Start a variable speed pump with a switch?

[Tbarns]

So I have a 2 pump system, 1 for the circulation and a second for the therapy jets in the spa.

My issue is that I have the unblockable drain in the spa, and only one pipe was used to plumb from it. So both the therapy pump and when the valve is set to the spa drain, the circulating pump pulling from the same pipe.

I am not using automation, so I could easily just close the valve to the spa suction on the circulation pump while I’m running the jets, but I am trying to simplify it to “flipping a switch” in the event my wife or kids run the spa and I’m not there to make sure that the valve gets set correctly and the pumps aren’t competing for the spa drain.

My plan was to install an actuator on the 3 way valve that splits between the 2 pumps, that is controlled with a switch and a RIB relay to the 24v actuator that diverts to th therapy pump, which would be easy enough to tell them, turn on the spa pump turn on the switch if you want to use the spa.

It would be nice if I could wire it somehow to have the relay signaled to divert to the therapy pump whenever the pump is turned on, but I’m not sure how I could accomplish that with the Circupool SmartFlo 1.7hp I have for that.

Anyone know what the voltage is on start stop button of the control panel for the pump? It looks like maybe 5v from pics I’ve looks at online. I was thinking I may be able to somehow wire a 5v-24v relay from the on/off button, to the actuator so that when the button is hit and the pump turns on, it also triggers the actuator. Theoretical thinking, I haven’t dove deep enough into it to confirm yet.

If not, any other ideas?

 

[setsailsoon]

T,

It sounds like you just want to achieve ability to switch from pool mode to spa mode without a full automation installation? Is this correct? There are lots of ways to do this.

Chris

 

[Tbarns]

Yeah that’s right. Can you go into anymore depth than that? Will anything I mentioned work? Or another way that may make more sense?

Basically it seems like my hurdle for a simple switch and relay is the variable speed pump not just functioning by power or no power which is why I was trying to find a way to signal from the on pump controls.

 

[setsailsoon]

Sorry for the delay. Unfortunately you don't seem to have any RS485 or digital inputs. I remember looking at that pump and that's why I didn't get it. So I don't know of any way to control the pump speeds remotely. For switching from spa mode to pool mode all you need to do is put an actuator on each valve and hook them up with a simple switch that will reverse the valves. I guess in theory you could wire a switch to do this for you if and all you'd need is a 24vac transformer mounted at your pad in a nema housing. There are quite a few threads on here that show how to do it with a Sonoff module here's one of them. Search around and you'll find others. I think the best most capable one is to get a Raspberry Pi and run node red. There are similar designs for exp32 modules also. All of these can do way more than spa/pool mode but they're also much less expensive than the main brand automation systems.

I hope this is helpful.

Chris

 

[Jimrahbe]

T,

In most cases, you want a VS pump to be connected to constant AC power.. But.. that is not a requirement..

You can just connect your second put to a relay and only turn it on when you want it on. You would program the internal controls for the pump so that it would run 24/7 at whatever speed you decide works for you. Then, anytime the pump sees AC power it will just run at that fixed speed.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Tbarns]

Thanks Chris and Jim. I’ll look at the settings to see about programming a 24/7 runtime and wiring with a switch. I believe my VS pump at the old house went through a startup sequence/priming at the old house which is why I hadn’t considered that.

Realistically, with this being a therapy pump for the spa jets, I’d probably have it set to a single speed and leave it there, since the other pump handles the filtering/cleaning, so if an on/off situation will work with the pump I may do that for ease on the kids and wife.

I also came across this video and is kind of what I was thinking of in the last paragraph of my OP

I’m not too familiar with this system or the Raspberry PI you mentioned. I assume that’s some sort of software but this seems simple enough. I’ll look into that too.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

You likely need the automation interface kit to control your pump with relays. The pump carries its own 5v power source. You'll need to make sure this automation panel is compatible with your pump. I know it does work with the 3hp version of the pump.

CircuPool SmartFlo Interface Kit-SF-INTERFACE

www.discountsaltpool.com

This should be the same kit sold for Calimar's version of the pumps at a better price:

CaliMar® Pump Interface Board | CMARVSPIB

Pool Supply Unlimited has some of the best prices when shopping for CaliMar® Pump Interface Board | CMARVSPIB

www.poolsupplyunlimited.com

 

[Jimrahbe]

T,

Obviously, I am not talking about changing speeds with relays.. I'm talking about using just one relay to apply or remove power to the 2nd pump..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Tbarns]

T,

Obviously, I am not talking about changing speeds with relays.. I'm talking about using just one relay to apply or remove power to the 2nd pump..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Understood. That’s why I think it could be as simple as running a switch like you said (relay for the valve).

I was saying since once I determine the ideal speed for the jets, I would really need it to function as on or off and not variable speed and it wouldn’t be scheduled, just on our demand when we want to use the spa.

 

[Jimrahbe]

T,

Just in case you need it...

img058.jpg

• Jimrahbe
• Nov 15, 2018

Thanks,

Jim R.