Andrew P Posted October 26, 2021 Report Share Posted October 26, 2021 (edited) Hi, hoping to get some advice. We have a inground pool and spa next to each other with no spillway. The pool and spa run of the same pump, salt chlorinator, filter and gas heater. We would like to install some automation so that we can switch between the pool and spa without having to manually turn the valve to divert the water. We would also like to control the pool and spa lights and some garden lights. Is this possible and what automation system is recommended. We also have the EQ25 Salt Chlorinator and the AI pump so need the automation so the pool can filter and adjust the PH and Salt Chlorination levels as required. Any advice would be great as have been told that the Connect 10 will not work as there is no spill way between the spa and pool. Thanks in advance Andrew Edited October 26, 2021 by Andrew P Spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted October 27, 2021 Report Share Posted October 27, 2021 I am partial to pentair intellitouch/easytouch systems, but lets ask @Pool Clown and @jimmythegreek. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted October 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2021 Thanks @RDspaguy. Would you know if this system works if there is no spillway from the spa to the pool? I have been told the Connect 10 has issues if there is no spillway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted October 27, 2021 Report Share Posted October 27, 2021 It will work fine. I'm not familiar with this connect 10, but it's a pos if it needs a spillway to work. That's just stupid. I could name several other brands, in fact every one I am familiar with, that also don't need a spillway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted October 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2021 Thanks again @RDspaguy I assume it's not to much of an issue with the Spa overfilling when transitioning from pool to spa? Even the Pentair suggests an overflow pipe between the pool and spa? I guess you don't overfill the spa in the first place and when you transition back to pool mode the excess water will transfer back to the pool anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted October 28, 2021 Report Share Posted October 28, 2021 Just set your timers such that the pump is off when the valves actuate and you will be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Clown Posted October 29, 2021 Report Share Posted October 29, 2021 Most systems will have valve actuators that move the valves from pool to spa and back. So, with that regard you can choose pretty much any automation It will be important however that both your suction and return valves rotate the same distance. IOW so both actuators begin and end (their rotation) at the same time. Most systems will have both valves rotate 180 degrees to complete their "throw". But In some systems, due to space limitations on the pad, you may have a valve plumbed in that will only take 90 degrees to rotate from pool to spa. If they are both like that, its fine. But if one is 90 and the other is 180, you will be getting a slight draining or filling, of the spa during valve rotation depending on which valve has the short throw. It will probably be a negligible amount unless you are playing with the pool spa button turning it on and off frequently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted October 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2021 Thanks @Pool Clown , very much appreciated. So having an overflow pipe from the spa in to the pool is just a nice to have and will not cause any significant issues on the system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted October 29, 2021 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2021 Just as a follow up @Pool Clown and @RDspaguy, why does Pentair and Viron suggest an overflow pipe between the pool and Spa? Is this just a nice to have and you can still make things work using the 2 methods you have suggested above? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted October 29, 2021 Report Share Posted October 29, 2021 18 hours ago, Pool Clown said: But if one is 90 and the other is 180, you will be getting a slight draining or filling, of the spa during valve rotation depending on which valve has the short throw. It will probably be a negligible amount unless you are playing with the pool spa button turning it on and off frequently. This is why. If not properly set up, you can get a gradual overfill of the spa. Since they can't control what you do with it, they recommend the overflow to avoid any issues. There is also the possibility of a malfunction causing an overflow. It's called "covering your a**", in technical jargon.😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew P Posted December 10, 2021 Author Report Share Posted December 10, 2021 Hi Regina, I had chlorine and swapped over to a salt chlorinator and yes, found it heaps easier to maintain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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