In the summer I probably lose 150 gallons a day or so to evaporation
with the level falling about 1/4" per day. If it falls below the skimmer
level the pump will such air because the bottom drain is no longer
functional. The problem is when I go out of town for work or on vacation
and no one monitors the pool level.

Yesterday I replaced the manual fill valve with a 24VAC valve and hooked
it to my sprinkler controller so I can add water automatically, but
there is no feedback as to the water level. I'm trying different daily
fill times to find one that maintains the water level relatively
constant, but it's inexact and depends on the weather.

I want to construct some sort of level detector that will cut off the
automatic fill valve if the level gets too high, or I could disconnect
the timer and hook the level detector relay directly to the valve.

I was thinking of this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-24_VAC_Multi_function_Moisture_Sensing_Relay.html"

and this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-Custom_Sensor_Assemblies_for_Liquid_Level_Control_ 1.html"

In the winter and spring I often have the opposite problem, the pool
overflows from rain, and I'd like to also do something that opens the
pump's drain valve diverter and removes water until the level falls to
the proper level.

SMS wrote:
In the summer I probably lose 150 gallons a day or so to evaporation
with the level falling about 1/4" per day. If it falls below the skimmer
level the pump will such air because the bottom drain is no longer
functional. The problem is when I go out of town for work or on vacation
and no one monitors the pool level.

Yesterday I replaced the manual fill valve with a 24VAC valve and hooked
it to my sprinkler controller so I can add water automatically, but
there is no feedback as to the water level. I'm trying different daily
fill times to find one that maintains the water level relatively
constant, but it's inexact and depends on the weather.

I want to construct some sort of level detector that will cut off the
automatic fill valve if the level gets too high, or I could disconnect
the timer and hook the level detector relay directly to the valve.

I was thinking of this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-24_VAC_Multi_function_Moisture_Sensing_Relay.html"


and this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-Custom_Sensor_Assemblies_for_Liquid_Level_Control_ 1.html"


In the winter and spring I often have the opposite problem, the pool
overflows from rain, and I'd like to also do something that opens the
pump's drain valve diverter and removes water until the level falls to
the proper level.

You might try looking for water tank float switches. They'd
probably do much of what you're after.

On Jul 15, 5:01*pm, SMS wrote:
In the summer I probably lose 150 gallons a day or so to evaporation
with the level falling about 1/4" per day. If it falls below the skimmer
level the pump will such air because the bottom drain is no longer
functional. The problem is when I go out of town for work or on vacation
and no one monitors the pool level.

Yesterday I replaced the manual fill valve with a 24VAC valve and hooked
it to my sprinkler controller so I can add water automatically, but
there is no feedback as to the water level. I'm trying different daily
fill times to find one that maintains the water level relatively
constant, but it's inexact and depends on the weather.

I want to construct some sort of level detector that will cut off the
automatic fill valve if the level gets too high, or I could disconnect
the timer and hook the level detector relay directly to the valve.

I was thinking of this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-24_VAC_Multi_funct..."

and this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-Custom_Sensor_Asse..."

In the winter and spring I often have the opposite problem, the pool
overflows from rain, and I'd like to also do something that opens the
pump's drain valve diverter and removes water until the level falls to
the proper level.

There is something called google, go and type in Float Valve, you will
be lucky.

On Jul 15, 9:11*pm, ransley wrote:
On Jul 15, 5:01*pm, SMS wrote:



In the summer I probably lose 150 gallons a day or so to evaporation
with the level falling about 1/4" per day. If it falls below the skimmer
level the pump will such air because the bottom drain is no longer
functional. The problem is when I go out of town for work or on vacation
and no one monitors the pool level.

Yesterday I replaced the manual fill valve with a 24VAC valve and hooked
it to my sprinkler controller so I can add water automatically, but
there is no feedback as to the water level. I'm trying different daily
fill times to find one that maintains the water level relatively
constant, but it's inexact and depends on the weather.

I want to construct some sort of level detector that will cut off the
automatic fill valve if the level gets too high, or I could disconnect
the timer and hook the level detector relay directly to the valve.

I was thinking of this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-24_VAC_Multi_funct...."

and this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-Custom_Sensor_Asse...."

In the winter and spring I often have the opposite problem, the pool
overflows from rain, and I'd like to also do something that opens the
pump's drain valve diverter and removes water until the level falls to
the proper level.

