Correct settings for spa/pool valves
- Thread starter Sidemoves
- Start date
Side,
I suspect it is just the pic, but it appears you have the Suction side plumbing connected directly to the Return side plumbing.
Please show us several more pics from different angles, so we can tell what is what.
If you do that, I'm sure we can get you pointed in the right direction.
Thanks,
Jim R,
I suspect it is just the pic, but it appears you have the Suction side plumbing connected directly to the Return side plumbing.
Please show us several more pics from different angles, so we can tell what is what.
If you do that, I'm sure we can get you pointed in the right direction.
Thanks,
Jim R,
Side,
Thanks for the additional pics..
Your Automated valve on the right (in front of your pump) is called your Intake valve. It is currently set to the Pool Mode. The handle would rotate 180 degrees when the valve is in the Spa mode.
The automated valve that is after your SWCG is called the Return valve. It is currently not in the Pool mode or Spa mode. It is currently set to send water to your pool and your spa. To be fully in the Pool mode the valve handle would point to the right. To be fully in the Spa mode, the handle would need to point to the Left. ( A little guessing here as I have no way to know which pipe goes to your spa, but assume it is the one of the left.)
I suspect that your Return valve is set where it is so that your spa constantly spillovers into your pool when you are in the pool mode.
Tell us what problems you are having...
Thanks,
Jim R.
Thanks for the additional pics..
Your Automated valve on the right (in front of your pump) is called your Intake valve. It is currently set to the Pool Mode. The handle would rotate 180 degrees when the valve is in the Spa mode.
The automated valve that is after your SWCG is called the Return valve. It is currently not in the Pool mode or Spa mode. It is currently set to send water to your pool and your spa. To be fully in the Pool mode the valve handle would point to the right. To be fully in the Spa mode, the handle would need to point to the Left. ( A little guessing here as I have no way to know which pipe goes to your spa, but assume it is the one of the left.)
I suspect that your Return valve is set where it is so that your spa constantly spillovers into your pool when you are in the pool mode.
Tell us what problems you are having...
Thanks,
Jim R.
This is super helpful, thank you! Yes, the spa is designed to have a very slight spillover into the pool so it makes sense that the returns for both pool and spa would be working in pool mode. In spa mode, I assume I would need to have it turning to the right in order to have only the spa returns on so heated water can stay isolated in the spa, correct?
Temp sensor cut out of system, open booster-pump port, suction and return plumbing connected?! Strangest I have ever seen.
Side,
Please answer my question.. What problem are you trying to solve???
The two automated valves should move when you change from Pool mode to Spa mode or back. You should not need to move any manual valve.
Tell us what the two valves do when you go into the Spa mode.
Thanks,
Jim R.
You solved the problem I was facing which is confirming which settings/direction the valves should be in for each mode. Appreciate the help!
The equipment install is still in progress. New filter, new heater, added SWG for the conversion. The old booster pump and in line chlorinators were removed. Temp sensor will be installed this week. And the plan is to connect to the return that was previously used for the pressure side cleaner (booster pump) either using the T-port that’s right after the SWG or uncap the pipe that’s after the valve previously connected there. Not sure why the installer added the T-port but he explained he can cap either one. I asked him to connect that return bc there’s only 2 returns in the shallow end and the spa spillover (this one is in the middle of the pool), but let me know if you don’t think it’s needed.
Does that help clear things up?
What do you mean by suction and return lines connected? Any advice would be appreciated.
Side,
Normally you have a suction side for the plumbing that has all the pipes bringing water into the the pump. Then you have the Return side of the plumbing that is after the heater which sends all the water back to the pool or spa. They are not normally connected at all.
In your case if you moved a couple of the valves, you would connect the input of the pump to the output of your heater. It is very odd and I have no clue why it is plumbed that way. As long as the two valves remain closed it does not matter. You should ask your remodel guy what the two valves in Red are for...
Your temp probe has to go between your pump and your filter. It is for the pool water temp, so it can't go after the heater.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Thank you. Will do, and revert back.
Do you all have any recommendations for a pool professional in the northern Virginia area?
Do you all have any recommendations for a pool professional in the northern Virginia area?
Side,
I live in Texas and don't even know anyone down here that I could recommend..
I now suspect that the two red valves are some form of "deep heat" that is supposed to send hot water from your heater to your main drain or some other port in the bottom of your pool. I doubt you'd ever be able to tell the difference and suggest that you leave them alone. I'd still ask..
Thanks,
Jim R.
I live in Texas and don't even know anyone down here that I could recommend..
I now suspect that the two red valves are some form of "deep heat" that is supposed to send hot water from your heater to your main drain or some other port in the bottom of your pool. I doubt you'd ever be able to tell the difference and suggest that you leave them alone. I'd still ask..
Thanks,
Jim R.
Back-to-back unions on left side of the picture. Possibly arranged so that either a suction cleaner or booster-pump cleaner could be used, depending in the way the valves are set. That's the only reason I can see for that configuration, as you indicated. Still, an awful lot of 90s in the system.
Spoke to the remodeler. He said the valves in red are to allow heating via the drain (by reversing it). Let me know your thoughts and if any concerns…
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No concerns.. Just a lot of work for very little gain in my opinion.
Try it and see if you can tell any big difference in how the pool heats.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Couple follow ups…
He is suggesting I do not connect the return that is currently capped off (with the T-port right after SWG, or the capped end previously used for the Polaris (booster pump removed). What do you recommend? I currently have the two 3/4” returns in the shallow end, and the spillover from the spa. No other returns in the pool except if you consider the drain situation described below.
He is also suggesting I keep my valve settings as follows for pool mode (ignoring the fact that the two actuators are in spa mode bc it was in cooldown mode when I took the pic). The valve circled in yellow he says should be partially open during normal pool mode operation with it pointed at 10 o’clock .
He also says that if I want to heat the pool I should have the valve in green with off pointed toward 10 o’clock and the yellow pointed at 12 o’clock.
Can you please let me know thoughts/concerns or advice here?
Thank you for all the help thus far as well!!
He is suggesting I do not connect the return that is currently capped off (with the T-port right after SWG, or the capped end previously used for the Polaris (booster pump removed). What do you recommend? I currently have the two 3/4” returns in the shallow end, and the spillover from the spa. No other returns in the pool except if you consider the drain situation described below.
He is also suggesting I keep my valve settings as follows for pool mode (ignoring the fact that the two actuators are in spa mode bc it was in cooldown mode when I took the pic). The valve circled in yellow he says should be partially open during normal pool mode operation with it pointed at 10 o’clock .
He also says that if I want to heat the pool I should have the valve in green with off pointed toward 10 o’clock and the yellow pointed at 12 o’clock.
Can you please let me know thoughts/concerns or advice here?
Thank you for all the help thus far as well!!
Side,
A pool the size of your needs four 1.5 " full size returns. Two 3/4" returns is a joke...
The Spa spillover is NOT a return.
I don't see any color codes for ref.
Thanks,
Jim R.
A pool the size of your needs four 1.5 " full size returns. Two 3/4" returns is a joke...
The Spa spillover is NOT a return.
I don't see any color codes for ref.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Just posted the pic. And I agree, I was so surprised to learn the pool only had those two 3/4” returns in the shallow end. So I guess that answers my question - l will have him connect the 3rd return.