Timer recommendation

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rcs29

rcs29

Gold Supporter
Jul 26, 2020
215
Decatur, IN
Pool Size
10140
Surface
Fiberglass
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Aqua Rite (T-3)
I need a timer whether digital or analog for my SWCG and was hoping you all can tell me exactly what would be best for me.

Sta-Rite Supermax VS pump-220
Hayward Aquarite SWCG

Also what are the benefits of going digital and is it worth it from a $ standpoint?

Thanks
 
What are you trying to accomplish with your timer?

Why don't you just run your pump on low speed and run 24/7? Then just set your SWCG at the needed %?

If you are trying to ensure your SWCG doesn't have power when the pump is off, I went a separate route:

Picture Thread! SWCG add, plumbing cleanup, pump power interconnect! Might help someone...

Started this thread because @IUsedToSail asked about orientation of valves/check valves. Made me realize I didn't do a plumbing thread on my rebuild. Some may know my story, new pool owner last year (came with the house), I was PoolStored...then I found TFP. Pulled out the UV system and the...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
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Guess I didn't want to run 24/7 for energy reasons. I need to have it run at higher speeds for skimming purposes (2300). Relay switch is your recommendation. Ok I'll look into that more then. Thanks
 
rcs29 said:
Guess I didn't want to run 24/7 for energy reasons. I need to have it run at higher speeds for skimming purposes (2300). Relay switch is your recommendation. Ok I'll look into that more then. Thanks
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Most of us run 24/7 at low rpm (1400 +/-). Same as a 150W lightbulb. For me <$20 a month. If we want to have some skimming, we run higher for a period of time to accomplish the skimming, like 2000-2400 for an hour or a few. The VSP has programs so you can setup your skimming period. Every pool is different, I get plenty of skimming at 1400.

The purpose for the relay is a fail safe. You never want to have your SWCG running and the pump off, there is risk of explosion. We have seen too many flow switches fail in the closed position. I don't have automation, so relay is the way I went. Pump and timer is another. However, MY VSP, when it loses power, REQUIRES you to push the start/stop button. Timer will not work for me.

Lots of ways to skin the cat.
 
PoolStored said:
Most of us run 24/7 at low rpm (1400 +/-). Same as a 150W lightbulb. For me <$20 a month. If we want to have some skimming, we run higher for a period of time to accomplish the skimming, like 2000-2400 for an hour or a few. The VSP has programs so you can setup your skimming period. Every pool is different, I get plenty of skimming at 1400.

The purpose for the relay is a fail safe. You never want to have your SWCG running and the pump off, there is risk of explosion. We have seen too many flow switches fail in the closed position. I don't have automation, so relay is the way I went. Pump and timer is another. However, MY VSP, when it loses power, REQUIRES you to push the start/stop button. Timer will not work for me.

Lots of ways to skin the cat.
Click to expand...
Yeah that's what I'm trying to do is get the primary safety control and have just seen most use timers. And I get the benefit of 24/7 and may do that. And yes I know I can program up to 3 different speeds.
 
PoolStored said:
However, MY VSP, when it loses power, REQUIRES you to push the start/stop button.
Click to expand...
@rcs29 Looked at the manual for the Sta-rite pump you have. It is the exact same pump only badged as sta-rite. You have the same issue. You have to push the start stop button to get the pump to start after power off, so timer is a no go.
 
PoolStored said:
@rcs29 Looked at the manual for the Sta-rite pump you have. It is the exact same pump only badged as sta-rite. You have the same issue. You have to push the start stop button to get the pump to start after power off, so timer is a no go.
Click to expand...
Yep. Good point. And might I add that that is very annoying. Glad you said something I never even thought about that. Guess we're going to go with your idea. Anything in particular you recommend or can link? Thanks
 
This post here has the part number. Happy to help wire it up and explain...

SWG selection and installation questions

Hi gang, I am trying to help friends move to SWG. I just concluded a SLAM process with them and explained why their pool guy was failing them dumping liquid chlorine in their pool once a week...... They are ready to move to SWG and fire the pool guy. Pool is ~20,000 gallons per original pool...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
NOTE: The only issue you have will be when you stop and drain your pump and re-prime, or if you backwash/rinse your filter. When you turn on your pump to reprime, or you backwash/rinse, you will want to manually shut off your SWCG right after you start the pump. There will be no water through the cell while you are priming. I use hair nets in my skimmers, so the ONLY time my pump is not "just running" or gets turned off is during backwash/rinse. Haven't opened it once after I got it up and running this year.

Yes, I know the flow switch is likely off because of no flow, I just like to be safe.
 
