Forum

Replies

• 

  Kirk Gilmore April 7, 2009 at 9:43am

  Chemtrol or Cats are very good
• 

  Scott Heusser April 3, 2009 at 1:14pm

  I agree to all of it Richard. If the units are locked down then there is a very limited amount of options available to you. "Regular" units are defiantly more friendly. I also agree on the CO2, at some point you'll need to reduce alkalinity and suffer the exposure risks for handling it then.
  
  Richard Earnhardt said:

  By cryptic I meant that unless you know the "codes" for these units, at least the ones that are made for this major supplier through Acu-Trol, it's not clear what function you're adjusting. Maybe their "regular" units are more user-friendly, I haven't seen any in my travels though.
  
  My experience with Link Automation made me of the opinion that sometimes too many parameters leave lots of room for error, and then backtracking and trying to figure out what went wrong can be a nightmare. I like to keep it pretty basic - give me adjustable feed pumps, alarm limits, and good probes, and I can engineer the details for pretty good control.
  
  My experience with CO2 is that if you're using it to get away from using Muriatic, you probably won't be able to. As CO2 increases your alkalinity, you will eventually need to lower it, and most people use muriatic to accomplish this. All the way around, it's never made sense to me.
• 

  Richard Earnhardt April 3, 2009 at 10:38am

  By cryptic I meant that unless you know the "codes" for these units, at least the ones that are made for this major supplier through Acu-Trol, it's not clear what function you're adjusting. Maybe their "regular" units are more user-friendly, I haven't seen any in my travels though.
  
  My experience with Link Automation made me of the opinion that sometimes too many parameters leave lots of room for error, and then backtracking and trying to figure out what went wrong can be a nightmare. I like to keep it pretty basic - give me adjustable feed pumps, alarm limits, and good probes, and I can engineer the details for pretty good control.
  
  My experience with CO2 is that if you're using it to get away from using Muriatic, you probably won't be able to. As CO2 increases your alkalinity, you will eventually need to lower it, and most people use muriatic to accomplish this. All the way around, it's never made sense to me.
• 

  Scott Heusser March 26, 2009 at 7:07am

  I've used Acu-Trol, CAT and Autopilot to control saline generators. If using ORP definitely go for gold probes as this will reduce ORP read errors. PPM regulation is OK as it is easier for a lot of people to understand. Acu-Trol has a nifty PPM method that involves an automatic DPD test every couple of minutes.
  
  CO2 works, but if you don't have room for a good sized storage tank on that 500,000 gallon pool it will be a maintenance nightmare. Best to set up a large bulk tank and regular deliveries from your local CO2 vendor.
  Less hazardous than muriatic acid, but needs a lot more of it.
  
  I'm not sure what Richard meant by cryptic. The CAT controllers look sleaker than Acu-Trol for sure, but there are programming functions I enjoy having in the AK100 & AK600 that aren't available in the CAT 2000 or CAT 4000. Regardless both are good controls.
• 

  Rick Larson March 26, 2009 at 6:04am

  Just wanted to add that you should be able to adapt most any controller to a generator. You are limited by the capacity of the relay within the controller, but that can be overcome by having that relay control another larger one if needed.
• 

  Rick Larson March 26, 2009 at 5:26am

  If you mean true PPM as opposed to calculated I would say it seems to be more dependable with a salt system. I've seen several systems where ORP had trouble but true PPM seemed to function ok. Then again there are pools with ORP that seem to work ok too. If I was going to propose a system I would go true PPM just to lessen the chance of a callback to tell the customer I had to charge him more to change his ORP controller.
  
  As for CO2, the capitol cost is higher but it seems to carry a higher operating expense too. Again, I have seen systems changed to CO2 and not too far down the road changed back to muriatic acid. Be interesting to read others experiences.
• 

  Brian McGarry, CBP March 26, 2009 at 4:55am

  My proposal has a saline sanitizing system and CO2 for PH. Is there an advantage to using a PPM vs ORP controller?
• 

  Richard Earnhardt March 25, 2009 at 9:40pm

  If you are using for salt chlorine generator, CAT (who was just purchased by Hayward) makes a sole pH controller, the CAT 1000. Cost-effective because you're not paying for something you don't need. As Rick noted below, if you're not controlling (adequately) your sanitizer, I would highly recommend using a full ORP/pH controller. They can't be used with generators but can be adapted to just about any other sanitizer choice. I like their controllers because they're clean, easy to understand, yet technical if needed. (The wireless controllers are great for service routes too). My only experience with Acu-trol is when taking over (a major soap supplier)'s accounts. Those units, to me, seem cryptic by today's standards. I've been with Aquasol, Strantrol, Link Automation, and Chemtrol. Dropped them all when CAT came out.
  
  I think Hayward is making a salt chlorine generator system that uses ORP control (not like a traditional controller, though). It has pH control also. The probes and flow cell are obviously CAT's, but private labeled. I have no experience with these, but saw one at a trade show and I have heard at least one comment that the controllers themselves aren't quite up to speed yet.
  
  Check out the CAT 1000 for pH only control.
• 

  Rick Larson March 25, 2009 at 7:42am

  I'll have to second Scotts opinion, used many and still use Acu-Trol for the most part. The AK-110 for a model number and they do both ORP and pH. Having a lot of luck with Rola Chem for less expensive, simpler installations. Both come with Flow Cells which are important to keep an nice flow over the probes and also have a flowswitch to shut off the feed pumps in a no-flow situation.Your feed pump will require thought to as to application. And I would have to ask what are they doing for Chlorine monitoring control?
• 

  Scott Heusser March 24, 2009 at 8:22am

  I've been using Acu-Trol to satisfy my chemical control needs for years. They have always been good to work with and their controllers offer a level of programming I have not seen in others. They have a solid product and their service when an issue does arise has been prompt and fair.
  
  I've also used Chemtrol, Strantrol, CAT, Polaris and Pool Pilot. All the units perform as advertised, I prefer the Acu-Trol units.