PREPARING THE POOL WATER
Calculating Pool Volume (needed to determine proper balance chemical additions)
Average Depth = (depth of deep end + depth of shallow end) 2
Pool Shape | Gallons (pool size measured in feet) | Liters (pool size measured in meters) |
Rectangular | Length x Width x Average Depth x 7.5 | Length x Width x Average Depth x 1000 |
Round | Diameter x Diameter x Average Depth x 5.9 | Diameter x Diameter x Average Depth x 785 |
Oval | Length x Width x Average Depth x 5.9 | Length x Width x Average Depth x 785 |
Your calculated pool volume is ____________. Enter this number for reference on the information section, pg. iii.
Type of Salt
It is important to use Sodium Chloride (NaCl) salt that is greater than 99% pure. Common types of salt include granular food grade, water softener pellets, or solar salt flakes. These are usually available in 25 lb to 80 lb bags at a local pool or building supply store. Water softener and solar salt will have a slower dissolve rate than food grade salt. Rock salt and Granular Salt with Iodine or Rust Preventatives should not be used as they contain high levels of impurities that will cause staining.
Note: Granular salt with
How to Add or Remove Salt
The filter pump should be turned on and run continuously for 24 hours after salt is added to the pool to allow for proper dissolving and circulation throughout the pool. The filter pump should be run continually for up to 24 hours. The salt should be added directly to the pool and over the bottom main drain if so equipped. If there is no main drain, a vacuum head can be used to circulate the salt. Vacuum the salt, brush it around to agitate, or brush into the main drain (if applicable) to speed up the dissolving process.
Caution: Do not use a pool cleaner or vacuum head with wheels as they can leave track marks on newly plastered pools. Do not allow Granular salt to pile up in one location without brushing as staining may occur.
If the salt level in the pool becomes undesirably high, the only way to remove excess salt is to partially drain the pool and refill with fresh water.
Salt Level
Your Pool Pilot requires that the size of your pool be entered into the microprocessor so that it can automatically measure the amount of salt in your pool and indicate how many pounds (kgs) to add when the salt level falls low. To program your pool size, see “Set Pool Volume” on pg. 34. To calculate the number of gallons (liters) of water in your pool, see Calculating Pool Volume above. The salt chart on the following page can also be used to calculate how much salt, in pounds (kgs) should be added to reach the recommended level of 3000 ppm (3.0 g/l).
The ideal salt range is 2500 – 3500 PPM (parts per million) (2.5 – 3.5 g/l). However, the Pool Pilot can operate with salt levels in excess of 35,000 PPM (35.0 g/l), if so desired. High salt levels above 6000 PPM are not normally recommended as this may cause corrosion to metallic objects such as light fixtures, ladders, handrails, heaters, and pumps. Low salt levels below 2400ppm will reduce the efficiency of the Pool Pilot and result in low chlorine production. Extremely low salt levels below 1900 ppm will activate the low salt safety
The salt is constantly recycled during normal operation. The loss of salt during a swimming season should be minimal. Filter backwashing, draining due to rain water overflow, splashing and bathing suit drag out, and leaks (excessive salt loss in a short span of time) are typical ways the salt is lost. Salt does not evaporate from the pool when the water evaporates.
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