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PoolStored said:
@rcs29 Looked at the manual for the Sta-rite pump you have. It is the exact same pump only badged as sta-rite. You have the same issue. You have to push the start stop button to get the pump to start after power off, so timer is a no go.
Click to expand...

@PoolStored Are you sure about needing to push the start/stop button after power loss to your pump? My Pentair Superflo VS is supposed to retain the clock settings for 24h (according to the manual), although mine doesn't seem to do that. It retains my pump speeds and schedule though. It reverts to 12:00AM after power loss (this just happened a couple of days ago after a scheduled power shutoff that lasted about 15 min.) and I just needed to reset the clock, but the pump came back on and ran the schedule, just with the hours shifted until I reset the clock.

BTW I run mine 24/7: 3000rpm for 0.5h to skim, 2000rpm for SWCG operation (currently 8h), and the remainder of the day at 750rpm (~90W power consumption).
 
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While we're on this topic. Let's say I have my pump scheduled to run 12 hrs - 8p-8a...if I start pump at let's say 5p and run for an hr the pump will not start back up at 8p. Is that normal or do I have something programmed wrong? Had PB look at it right after installed, he called Pentair, they replaced pump but it still happens.
 
@rowiac Thank you.

I could swear that it would not turn on without pressing start or stop. After your post I promptly pulled the breaker. It does in-fact startup again.

I don't know what experience I had, but I had it etched in my brain that I had to press start/stop. That etching has been erased!!!
 
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So a timer would still work then correct? Because both things would need to be satisfied (timer and flow sensor) for generator to turn on correct? I am confused
 
rcs29 said:
While we're on this topic. Let's say I have my pump scheduled to run 12 hrs - 8p-8a...if I start pump at let's say 5p and run for an hr the pump will not start back up at 8p. Is that normal or do I have something programmed wrong? Had PB look at it right after installed, he called Pentair, they replaced pump but it still happens.
Click to expand...
The pump has 3 schedules. The first one is anchored on a specific time of day, with speed and duration. 2 and 3 have only a duration and speed. All three durations have to add to 24 hours.

Do you know your setup? Is 1 setup for 8p, 24 hrs, 2300 and 2 & 3 are 0?

Go to your pump, turn it off.
Press the 1 button, it will show speed 1, press 1 again, it will show start time, press 1 again it will show duration.
Press the 2 button, it will show speed 2, press 2 again, it will show duration
Press the 3 button and do same as 2.
Press start/stop to start pump again.

Bring back what it tells you as the setup.
 
rcs29 said:
So a timer would still work then correct? Because both things would need to be satisfied (timer and flow sensor) for generator to turn on correct? I am confused
Click to expand...
Yes, a timer would work. However, you are defeating the purpose of the program schedule in the VSP. No issues, just become inop. You would just schedule your pump to run all 24 hours, so that when turned on by the timer, it would always run.
 
PoolStored said:
The pump has 3 schedules. The first one is anchored on a specific time of day, with speed and duration. 2 and 3 have only a duration and speed. All three durations have to add to 24 hours.

Do you know your setup? Is 1 setup for 8p, 24 hrs, 2300 and 2 & 3 are 0?

Go to your pump, turn it off.
Press the 1 button, it will show speed 1, press 1 again, it will show start time, press 1 again it will show duration.
Press the 2 button, it will show speed 2, press 2 again, it will show duration
Press the 3 button and do same as 2.
Press start/stop to start pump again.

Bring back what it tells you as the setup.
Click to expand...
Yes I get all of that. You can only run times for up to 24 hrs between the 3 etc. I'm saying if I manually start my pump before the scheduled time, then shut it off before that same time then when that time comes the pump will not start on its own. Now if I go out and start it manually anytime after that it will stop at it's scheduled time. I read the manual and know how to program it and all that just the "not starting" doesn't seem right to me.
 
PoolStored said:
Yes, a timer would work. However, you are defeating the purpose of the program schedule in the VSP. No issues, just become inop. You would just schedule your pump to run all 24 hours, so that when turned on by the timer, it would always run.
Click to expand...
It was my understanding that the timer would only be to start/stop the swcg and not the pump? I've read a couple of threads and honestly still no better off with understanding this. I guess I thought the timer's safety purpose was that it would still shut down the swcg in the event the flow switch failed open and the pump had shut off. But even that doesn't make sense to me because if that scenario were to happen 1 hr into a 6 hr run time then you'd still have 5 hrs of the problem??? This is where I am still confused. Your relay did make more sense to me than the timer.
 

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