BBB and Vacation Maintenance

[CoffeeBean]

I tried finding a post with this info but couldn't so here goes.

I will be entering my second season with BBB pool maintenance (16X32 AG with deep end and surround decking). I haven't opened yet but plan to soon before the warm weather breeds algae and pea soup.

My question...We'll be going on a trip mid June for about 10 days. How do I maintain the chemistry using BBB when I'm not going to be around to dump Clorox? I have a solar cover and the solid winter cover and a chlorine feeder that I don't use with BBB.

Thanks

CoffeeBean

[JohnT]

Last year we took a two week trip. I intentionally left my CYA low on startup. It was 20 until June when we left. I filled the chlorinator before I left and showed a neighbor how to refill it. Came back to CYA of 35 and a clean pool.

[CarlD]

I set up a VERY simple maintenance system while we are away. I have my father-in-law do 2 things every other day:

1) Empty the skimmer
2) Add 1/2 gallon of bleach into the skimmer.

I add it the day we leave and leave him 6 gallons for 2 weeks. I leave the pool covered with the solar cover, and the pump timer set so it's always running when he's there.

I always come back to a perfect pool.

[CoffeeBean]

John T: How long had you had the pool up and running with a low CYA before you left? Did you swim in it before leaving?

CarlD: I'm taking my father with us so there won't be anyone here to mess with the pool at all. I'm leery about having the pump running with no one around too but I'm afraid that if I wait until we return to open, I'll have a green mess. I did that one year. Yuck.

Can I put CL pucks into my in line chlorinator just for the time I'm gone or will it totally mess up the BBB?

Thanks guys.

CoffeeBean

[JohnT]

John T: How long had you had the pool up and running with a low CYA before you left? Did you swim in it before leaving?


We started swimming in late May, so we'd been swimming 4 weeks when we left. The only issue with the lower CYA was that I usually added bleach when I got home from work instead of waiting until we were done swimming for the evening to maintain chlorine.



Can I put CL pucks into my in line chlorinator just for the time I'm gone or will it totally mess up the BBB?

Thanks guys.

CoffeeBean

The only negative affect they'll have is adding CYA and tending to lower the pH. If you can get your CYA low enough before you go, you'll be fine. Many people use pucks when they open to add CYA, then switch to bleach when the CYA gets where they want it. I've just settled on 35ppm because my pool always has FC high enough after the sun goes down.

If you don't run the pump, you'll be sorry. I have a timer now, but I used to have a neighbor turn it on one morning, then off the next. That way I got some circulation without it being too big of a pain for him.

[CoffeeBean]

I thought about putting a timer on the thing a couple of years ago so that the pump's not running 24/7 but...when I investigated the idea I read that it wasn't a good idea. I cringe now but I was still enslaved to the pool store, when I checked with the pool stores they both said the same thing. Couldn't exactly tell me why though.

Where in the set up is yours, how does it connect to the pump, and how do you waterproof it? Is it a special timer or just one you'd put on your lamps? How many hours a day do you run it? Sorry to shoot questions at you but I'm curious since it seems to work for you despite the pool guys dire warnings.

CoffeeBean

[JohnT]

I thought about putting a timer on the thing a couple of years ago so that the pump's not running 24/7 but...when I investigated the idea I read that it wasn't a good idea. I cringe now but I was still enslaved to the pool store, when I checked with the pool stores they both said the same thing. Couldn't exactly tell me why though.

Where in the set up is yours, how does it connect to the pump, and how do you waterproof it? Is it a special timer or just one you'd put on your lamps? How many hours a day do you run it? Sorry to shoot questions at you but I'm curious since it seems to work for you despite the pool guys dire warnings.

CoffeeBean

I just have an Intermatic timer like thishttp://www.poolsupplydeals.com/stores/psd/catalog/Intermatic-Time-Clocks.jpg

Wires into the power before the pump and uses metal clips that set the on and off times. It's weatherproof, although mine's inside. It has a switch so you can turn the pump on or off without messing up the cycle. I gave about $25 on eBay for mine, which is a 220V model.

[NWMNMom]

I bought one very similar at Menards but Lowes, Home Depot, etc., all carry them in the electrical dept. You can get the hardwired model or the corded model (what I have) ours is black with a flip up facing, but same thing. $24.99 for corded, $19.99 for hardwired model. We run ours on a timer from open until close each year.

[CarlD]

Where I live, it's part of the building code that you MUST have a timer on your pump. Mine is wired in as the pump is 220v. There is, of course, an outside switch that will shut it off if there's a problem.

[mohawk]

We just had one installed next to the circuit panel in the garage. Code here says the pool must have a dedicated line and a swirl pluggin out at the pool. That's the reason I wasn't able to use a timer out there. I had the electrician who ran the line last year come and do it. He charged 140.00 but I'm sure we'll save that much in our electricity bill this year.

[CoffeeBean]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

The pool store installed the whole thing - no electrician. They're the ones who told me not to use a timer. The pump is plugged into a weatherproof box that sits on the filter/pump/heater pad. I don't know for sure but the plug is probably 220. I'm not sure we even <have> a building code for such things around here. I'm beginning to think that perhaps a DIY job isn't a good idea.

Mohawk - What's a "swirl pluggin"?

CoffeeBean

[mohawk]

A swirl pluggin is unlike a regular 3 prong plug-2straights with 1 ground underneath. It still has 3 prongs but they are in a circle formation and the pluggin in LARGE. The pluggin has a special circuit breaker in the box because it's so close to the pool. My pump sits about 2 feet from the pool and possible water exposure. It never tripped last year and I never remember it getting wet from kids playing in the pool. I'm glad we have it now-after they explained to me the reason. Denise

[CoffeeBean]

Thanks, Mohawk for the explanation of 'swirl pluggin'

Another question for y'all....

I called the electricians and they wanted to know
1) if I had the timer already (It's cheaper if I get it)
2) what voltage is the pump


I mentioned earlier that I thought it was 220v but when I checked the pump itself (A Hayward Power-Flo LX) it says 115 v. That's not 220 OR 110. So which timer do I get? Is there some way to tell from the breaker box which is in the basement? Also when I checked them out at Lowes, they didn't have a corded model, only hard wire.

Thanks

CB

[boomer99]

I face the same situation, going out of town with noone to watch the pool. I was planning to simply put on the winter cover and turn off the pump for a week. Anybody have any experience about what I will come home to?

[CoffeeBean]

I had the electrician come and wire in the Intermatic timer that John T recommended. It cost around $140.00 but I figure to recoup that from the electric bill, if not this season then by next.

Thanks for everyone's advice.

CoffeeBean