Spa mode - valve settings

[Theflash95]

When I moved into my house the existing pool had an AquaLink automation system setup. There were two valve actuators connected to the system, but only one of them was actually connected to a valve (the return side). The other actuator was laying on the ground and it was broken. This wasn't a big deal at the time because the heat pump heater that was installed was also broken and there was no need to switch between pool and spa mode. Well... I just had a new heater installed and now obviously want these valve actuators to work. Currently the existing one that is attached to the return side will cycle between the spa and pool returns all the way on when in "pool mode" and when "spa mode" is activated the valve will rotate to block most, but not all of the pool return jets... I would say they remain open about 25%.

So... my questions are... is the valve actuator on the return side supposed to completely shut off the pool returns, or is supposed to allow some minor flow still to the pool? Secondly, when I get the new valve actuator later this week and connect it... should I have it cycle from spa drain completely closed (pool drain and skimmer open) over to completely close the pool drain and skimmer... or should I close them 75% of the way (since the other actuator is still sending 25% of the water to the pool)? I would guess if 25% of the water is still heading to the pool then 25% of the water needs to drain out as well otherwise the level of the water in the pool will just keep rising.

I guess what's confusing to me is the behavior of the currently connected valve actuator. I would have thought "spa mode" would have closed off the pool returns completely (leaving the spa returns fully open) and then opened the spa drain full while completely closing the pool drains and skimmer... thus allowing the heater to only heat the water that is cycling in and out of the spa.

 

[Jimrahbe]

95,

Kind of depends on how your pool plumbing is set up to cause the spa to overflow into the pool. I am assuming your spa spills over???

Show us some pics of your equipment pad. Especially around your Return valve.

In theory...

In the Pool mode, the Intake valve is set to pull water only from the pool and the Return valve is set to return all the water to the pool.

In the Spa mode, the Intake valve is set to pull water only from the Spa and the Return valve is set to return all the water to the Spa.

If you have a spillover spa, then when in the Pool mode a little water must be added to the spa. This is normally done using a "make-up" line that bypasses the Return valve. But, if the pool builder was lazy, they often off-set the Return valve so that the spa always gets some flow when in the Pool mode.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Theflash95]

Okay... I may have answered my own question by looking a little more closely at things. When I manually flip the switch on the valve actuator that still works it directs all the water to the spa returns and nothing to the pool... it's when it's not in spa mode that the pool returns are open and the spa returns are around 75% open. I assume this was done because, yes my spa is the spillover type and everyone loves a waterfall. So, I think you nailed it Jim... the pool builder was lazy. Anyway... I assume when I install the other valve actuator on the intake valve it should only have the spa drain open and everything else closed off. Pictures attached to help illustrate.

One thing I noticed when I manually flipped the switch on the actuator is that the valve started to leak when the pool returns were shut off... guess I need to replace those o-rings.

Thanks!

Nick

 

[Jimrahbe]

Nick,

I see a pipe for the "Fountain". Do you have a spa spillover and a fountain or are they the same thing?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Theflash95]

Nick,

I see a pipe for the "Fountain". Do you have a spa spillover and a fountain or are they the same thing?

Thanks,

Jim R.

Hi Jim,

Yes, the fountain is a separate thing… there is a return eyeball jet facing up on the first step. If you look at the picture of the pool you can’t quite see it, but it’s where all that agitation is in the water near the bottom left.

Nick

 

[Theflash95]

Easier to see the fountain when it’s not on.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Nick,

Then your Return valve will have to be off-set to allow a little water to always go to the spa when in the pool mode.

Thanks

Jim R.