Just Getting Started here

[les_garten]

Hello,
I live in South Fl and am looking for information about pH controllers.

Nice Forum!

Les

[Watermom]

Hello and welcome to the Pool Forum! What specifically did you want to know about pH controllers?

[PoolDoc]

Just a caution -- I used to be a dealer for a couple of models of pH/ORP controller . . . and they really do less than they are marketed to do.

#1 - ORP based control of chlorine is NOT reliable on outdoor pools UNLESS you run without stabilizer, and virtually all controllers depend on ORP (redox) electrodes as their primary chlorine control input.

#2 - pH electrodes can be EXTREMELY accurate, but ONLY if they are regularly calibrated. On a controller, this means at least 2x per season. Do not buy a controller if you are told it's calibration free: they are either lying or ignorant. Do ask about how calibration is carried out on the unit you are interested in.

#3 - pH control, on all controllers I've ever seen, is mono-directional, and can either add acid or base, but not both. Depending on your chlorine regimen, your pH drift could be EITHER up or down. You need to know which direction you need before you get your controller.

#4 - Using CO2 for pH control (as an acid -- carbonic acid) tends to lead to out-of-control levels of alkalinity.

#5 - Use of commercial muriatic acid tends to lead to severe corrosion of all metals and wiring in the vicinity of the acid tank or bottle.

[les_garten]

Hi,
I'm looking for a reasonably priced outdoor capable probe that would turn on and off a Stenner dosing pump/MA Tank.

I'm looking to see if there is an alternative to the Aquarite pro sense and dispense, because the sense and dispense board seems expensive to me.

[PoolDoc]

Hi,
I'm looking for a reasonably priced outdoor capable probe that would turn on and off a Stenner dosing pump/MA Tank.

Decent ORP/pH control systems are costly . . . and they still have all the problems I mentioned above. Cheaper units have additional problems. I think you may be looking for an "elephapottamus" -- a beast that doesn't exist.

Ben

[les_garten]

OK,
What problems are associated with the Hayward AquaRite pro system and the sense and dispense? I am not interested in ORP.