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disneyjoe7

Using Solar system at night to cool off pool?

15 years ago

Could an Intellitouch controller do this? My pool is 90f today too hot, and no the solar is off.

Comments (13)

  • 15 years ago

    I don't think I could with mine, although I've never tried. Mine has sensors that turn the solar off when the suns not out or the temperatures not right. I guess you could manually go to the valve actuator and turn the toggle switch on the back to open the valve instead.

  • 15 years ago

    I agree, but too bad the software doesn't allow you to reduce a high temp when needed. I run an Intellitouch with an Intelliflow pump so I would need to operate pump in high mode (Solar) and operate solar activator. Not an easy operation mode in my mind.

  • 15 years ago

    In the meantime, I would go to menu--setup--equipment--Intelliflo and set my flow to 36 GPM is what I use for solar, turn on the pump, then go outside and turn the actuator so the water would flow through the panels.

    It would be nice to have it done automatically though. Maybe a call to Pentair?

  • 15 years ago

    Good idea, and I thought this forum may have Pentair people who look at this forum? Maybe not...

    I like your 36gpm flow for solar, I found 40gpm to work for me so we are in the same ball park. I have an event which is called pool high and set to 40gpm, I run this mode for 2hrs a day to make sure pool is flow 1 time. As the low pump rate is 18gpm for salt system.

  • 15 years ago

    I have the GL-235 and it can be programed to cool off at night. The solar installer asked me if I wanted it to do this feature however I told him that we would not need it. We keep our pool at 90 degrees which seems perfect for us as we love to swim at night. It drops to 88 every night and sometimes to 86.

  • 15 years ago

    I consider 86-87f perfect pool temp, over 89f not refreshing to me.

  • 15 years ago

    I don't have the Intellitouch, but from the Easytouch manual it "might" be possible if you set the solar up as a heat & cool capable heat pump. The manual mentions the process and I can see no reason to do so except for valve actuator setup (lame reason) or for use in a cooling loop.

  • 15 years ago

    "I like your 36gpm flow for solar, I found 40gpm to work for me so we are in the same ball park"

    I found out through my solar installer that my 4 X 12 panels required a rate of 3 to 3.5 GPM per panel. So I multiplied that by the number of panels(12) and got 36 to 42 GPM. I run it at the lower figure to save on electric costs(I love the wattage display). It would probably perform better @ 42GPM. I just wanted to be certain that I wasn't pumping more water than was required through the panels. GPM requirements may differ from brand to brand.

  • 15 years ago

    That wont work, H/C is for it to talk to the heatpump, not throw a valve.

    You would have to do a little reprograming but if you just throw the switch on the actuator to the opposite direction, it would work backwards.
    Set the temp for 104. So during the day it would shut off the solar, and open it at night. Then just program pump to run at night when it is the coolest.

  • 15 years ago

    No easy way too do it, considering it should be able to do.

  • 15 years ago

    Disney,
    So you didnt like that idea.

    Here is a very simple idea that will work with one button push.
    (it would take me less then 10 min and $20 to set the whole thing up)

    All you need to add is a icecube relay (DPDT) and power its coil through an open relay, or power the icecube directly.
    Then you will splice the cable going to the CVA so the two legs switch when the icecube relay is activated. ( I can draw it for you if you like)

    Then assign a name (cooling). Then you can set a time and a speed for it. Valve rotates and pump comes on. Software is not perfect, but there are very few things I have not been able to achieve with this system, and it is miles ahead of the rest.

  • 15 years ago

    Yes like that idea, I could do it for sure. I'm an electronic tech so I sure I could do it, but I would like to see your draw also. I look in to it and if I have an idea I share it would you and or the forum.

    Steve

  • 15 years ago

    Ok playing with Intellitouch and what I can play with now. I have a I5+3 controller which is maxed out, so I would need an optional value thing if I did it that way. My pool pump is an Intelliflow pump so the pump relay isn't used. I moved that in the 2 speed port, reprogrammed so "Cooling" is using the 2 speed. Just need to rewire the value, still need to put a DPDT relay in there but I getting closer.

    Thank you for your idea. Love it.