I have a 10,000 gallon pool and a 700 gallon connected spa, and an Intellipro VS-3050 pump. At what speeds should I run my pump in pool and spa modes? During the winter, it's currently set to run at 2100 for four hours/day in pool mode and during the summer at 2100 for eight hours/day. The spa runs on demand at 3100 rpm. Also, how do I adjust the flow of my spillway with an EasyTouch 4 Control System?
Pump Speed
- Thread starter jwcod
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 62,730
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Do you have a SWCG? If not, the only reason to run your pump is to skim the surface and mix chemicals. So lower your RPM in stages and see if it still skims the surface satisfactorily. I doubt you need to run it at 2100 rpm to achieve that. Many members run at 1200 rpm or so.
The spa is the same way. You need to run at the RPM needed to generate bubbles, etc that you wish.
You should be only running the spillway for 30-45 minutes each day. Otherwise you are pushing your pH up due to aeration. You can use the SPILLWAY circuit function in your ET4 to schedule that.
The spa is the same way. You need to run at the RPM needed to generate bubbles, etc that you wish.
You should be only running the spillway for 30-45 minutes each day. Otherwise you are pushing your pH up due to aeration. You can use the SPILLWAY circuit function in your ET4 to schedule that.
Thank you for your reply; it's very helpful. Is the Spillway circuit function already assigned in the system or do I have to somehow set that up before I set the schedule? I am obviously new to all of this.
JW,
You have to set it up..
Let me see if I can find an old post.. Check out this thread post #5 Scheduling spa spillway
Jim R.
You have to set it up..
Let me see if I can find an old post.. Check out this thread post #5 Scheduling spa spillway
Jim R.
Jim,
Thanks again for all your help. I have another question that you may be able to help me with. I use my spa in the evening after the normal pool pump/filter cycle is off. The next morning I notice that the water level of the spa has dropped four to six inches. This does not occur if I do not use the spa. In other words, the water level is the same the next morning when spa mode is not turned on/off the night before. If this is a check valve problem, wouldn't the water level drop each night after the pool pump/filter cycles off regardless of whether the spa had been used?
Thanks, John
Thanks again for all your help. I have another question that you may be able to help me with. I use my spa in the evening after the normal pool pump/filter cycle is off. The next morning I notice that the water level of the spa has dropped four to six inches. This does not occur if I do not use the spa. In other words, the water level is the same the next morning when spa mode is not turned on/off the night before. If this is a check valve problem, wouldn't the water level drop each night after the pool pump/filter cycles off regardless of whether the spa had been used?
Thanks, John
John,
I assume the spa water goes down and stops about where the return jets are in the spa.. If so, then you have a leak on the return side of the system.. In most cases this is due to the spa return check valve. It could also be the return valve itself is leaking..
Show us some pics of your equipment pad plumbing and maybe we can spot something.
Most pools that have spas, have what is called a "Make-up line".. This is how the spa gets water when in the pool mode and what causes your spa to spillover into the pool. Some pools are plumbed without a make-up line and the pool builder will miss-adjust the Return valve so that it never fully moves into the pool only position.. That would be the first thing I would check.
Thanks,
Jim R.
I assume the spa water goes down and stops about where the return jets are in the spa.. If so, then you have a leak on the return side of the system.. In most cases this is due to the spa return check valve. It could also be the return valve itself is leaking..
Show us some pics of your equipment pad plumbing and maybe we can spot something.
Most pools that have spas, have what is called a "Make-up line".. This is how the spa gets water when in the pool mode and what causes your spa to spillover into the pool. Some pools are plumbed without a make-up line and the pool builder will miss-adjust the Return valve so that it never fully moves into the pool only position.. That would be the first thing I would check.
Thanks,
Jim R.
John,
How about a couple of pics from the left and right sides looking at the equipment pad.. I'm trying to follow the pipes, but half of them are hidden in your first pic..
When you select either the Pool or Spa mode, two valves (Intake and Return) should both move 180 degrees. Tell me which two valves move.. I'm pretty sure I know, but just want to make sure.
Thanks,
Jim R.
How about a couple of pics from the left and right sides looking at the equipment pad.. I'm trying to follow the pipes, but half of them are hidden in your first pic..