There is something called google, go and type in Float Valve, you will
be lucky.

I think your going to need something to average out the result..
unless you don't mind the valve turning on and off with every wave..

On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:22:20 -0700 (PDT), Mark wrote:
I think your going to need something to average out the result..
unless you don't mind the valve turning on and off with every wave..

They must make a garden hose variety which turns on and off an external
source of water.

I looked for these myself. One problem is how to mount them in the pool,
the waves being one problem, and just kids kicking it and breaking it
another problem.

About the only place it can fit is in one of the four corners of the pool,
bolted to the gunnite.

On Jul 15, 9:37*pm, Orak Listalavostok wrote:
On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:22:20 -0700 (PDT), Mark wrote:
I think your going to need something to average out the result..
unless you don't mind the valve turning on and off with every wave..

They must make a garden hose variety which turns on and off an external
source of water.

I looked for these myself. One problem is how to mount them in the pool,
the waves being one problem, and just kids kicking it and breaking it
another problem.

About the only place it can fit is in one of the four corners of the pool,
bolted to the gunnite.

If you feed the water to an auxiliary sump via a small hose, the
average water height will be correct, the hose will filter out the
wave variations.

Float valve adapted from a swamp cooler worked for me. I used a steel 2 X 4
stud bend 90 degrees as the bracket. Not the best looking thing but it only
used when I'm on vacation.




"SMS" wrote in message
...
In the summer I probably lose 150 gallons a day or so to evaporation with
the level falling about 1/4" per day. If it falls below the skimmer level
the pump will such air because the bottom drain is no longer functional.
The problem is when I go out of town for work or on vacation and no one
monitors the pool level.

Yesterday I replaced the manual fill valve with a 24VAC valve and hooked
it to my sprinkler controller so I can add water automatically, but there
is no feedback as to the water level. I'm trying different daily fill
times to find one that maintains the water level relatively constant, but
it's inexact and depends on the weather.

I want to construct some sort of level detector that will cut off the
automatic fill valve if the level gets too high, or I could disconnect the
timer and hook the level detector relay directly to the valve.

I was thinking of this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-24_VAC_Multi_function_Moisture_Sensing_Relay.html"

and this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-Custom_Sensor_Assemblies_for_Liquid_Level_Control_ 1.html"

In the winter and spring I often have the opposite problem, the pool
overflows from rain, and I'd like to also do something that opens the
pump's drain valve diverter and removes water until the level falls to the
proper level.

On Jul 15, 3:01*pm, SMS wrote:
In the summer I probably lose 150 gallons a day or so to evaporation
with the level falling about 1/4" per day. If it falls below the skimmer
level the pump will such air because the bottom drain is no longer
functional. The problem is when I go out of town for work or on vacation
and no one monitors the pool level.

Yesterday I replaced the manual fill valve with a 24VAC valve and hooked
it to my sprinkler controller so I can add water automatically, but
there is no feedback as to the water level. I'm trying different daily
fill times to find one that maintains the water level relatively
constant, but it's inexact and depends on the weather.

I want to construct some sort of level detector that will cut off the
automatic fill valve if the level gets too high, or I could disconnect
the timer and hook the level detector relay directly to the valve.

I was thinking of this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-24_VAC_Multi_funct..."

and this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-Custom_Sensor_Asse..."

In the winter and spring I often have the opposite problem, the pool
overflows from rain, and I'd like to also do something that opens the
pump's drain valve diverter and removes water until the level falls to
the proper level.

In addition to the other suggestions...

Visit the local ag supply store (Tractor Supply Store, Grange, etc)
Get a 'stock tank float'. Purpose built to do exactly what you want.
How to mount it will be up to you. It just needs to be clamped to
something (comes with the clamp).

Harry K

SMS wrote:
In the summer I probably lose 150 gallons a day or so to evaporation
with the level falling about 1/4" per day. If it falls below the
skimmer level the pump will such air because the bottom drain is no
longer functional. The problem is when I go out of town for work or
on vacation and no one monitors the pool level.

Yesterday I replaced the manual fill valve with a 24VAC valve and
hooked it to my sprinkler controller so I can add water
automatically, but there is no feedback as to the water level. I'm
trying different daily fill times to find one that maintains the
water level relatively constant, but it's inexact and depends on the
weather.
I want to construct some sort of level detector that will cut off the
automatic fill valve if the level gets too high, or I could disconnect
the timer and hook the level detector relay directly to the valve.

