AutoFill
AutoFill valves are used to automatically maintain the optimum water level in pools, spa, and fountains. Basic components of an autofill are a sensor for the water level connected to a valve that lets fill water in when the pool, spa or fountain water level is low. The autofill has an equalizer pipe connected to the pool, spa or fountain and may have an overflow pipe.
The autofill is often a canister by the pool and has a round lid that looks like a skimmer.
Autofills use one of three types of water level sensors:
- Float valve
- FluidMaster valve
- Electronic sensor
Autofill Float Valves
The float style autofill uses a float attached to a brass valve in the top of a canister to regulate the water level.
Pentair has the T40B autofill with a side mounted float valve in almond, black, gray, dark gray and white colors.
Pentair Brass Valve Float - T26 will replace the float and brass valve.
Autofill FluidMaster valve
Manufacturers who use some version of the FluidMaster valve in a canister for an autofill include:
- PoolMiser
- Pentair T40F in almond, black, gray, dark gray and white colors
- A&A Quik Water Leveler
Pentair has a T40FN version of the T40F for vanishing edge pools.
Pentair T29 is the replacement FluidMaster valve. The correct replacement part for a pool auto-filler is slightly different than the one used in a toilet tank. An auto-filler valve doesn't have the black tube. It might have the barb fitting on which a tube could be pushed, but it's actually plugged up.
[https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/water-level-rising-with-no-rain.265840/post-2326487 This thread has a comparison between a $25 PoolMiser autofill valve and a $10 Lowes FluidMaster valve. The only noticeable difference between my old valve and the Lowes valve is the way the port for the toilet bowl filler tube is blocked in the Poolmiser version, where it is open in the Lowe's version. Other than that, the parts are all near-identical.
To unscrew the FluidMaster valve from the canister the top with the arm needs to be removed. This video shows how it is done.
Autofill Electronic Sensor
An electronic control box and sensor can be used to control a solenoid water fill valve.
Jandy Levolor Electronic Water Leveler
The Jandy Levolor Electronic Water Leveler uses an electronic water sensor mounted in a skimmer or standpipe connected to a control box to control the solenoid in a water fill valve.
Jandy has four Levolor Electronic Water Leveler models:
- K1100 - fill only autofill that mounts in skimmer or static pipe
- K2000 - for vanishing edge/catch basins. Sensor mounts in a static pipe and fills and controls a 24V overflow pump relay.
- K2100 - for ponds and fountains
- K2300 - for dual water body setups it monitors and fills two water bodies independently.
The Levolor has cables that run between the control box and the water sensor and the solenoid valve.
The Levolor system can be retrofitted in existing pools and spas.
Pentair IntelliLevel Automatic Water Leveling System
The IntelliLevel controller installs in the suction side plumbing near the pool equipment pad and uses a combination of pressure sensing, ultrasonic water level detection and an electromechanical microventing system to measure and fill water to an accuracy of 1/4th inch.
Pentair recommends the IntelliLevel in new construction for best results.
The pump needs to be off for a minimum of one hour a day for the IntelliLevel controller to operate. If the pump is run 24/7 the IntelliLevel Controller will not operate.
The IntelliLevel is powered by a 24V valve actuator socket on a IntelliCenter, EasyTouch or IntelliTouch Control System. If there are no free valve actuator sockets available on the EasyTouch or IntelliTouch Control Systems circuit board the provided splitter may be used to connect the IntelliLevel controller and the respective valve actuator to the same socket. The IntelliLevel controller can share power with any valve actuator. The IntelliLevel controller automatically detects any motion on the actuator (controlled from automation control system or manually activated) and temporarily suspends any fill functions.
For winterization the IntelliLevel controller should be unscrewed from the pipe and taken indoors and the pipe capped.