When you select either the Pool or Spa mode, two valves (Intake and Return) should both move 180 degrees. Tell me which two valves move.. I'm pretty sure I know, but just want to make sure.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Jim,
The valve closest to the StaRite filter rotates 90 degrees and the one at the opposite end (closest to the heater and pump basket) rotates 180 degrees when I change valves from pool to spa and vice versa.
John
Attachments
- Oct 25, 2015
- 5,828
- Pool Size
- 28000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
John,
Mine does the same thing sometimes. I'm almost certain it has to do with the check valve Jim mentioned. When I notice the level going down I run the booster pump on the spa for a while and it seems to clean out the check valve. The problem gets pronounced when I run the power washer around the spa and get a lot of sand in it which I think keeps the valve from sealing properly.
Chris
Mine does the same thing sometimes. I'm almost certain it has to do with the check valve Jim mentioned. When I notice the level going down I run the booster pump on the spa for a while and it seems to clean out the check valve. The problem gets pronounced when I run the power washer around the spa and get a lot of sand in it which I think keeps the valve from sealing properly.
Chris
John,
I do not see a make-up line that makes your spa spillover.. What they have done is make the Return valve only rotate 90 degrees, which is stupid since you have an EasyTouch...
I still am not sure why the spa only drains when left in the spa mode. Just to make sure I am looking at this correctly, please put the system in the Spa mode and let me know where the handle of both the Intake and Return valves are pointed.. The Intake valve is right in front of the pump and the Return valve is down by you filter..
Have you ever taken out the check valve at the top of your plumbing just to the right of the Tab feeder and inspected it??
If your Intake valve was set correctly, your pool would operate like this..
Pool mode... All the water would be sucked from only the Pool through Intake valve by the pump and then pushed through the filter and heater and then through the Return valve and back to only the pool. No spa spillover
Spa mode... All the water would be sucked from only the Spa through Intake valve by the pump and then pushed through the filter and heater and then through the Return valve and back to only the Spa. No spa spillover
Spillover mode... All the water would be sucked from only the Pool through Intake valve by the pump and then pushed through the filter and heater and then through the Return valve and back to only the Spa. Huge spillover that you control via pump speed.. A trickle or Niagara falls, whatever works for you.
Thanks,
Jim R.
I do not see a make-up line that makes your spa spillover.. What they have done is make the Return valve only rotate 90 degrees, which is stupid since you have an EasyTouch...
I still am not sure why the spa only drains when left in the spa mode. Just to make sure I am looking at this correctly, please put the system in the Spa mode and let me know where the handle of both the Intake and Return valves are pointed.. The Intake valve is right in front of the pump and the Return valve is down by you filter..
Have you ever taken out the check valve at the top of your plumbing just to the right of the Tab feeder and inspected it??
If your Intake valve was set correctly, your pool would operate like this..
Pool mode... All the water would be sucked from only the Pool through Intake valve by the pump and then pushed through the filter and heater and then through the Return valve and back to only the pool. No spa spillover
Spa mode... All the water would be sucked from only the Spa through Intake valve by the pump and then pushed through the filter and heater and then through the Return valve and back to only the Spa. No spa spillover
Spillover mode... All the water would be sucked from only the Pool through Intake valve by the pump and then pushed through the filter and heater and then through the Return valve and back to only the Spa. Huge spillover that you control via pump speed.. A trickle or Niagara falls, whatever works for you.
Thanks,
Jim R.
When the spa is on, both the return and intake valve handles face left (as you are facing the equipment pad). I have not inspected the check valve (solar) at the top of the equipment. Should I look into having changes made to how the valves are set up?John,
I do not see a make-up line that makes your spa spillover.. What they have done is make the Return valve only rotate 90 degrees, which is stupid since you have an EasyTouch...
I still am not sure why the spa only drains when left in the spa mode. Just to make sure I am looking at this correctly, please put the system in the Spa mode and let me know where the handle of both the Intake and Return valves are pointed.. The Intake valve is right in front of the pump and the Return valve is down by you filter..
Have you ever taken out the check valve at the top of your plumbing just to the right of the Tab feeder and inspected it??