I was thinking of this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-24_VAC_Multi_function_Moisture_Sensing_Relay.html"

and this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-Custom_Sensor_Assemblies_for_Liquid_Level_Control_ 1.html"

In the winter and spring I often have the opposite problem, the pool
overflows from rain, and I'd like to also do something that opens the
pump's drain valve diverter and removes water until the level falls to
the proper level.

Scavage a level control valve from a washing machine someone throws out. Attach
a plastic tube to it and run the tube into the pool. Adjust the level of the
bottom of the tube until it switches at the desired water level. Attach the
water control valve to its power source through the switch on the level switch.
Use a double throw relay to reverse the switching if the level switch doesn't
have double throw connections.

"SMS" wrote in message
...
In the summer I probably lose 150 gallons a day or so to evaporation with
the level falling about 1/4" per day. If it falls below the skimmer level
the pump will such air because the bottom drain is no longer functional.
The problem is when I go out of town for work or on vacation and no one
monitors the pool level.

Yesterday I replaced the manual fill valve with a 24VAC valve and hooked
it to my sprinkler controller so I can add water automatically, but there
is no feedback as to the water level. I'm trying different daily fill
times to find one that maintains the water level relatively constant, but
it's inexact and depends on the weather.

I want to construct some sort of level detector that will cut off the
automatic fill valve if the level gets too high, or I could disconnect the
timer and hook the level detector relay directly to the valve.

I was thinking of this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-24_VAC_Multi_function_Moisture_Sensing_Relay.html"

and this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-Custom_Sensor_Assemblies_for_Liquid_Level_Control_ 1.html"

In the winter and spring I often have the opposite problem, the pool
overflows from rain, and I'd like to also do something that opens the
pump's drain valve diverter and removes water until the level falls to the
proper level.

A friend of mine has a spendy one that's all plastic, and a real POS. It is
forever falling over, and then the water runs continuously. It is fed by a
simple garden hose. A McGyver type guy could make one simple enough. The
problem is finding a place in the pool where it is protected from rowdy
kids, and having it weighted so that it won't fall over and free flow. I
don't think either problem is insurmountable. As for a way to open the
drain diverter, that would take more machinery, and that could be prone to
failure or mistake, in which case you might just lose several thousand
gallons of water. I'd consider a sensor just like the one that senses low
level, but have that sensor activate a pump to drain the water, and kick off
once the water level is down. If one is an electric type person, a low
voltage sensor should not be difficult, and that can run to either an
actuator to fill, or to a pump to drain.

Steve

visit my blog at http://cabgbypasssurgery.com watch for the book

"Orak Listalavostok" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 19:22:20 -0700 (PDT), Mark wrote:
I think your going to need something to average out the result..
unless you don't mind the valve turning on and off with every wave..

They must make a garden hose variety which turns on and off an external
source of water.

I looked for these myself. One problem is how to mount them in the pool,
the waves being one problem, and just kids kicking it and breaking it
another problem.

About the only place it can fit is in one of the four corners of the pool,
bolted to the gunnite.

Precisely the problem my friend has who owns one.

Steve

visit my blog at http://cabgbypasssurgery.com watch for the book

My first thought when I read the headline. Doesn't water seek its own
level already? You gonna get out into the pool with your zamboni, and
level it off just to be sure?

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"SMS" wrote in message
...
In the summer I probably lose 150 gallons a day or so to evaporation
with the level falling about 1/4" per day. If it falls below the
skimmer
level the pump will such air because the bottom drain is no longer
functional. The problem is when I go out of town for work or on
vacation
and no one monitors the pool level.

Yesterday I replaced the manual fill valve with a 24VAC valve and
hooked
it to my sprinkler controller so I can add water automatically, but
there is no feedback as to the water level. I'm trying different daily
fill times to find one that maintains the water level relatively
constant, but it's inexact and depends on the weather.

I want to construct some sort of level detector that will cut off the
automatic fill valve if the level gets too high, or I could disconnect
the timer and hook the level detector relay directly to the valve.

I was thinking of this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-24_VAC_Multi_function_Moisture_Sensing_Relay.html"

and this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-Custom_Sensor_Assemblies_for_Liquid_Level_Control_ 1.html"

In the winter and spring I often have the opposite problem, the pool
overflows from rain, and I'd like to also do something that opens the
pump's drain valve diverter and removes water until the level falls to
the proper level.

