How do install a timer for pump?

I'd like to install a timer on my pump so that I don't have to do it manually every day. We have an inground 40,000 pool that I maintain with bleach. Up until last year I was running the equipment 24/7 during the pool season in Minnesota (as instructed by the pool people). But started to just run about 12 hours during the day after being assured by the people on this forum that I DON'T HAVE TO. (pool people still disagree). My pump is 1 1/2 HP.

I had posted a question regarding this in the old forum, but if I remember correctly it quickly got over my head with complicated DIY instructions. Then it was lost forever! While I do a lot of this myself, I don't think this timer is something I could tackle on my own. Or is it? My problem is, I don't even know who to call or what to ask for. Do I call a regular electrician? My experience with electricians in the area where I live is that pools freak them out. What kind of timer do I need? Where does it go? All of our electrical is on a panel outside next to our pool equipment. Thanks, Jennie

I had the electrician wire the timer in the basement. He was experienced and did a fine job. Where I live, you won't pass inspection on your pool without a timer--it's a requirement.

Since you have to ask how to install a timer it is probably better if you have it done by a pro. Not to be insulting, but you are mixing electricity, water, and people in a pool environment. Not a good mix if done incorrectly. Just a suggestion.

Yes, yes. Fine. I'll have a professional do it. But my question stands. Carl you say yours is in the basement -- connected to what? Is your pool equipment in the basement? Is just the circuit panel in the basement? My panel is outside. Will I need something special because of that?

An electrician I talked to last year, who has done some work inside our house, was not immediately clear what I wanted. I found that I wasn't able to articulate what I needed. "A timer on my pool pump" was not enough information for him. I really, REALLY hate to sound stupid. But what, EXACTLY, do I need the electrician to install and where? Am I best to go out and buy the timer myself and then have him install it? If so, please tell me -- again -- EXACTLY what I need to buy. I have not always had the best of luck when these decisions are left up to the "professionals." Thank you!!

Jennie,

You say that you have a panel outside next to the pool equipment. Is it in an enclosed area protected from weather? Are you able to turn off the pump from that panel? If so, then you should probably locate the timer between the panel and your pump (next to the panel if possible).

The timer justs acts like a switch to turn the electricity on and off so it can go anywhere between the electric source and the pump. For some people, the wire feeds from their basement out to the pump so it makes sense to put the timer in the basement. If you have a panel outside and it controls more things than just the pump, then you only want to switch the electricity off to the pump so the timer would need to located between the panel and the pump. Hope this helps.

Peter

Hi, Jennie,

I think I would call the pool building folks in the yellow pages and ask them if they could recommend an electrician who would install a timer for your pool pump.

They will know exactly what you are talking about and should be able to connect you to an electrician who knows as well.

If you not done electrical wiring before, pay someone to do it. Frequently, it's the law, anyway.:) :)

jenmenke: You probably need to find an electrician who has experience with pools. Any pool electrician will know exactly what you're talking about.

Intermatic is one producer of timers and controllers for pool equipment (the only one I know of). You can familiarize yourself with their products so you can ask smart questions of the electicians you find. http://www.intermatic.com/?action=subcat&sid=207

thanks guys. And here's the deal on the "pool guys":
My pool contractor (pool is 4 years old) wouldn't put one on. It is their firm belief the pump should run 24/7. Of course I believed them, until I have been successfully doing everything this forum recommends. They filed chapter 11 this winter and I believe there are new owners. They weren't all that bad, but still, my intention is not to go thru them. I will call a few others with good reputations and get a recommendation for an electrician.

And yes, Duraleigh, The panel is in a self-contained weatherproof container outside by the pool. So the timer goes between it and the pump? Is it large? Mounted on a rod or something?

Does anyone have an guess as to how much money I'm talking about?

Go the Home Depot and look for the Intermatics mentioned above. The timers I have are 9x6x4" in a weatherproof enclosure. 240V. They are fairly simple to hook up but as also mentioned above, if you're not totally comfortable fiddling with these things then get someone to do it. Better safe than sorry. I think they were about $60 or so....6 years ago and haven't priced them since.
Al

Surprise! I've got another question on the timer. I researched the link you guys gave me for the intermatics timers -- thanks Kurt!

And before I call my service guy to tell him what I want (aren't I accomodating to all you safety people!? I'm not going to do it myself!), I need to know this...

We usually need to heat our water. Assuming I need my heater is ON during the time the pump and filter are ON, do I have to have the heater on a timer as well? On the intermatics site they show a timer to turn a gas fired heater off, as well. And it got me to thinking -- it's isn't really a good thing to leave the heater on if the pump isn't on, right?

