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"Pool Automation"
Why do
things the old fashioned way...automate!!!
The Pool & Spa Informational Website
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Scroll down to browse
through some archived SWIMMING POOL questions and answers.
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Today's
hectic lifestyle makes time a precious commodity. You may not always have
the time to do things around the pool: things that need to be done and
things that enhance the appearance of the pool surroundings and make pool
ownership more enjoyable. Controllers can be used to control the filter
cycle, chemical additions, water temperature, water level. pool sanitizing equipment, outdoor
lighting, safety equipment, pool cleaning, pool covers and other automated equipment. Use the power of a button and a
programmable controller or a pool automation device to save time and effort, so that you can get down to the
serious business of enjoying your pool.
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and highlighted "keywords" or "catch phrases," in the
archived answers will give you access to additional information on that topic or
product.
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More information about Robotic
Pool Cleaners
can be found by clicking on the center image, above.
Different models are available, for above ground and inground residential pools,
as well as models for commercial & public pools.
More information about some new & unique products, for above ground & inground
pools, can be found by visiting
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You'll never know what you'll find and that's
always fun.
Be better prepared and avoid costly problems!
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►
Automating The Pool?
Browsing through the website,
I became intrigued by pool automation. I would like to maintain the pool
myself, but I don't always have the time to spend on things. The pool is
20,000 gallons, inground with a plaster finish and heated with a heat pump. What can pool
automation do for me? Thanks for the input.
Arnold B., 4/3/2009
A lot!
A pool automation system can turn your filter on and off. A
Salt Chlorine Generator
can be made to turn on and off with the automated filter cycle. This
equipment will produce chlorine right in the pool, with a one time addition of
salt to the pool. A dial will allow you to increase or decrease the amount
of chlorine being produced. The amount of other chemicals required is minimized.
The
heat pump can be activated with the automated filter cycle and controlled to the
desired temperature. The cleaning of the pool can be accomplished with a
controllable
robotic pool cleaner or an in-the-floor cleaning system. There are
automatic
pool safety covers,
automatic pool lighting and
pool security. The water level
can be automatically controlled.
Pool automation can eliminate much of
the daily work required for sanitizing, maintenance, heating and cleaning.
I hope that I've kept you intrigued. Good luck.
Sincerely. Alan
Schuster, 4/3/2009
►
Automation 101?
We have a small community pool (250,000
litres) that has a four electrode salt chlorinator that works very well.
What we need is a chlorine controller with a sensor that we can place in the
pipe line, that can turn the chlorine generator on and off to maintain a pre
determined constant level of free chlorine. Our generator has a relay to
allow for this rather than turning the whole machine on and off. Do you
have a suitable product that you could recommend please? Kind regards.
Lawrence L., 11/23/2009
The information
below was provided by Sean Assam of AutoPilot: a manufacturer of salt
chlorine generators
www.autopilot.com
Based on your e-mail,
what you need is an ORP/pH controller system. What is important with salt
chlorine generators is that the ORP probe be a GOLD TIPPED probe, rather than
Platinum band probe. This is because the gold tip is less reactive to the
oxygen and hydrogen byproducts from the cell. Your probes will be mounted in an
off line "flow cell" rather in in the pipe line. The ORP controller is
usually combined with a pH probe and controller because the ORP is very
dependent on the stability of the pH level. From there, you have several
options. A basic controller will give you the ORP and pH control. You can then
upgrade to systems that have dual control capabilities. In other words, you can
control a primary and secondary chlorinator device. The upgraded controllers
also have the ability to connect and communicate with building automation
systems, or computer access for data logging, and remote monitoring/operation
for a monthly access charge. What you need to consider is the mode in
which the salt chlorine generator is ORP controlled (activated). There are
three options: Dry Contact - this is a simple OPEN circuit or CLOSED
circuit condition signal to the salt chlorine generator, no voltage. Salt
chlorine generators with this mode will sustain damage if any voltage is
sent through this connection point. Low Voltage - typically 24 volt signal
to the salt chlorine generator. This is not as common. High Voltage -
typically 120 volt signal to the salt chlorine generator. This is usually used
to power the salt chlorine generator ON and OFF. However, your description
indicates that there is a relay as part of your chlorine generator. This relay
may require 120 volts. You will need to know which one of these three
modes your system is to be connected to. AutoPilot doesn't endorse any specific
ORP/pH control system. Again, this should be with Gold ORP probes.
Finally, depending on the make and model of your salt chlorine generator, you
may need to adjust your output control setting to 0% or 100%. Please check with
the manufacturer of your salt system.