On 15/07/10 9:19 PM, John Keiser wrote:
Float valve adapted from a swamp cooler worked for me. I used a steel 2 X 4
stud bend 90 degrees as the bracket. Not the best looking thing but it only
used when I'm on vacation.

Yeah, I'm only looking for something for when I'm on vacation, though
still I'd like it to be not a total kludge. A float valve is a good
idea. Not as elegant as the probes and relay, but a lot cheaper.

On 15/07/10 10:00 PM, Steve B wrote:
wrote in message
...
In the summer I probably lose 150 gallons a day or so to evaporation with
the level falling about 1/4" per day. If it falls below the skimmer level
the pump will such air because the bottom drain is no longer functional.
The problem is when I go out of town for work or on vacation and no one
monitors the pool level.

Yesterday I replaced the manual fill valve with a 24VAC valve and hooked
it to my sprinkler controller so I can add water automatically, but there
is no feedback as to the water level. I'm trying different daily fill
times to find one that maintains the water level relatively constant, but
it's inexact and depends on the weather.

I want to construct some sort of level detector that will cut off the
automatic fill valve if the level gets too high, or I could disconnect the
timer and hook the level detector relay directly to the valve.

I was thinking of this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-24_VAC_Multi_function_Moisture_Sensing_Relay.html"

and this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-Custom_Sensor_Assemblies_for_Liquid_Level_Control_ 1.html"

In the winter and spring I often have the opposite problem, the pool
overflows from rain, and I'd like to also do something that opens the
pump's drain valve diverter and removes water until the level falls to the
proper level.

A friend of mine has a spendy one that's all plastic, and a real POS.

I saw those for sale, and I thought that it would not work well. the
worst thing would be if it failed in a way that the water ran continuously.

On 16/07/10 6:19 AM, Stormin Mormon wrote:
My first thought when I read the headline. Doesn't water seek its own
level already? You gonna get out into the pool with your zamboni, and
level it off just to be sure?

In the winter I use the Zamboni on the pool to level the ice, but I have
to be sure that the pool is frozen solid.

SMS wrote:
In the summer I probably lose 150 gallons a day or so to evaporation
with the level falling about 1/4" per day. If it falls below the skimmer
level the pump will such air because the bottom drain is no longer
functional. The problem is when I go out of town for work or on vacation
and no one monitors the pool level.

Yesterday I replaced the manual fill valve with a 24VAC valve and hooked
it to my sprinkler controller so I can add water automatically, but
there is no feedback as to the water level. I'm trying different daily
fill times to find one that maintains the water level relatively
constant, but it's inexact and depends on the weather.

I want to construct some sort of level detector that will cut off the
automatic fill valve if the level gets too high, or I could disconnect
the timer and hook the level detector relay directly to the valve.

Why so much effort? Why couldn't simply use a stock tank level float or
similar either directly in the level or make a small float basin for it
if needed?

--

In the winter I use the Zamboni on the pool to level the ice, but I have
to be sure that the pool is frozen solid.

4 inches is enough.

On Jul 15, 11:01*pm, SMS wrote:
In the summer I probably lose 150 gallons a day or so to evaporation
with the level falling about 1/4" per day. If it falls below the skimmer
level the pump will such air because the bottom drain is no longer
functional. The problem is when I go out of town for work or on vacation
and no one monitors the pool level.

Yesterday I replaced the manual fill valve with a 24VAC valve and hooked
it to my sprinkler controller so I can add water automatically, but
there is no feedback as to the water level. I'm trying different daily
fill times to find one that maintains the water level relatively
constant, but it's inexact and depends on the weather.

I want to construct some sort of level detector that will cut off the
automatic fill valve if the level gets too high, or I could disconnect
the timer and hook the level detector relay directly to the valve.

I was thinking of this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-24_VAC_Multi_funct..."

and this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-Custom_Sensor_Asse..."

In the winter and spring I often have the opposite problem, the pool
overflows from rain, and I'd like to also do something that opens the
pump's drain valve diverter and removes water until the level falls to
the proper level.

