Pool/Spa Combo, Salt and Solar --- Yikes!

[CalMan]

Thanks for you help with this issue.

Here is a bit more info.... My system uses a single 1 hp pump for all circulation with Jande valves to control flow from the suction, to the return and to the solar. I know I could use an additional pump for solar, but the solar works so good right now, I hate to change that part. My concern is maintaining the proper chlorine level in the spa.

On the return side, the return valve directs water either to the pool or the spa, with a bypass line (which I manually control) to allow some of the pool water into the spa. The Pool Pilot is plumbed into the pool return side only. Therefore, chlorine is injected into the pool only. The spa is never chlorinated directly, it is chlorinated by water that eventually circulates from the pool through the bypass line to the spa. In this way, if I run the circulation pump long enough in pool mode, the spa will reach the chlorine level of the pool, but never any greater. If I do not run the pump long enough, the spa will not reach the chlorine level of the pool. At present, the highest level of chlorine I ever see in the pool and (at best) the spa is about 3 ppm's.

I have read that the spa should have a higher concentration --- as much as 6 ppm's. This is the first year for this pool/spa and the kids (and grandkids) find it a fun place to hang out, therefore it's getting alot of use. In a typical week, it's used 4 days for about 6 hours and the kid load is big.

I could have the plumbing changed and move the pool pilot behind the return valve, which would allow chlorine to be injected into the water whether in pool, spa or overflow mode. If I do that, chlorine will be injected into the spa and I could control the amount by the length of time I run the pump, but it also means that while bathers are in the spa, chlorine will be injected. Since the Jande RS-8 controls the pool pilot, it would be nice if the Jande could set the percent of chlorine to two different rates --- one for the pool and one for the spa. Is that possible?

How are others using their chlorine generator with a pool/spa combo? And how do they control the amount of chlorine in the spa versus the pool?

Thanks for any comments....

[waterbear]

I have an aqualogic PS-8 chlorinator/automation system and the cell is plumbed before the valve that selects return to the pool or spa. The Aqualogic does allow for different settings on the chlorine output for pool or spa and pump run times for each. This allows me to keep a slightly higher FC level in the spa than in the pool. In spillover mode it uses the pool settings on the chlorine generation. The valves are controlled by acutators so the whole process is pretty automatic. Don't know if your Jandy/Autopilot setup will allow that but if it does moving the location of the cell might be the answer. If it is possible to have a lower cell output when in spa only mode the chlorine going into the spa while it is in use would not really be an issue. My cell is operating at 3% when in spa only mode.

[Poolsean]

The AutoPilot does not interface with the Jandy to reduce the output. If you plumb the manifold before the diverter valve, you will need to adjust the output setting lower when you use the spa.

[CalMan]

Sean,

The inability to dynamically adjust the Pool Pilot for pool mode versus spa mode is a severe limitation. I understand the Aqualogic can make that dynamic adjustment.

Are you saying the pool pilot is not suited to pool/spa combos, because there is no way to insure the amount of chlorine in the spa? There must be a way...

I'm sure the program in the Jandy and Pool Pilot can be changed to allow for dynamic adjustment. The Jandy can change the percent of chlorine being injected by the pool pilot now, just not when moving between pool and spa mode. It would be necessary to add a menu item to set the spa percent in the Jandy, and then detect when in spa mode to send that spa percent down to the Pool Pilot....

I'm willing to be a field test site for Jandy and Autopilot, if they are willing to improve their products.

Wil