Understanding my pool equipment and flow

[JamesW]

The part/valves and actuators don't need to be replaced.

If I get the EasyTouch 8 with included salt cell, that should include everything I need to make it the Salt system correct?

Correct, all you need is the power supply that comes in the automation box and the cell.

A salt pool is a chlorine pool. The only difference is that you add salt to the water to get the salinity to about 3,200 ppm and the cell converts the chloride ions into chlorine atoms.

So, it's still a chlorine pool, but the chlorine is made by the cell rather than being added by tabs, powder or liquid.

All other equipment is the same. Nothing else is different. Same pump, same filter, same valves, same heater etc.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

I’m not sure what the one circled in green is in the 2nd picture, any ideas???

It's hard to see what is shown in the photo, but if it's a pipe just below the coping, it's most likely an overflow drain. Your PB will probably tie into the landscape drains.

 

[Pirate Roberts]

I thought #17 might be for bubbles in your spa or maybe that big pipe could be for a blower for the spa.

 

[Jimrahbe]

our contractor is telling us that the parts/valves/ and actuators may be different

Roberta,

That statement is just a pile of bull stuff.. It is just not true.. Everything is built to be used with saltwater.

The actuators don't even touch the water!!!

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Zamspa]

Roberta,

That statement is just a pile of bull stuff.. It is just not true.. Everything is built to be used with saltwater.

The actuators don't even touch the water!!!

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thank you Jim, this is what I know from all of ya'lls help on this site but figured I would double-check.

 

[Zamspa]

Well...contractor nor pool builder want to do the salt equipment change to the system, from what I can tell to change the system should be about a $600 difference plus a little for plumbing (plumber is not finished and has to return anyway) but they want to charge $1,200 for different equipment, plus plumbing, electrical (should not be any extra electrical), and additional start-up costs so he says around $1500 to $2000 this is in addition to the already $1500 we are paying to upgrade from the PSL4 to the EasyTouch 8...am I wrong to think this is very unreasonable?

The EasyTouch 8 is still in the garage unopened and could easily be returned...I even offered to drive to Fort Worth to return it so they didn't have to make the trip.

I also got the "salt will mess up your equipment", "salt will destroy your rock" and (here's one I haven't heard before "salt will rust your pergola (which is cedar??)"...

My husband says we can just add it later but I think it should be done now while we are at this stage

 

[Turbo1Ton]

I agree... You should do it now. You are the one paying for it... It is not their decision. They should be reminded as such, in a nice, but firm manner. I'm amazed at the stories of the insistence of the builders in TX not wanting to do what the customer wants. As well they should not make it ridiculously more costly for you, when the equipment itself is not that much, if any more costly.

Edit:

Plumber has to replumb the chlorinator. So an hour there. But he's coming back anyway so shouldn't be an additional trip charge. Should be no additional electrical work, other than verifying the input voltage of the IC transformer. Additional start up cost, maybe an extra trip, 30 days after fill-up to add salt. Or they can leave with you and you can do it properly, unlike my PB's crew. They plugged the SWCG in immediately after adding the salt, not waiting the 24 hours as recommended by Pentair. I agree, seems unreasonable.

End Edit

Salt will not mess up equipment, destroy rock, or rust your pergola. Not monitoring your levels will destroy equipment. Flagstone will delaminate around water, period, and I'm not sure what school they went to where cedar will rust. When I was in the bid phase, I asked my PB about salt damaging anything, because I had a couple of friends who were adamant that salt would mess stuff up, and PB said the only concern is to make sure to watch the PH, as that can cause scaling.

I would push for the salt cell now. My PB accidentally plumbed in a chlorinator, as they had forgotten it was supposed to be salt. When I discussed with them the equipment, the day after they set it all, and asked where the salt cell went, they were like "oh, you wanted salt, sorry. We will get that changed out." A little goof, but one that was easily remedied. They swapped the I5PS intellicenter for the I8PS with IC40 without any hassle.

--Jeff

 

[Zamspa]

I agree... You should do it now. You are the one paying for it... It is not their decision. They should be reminded as such, in a nice, but firm manner. I'm amazed at the stories of the insistence of the builders in TX not wanting to do what the customer wants. As well they should not make it ridiculously more costly for you, when the equipment itself is not that much, if any more costly.

Edit:

Plumber has to replumb the chlorinator. So an hour there. But he's coming back anyway so shouldn't be an additional trip charge. Should be no additional electrical work, other than verifying the input voltage of the IC transformer. Additional start up cost, maybe an extra trip, 30 days after fill-up to add salt. Or they can leave with you and you can do it properly, unlike my PB's crew. They plugged the SWCG in immediately after adding the salt, not waiting the 24 hours as recommended by Pentair. I agree, seems unreasonable.

End Edit

Salt will not mess up equipment, destroy rock, or rust your pergola. Not monitoring your levels will destroy equipment. Flagstone will delaminate around water, period, and I'm not sure what school they went to where cedar will rust. When I was in the bid phase, I asked my PB about salt damaging anything, because I had a couple of friends who were adamant that salt would mess stuff up, and PB said the only concern is to make sure to watch the PH, as that can cause scaling.

I would push for the salt cell now. My PB accidentally plumbed in a chlorinator, as they had forgotten it was supposed to be salt. When I discussed with them the equipment, the day after they set it all, and asked where the salt cell went, they were like "oh, you wanted salt, sorry. We will get that changed out." A little goof, but one that was easily remedied. They swapped the I5PS intellicenter for the I8PS with IC40 without any hassle.

--Jeff

Thank you, this is reassuring as these were my thoughts too. We are meeting with our contractor around lunchtime today so wish me luck