It was invented years ago. Its called a float valve. Or you can get
two way float switches. One to open solenoid valve to let water in.
One to switch on pump to pump water out.

wrote in message
...
On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:01:03 -0700, SMS
wrote:

In the summer I probably lose 150 gallons a day or so to evaporation
with the level falling about 1/4" per day. If it falls below the skimmer
level the pump will such air because the bottom drain is no longer
functional. The problem is when I go out of town for work or on vacation
and no one monitors the pool level.

Yesterday I replaced the manual fill valve with a 24VAC valve and hooked
it to my sprinkler controller so I can add water automatically, but
there is no feedback as to the water level. I'm trying different daily
fill times to find one that maintains the water level relatively
constant, but it's inexact and depends on the weather.

I want to construct some sort of level detector that will cut off the
automatic fill valve if the level gets too high, or I could disconnect
the timer and hook the level detector relay directly to the valve.

I was thinking of this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-24_VAC_Multi_function_Moisture_Sensing_Relay.html"

and this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-Custom_Sensor_Assemblies_for_Liquid_Level_Control_ 1.html"

In the winter and spring I often have the opposite problem, the pool
overflows from rain, and I'd like to also do something that opens the
pump's drain valve diverter and removes water until the level falls to
the proper level.

I made mine with a garden variety Flow Master toilet valve, hooked to
the overflow pipe. The only trick is getting it set to the right level
when you design it.

http://gfretwell.com/electrical/pool%20filler.jpg

My daughter has a Flowmaster toilet valve mounted in the well for the
skimmer, not in the pool itself and completely out of the way. Easily
adjusted by sliding the small float up an adjustment rod.
Elgy

On Jul 16, 4:16*pm, "ELGY" lgpetersatcomcastdotnet wrote:
wrote in message

...





On Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:01:03 -0700, SMS
wrote:

In the summer I probably lose 150 gallons a day or so to evaporation
with the level falling about 1/4" per day. If it falls below the skimmer
level the pump will such air because the bottom drain is no longer
functional. The problem is when I go out of town for work or on vacation
and no one monitors the pool level.

Yesterday I replaced the manual fill valve with a 24VAC valve and hooked
it to my sprinkler controller so I can add water automatically, but
there is no feedback as to the water level. I'm trying different daily
fill times to find one that maintains the water level relatively
constant, but it's inexact and depends on the weather.

I want to construct some sort of level detector that will cut off the
automatic fill valve if the level gets too high, or I could disconnect
the timer and hook the level detector relay directly to the valve.

I was thinking of this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-24_VAC_Multi_funct...."

and this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-Custom_Sensor_Asse...."

In the winter and spring I often have the opposite problem, the pool
overflows from rain, and I'd like to also do something that opens the
pump's drain valve diverter and removes water until the level falls to
the proper level.

I made mine with a garden variety Flow Master toilet valve, hooked to
the overflow pipe. The only trick is getting it set to the right level
when you design it.

http://gfretwell.com/electrical/pool%20filler.jpg

My daughter has a Flowmaster toilet valve mounted in the well for the
skimmer, not in the pool itself and completely out of the way. *Easily
adjusted by sliding the small float up an adjustment rod.
Elgy

My suggestion is to use a float and a garden hose timer, which are
used for lawn sprinklers. Have it come on in the middle of the night
(non-activity time) The timer would allow water into the hose only
during the allotted time and the float would fill the pool as needed.
The timers are usually around $10-15.

Robin

On Jul 15, 10:22*pm, Mark wrote:
On Jul 15, 9:11*pm, ransley wrote:



On Jul 15, 5:01*pm, SMS wrote:

In the summer I probably lose 150 gallons a day or so to evaporation
with the level falling about 1/4" per day. If it falls below the skimmer
level the pump will such air because the bottom drain is no longer
functional. The problem is when I go out of town for work or on vacation
and no one monitors the pool level.

Yesterday I replaced the manual fill valve with a 24VAC valve and hooked
it to my sprinkler controller so I can add water automatically, but
there is no feedback as to the water level. I'm trying different daily
fill times to find one that maintains the water level relatively
constant, but it's inexact and depends on the weather.

I want to construct some sort of level detector that will cut off the
automatic fill valve if the level gets too high, or I could disconnect
the timer and hook the level detector relay directly to the valve.

I was thinking of this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-24_VAC_Multi_funct..."

and this:

"http://www.ingramproducts.com/Pumps_Level_Controls-Custom_Sensor_Asse..."

