Autopilot or Aquarite??? Why???

I'm having an in ground pool (vinyl) built in two weeks. I have decided to get a SWG for my pool. For some reason I like the Autopilot but it sure does cost a lot more than the Aquarite (2x the cost).

The pool is being installed with a separate timer for the pump. I'll be using a Hayward sand filter and pump. What do I get for my money if I choose the Autopilot over the Aquarite?

From what I have read "here and there" it seems the Autopilot seems to have fewer reports of problems compared to others. It also has a 48-month warranty on the cell and a 12-month money back guarantee from the place I am buying it from.

Many thanks,

Russell

I have the AutoPilot system (SC-36) on my pool/spa combo, but no experience with Aquarite. I have two major concerns with AutoPilot.

First, if you follow the AutoPilot suggestions regarding plumbing a pool/spa combo it's impossible to control the chlorine concentration in the pool separate from the chlorine concentration in the spa. I believe this is essential to good operation of a pool/spa and AutoPilot should address it. I was told that the Aquarite system can provide separate concentrations - check other threads in this forum for additional details.

Second, AutoPilot's technical support is lacking. I have left one phone message and two email messages within the last two weeks, and even though they claim to answer questions in a timely manor, none of my messages were answered, neither by email or phone. This suggests to me their tech support is either overwhelmed or nonexistance.

I have had the aquarite for 2 years now and not a problem out of it... it just works, and works great.

You get a 36 month full warranty, then from 37-60 months you get 40% off repairs/replacement.

I had to call tech support once, and they answered right, were able to provide and quick and accurate resolution right away (it seems I hit the right combo of buttons to switch it to metric so the salt reading and everything were confusing, since I didn't realize that was what I did). :)

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Originally Posted by CalMan

I have the AutoPilot system (SC-36) on my pool/spa combo, but no experience with Aquarite. I have two major concerns with AutoPilot.

First, if you follow the AutoPilot suggestions regarding plumbing a pool/spa combo it's impossible to control the chlorine concentration in the pool separate from the chlorine concentration in the spa. I believe this is essential to good operation of a pool/spa and AutoPilot should address it. I was told that the Aquarite system can provide separate concentrations - check other threads in this forum for additional details.
The Aqualogic line from Goldine can do this. It combines the Aquaright with automation of the pool. Not sure if the Aquaright allows for separate chlorination settings for the pool and spa.
Second, AutoPilot's technical support is lacking. I have left one phone message and two email messages within the last two weeks, and even though they claim to answer questions in a timely manor, none of my messages were answered, neither by email or phone. This suggests to me their tech support is either overwhelmed or nonexistance.

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Both are excellent units with good track records. Pool Pilot has some more 'bells and whistles' that help the unit work more effeciently once it is set up but, IMHO, it is a bit harder to set up and adjust. One feature I particularly like is the ability to calibrate the salt readout on the unit. The Goldine units are well designed and well built and, in fact, Goldline rebrands their units for other companies so there are a lot more out there under different brand names (case in point, Mineral Springs from Bioguard). You will be happy with either one. Just check out the features and download the manuals and look through them. That should help you make a decision!

Just my 2 cents!

BTW, I have an Aqualogic PS-8. There are also excellent units from WaterMaid, Zodiac (but stay away from the ones that include the Nature2 unit in it!), and several others. Stick to the major manufacturers and you will be fine!

So from what I am reading there is no "real" reason to pay the higher price for the AutoPilot?

My pool will have an external timer so the built in timer for the pump will not be of any use.

Thanks,

Russell

Of course my response to this question will be biased. However, to provide some more information...
AutoPilot does not have a HIGH salt cut-off, which means your system will continue operating without having to drain down water, especially if you accidentally over salt the pool.
AutoPilot does have a salt addition amount display, to help you maintain the correct salt level. Low salt levels will allow the cell to reduce efficiency in producing chlorine, and will accelerate cell wear.
AutoPilot has Automatic Temperature Compensation, which will help aleviate some responsibility in testing and adjusting the output of the system as temperatures change. Higher temps mean you need more chlorine. Lower temps means you need less. If you do not adjust the output of the system, you risk the chance to underchlorinate (summertime algae or healthy water issues) or overchlorinate (equipment corrosion), but not with AutoPilot.
Patented Manifold assembly, which increases the efficiency of the chlorine process by slowing down the water flow through the cell. This leads to longer contact time with the water, thus more "Shocking" time through the cell.
Dedicated salinity meter means the salt display is from an actual salt (conductivity) sensor and not affected by the condition of the cell.