I also noticed on the link you posted that the timers say "portable timer designed specifically to control the filter pump of a portable pool". What do they mean "portable pool"? They all say that. Am I to assume that they would be undersized for a "non-portable pool".

Again, thanks. I just need to understand this before I call to get this going.

Some (probably most, maybe all) newer heaters won't fire unless the water is flowing. Check your heater manual and if that's the case, you needn't worry about it; the heater will come on so long as the temperature is below where you have the thermostat set and the pump is running.

There are some considerations to think about. If you are prone to freezing temperatures, you will want to make sure your timer is capable of a "freeze protection device" that will activate the pump when water temperatures fall below a certain temperatures. I believe it is because of this that the pool dealers recommend running pumps 24/7, during your swim season. Otherwise there is a liability issue with pipes cracking.
With regards to the heater, the heater is equipped with a pressure switch that will shut the system down if there is insufficient flow. However, gas heaters tend to hold alot of heat after a pump shuts down. If the heat is not allowed to cool down, it can melt down your pipes and cause damage. Therefore there is a device that is called a Firemans switch that shuts down the heater circuit 15 minutes before the pool pump shuts down for the purpose of cooling down the heat exchanger.

So, to install a time clock is nothing more than a mechanical gear mechanism that activates a micro switch that either opens circuit (OFF) or closes circuit (ON) from the main power wires into the time clock to the pump wires.
It is not hard and any electrician can read the wiring schematics to wire it. If this will be mounted outdoor, find a time clock box with a weatherproof housing. Intermatic offers a metal box for indoor (no weather stripping), metal outdoor box (with weather stripping), or plastic outdoor boxes. It's your preference.
To make it simple, you have two power wires and a ground wire (green)coming in and is wired to a terminal strip (usually marked as LINE) and a ground lug. Then you have two wires and a ground that is connected to another two terminals on the terminal strip (usually marked a LOAD) and a ground wire (also green) that is attached to the same ground lug.

The Intermatic models to look at are T104R201 or T101P201. Make sure the electrician uses ligiud tight conduit and connectors for the timer box and all equipment.

I too am looking into a timer for my pool pump. When we first bought this house with a pool, we were told to run the pump 24/7 because "it's easier on the pump since it's the starting/stopping that wears the pump out." Well now that the cost of electricity is projected to go up 72% in our area this summer (!!) I think I'd rather wear out the pump. Anyway, if you go on-line you'll find Intermatic Timers available for very reasonable cost. In answer to the question re: pump and heat,they list a kind that has a double timer, one for the pump one for the heater with built-in controls. Check it out at www.swimmingpooltimeswitch.com

Handy1,
Welcome to the forum. The few times a day you would start/stop a pool pump won't affect its life or cause it to wear out. Well pumps are another issue because of the torque they develop and you have the possibility of wire chafing (wearing through) and stress on the pipe. Think of how many times a day a fridge compressor motor kicks on and off and they last for many many years typically.
Al

In looking at available Intermatic timers, i see one called the PE153P which appears to be a new digital timer. Has anyone had experience with this timer?

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Originally Posted by jenmenke

Surprise! I've got another question on the timer. I researched the link you guys gave me for the intermatics timers -- thanks Kurt!

And before I call my service guy to tell him what I want (aren't I accomodating to all you safety people!? I'm not going to do it myself!), I need to know this...

We usually need to heat our water. Assuming I need my heater is ON during the time the pump and filter are ON, do I have to have the heater on a timer as well? On the intermatics site they show a timer to turn a gas fired heater off, as well. And it got me to thinking -- it's isn't really a good thing to leave the heater on if the pump isn't on, right?

I also noticed on the link you posted that the timers say "portable timer designed specifically to control the filter pump of a portable pool". What do they mean "portable pool"? They all say that. Am I to assume that they would be undersized for a "non-portable pool".

Again, thanks. I just need to understand this before I call to get this going.

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Depending on the Heater you have it should cut itself off automatically based on the water flow. I have an Aquacal Heat Pump that runs only when there is water flow detected. It is not on a timer at all. When my pump timer turns the pump on the heater detects the water flow, checks the temp and determines whether it needs to heat or not... Hope this helps... I use a pool pilot SWG by Autopilot and it has a built in timer in which I use to run my pumps... If I had a choice I would look for a digital timer... My preference over analog...

Scott

Thanks Handy1. I just ordered the dual timer. I've got enough problems without worrying about my heater overheating water left in there. It has had its own share of psycho behavior, so I prefer to turn it off before I turn off my pump. I'm even careful to do that when I do it manually everyday. So, thanks for the link!
Jennie