about cost at this point.

Is Sutro better than WaterGuru?

No

Is there a more pricey system that is more accurate and requires less intervention?

No