-->Regarding residential pool and spa operation, there is no need to maintain separate chlorine levels in your pool vs spa. The recommended manifold location will maintain the same chlorine levels in your pool and spa. How do all the "other" chlorine maintained pool/spa owners maintain their pool vs spa chlorine levels? Higher chlorine level in the spa? Anyone?

-->Regarding technical support, although we have had challenges with our phone response times, ALL AutoPilot e-mails to AutoPilotTechSupport, Infoonramp, AutopilotManagersGroup, or ComplaintsandConcerns, go directly to me. While I may occasionally travel to locations without internet access (such as the Cancun Hilton a few weeks ago due to it being in the pre-Grand-reopening phase), I don't think I've gone a few days without responding back to an e-mail. I have been turning over most of these e-mails to another tech support staff, he has been also replying daily, as I get copied on all his responses.
I went back and checked as many e-mails in my send or deleted mailboxes and could not find any from CalMan. What other name might it have come in as?

I find that questions specific to AutoPilot that are posted on poolforum are addressed and answered sufficiently so that I do not need to answer. I do come on almost daily and respond if I need to...and as you can tell see, at all times of day! BY ALL MEANS, please e-mail me directly if you have any questions!

I use the AutoPilot pump control programs to turn the 2spd pump from high to low at different times. My systems is plumbed to the returns to the pool. When I run the spa the Autopilot see's no flow so it doesn't produce cl.

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Originally Posted by Poolsean

-->Regarding residential pool and spa operation, there is no need to maintain separate chlorine levels in your pool vs spa. The recommended manifold location will maintain the same chlorine levels in your pool and spa. How do all the "other" chlorine maintained pool/spa owners maintain their pool vs spa chlorine levels? Higher chlorine level in the spa? Anyone?

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Sean,
First let me say that I sell PoolPilots where I work and it is our top of the line brand, We also sell Zodiac and Resilience SWG's (Used to sell PoolEx but that is a whole other story!) but when people ask about getting a SWG tell them the only one to consider is the PoolPilot!

My biggest problem is that I don't know enough about them to help my customers who own them adjust them, particularly cell output and the frequency of cell polarity reversal. I guess I need to download the manuals if they are availble on the website and study them! The Digital is a bit more complicated that the other units I am familiar with. I do most of the water testing so I am the one that has to help them adjust their chlorine levels and such.

I own an Aqualogic PS-8 and I chose it over the PoolPilot Digital for the automation, plain and simple. I am able to maintain separate cell output for pool only /spillover mode and spa only mode with the unit so I am able to keep the spa at about 2 ppm higher than the pool to compensate for smaller water volume, higher bather load, and higher temp and it seems to work out fine. I have never needed to shock either the pool or the spa since the system went online last November. I only run the spillover when adjusting chemicals or if I want to impress company with the waterfall so I can keep the heat in the spa. Normally I have an 8 hour pump run time on the pool and 1.5 hours on the spa daily. The spa is on a countdown timer when selected manually (a function of the automation). The Aquarite cannot do this, it is automation in the Aqualogic that allows me to do this.

You are correct about having to adjust the cell output in the Goldline units with changes in temperature but that is easy enough to do...just requires testing and monitoring the FC levels which should be done on a regular basis anyway and then making a small adjustment to the output of the cell! Also the salt readout on my Goldline units is usually about 100 ppm higher than on a calibrated Goldline salt meter and MyronL salt meter, and from what I understand the unit is not able to be recalibrated like the PoolPillot against a known correct reading

When I installed my Autopilot is was preset to power level 3, 50% run time. I started adjusting it down 4% at a time. Got to a point that I had to change to power level 2 and started at 50% runtime. Started adjusting down again. It runs at level 2 and 43% for 85 degree water temp, 2.5FC. I did it slowly over about 2 weeks. Ran the system for awhile checking for scale on cell. Bumped up the reverse time and left it there checking for scale. Ended up at max time between reversal. I still haven't had to clean the cell.
22000gal, cell 48