Pool/spa Actator Settings

[Mattpop4]

We just moved into a new house, and our pool has an "attached" spa, which overflows into the pool when working properly. I am having trouble with the actuator settings working properly when the pool goes between the spa and pool modes. I there a set position that the three position toggle switches should be set on the back of each actator (I think there is one on intake valves and one on output valves).

I have played around with them in different positions (up, middle and down), but I can't get it right. The spa either doesn't heat up or fully drains and it is driving me crazy!....any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Mattpop4]

Correction..."IS there a set position that the Three position toggle switches should be set....". Thanks

[PoolGuyNJ]

Middle is off.

A turns the valve in one direction.

B turns it in the other.

Pool Mode - Suction to the spa is off and about 45 degrees to let water flow into the spa, assuming there isn't a pool return in the spa and the spa jets are used to let water in the spa so it spills/skims.

Spa Mode - Suction is exclusively coming from the spa and all return water is sent to the spa.

Spa Drain - Spa suction open as in spa mod but return is sending water to the pool.

Spa Fill - Spa drain is closed as if in Pool Mode but the jets are on full.

Scott

[waterbear]

The middle position is off (used for manually turning the valves after releasing the actuator drive from the valve). The other two change the position of the valve from one side to the other.When you flip the switch from one side to the other the valve should turn, If it does not call a repair person because something is not working (most likely a bad actuator but it can also be a valve or control board problem.) One actuator will control the pool/spa drains and skimmers and select between either. The other controls the retuns to the spa and pool. To set them:

spa only -- return water goes into spa only and water drains from spa

pool only (if you have this setting) -- return water goes only to pool and all water drains from pool drains and skimmers, spa is completely off

spillover -- water returns to spa only OR both pool and spa (depending on how your system is plumbed and all water drains from pool drain and skimmers, spa drain(s) are off

To set put your system in spa only mode. Water should be entering spa only and pool skimmers and returns should be off.

1.) If the water is flowing ONLY into the spa proceed to step 2. If not flip the switch on that actuator that controls the pool/spa returns all the way to the other side and once the valve finishes rotating water should be entering the spa only. If not then you are switching the wrong actuator. Try the other one. If that does not work call in a repair person because something is not working properly.

2.) Now to set the other actuator--water should NOT be flowing in the pool skimmer at all. If it is flip the switch on the actuator that controls the pool/spa drains and skimmers (the one that you did not flip in step 1, or the one that had no effect in step 1. I Water should stop flowing into the pool skimmer. If it does not then call a repair person since something is wrong in the system.

If you did not need to do step one and you are not sure which actuator to flip try them both one at a time. The valve should turn and one will cause the skimmers in the pool to turn on or off. You want them off. The other will cause water to flow into the spa alone or flow into the pool by itself or both the pool and spa together, depending on how your system is set up. You want it to flow only into the spa.

Once you complete the two steps above cycle the pool/spa through spa only, spillover (if you have this setting) and/or pool only (if you have this setting) to confirm that everything is working. Not all system will have all three. Some are plumbed for spa/pool only, some plumbed for spa/spillover only, and some have water return to both pool and spillover in spillover mode while others are plumed to only have water return to the spa in spillover mode (and might not have any returns in the pool at all).

If it is not working right at this point call in a repair person to check the system operation.

Spa not heating is probably a different problem What kind of automation system do you have? What kind of heater. Is the heater working properly and is the thermostat for the spa mode set properly?