Swimming Pool Controls
An
swimming pool control allows you to manage the equipment
for a pool, spa or a pool/spa combination from a centralized
location. This can range from a simple on/off timer that
is installed outside near your equipment to a completely
automated system that includes a wireless remote and/or
a touchpad control panel inside your home. To determine
what system is right for you, you need to consider how
many bodies of water and how many functions you want to
control. Another important consideration is your budget
and what type of person you are. If you're a nuts-and-bolts
kind of person who doesn't mind walking across your back
yard to reach the timer, a basic unit might well be enough.
On the other hand, a technology hound who loves every
bell and whistle they can get their hands on will probably
want something more elaborate. Fortunately, there are
pool controls to fit every personality.
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Timers
Swimming pool timers are the most basic of automated controls. They are usually installed outside near your pool equipment and come inside a plastic or metal weatherproof enclosure. These are often mounted to a post. Plastic enclosures are typically used in warmer climates like Florida and Arizona while metal enclosures work best in colder climates. The most common use for pool timers is to control the pump. We'll be referring mostly to timers for in-ground pools but there is a section below regarding above ground pools also. Inyo Pools carries Intermatic timers so this is the brand we'll be discussing but some of the basic principles will apply to other brands as well.
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Mechanical vs. Digital
Mechanical timers have a dial which uses trippers to set the on/off times. There are still many of these timers in use and some in production but they are slowly being phased out and replaced by digital timers. Digital timers can be programmed and also include some built-in modes from the manufacturer. If you are purchasing a new timer, we recommend choosing a digital model because this is the direction manufacturers are headed in and parts will be easier to find. The same applies to replacing mechanical timer parts – many of the older mechanical parts are now available in digital form and we recommend replacement with digital timer mechanisms.
Voltage
Your pool timer choice will depend on the voltage going to your pool equipment. This would be either 120v or 240v. Some timers can be used for either but most specify a particular voltage.
Freeze Protect
Freeze protect mechanisms can be added to a timer to insure that the pool pump and heater kick on when temperatures drop to a set level, usually somewhere close to 32 degrees. This protects your pool and spa equipment and plumbing against freeze damage. Freeze protection is most common in areas where pool owners don't close their pools for the winter but still have some freezing temperatures.
Above Ground Pools
Timers
for above ground pools are specially designed to control
the pump of portable or above ground pools and spas. Above
ground pool timers come with a cord and plug, either
a standard 3-prong or a twist-lock plug. They can also
be used to control outdoor decorations, engine block heaters
and other appliances either indoors or outdoors. They
will work with pool or spa pumps up to 1 horse power.
Many customers have asked us for Intermatic timers that
will accommodate a 1.5 horse power above ground pool pump.
To date, all of the Intermatic above ground models we
carry are for up to 1 HP only but there is a Hayward Microprocessor
timer that will work with 1.5 HP.
Control Panels
Intermatic control panels are a step up from the basic pool and spa timers we mentioned above. Control Panels offer an all-in-one electrical control center which can be wired for a wide variety of requirements, eliminating the need for additional junction boxes and service panels and lowering installation costs. These control centers are made up of a single enclosure that can contain a variation of components such as timer clocks, transformers and freeze protect mechanisms. Control panels can have multiple time clocks so equipment can be set to different on/off times. They can also be tied into a remote control.
Timer Parts
You
can purchase replacement parts for existing pool timers.
The most common Intermatic
timer parts would be timer mechanisms, time clock
motors, trippers, and freeze protect mechanisms. It is
a good idea to compare the price of parts vs. a whole
new timer. Sometimes it is a better value to replace the
whole thing and have the peace of mind that all of the
parts are new and under warranty.
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Automated Controls
More elaborate pool controls cover multiple functions of your swimming pool, spa and backyard - all from the comfort of your home or even your poolside lounge chair. These systems allow you to turn equipment on and off, control the temperature of your heater, manage water features such as jets or waterfalls, and control pool and landscape lights. The most common automated controls offer 4, 6, or 8 functions which is usually enough to manage a typical residential pool. For more extensive residential or commercial pools, there are systems that have up to 32 functions. The number of functions is based on how many pieces of equipment you are looking to control and how these are configured. Some equipment may be able to share one function. For example, if you have two lights on one circuit, this would count as only one function. However if the two lights are wired separately, your lights would then be considered two separate functions. Another example of this can be seen with gas heaters. A pool heater is tied into the pump so you do not need a separate function to turn on the heater.
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It is important to carefully consider the total number of functions because you do not want to purchase a control system that is undersized for your pool. In fact, we recommend over-sizing your system to account for any future additions to your backyard paradise. If you have four functions to control and you purchase a 4-function system, there will be no room left for any other equipment. It is common for pool owners to renovate and decide to add lighting, waterfalls or other features so you want to account for this possibility. The cost of upgrading an existing automated pool system, which requires a replacement circuit board or a whole new system, is much greater than spending a few more dollars upfront to invest in some extra functions.
Here is an overview of the typical components of an automated control system:
Power Center
The power center is essentially a box with the guts of the system inside which is hard-wired to the electrical supply for your pool equipment. Usually, you will have the option for a standard or a sub panel power center. The standard model is used if you already have a breaker box near your pool that has additional breakers available for pool equipment. If this is not the case, the sub panel offers a breaker mount plate and G.F.C.I. knockout.