I hope that this will
prove helpful.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 11/24/2009
►
Seeking
Automation?
Alan and
company, I will be having a new pool
to come together with a new house in Spain. I
am little bit lost as to what I will need to service the pool (never had one
before). I am in favour of an automated system. I have been
recommended a salt chlorination system, but what else do I need?? i.e.
what other chemicals and products to keep the pool usable and self
serviceable? What are the
overall costs of servicing the pool approximately? Thanks
for any assistance you can provide.
Tony R.,
Spain, 8/7/2004
A
salt chlorine generator is a
good first step. It can provide for most of the chemical needs of the
pool. Additional chemicals will be needed to control the pH, total
alkalinity, calcium hardness and chlorine stabilizer. If minerals, such
as iron are present, that will have to be addressed. A water analysis is
the best way to determine actual chemical needs. I would suggest that
provisions be made for an
automatic pool vacuum. This can help eliminate
a lot of the cleaning.
Heat pumps, fossil fuel heaters or
Solar Heaters can be automated and can be made more
economical by the addition of an
automatic pool safety cover.
Pool lighting systems,
pool water level,
pool alarms and monitoring can be
part of your automated pool. I hope that this information will prove helpful.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 8/7/2004
► Auto-Leveler Keeps The Pool
Full?
What is the easiest way to make sure that our
inground pool's water level does not drop too low, while we are away on
vacation? I would rather to something before we leave and not risk damage
to my pump. Besides, if the pump runs dry, my salt chlorine generator
wouldn't work and who know what kind of algae bloom we'll come home to. I
would rather not have to depend on rainfall alone. Thanks for any
suggestions.
Jessica T, Smithtown, NY, 3/4/2009
What you need is a
Auto-Leveler.
There is a modestly priced product, that requires no installation and will
automatically keep the pool filled to a preset level, of your choice.
You simple attach it to a garden hose and place it on top of the coping, with
the end extending into the pool. When the level gets too low, it allows
water to flow into the pool. For more information, please click here:
Auto-Leveler.
I'm sure that this is what you're looking for.
Sincerely. Alan Schuster,
3/4/2009
►
Reducing
Maintenance?
I will be installing an ozonator
and a mineral sanitizer in my heated inground pool. My wife is
sensitive to chlorine and we want to completely avoid all such use.
Do you think that this combination will work? Is there equipment that
I can install that will automatically adjust the water?
I am interested in reducing
the maintenance and time requirements, as much as possible.
Thank you. Terrific website!
Joel, 3/18/2004
The
combination of an
ozonator and a
mineral sanitizer
could satisfy the sanitizing
requirements of your pool. With these devices in places, you might still
need a very low level of chlorine. You could opt to use the less
odorous and irritating bromine to provide a low level of persistent
sanitation-oxidation.
Totally eliminating
chlorine or bromine is not easily done. Reducing the level required is
attainable, with the ozonator and mineral sanitizer. There are controllers that can be used to
operate just about everything that is electrical and then some:
filtration, temperature,
pool lighting,
water level,
pool
security and backyard safety, water chemistry,
pool cleaning,
pool safety
covers
and
more. They can
definitely save time. I hope
that I have been helpful. Enjoy the pool.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 3/18/2004
►
Controlling The
Chemistry?
We run a small community pool and
would like to research a better means of adding chemicals. The pool uses
liquid chlorine and acid and these are added with feeding pumps, tied into the
operation of the filter and pump. The problem is that the bather use
is anything but consistent and sometimes there is too much chlorine and other
times there is not enough. Are there controllers that can be added?
How expensive are they? Thanks for the help.
B. M.,
Knoxville, TN, 6/23/2004
Yes, controllers can be added
that will help regulate the addition of the chlorine and acid.
It should give you more uniform conditions. So far as the cost of these
controllers is concerned, I will have to pass. There are several
manufacturers of such equipment. I suggest that you consult with a pool
company that deals with non-residential pools. There are other chemical
saving and highly controllable sanitizing methods, that are suitable for use in
commercial-type pools. An
Ozone Generator, for example, would deal with the
introduction of bather wastes and would decrease the amount of chlorine required
to maintain a satisfactory level.
Salt chlorine generators and
UV Sanitizers are other possibilities. Browse through the pages on these
topics for more information. Sorry, that I couldn't provide all of the
details.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 6/24/2004
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Proper water chemistry will help to better control and avoid algae problems
and maintain more optimum swimming conditions.
More information about Pool/Spa Water Testing Products can be found in the
Test Equipment Store. |
(Click on any image for ordering and information.)
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