How do install a timer for pump?

[prh129]

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

[duraleigh]

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.

[KurtV]

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

[jenmenke]

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?

[Poconos]

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

[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.

[KurtV]

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.

[handy1]

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

[The Pool Newbie]

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.

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