After researching TFP site and many other web sites I found a simple home automation approach that may be useful for some. My goal was to primarily be able to A) from my phone (anywhere) be able to start the hot tub/spa so that when I did get home all would be set to jump in and B) have the Alexa ability to say things like “Start the hot tub” or “turn on the Spa Lights”, or “turn on spa lights”, or “turn on bubbles”, or “turn everything on/off”, etc. so very wife friendly automation.
My existing pool has one variable speed Intelli-flow pump, two electronic valves (to alternate between pool and spa water flow), MasterTemp 400 heater. The pool had old x10 setup so the heater, valves and bubbler had individual standard electric plugs in the electric box so they could support simple power on/off remote control. The pool lights and spa light and on/off light switch in electric box (by pool equipment).
After tons of research I eliminated two options. 1) The Pentair type automation options, etc. are very expensive $1,000’s and their software appears flakey from most reviews and not simple to install. 2) the DIY options with relays, Sonoff switches, etc. were the right pricing but even though I would say I am fairly technical they were just a smidge out of my expertise range.
So here is what I did:
My existing pool has one variable speed Intelli-flow pump, two electronic valves (to alternate between pool and spa water flow), MasterTemp 400 heater. The pool had old x10 setup so the heater, valves and bubbler had individual standard electric plugs in the electric box so they could support simple power on/off remote control. The pool lights and spa light and on/off light switch in electric box (by pool equipment).
After tons of research I eliminated two options. 1) The Pentair type automation options, etc. are very expensive $1,000’s and their software appears flakey from most reviews and not simple to install. 2) the DIY options with relays, Sonoff switches, etc. were the right pricing but even though I would say I am fairly technical they were just a smidge out of my expertise range.
So here is what I did:
- To turn on/off the pump without monkeying around with wiring, relays, high cost items I just bought a simple wifi mechanical switch to literally push one of the 4 Intelliflow manual buttons on the pump itself. I set up button number 4 on the pump to turn on the pump for 3 hrs (standard Intelliflow button option). Then duct taped the mechanical button pusher over the number 4 button. “Ta-da” for $30 I can now turn on/off the pump from remote phone app or Alexa! NO wiring involved! Super Simple! Here is the “button pusher” I bought https://www.amazon.com/SwitchBot-switch-button-controlled-compatible/dp/B07B7NXV4R
- I bought a 3-way wifi plug adapter to enable wifi on/off control for the valves, bubbler and heater. They go for about $20. Again NO WIRING, simple plug and go. Now I can turn off/on via wifi individually or as a group the heater, switch the valves between pool and spa, turn on/off the spa bubbler.
- For the pool lights and spa lights again very easy just replaced existing light switches for the pool and spa lights with wifi light switches (about $20 each)
- Alexa pulls it all together with very simple to setup “Routines”. I created Alexa routine to “Turn on Hot Tub” which first turns on/off the valves to switch flow between the pool and spa, then waits 30 seconds, then turns on pump, waits 30 seconds, then turns on heater. I have a bunch of routines to do all kinds of things. Also via Alexa app you can launch a routine while away via the phone app.
- I also added two Wyze cameras ($25 each). One pointed at my valves so I can visually verify the water flow between pool and spa from my phone from anywhere and one pointed at the Heater display so I had a low tech simple way to see the exact spa temperature from anywhere on my phone!