If your Intake valve was set correctly, your pool would operate like this..
Pool mode... All the water would be sucked from only the Pool through Intake valve by the pump and then pushed through the filter and heater and then through the Return valve and back to only the pool. No spa spillover
Spa mode... All the water would be sucked from only the Spa through Intake valve by the pump and then pushed through the filter and heater and then through the Return valve and back to only the Spa. No spa spillover
Spillover mode... All the water would be sucked from only the Pool through Intake valve by the pump and then pushed through the filter and heater and then through the Return valve and back to only the Spa. Huge spillover that you control via pump speed.. A trickle or Niagara falls, whatever works for you.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Thanks again, John
John,
That is how I assumed it would work... You can readjust your Return valve to operate 180 degrees if you want or have someone else do it.. But if you do that you must set up the Spillway circuit in your EasyTouch if you want to have your spa overflow into the pool.
Actually if you are going to have someone do it, the same guy could adjust the valve and setup the Spillway circuit. Do you have ScreenLogic? This is an add on to the EasyTouch that let's you control and program things with your PC, tablet or phone.
I was not talking about the solar check valve, I was talking about this one, which is what keeps the spa from draining down to the pool level...
Thanks,
Jim R.
That is how I assumed it would work... You can readjust your Return valve to operate 180 degrees if you want or have someone else do it.. But if you do that you must set up the Spillway circuit in your EasyTouch if you want to have your spa overflow into the pool.
Actually if you are going to have someone do it, the same guy could adjust the valve and setup the Spillway circuit. Do you have ScreenLogic? This is an add on to the EasyTouch that let's you control and program things with your PC, tablet or phone.
I was not talking about the solar check valve, I was talking about this one, which is what keeps the spa from draining down to the pool level...
Thanks,
Jim R.
Sorry I misunderstood which valve you asked about. I believe that one was actually replaced about a year ago as it was not working properly. I do not have ScreenLogic so I am trying to figure out how to assign a circuit name and function for the spillover using the indoor pad. I feel like such a novice. I appreciate all your time and help.
John
John
John,
Tomorrow I'll try and talk you through using the outside LCD panel.. I don't have an inside panel, as I have ScreenLogic which makes it pretty simple.. I want to make sure of the steps first, as I have not used the outside panel for programming in a couple of years.
Talk then,
Jim R.
Tomorrow I'll try and talk you through using the outside LCD panel.. I don't have an inside panel, as I have ScreenLogic which makes it pretty simple.. I want to make sure of the steps first, as I have not used the outside panel for programming in a couple of years.
Talk then,
Jim R.
John,
To set up the Spillway option you will need to do three things..
1. Add a Circuit called SPILLWAY.. We will use an unused Feature Circuit
2. Add the speed we want the pump to run when in the Spillway mode
3. Add a schedule so that the Spillway will turn on once a day for an hour...
To add a Circuit... Enter MENU, you may have to hit menu twice to start... Use the up/down buttons and scroll to SETTINGS and Select, then scroll to CIRCUIT NAMES and Select.. Then scroll until you find Feature Circuit #8.. (You can use any unused feature circuit I just picked #8).. Select #8. Scroll until the [ name ] becomes [ Spillway ] . Hit Menu to save.
To add pump speed... Enter Menu, then Select Settings, IntelliFlo, pump#1, then speeds.. you will see a 1/8 scroll 1/8 through 8/8 and find a speed that shows [ NONE ] and select. Enter 1500 (you can change this later to whatever you want to make the spa spillover look like you want.) Then scroll until the [ NONE ] changes to [ SPILLWAY ]. Menu to save.
I would not schedule until you adjust the Return valve to turn 180 degrees... Plenty of on-line videos showing how.
To Schedule.. Enter Menu, then Schedules.. Scroll and find SPILLWAY and select.. Find a schedule the says [ NONE ] and select.. [ NONE ] changes to [ NEW ] and then enter the schedule you want.
Let me know if you have any issues,
Jim R.
To set up the Spillway option you will need to do three things..
