Control Systems & Timers

 Automated Control Systems:
 
             In general, less complex, less automated, systems are best. Automated control boards, and actuators, that automatically change from one position to another, may seem nice, but with almost all systems you give up the ability to "fine tune" valve positions, so you usually end up with a much dirtier pool / spa, much greater chances of cloudy or green water, ... and it always results in expensive repairs about 8 years on down the road.
 
            As far as home owner repairs go, with the automated systems, the home owners are usually limited to replacing an in-line fuse, which may not even be listed in the manual they received. Should you be lucky and have it listed, you can carefully remove it, (with all the power off, of course.), and use a continuity tester to see if that is the problem. If so, the only place that I have been able to find the correct fuses, in stock, is radio shack. If the problem goes beyond the fuse(s), then you will need to call a repair tech. Keep in  mind that I have about 40 different repair and service manuals for the different manufacturers on my truck, and that, by no means, is all of the ones for all of the systems currently available. And no, I cannot publish them, or send them to you. They are for pool industry service techs ONLY. Violations of copyrights, and an almost guarantee that you will completely fry your system, prevent me from sending these to anyone. Shoot, half the time, even with my knowledge, things are poorly explained, or incomplete, and I end up calling the company to have one of their engineers talk me through the diagnostic and repair process. If you add to this the specialized electrical clips, wires, harnesses, ... that some of them require, and it is not in your best interests to even have these manuals. 
 
       I do suggest that you do download the exact manual for your exact make and model of system so that you understand the programing aspects associated with it. That same manual will list owner serviceable parts as well.
 
                Note: I "can" adjust the valves on these pools in such a way that they keep pools and spa's about 30-40% cleaner than the automated systems normally keep them. How? By shutting off, or overriding the automated system and manually positioning the valves. Yes, it can be done. But why buy the system in the first place, if you are going to have to shut it off to keep the pool looking good?
 
            Normal Time Clocks:
        Yes, I still prefer these to the automated systems. I can finely tune valve placements to keep pools 30-40% cleaner than some of their "automated" counterparts, but only if we shut off the automation and manually position the valves. That said, why did you want automation you have to shut off to keep your pool looking it's best?
 
            So your timer isn't working. First check to see if there is a diagram. Then, make sure that there is a diagram showing your current time clock mechanism handy, or download one. Next, check to be sure that your "line-in" leads show 220 volts. Yes, this requires carefully exposing live 220 v current to the leads. If you have any doubt that you might not be capable of doing this process, call a professional. Afros are out. You make a poor fuse. Dying to save yourself money is not a good thing if you literally die. If you don't have 220, you will have to pull apart your main panel (or pool sub panel) to make sure that you have 220 volts at that breaker. If not, reset the breaker or replace it if it won't reset.
 
            If you have 220 volts at the breaker, but not 220 at the timer, you need to find out if there are any switches, GFCI's or other connections, ... between the timer and the breaker on the other end. Hopefully the problem is above ground. If in doubt, call a repair man.
        
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