Autopilot Pre-sales Questions

[Psyclone]

Thanks for the prompt response. It sounds like I should look at the Soft Touch as I'm not planning on replacing my Intermatic timer. My timer has a separate microswitch to shut down the heater before the pump is shut off, so it sounds as if I could wire the Soft Touch model in parallel with the pump.

I'm not real fond of having to protect the unit from the elements, but from looking at the picture I was a bit concerned about the sun fading the control panel. I guess I would have preferred it to have a cover much like my timer. I suppose it needs some means of keeping the electronics cool to extend the reliability. Maybe that's not an issue with the Soft Touch.

The Intellichlor may have the advantage of using the pool water to cool the electronics. I'm not sure if it designed to take advantage of that, or if it even needs cooling, but that would be one more advantage of a combined unit.

Actually I'm an electrical engineer, so I'm not too concerned about the electrical wiring if the instructions are clear. I do believe the simpler the better to keep the installation clean and reliable. And it doesn't sound like the Autopilot plumbing is much of an issue either with the completed subassembly that comes with it.

I live in a volatile weather environment also. The Intellichlor also has a temperature sensor, but I'm not sure if it meters the chlorine output or just shuts the unit down. I'll have to look into that as it would be a big plus.