In the winter and spring I often have the opposite problem, the pool
overflows from rain, and I'd like to also do something that opens the
pump's drain valve diverter and removes water until the level falls to
the proper level.

There is something called google, go and type in Float Valve, you will
be lucky.

I think your going to need something to average out the result..
unless you don't mind the valve turning on and off with every wave..


You wouldn't put such a valve in the main pool itself, however you
would
want to locate it somewhere connected to that body of water where it
would not be subject to wave action when the pool is being used and
the
automatic filling of the pool would create waves itself which might
add too
much water...

You would want to build a chamber of some sort, like a sump pit,
connected to the pool with a large diameter pipe... Within that
chamber
you would install the float valve which would regulate the water level
of the
pool... Since a body of water always levels itself out this would
work as
long as the water inlet where the water is to be added is not within
the
chamber and was located far enough away so that any motion or
turbulence
created by the addition of the water would not effect the operation of
the
float valve... The idea of a body of water always leveling itself out
is why
water levels are used in construction on some projects where a laser
level
is overkill or not an affordable option...

~~ Evan

On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:16:27 -0700, ELGY wrote:

My daughter has a Flowmaster toilet valve mounted in the well for the
skimmer, not in the pool itself and completely out of the way.

That skimmer 1-foot diameter well seems to be the ONLY place where the
water level of the pool can be monitored without intruding into the pool
itself.

But how do you get water INTO the pool from the skimmer?

On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:09:48 -0700 (PDT), Thomas wrote:

In the winter I use the Zamboni on the pool to level the ice, but I have
to be sure that the pool is frozen solid.

4 inches is enough.

What is a Zamboni?

On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:47:33 -0700 (PDT), harry wrote:
It was invented years ago. Its called a float valve.

The float valve is the easy part. The hard part is where to put it so that
it will work.

You can't easily put it in the pool itself, due to wave action and damage
occuring to it from the swimming activity - it needs its own well.

If you have five feet of concrete all around the pool, you have nowhere to
put the float valve, even though it was invented years ago.

You could put the float valve in the skimmer wells but then you have to run
a hose into the skimmer above the concrete.

Basically if you have a concrete perimeter, you're hosed. The float valve
isn't your problem. The problem is how to run the hose w/o being a danger
to the swimmers.

On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:18:18 -0700, Judy Zappacosta
wrote:

On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:09:48 -0700 (PDT), Thomas wrote:

In the winter I use the Zamboni on the pool to level the ice, but I have
to be sure that the pool is frozen solid.

4 inches is enough.

What is a Zamboni?

It's a forklift sized "truck" that resurfaces the ice on an ice rink.

On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:18:18 -0700, Judy Zappacosta
wrote:

On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:09:48 -0700 (PDT), Thomas wrote:

In the winter I use the Zamboni on the pool to level the ice, but I have
to be sure that the pool is frozen solid.

4 inches is enough.

What is a Zamboni?

http://www.dochertyfamily.com/zamboni.htm

I thought zamboni was to smooth the surface, not to level it.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Thomas" wrote in message
...
In the winter I use the Zamboni on the pool to level the ice, but I
have
to be sure that the pool is frozen solid.

4 inches is enough.

Oh, come on. You should know by now to do an internet search before
asking such a question on usenet group. DAGS!

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"Judy Zappacosta" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:09:48 -0700 (PDT), Thomas wrote:

In the winter I use the Zamboni on the pool to level the ice, but I
have
to be sure that the pool is frozen solid.

4 inches is enough.

What is a Zamboni?

"Orak Listalavostok" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:16:27 -0700, ELGY wrote:

My daughter has a Flowmaster toilet valve mounted in the well for the
skimmer, not in the pool itself and completely out of the way.

That skimmer 1-foot diameter well seems to be the ONLY place where the
water level of the pool can be monitored without intruding into the pool
itself.

But how do you get water INTO the pool from the skimmer?

The skimmer well is connected to the pool by an always open channel. The
water level in the well is always the same as the pool.

On Sat, 17 Jul 2010 07:55:57 -0700, ELGY wrote:

The skimmer well is connected to the pool by an always open channel. The
water level in the well is always the same as the pool.

I agree. So you can put a valve in the skimmer; and that will turn on when
the skimmer water well drops too low.

But then, how do you get EXTRA water (from a garden hose for example) into
the skimmer?

