Its been just about 15 years since I redid my pool equipment. Its held up amazingly well. About 5 years ago I replaced the SWG (got 9yrs out of the first one). Lately over the last couple of seasons I've noticed things are starting to need more attention. I finally had to start replacing the pump motors. The main and booster pumps went out within a year of each other (got 13 and 14 years out of those). Also had to fix the gas valve in the heater and new gaskets and bulbs in the lights... If I had the time and money I probably would have gone with a VS pump, but I just replaced things with the same equipment.
So that got me thinking about the rest of my setup. After spending more time reading through other installations threads I wonder if I need to tweak my setup. It has run fine for 15 years, so this may fall in the category of "if it ain't broke don't fix it". I have no automation system, really don't want one, I'm not sure what it would gain for me, just good ole fashioned Intermatic timers, one for the pool pump and one for the sweep. So before I start wacking at things with a hack saw I thought I would post a question or two. Some things I noticed.
-no check valve on intake. technically I should probably have a check valve on my pump intake especially since the equipment is about 18" above the pool level. But I was told by the installer since the pump holds its prime then there is no need for a check valve. Besides they just reduce your head pressure, he also opined... is that old school thought? I think this was before the Jandy check valves became more common and the old hardware store PVC spring check valves where more the norm. The only time I need to reprime is when I clean out my leaf basket, maybe once a month.
-I have a Hayward Agua Rite controller with a T-Cell-15 SWG. I see TFP posts recommending that SWG controllers should be on its own timer... mine is tied to the pool pump timer per the diagram in the original installation manual. So when the pool pump comes on so does the controller. Should this really be on its own timer? I guess that if more a consideration if I was running a VS pump that ran all the time, Yes?
-I have also seen conflicting information about putting a check valve between the SWG and the other pool equipment to protect it against back flow of cell water to the other equipment components. It wasn't in the installation guidelines when I installed it and it seems some recommendations on TFP say its fine if you don't.
-Planning to add a valve to control the flow on the waterfall. And I'll mod the lever so it doesn't close all the way to protect the pump.
Is there anything else you'all can think of?
TIA
So that got me thinking about the rest of my setup. After spending more time reading through other installations threads I wonder if I need to tweak my setup. It has run fine for 15 years, so this may fall in the category of "if it ain't broke don't fix it". I have no automation system, really don't want one, I'm not sure what it would gain for me, just good ole fashioned Intermatic timers, one for the pool pump and one for the sweep. So before I start wacking at things with a hack saw I thought I would post a question or two. Some things I noticed.
-no check valve on intake. technically I should probably have a check valve on my pump intake especially since the equipment is about 18" above the pool level. But I was told by the installer since the pump holds its prime then there is no need for a check valve. Besides they just reduce your head pressure, he also opined... is that old school thought? I think this was before the Jandy check valves became more common and the old hardware store PVC spring check valves where more the norm. The only time I need to reprime is when I clean out my leaf basket, maybe once a month.
-I have a Hayward Agua Rite controller with a T-Cell-15 SWG. I see TFP posts recommending that SWG controllers should be on its own timer... mine is tied to the pool pump timer per the diagram in the original installation manual. So when the pool pump comes on so does the controller. Should this really be on its own timer? I guess that if more a consideration if I was running a VS pump that ran all the time, Yes?
-I have also seen conflicting information about putting a check valve between the SWG and the other pool equipment to protect it against back flow of cell water to the other equipment components. It wasn't in the installation guidelines when I installed it and it seems some recommendations on TFP say its fine if you don't.
-Planning to add a valve to control the flow on the waterfall. And I'll mod the lever so it doesn't close all the way to protect the pump.
Is there anything else you'all can think of?
TIA
