IntelliTouch or Hayward automation with IntelliFlo VF 3.2 KW

15 years ago

I have the following pool/spa setup.

18500 gallon Fiberglass in ground pool with tile around the top and stamped concrete decking.

400 gallon Fiberglass in ground spa with same tile and decking.

Current Equipment:

Lars Gas Heater, Hayward C3020 (300 sq-ft) cartridge filter, Polaris Pool Sweep (380) with booster pump, 240V spa blower, WhisperFlo 1HP single speed pump, and a 400W pool light. 100 Amp subpanel w/ 2 mechanical clocks (one for recirculation pump and one for booster pump).

The plumbing coming up to the equipment pad is 2'' suction for pool and spa, a single 2'' return for spa and two 1 1/2'' return pips for pool (1 comes out side of pool for sweep and 2 skimmers on the far end of the pool).

The whisperflo pump is leaking at the seal when turned on, so it needs service or replacement soon. I plan to redo my entire equipment pad plumbing since it's currently wacky in that the intake value is a 2'' and the return valve is 1 1/2''.

One last snag, my spa is separate from the pool and has no overflow into the pool, will this be a problem? Currently when the values aren't in the exact right position running the pool filter sometimes slowy drains or fills the spa, which I manually correct by running water from pool to spa or vice versa.

I've been reading this forum for some time now and based on a number of posts I've read here and other research I've done I feel an IntelliFlo VF pump will save me a ton of money over my current pump. I plan to keep my current heater, filter and booster pump, but replace everything else on the equipment pad.

In addition I want to add solar heating and possibly replace the pool light with a LED based one in the future.

I was all set to get the IntelliFlo VF 3.2 KW pump, the IntelliTouch Load Center, IntelliTouch i7+3 (or possibly i9+3), the Intellitouch PC Interface and the IC40 IntelliChlor, an extra value actuator for the solar and a set of solar panels which would go on the roof of my single story ranch home about 20 feet from the equipment pad.

Then I read about the new Hayward Sense and Dispense system which would get me fully automated control of the salt cell and allow the option of adding and acid pump or CO2 dispenser as well (currently I'm using liquid chlorine for my pool sanitizing and the PH seems to keep itself pretty much in balance, so unless the salt cell will push the PH up even faster than the liquid chlorine does the PH might not be an issue).

So the other option I've been considering now is the Aqua Logic Combo Kit PS-8, with the Hayward Sense and Dispense - Total Pool Chemistry - AQL-CHEM (and possibly later the AQL-CHEM2 for the CO2 dispensing)

However I'm not quite sold on the TriStar Variable Speed pump, so I'd end up having getting the IntelliFlo VF 3.2KW and Intellicomm to use the VF pump with the hayward system, which seems a bit costly.

Here are my questions:

* Currently I plan to go to all 2'' plumbing on the equipment pad. Is there any point going to 2 1/2'' or 3'' there or to the solar panels?

* How does the TriStar Variable Speed compare to the IntelliFlo power usage wise? Living in CA that's my #1 concern.

* Does anyone have experience with Hayward Sense and Dispense and is it worth it over just a plain salt cell for residential pool/spa combos?

* Can either of the control system run water from the pool to the spa or back, or can I just manually move the values even with the actuators?

* Any other comments on reliability for the above 2 setups?

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Comments (4)

golfgeek
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
tlaloc,
If you plan on solar, I would suggest that you use the VS3050 with the EZ touch 8. This should do everything you want. The VF 3050 is more sensitive and can be a little more troublesome with solar.
You should have an equalizer line between the pool and spa. I've never tried, but you may be able to program the ez touch to turn the spa function on for an hour or so each day.
I've never been a fan of any of the residential chemical dispensers. All dispensers require more maintenance than most customers want to do.
Your existing plumbing should work fine. You will need to program the pump to the GPM's that fit the plumbing system as it is now.
I've never been a fan of Hayward pump and filter products. It's mostly a personal preference. Pentaire/Sta-rite(IMO) make a reliable, quality product with appropriate service in most areas.good luck.
tlaloc
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Currently there is no equalizer line plumed between the pool and spa, the water level in the Spa is about 3 inches higher than in the pool when both are filled properly.
Is the maintenance on the chemical dispensers really more than having to check the Chlorine and PH levels of the pool and spa are daily and adding the right amount of liquid chlorine? That's what I do now.
The reasons I'm wanting to redo the pluming on the equipment pad are: there is no room for solar valves between the filter and heater or a salt cell; the pump sits less than 2 inches away from the 3-way pool/spa inlet valve; all the corners used are the short radius 90 degree kind; and pipes go from 2'' to 1 1/2'' back to 2'' on the pad. I figured that for 200 bucks on piping parts at the local hardware store I can redo the pluming, have a 10 inch straight pipe in front of the pump intake, use large radius corners where possible and have room for the solar valves and salt cell. Hopefully saving me on operating costs for the pump long term.
Of course those savings are based on having a VF 3050 pump or using a flow meter to setup to VS 3050's rpms for the correct flow for my piping.

As for the EasyTouch, I hadn't really considered it since I was looking at the IntelliTouch. If for some reason I decided to stick with the VF 3050 after all would you be able to setup different flow rates for different functions on the EasyTouch? I'm thinking I need these:
1) pool recirculation 22 gpm (gets me 1 turnover in 14 hours)
2) pool skimmer ? gpm (I'll have to experiment with this to see what works)
3) pool sweep ? gpm (I'll have to experiment with this to see what works)
4) pool skimmer + sweep ? gpm (I'll have to experiment with this to see what works)
5) spa recirculation 10 gpm (gets me 1 turnover in 40 minutes)
6) spa jets 80 gpm (ideally this speed would be adjustable or there would be more than 1 preset speed)
7) solar pool or spa ? gpm (whatever is required by the solar panels I end up using - suggestions welcome)

Currently without solar my pool temo is usually already in the 90's cause of a bubble solar blanket I keep on the pool, so in practice I think the solar will only be in use in the spring and fall or on days when the solar blanket is off the pool for a long time.
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golfgeek
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
tlaloc,
VS3050 gives you the ability to set 4 separate speed(RPM) functions. Set one for filtration, set a second for pool cleaner mode, set a third for jets, set fourth for....?
Each of these settings is adjustable to allow for existing plumbing and equipment configurations.
Old pools with a 1-1/2" suction can still take advantage of the features of the VS3050 by using the slower RPM's. You can adjust the flow for maximum efficiency on most any fixed plumbing sizes.
The VF senses pressure changes and is self adjusting to maintain GPM's. This works pretty well on floor cleaning systems when you want to maintain a specific GPM. For some functions it dosen't work so well. Solar? Pressure side cleaners without booster pump.
IMO a VS would work better for you than a VF.
Rack Etear
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
The Vf can go whacky w/ floor cleaners. AFAIK they still haven't perfected that yet.

IntelliTouch or Hayward automation with IntelliFlo VF 3.2 KW

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IntelliTouch or Hayward automation with IntelliFlo VF 3.2 KW

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tlaloc
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