The skimmer cover (from the top deck) is about a foot from the edge of the
pool. Assume the garden hose connection is twenty feet away.

Is the proposal to snake a garden hose twenty feet across the lawn and
concrete deck and then just dump it into the top of the skimmer with the
top removed?

That's what confuses me. How do you get the water INTO the skimmer when
most skimmers (that I know of) are built into the concrete deck of the
pool.

There's no entrance (other than the top cover); but if you use the top
cover, someone is gonna trip on the garden hose and break their neck.

Did I miss something?

You can't just pull the top cap off the skimmer and dump a garden hose down
it as it will be snaking across the deck ... so how do you get water INTO
the skimmer from an outside source?

I'd love to know ('cuz I'd implement it myself!).

On Sat, 17 Jul 2010 11:13:29 -0400, wrote:
Don't they plumb in an overflow on pools up there?

I really want to try this ... but ...

I have an overflow that is a one-inch plastic pipe embedded in the pool
tiles about an inch or two above the high water level.

I guess you're saying if the float sensor determines a low water level, you
can run water (backward) into this pipe to refill the pool.

The main problem, I would think, is that the slope of this drainage pipe is
sloping away from the pool.

It's an interesting idea to fill the pool from the drainage pipes. But how
would you defeat the fact that this drainage pipe is sloping away from the
pool?

On Sat, 17 Jul 2010 11:13:29 -0400, wrote:

That is a pipe below the water line that goes out into the yard
somewhere and you adjust the water level by the height of the pipe
emerging above grade.

I just looked. In addition to the 1-inch diameter emergency overflow
plastic pipe that is in the side of the pool about an inch or two above the
water line, there IS a three-inch wide plastic pipe sticking up out of the
grass ten or fifteen feet to the side of the pool.

This pipe drains out to the street but I don't see any water in it unless I
water the grass too much.

It's intriguing what you intimate (that this pipe can be used as the well)
but that still begs the question of how to get the water INTO the pool once
the float valve senses the low pool level.

You can't have a hose (safely anyway) snaking across the pool deck; so how
do you get water INTO the pool? Any ideas?

On Sat, 17 Jul 2010 11:13:29 -0400, wrote:

BTW there will be another pipe out in the yard that will have water in
it at the pool water level if you have a pool light but I won't go
there ;-)

Interesting. For my pool, I looked for that pipe. I found one that is about
an inch in diameter, and it has a GFCI on it, and about three pipes
sticking up out of the ground together.

I tested that GFCI with the pool lights on, and it tripped them off.

Is the suggestion to rig a float valve to that pipe sticking out of the
ground? What are the other two pipes right next to it going into the GCFI?

On Sat, 17 Jul 2010 08:57:40 -0700, Orak Listalavostok
wrote:

On Sat, 17 Jul 2010 11:13:29 -0400, wrote:
Don't they plumb in an overflow on pools up there?

I really want to try this ... but ...

I have an overflow that is a one-inch plastic pipe embedded in the pool
tiles about an inch or two above the high water level.

I guess you're saying if the float sensor determines a low water level, you
can run water (backward) into this pipe to refill the pool.

The main problem, I would think, is that the slope of this drainage pipe is
sloping away from the pool.

It's an interesting idea to fill the pool from the drainage pipes. But how
would you defeat the fact that this drainage pipe is sloping away from the
pool?

Water pressure. Appropriate valves are an exercise for the student.

On Sat, 17 Jul 2010 09:11:35 -0700, Orak Listalavostok
wrote:

On Sat, 17 Jul 2010 11:13:29 -0400, wrote:

BTW there will be another pipe out in the yard that will have water in
it at the pool water level if you have a pool light but I won't go
there ;-)

Interesting. For my pool, I looked for that pipe. I found one that is about
an inch in diameter, and it has a GFCI on it, and about three pipes
sticking up out of the ground together.

A GFCI on a plastic pipe? There is something you're not telling us here.

I tested that GFCI with the pool lights on, and it tripped them off.

It's a drain pipe from the pool lights?

Is the suggestion to rig a float valve to that pipe sticking out of the
ground? What are the other two pipes right next to it going into the GCFI?

Dunno. You tell us. ;-)

"Orak Listalavostok" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 17 Jul 2010 07:55:57 -0700, ELGY wrote:

The skimmer well is connected to the pool by an always open channel. The
water level in the well is always the same as the pool.