Control Panel / Remotes
This is where the choices get more difficult for techies. The controls that serve as an interface between the power supply and you range from hard-wired control panels to hand-held remotes (and a few options in between). These controls can be programmed to suit your individual pool or pool and spa combination and they vary in style depending on the manufacturer. All wireless remotes offer a more economical option in automated controls due to lower installation costs.
Wall-mounted panels are installed indoors for easy access to pool controls from the comfort of your home. They feature a digital display screen that shows various settings and statistics regarding your pool such as water and air temperature, on/off status of equipment, and more. These are mounted to a wall and hard-wired into your household electrical supply.
Another
option available for some systems, such as the Aqua
Logic, is a wall-mounted wireless remote which is
attached to a wall by a bracket. This is nice for someone
who wants the wall mount but does not want to hard-wire
a panel. If you are adding controls to an existing pool
and don't want to run wire between the power center and
wall panel, this is good option for retrofitting. For
this model and all wireless remotes, a receiver must be
mounted on the power center for communication between
the two components.
Wireless table-top remotes are portable and can be moved around indoors or outdoors at your convenience. They require a receiver but no wiring to the power center.
A newer option in the line of wireless remotes is Jandy's PDA which is a small, hand-held remote which can be moved around the pool and spa. The PDA even floats so it's perfect for that “pool potato” who never wants to leave the water.
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Valve Actuators
Valve Actuators mount on top of valves and automatically move to a desired position when they receive an electrical signal. This allows you to switch water circulation from pool to spa, control the spa overflow, and drain water. Using an actuator, you can also easily automate fountains and other water features. Your automated pool control system will allow you to direct the actuators by activating them from your control panel or remote. It is worth noting that actuators do not take up any of the functions of your automated control but instead work independently. This gives you more control of your pool and/or spa equipment without using up any additional functions.
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To install an actuator, the valve handle is removed and then the actuator is set on top of the valve and secured with screws. The handle is then replaced on top of the actuator. Electrical wiring runs from the actuator to your power supply.
Relays
Relays are placed inside the power center and used to activate your equipment. Typically, a 4-function system will come with four relays, a 6-function system with six relays and an 8-function system with eight relays. So let's say you purchased a 4-function system and want to control your filter pump (relay #1), pool light (relay #2) and waterfall pump (relay #3). You would then have an additional relay to add another piece of equipment in the future, such as a second light or spa blower.
There are some pieces of equipment that require the purchase of specialty relays which we have outlined below:
Dual Speed Pump Relays – When using a dual speed pump, you will need to purchase a dual speed pump relay. The relays which come with the automated control systems are designed only for single speed pumps.
Light Dimmer Relay – This relay is used if you would like to have dimming capabilities for your light. The standard relay which comes with the automated control system will simply turn your light on and off.
Sensors
These are used to measure the temperature of air, water and solar and feed this information back to your automated control system.
Power Center Circuit Board with Bezel
This is the brains of the automated control and determines how many pieces of equipment the control can handle. The main difference between the 4-function, 6-function and 8-function systems is the circuit board. Replacing the circuit board is very expensive, in some cases almost as expensive as the entire new control system. If you are the fence between getting a 4-or 6-function system, we would highly recommend going up to the next size system for a few hundred dollars more. Going with a slightly larger system will allow you to add additional equipment in the future without replacing your circuit board or purchasing an entirely new system.
One
last thing to talk about when discussing circuit boards
is lightning strikes. If you live in an area of the country
with frequent lightning strikes, we would strongly suggest
purchasing a surge protection kit. This kit will protect
your circuit board from lighting and typically will increase
your warranty by several years. If your system does get
struck, Jandy makes a kit with all of the components that
are typically damaged by lightning. You may view this
kit on our web site at Jandy AquaLink RS Conversion Kit
Jandy
created Aqualink, one of the first reliable automatic
pool controls. The Jandy
Aqualink system continues to be a leader in the industry
but most other pool equipment manufacturers have joined
in the competition. One thing to consider is that some
of the automated controls have functions that are proprietary.
For instance, if you want to see a digital display of
the different colors of your Hayward ColorLogic light,
the Jandy Aqualink might not show this since the light
is made by a different manufacturer. It is worth contacting
the manufacturer of the automated control you're considering
to make sure it will be compatible with your existing
equipment.
Automated Control / Chlorine Generator Combos
Some
of the control systems come with a built in chlorine generator,
such as the Jandy
PureLink or Goldline's Aqua
Logic. In addition to providing control of equipment,
these units will generate chlorine using salt which is
added to the pool water in a quantity that is far below
the human taste threshold. The salt water then passes
through what's known as the cell of the generator. The
cell unit, which is plumbed inline between the filter
and the pool, contains coated blades which create a small
electrical charge as the salt water comes into contact
with them. This creates chlorine which is then returned
to your pool. The power supply for the chlorine generator
is included in the power center for the automated control
system. So your control panel or wireless remote will
display your salt and chlorine levels and help you monitor
your water. This unit can also be used to “shock” or super-chlorinate
your pool if needed. A salt chlorine generator will produce
all of the chlorine you need to keep your pool properly
sanitized, thus eliminating the need to repeatedly purchase
pool chemicals.
Solar Controls
For pools with solar heating, solar controllers will monitor the pool and outside solar temperatures and sense when optimal solar heating is available. A solar controller provides you with a variable thermostat which is set to your desired temperature. When the sun is out and providing enough energy for heating, the solar controller will open a motorized valve which sends water to the solar panels. If there are clouds, wind or other weather conditions that inhibit the sun, the controller will close off the panels to keep them from cooling your pool. This helps to heat your pool as quickly as possible.
Visit
our Pool Controls
store.