BBB and Vacation Maintenance

[CarlD]

Where I live, it's part of the building code that you MUST have a timer on your pump. Mine is wired in as the pump is 220v. There is, of course, an outside switch that will shut it off if there's a problem.

[mohawk]

We just had one installed next to the circuit panel in the garage. Code here says the pool must have a dedicated line and a swirl pluggin out at the pool. That's the reason I wasn't able to use a timer out there. I had the electrician who ran the line last year come and do it. He charged 140.00 but I'm sure we'll save that much in our electricity bill this year.

[CoffeeBean]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

The pool store installed the whole thing - no electrician. They're the ones who told me not to use a timer. The pump is plugged into a weatherproof box that sits on the filter/pump/heater pad. I don't know for sure but the plug is probably 220. I'm not sure we even <have> a building code for such things around here. I'm beginning to think that perhaps a DIY job isn't a good idea.

Mohawk - What's a "swirl pluggin"?

CoffeeBean

[mohawk]

A swirl pluggin is unlike a regular 3 prong plug-2straights with 1 ground underneath. It still has 3 prongs but they are in a circle formation and the pluggin in LARGE. The pluggin has a special circuit breaker in the box because it's so close to the pool. My pump sits about 2 feet from the pool and possible water exposure. It never tripped last year and I never remember it getting wet from kids playing in the pool. I'm glad we have it now-after they explained to me the reason. Denise

[CoffeeBean]

Thanks, Mohawk for the explanation of 'swirl pluggin'

Another question for y'all....

I called the electricians and they wanted to know
1) if I had the timer already (It's cheaper if I get it)
2) what voltage is the pump


I mentioned earlier that I thought it was 220v but when I checked the pump itself (A Hayward Power-Flo LX) it says 115 v. That's not 220 OR 110. So which timer do I get? Is there some way to tell from the breaker box which is in the basement? Also when I checked them out at Lowes, they didn't have a corded model, only hard wire.

Thanks

CB

[boomer99]

I face the same situation, going out of town with noone to watch the pool. I was planning to simply put on the winter cover and turn off the pump for a week. Anybody have any experience about what I will come home to?

[CoffeeBean]

I had the electrician come and wire in the Intermatic timer that John T recommended. It cost around $140.00 but I figure to recoup that from the electric bill, if not this season then by next.

Thanks for everyone's advice.

CoffeeBean