I agree. So you can put a valve in the skimmer; and that will turn on when
the skimmer water well drops too low.

But then, how do you get EXTRA water (from a garden hose for example) into
the skimmer?

The skimmer cover (from the top deck) is about a foot from the edge of the
pool. Assume the garden hose connection is twenty feet away.

Is the proposal to snake a garden hose twenty feet across the lawn and
concrete deck and then just dump it into the top of the skimmer with the
top removed?

That's what confuses me. How do you get the water INTO the skimmer when
most skimmers (that I know of) are built into the concrete deck of the
pool.

There's no entrance (other than the top cover); but if you use the top
cover, someone is gonna trip on the garden hose and break their neck.

Did I miss something?

You can't just pull the top cap off the skimmer and dump a garden hose
down
it as it will be snaking across the deck ... so how do you get water INTO
the skimmer from an outside source?

I'd love to know ('cuz I'd implement it myself!).

The fill valve is plumbed into the skimmer when the pool was built. It is
controlled by the toilet fill valve. If you have no such plumbing it would
be necessary to add it to use this method. When complete, the pool is kept
filled with almost no need for extra effort and is easily adjusted if
necessary within about a 5-6 inch spread.

On 16/07/10 7:21 PM, Glenda Copeland wrote:
On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:47:33 -0700 (PDT), harry wrote:
It was invented years ago. Its called a float valve.

The float valve is the easy part. The hard part is where to put it so that
it will work.

You can't easily put it in the pool itself, due to wave action and damage
occuring to it from the swimming activity - it needs its own well.

If you have five feet of concrete all around the pool, you have nowhere to
put the float valve, even though it was invented years ago.

You could put the float valve in the skimmer wells but then you have to run
a hose into the skimmer above the concrete.

Basically if you have a concrete perimeter, you're hosed. The float valve
isn't your problem. The problem is how to run the hose w/o being a danger
to the swimmers.

The pool has a fill pipe built in. They added it when we resurfaced the
pool and replaced the surrounding concrete. Right now that fill pipe is
controlled by a 24VAC valve (it used to have a manual valve) which is
hooked to one station on my sprinkler timer. If I want to continue to
use that, and monitor the level with probes, I could put the probes into
the skimmer, mounted to the lid somehow. Then I need to run the wires
for the probes back to the area where the valve is. They could be
mounted pretty unobtrusively out the skimmer opening under the coping
over to the eye shaped dirt island on the right in
"http://i32.tinypic.com/xpc8rm.jpg" which has two spare wires going to
it (it's now full with plants) from the valve location.

There's also water in the island so I could run a small hose over to
skimmer as well and use a float valve rather than doing it with an
electrically activated valve. I am a bit concerned over the reliability
of using those thin hoses in this environment.

For now, I'm experimenting with different durations of opening the valve
to maintain the water level constant. It's really only during the summer
when the level goes down enough per day that it's a problem over a two
week vacation.

On 17/07/10 6:59 PM, wrote:

I plumbed the waste water from my RO into the pool and I have not had
to add water since.

Now that's a really good idea! That water is just wasted now. My RO is
in a location where that would be very practical for me to do that. But
when I'm away from home for an extended period of time there is no waste
RO water being generated.

On 15/07/10 4:41 PM, wrote:

snip

I made mine with a garden variety Flow Master toilet valve, hooked to
the overflow pipe. The only trick is getting it set to the right level
when you design it.

http://gfretwell.com/electrical/pool%20filler.jpg

There is no overflow valve plumbed into the pool. I haven't seen them on
any pools out here.

Before we re-did the pool and replaced the concrete, there was access to
the pool light wiring from the concrete deck, but the code changed and
now it would be really hard to get to the light wiring conduit to sense
the water level.

On 16/07/10 7:17 PM, Orak Listalavostok wrote:
On Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:16:27 -0700, ELGY wrote:

My daughter has a Flowmaster toilet valve mounted in the well for the
skimmer, not in the pool itself and completely out of the way.

That skimmer 1-foot diameter well seems to be the ONLY place where the
water level of the pool can be monitored without intruding into the pool
itself.

But how do you get water INTO the pool from the skimmer?

On my pool they plumbed in a fill line, but it's by the skimmer, it's by
the steps.

If you don't have that, you can plumb something in over by the suction
side of the pump if you don't want to use a hose.