1. Add a Circuit called SPILLWAY.. We will use an unused Feature Circuit
2. Add the speed we want the pump to run when in the Spillway mode
3. Add a schedule so that the Spillway will turn on once a day for an hour...
To add a Circuit... Enter MENU, you may have to hit menu twice to start... Use the up/down buttons and scroll to SETTINGS and Select, then scroll to CIRCUIT NAMES and Select.. Then scroll until you find Feature Circuit #8.. (You can use any unused feature circuit I just picked #8).. Select #8. Scroll until the [ name ] becomes [ Spillway ] . Hit Menu to save.
To add pump speed... Enter Menu, then Select Settings, IntelliFlo, pump#1, then speeds.. you will see a 1/8 scroll 1/8 through 8/8 and find a speed that shows [ NONE ] and select. Enter 1500 (you can change this later to whatever you want to make the spa spillover look like you want.) Then scroll until the [ NONE ] changes to [ SPILLWAY ]. Menu to save.
I would not schedule until you adjust the Return valve to turn 180 degrees... Plenty of on-line videos showing how.
To Schedule.. Enter Menu, then Schedules.. Scroll and find SPILLWAY and select.. Find a schedule the says [ NONE ] and select.. [ NONE ] changes to [ NEW ] and then enter the schedule you want.
Let me know if you have any issues,
Jim R.
Jim,
Thank you so much for taking the time to prepare these directions; they are much clearer than those ET 4 User's Guide. I will give it a go once the return valve is adjusted.
Is the following a fairly accurate understanding of my current situation:
The return valve is set so that water is returning continuously to the pool and spa when in normal pool mode. This was apparently done because I don't have a common/make-up line, although the ET 4 could have been set up to schedule a spillover function that would run for a much shorter period each day assuming the return valve was adjusted to rotate 180 degrees. Until I do this, I control the amount of spillover by changing the pump speed in the normal pool mode. (Question: Is it best to schedule the spillover function at the beginning, end of middle of the daily normal pool cycle?)
One more valve-related question. At the front of the equipment pad, there are three intakes labeled spa, skimmer, and sweep (which I assume is main drain). When I vacuum the pool, I put it into service mode and open the sweep valve using the blue handle and close the skimmer valve using the blue handle. I then turn the pump on manually. When I am done vacuuming, I basically reverse the process - turn the pump off, open the skimmer valve, close the sweep valve, and return to auto/pool mode. Does this sound right?
Many thanks, Joh
John,
I am confused... Although that is pretty normal for me..
Where do you attach the vacuum hose?? It can't be the skimmer, as you have it shut off.. If you are plugging the hose into a port on the side wall of the pool, then that port is the "sweep".. Your main drain is most likely plumbed into the bottom of the skimmer.. And... unless you have a floating diverter valve below the skimmer basket, then your main drain is never being used... This would not be unusual, as thousands and thousands of older pools do not have operating main drains and they work just fine. Most main drains are not really needed.
It does not really matter when you run the spillover.. The goal is to keep fresh chlorinated water in the spa.. I suggest that you have the system run for half an hour in the morning and half an hour at dusk. The exact time is not all that important. Keep in mind that the EasyTouch can only have 12 total schedules.. If you have room, I'd add two schedules, if not, one will work. The key is to test the spa water for FC and make sure that it stays above your minimum FC level..
Thanks,
Jim R.
I am confused...
Although that is pretty normal for me..Where do you attach the vacuum hose?? It can't be the skimmer, as you have it shut off.. If you are plugging the hose into a port on the side wall of the pool, then that port is the "sweep".. Your main drain is most likely plumbed into the bottom of the skimmer.. And... unless you have a floating diverter valve below the skimmer basket, then your main drain is never being used... This would not be unusual, as thousands and thousands of older pools do not have operating main drains and they work just fine. Most main drains are not really needed.
It does not really matter when you run the spillover.. The goal is to keep fresh chlorinated water in the spa.. I suggest that you have the system run for half an hour in the morning and half an hour at dusk. The exact time is not all that important. Keep in mind that the EasyTouch can only have 12 total schedules.. If you have room, I'd add two schedules, if not, one will work. The key is to test the spa water for FC and make sure that it stays above your minimum FC level..
Thanks,
Jim R.