thanks waste..well, this is great info. i have decided that i will redo most of my plumbing. the pool is 13 years old, it's never been changed and least of the expense. and i think i will consider the timer idea as well.

so, one more quick question, waste:

-so you're saying put the pump on a timer..but continuous, separate power supply to the autopilot right? they are interconnected anyway in that the autopilot won't start until the flow valve detects flow, right?

i "think" i've got it