Re: Pool Valve Control

[Mitch <sumcoolgai@xxxxxxxxx>]

The units go from about $600-$1100 depending on the brand,
bells/whistles and # gallons your pool has.  Installation is a snap.

It is more than just the direct cost savings though. (The least
expensive systems to operate use liquid chlorine.)

The salt system is much friendlier to your eyes, bathing suits, etc.
than tablets.

Also, the salt system is much better for a plaster/3m/pebbletech
surface.  Resurfacing isn't cheap.

Mitch


Stu Alden wrote:
> How much do those salt systems cost, though - $1,000?  The payback
> period (relative to chlorine tabs) seems awfully long.
>
> I'm using the Hayward "off-line" chlorinator, and when I automated the
> plumbing with actuators to control the spa, I needed to be able to turn
> the chlorinator off when in "spa mode" (to avoid bleaching the spa
> occupants) but on in "pool mode."  I've been using an RCS X-10 relay
> controlling 24VAC to an irrigation valve with good results.
>
>
> In article <AeIPe.6341$HR5.5398@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
> sumcoolgai@xxxxxxxxx says...
>
>>Here, it's just the opposite re: chlorination.
>>
>>Most "high end" pool people will ONLY use the salt systems these days
>>(and they push the cartridge filters).  I know quite a few people with
>>them and none have anything negative to say about them.
>>
>>The primary reasons are:
>>
>>  - less harsh chemicals around
>>  - easier on the pool surface (plaster, 3m, pebbletech)
>>  - much less $ to operate
>>  - easier to maintain pool chemistry
>>  - much simpler to adjust
>>
>>In my last pool we had a chlorinator like Robert describes.  It worked
>>pretty well, but the salt system is MUCH better.
>>
>>
>>Mitch
>>
>>Robert L Bass wrote:
>>
>>>>Our pools stay warmer here because our nights stay
>>>>warm and the pool retains the day's heat. In SoCal
>>>>(where I used to live) nights were cool and the pool
>>>>lost much of the day's heat...
>>>
>>>
>>>In that regards, south Florida is much like So Cal.  Our days are
>>>warm and sometimes *hot* but it cools down at night.  My pool
>>>(~30,000 gallons) has a thermostatic valve controller to regulate
>>>the temperature.  I set it for around 90ºF and it stays that way
>>>all day.  At night the temperature may drop 4 or 5º but that's
>>>still comfortable for a leisurely midnight swim.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>I've read about the salt systems but my pool guy
>>>>thought they were a bit troublesome.  One chlorine
>>>>tab a week seems to do the trick for us.
>>>
>>>
>>>Same here, except our pool person is a young lady.  She and her
>>>predecessor both thought the salt systems were more trouble than
>>>they're worth.  They may have an axe to grind though, since they
>>>might believe that automation threatens their income.
>>>
>>>I could use an automatic valve for two reasons.  First, I tend to
>>>forget to turn off the sill cock when filling.  More than once
>>>I've flooded the lanai and water is an expensive, not to mention
>>>precious resource.  Second, I also travel a lot and it's always a
>>>concern that evaporation might cause the pump to lose its prime.