Pool Automation Products

	Pool Automation features, sanitizers to maintain water quality, auto-leveler and dual-cartridge filters, that maintain a pre-set water level,, robotic cleaners, automatic safety cover, pool alarms and more.  Click any image for Product and Ordering Information.

How to automate a swimming pool? Today's hectic lifestyle makes time a precious commodity. You may not always have the time to do things around the pool: things that need to be done and things that enhance the appearance of the pool surroundings and make pool ownership more enjoyable. Controllers can be used to control the filter cycle, chemical additions, water temperature, water level. pool sanitizing equipment, outdoor lighting, safety equipment, pool cleaning, pool covers and other automated equipment. Use the power of a button and a programmable controller or a pool automation device to save time and effort, so that you can get down to the serious business of enjoying your pool. If problems arise, refer to the Pool Problems Page, as a source of problem-solving information, broken down into various categories.  Scroll down the page and click on the linked keywords, catch phrases or images, in the archived answers below, to access additional information, on that topic or product.

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► Automating The Pool?

Browsing through the website, I became intrigued by pool automation. I would like to maintain the pool myself, but I don't always have the time to spend on things. The pool is 20,000 gallons, inground with a plaster finish and heated with a heat pump. What can pool automation do for me? Thanks for the input.

Arnold B., 4/3/2012

A lot! A pool automation system can turn your filter on and off. A Salt Chlorine Generator can be made to turn on and off with the automated filter cycle. This equipment will produce chlorine right in the pool, with a one time addition of salt to the pool. A dial will allow you to increase or decrease the amount of chlorine being produced. The amount of other chemicals required is minimized. The heat pump can be activated with the automated filter cycle and controlled to the desired temperature. The cleaning of the pool can be accomplished with a controllable robotic pool cleaner or an in-the-floor cleaning system. There are automatic pool safety covers, automatic pool lighting and pool security alarms. The pool water level can be automatically controlled. Pool automation can eliminate much of the daily work required for sanitizing, maintenance, heating and cleaning. I hope that I've kept you intrigued. Good luck.

Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 4/3/2012


► Automation 101?

We have a small community pool (250,000 litres) that has a four electrode salt chlorinator that works very well. What we need is a chlorine controller with a sensor that we can place in the pipe line, that can turn the salt chlorine generator on and off to maintain a pre determined constant level of free chlorine. Our generator has a relay to allow for this rather than turning the whole machine on and off. Do you have a suitable product that you could recommend please? Kind regards.

Lawrence L., 11/23/2009

The information below was provided by Sean Assam of AutoPilot: a manufacturer of salt chlorine generators www.autopilot.com

Based on your e-mail, what you need is an ORP/pH controller system. What is important with salt chlorine generators is that the ORP probe be a GOLD TIPPED probe, rather than Platinum band probe. This is because the gold tip is less reactive to the oxygen and hydrogen byproducts from the cell. Your probes will be mounted in an off line "flow cell" rather in in the pipe line. The ORP controller is usually combined with a pH probe and controller because the ORP is very dependent on the stability of the pH level. From there, you have several options. A basic controller will give you the ORP and pH control. You can then upgrade to systems that have dual control capabilities. In other words, you can control a primary and secondary chlorinator device. The upgraded controllers also have the ability to connect and communicate with building automation systems, or computer access for data logging, and remote monitoring/operation for a monthly access charge. What you need to consider is the mode in which the salt chlorine generator is ORP controlled (activated). There are three options: Dry Contact - this is a simple OPEN circuit or CLOSED circuit condition signal to the salt chlorine generator, no voltage. Salt chlorine generators with this mode will sustain damage if any voltage is sent through this connection point. Low Voltage - typically 24 volt signal to the salt chlorine generator. This is not as common. High Voltage - typically 120 volt signal to the salt chlorine generator. This is usually used to power the salt chlorine generator ON and OFF. However, your description indicates that there is a relay as part of your chlorine generator. This relay may require 120 volts. You will need to know which one of these three modes your system is to be connected to. AutoPilot doesn't endorse any specific ORP/pH control system. Again, this should be with Gold ORP probes. Finally, depending on the make and model of your salt chlorine generator, you may need to adjust your output control setting to 0% or 100%. Please check with the manufacturer of your salt system.  I hope that this will prove helpful.

Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 11/24/2009


► Seeking Automation?

Alan and company, I will be having a new pool to come together with a new house in Spain. I am little bit lost as to what I will need to service the pool (never had one before. I am in favour of an automated system. I have been recommended a salt chlorination system, but what else do I need? i.e. what other chemicals and products to keep the pool usable and self serviceable? What are the overall costs of servicing the pool approximately? Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

Tony R., Spain, 8/7/2004

A salt chlorine generator is a good first step. It can provide for most of the chemical needs of the pool. Additional chemicals will be needed to control the pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness and chlorine stabilizer. Because salt chlorine generators tend to make the pH rise, over time, the addition of an Automatic pH Controller, will simplify the maintenance. If minerals, such as iron are present, that will have to be addressed. A water analysis is the best way to determine actual chemical needs. I would suggest that provisions be made for an automatic pool vacuum. This can help eliminate a lot of the cleaning. Heat pumps, fossil fuel heaters or Solar Heaters can be automated and can be made more economical by the addition of an automatic pool safety cover. Pool lighting systems, pool water level, pool alarms and monitoring can be part of your automated pool. I hope that this information will prove helpful.
 
Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 8/7/2004


► Auto-Leveler Keeps The Pool Full?

What is the easiest way to make sure that our inground pool's water level does not drop too low, while we are away on vacation? I would rather to something before we leave and not risk damage to my pump. Besides, if the pump runs dry, my salt chlorine generator wouldn't work and who know what kind of algae bloom we'll come home to. I would rather not have to depend on rainfall alone. Thanks for any suggestions.

Jessica T, Smithtown, NY, 3/4/2011

What you need is a Auto-Leveler. There is a modestly priced product, that requires no installation and will automatically keep the pool filled to a preset level, of your choice. You simple attach it to a garden hose and place it on top of the coping, with the end extending into the pool. When the level gets too low, it allows water to flow into the pool. I'm sure that this is what you're looking for.

Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 3/4/2011


► Reducing Maintenance?

I will be installing an ozonator and a mineral sanitizer in my heated inground pool. My wife is sensitive to chlorine and we want to completely avoid all such use. Do you think that this combination will work? Is there equipment that I can install that will automatically adjust the water? I am interested in reducing the maintenance and time requirements, as much as possible.  Thank you. Terrific website!

Joel, 3/18/2006

The combination of an ozonator and a Solar-Powered Dual-Ion Mineralizer could satisfy the sanitizing requirements of your pool. With these devices in places, you might still need a very low level of chlorine. You could opt to use the less odorous and irritating bromine to provide a low level of persistent sanitation-oxidation.  Totally eliminating chlorine or bromine is not easily done. Reducing the level required is attainable, with the ozonator and mineral sanitizer. There are controllers that can be used to operate just about everything that is electrical and then some: filtration, temperature, pool lighting, water level, pool security and remote pool safety alarms, water chemistry, robotic pool cleaning, automatic pool safety covers and more. They can definitely save time. I hope that I have been helpful. Enjoy the pool.

Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 3/18/2006


► Controlling The Chemistry?

We run a small community pool and would like to research a better means of adding chemicals. The pool uses liquid chlorine and acid and these are added with feeding pumps, tied into the operation of the filter and pump. The problem is that the bather use is anything but consistent and sometimes there is too much chlorine and other times there is not enough. Are there controllers that can be added? How expensive are they? Thanks for the help.

B. M., Knoxville, TN, 6/23/2010

Yes, controllers can be added that will help regulate the addition of the chlorine and acid. It should give you more uniform conditions. So far as the cost of these controllers is concerned, I will have to pass. There are several manufacturers of such equipment. I suggest that you consult with a pool company that deals with non-residential pools. There are other chemical saving and highly controllable sanitizing methods, that are suitable for use in commercial-type pools. An Ozone Generator, for example, would deal with the introduction of bather wastes and would decrease the amount of chlorine required to maintain a satisfactory level. Salt chlorine generators and UV Sanitizers are other possibilities. Browse through the pages on these topics for more information. Sorry, that I couldn't provide all of the details.

Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 6/24/2010

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