Pool Automation - How to - DIY - Wifi - Micro-Controller

Other Hardware Home Automation
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Hey guys... I have recently taken a job as a "Pool Guy" and after a few months of working the routes I feel like there is a great opportunity for even a wanna be tech savvy guy like myself to offer a reasonably priced wifi micro-controller based pool automation option to existing pool equipment.
My experience with pools is limited, approx 3mo.
My experience with micro-controllers is limited. - Labjack for school projects and some 120v relay board interfaces.

POOL EQUIPMENT is $$$ !!!

Being new to the pool service gig sometimes(everytime) I gasp at the cost required to replace something for this very basic equipment. Living in California and having to comply with the legal requirements can really jack up the price off having a pool. Most home owners have no clue the rules and regs associated with this Industry. Most homeowners who can afford a pool in Ca have no interest in understanding the complexity of the Industry or lack there of!!!

The company I work for has been around more than 30 years and operates on this policy-
Based on owners experience -
If there is a:
"best way to do something" we do it
"responsible repair that will not compromise performance" we do it
"All work is to be done to code with no compromise" We Hold a CA contractors licence
"All work will be completed according to OSHA Requirements - sometimes a b*itch
All actions, statements, bids, works completed, and employees are covered by an INC. Umbrella Insurance Policy, CA LC Insurance, Liability and Workers Comp Insurance and IND. Heath and Dental

THe owner is a 34yr. Retired Police Detective who has seen it all and takes no micro or macro risks anywhere, anytime, ever. I have never worked for a company like this.... Yes...Its just pools-

I hold a BS in Business Admin - Standard Req. for a Pool Broski, right?
I am working on an MBA in Geographical Information Systems and Technology- wtf knows why?

Yes, I am currently a pool guy...! lol (channel Deuce Bigalow)

OK enough with the BS

95% off our Pool services equipment is controlled by a Standard T104 mechanical timer for the main pool filter and and circuit tied T104 for the pool cleaner booster pump. (when applicable)

This to me is very basic mechanical, analog control limited by manual human input and no ability for remote management, monitoring or control which is becoming standard in almost every other industry! I am forced to hold my tongue when my decade+ yr colleagues get physiologically upset when we find a timer ON/OFF Tripper loose, moved, or improperly positioned by either ourselves or the customer, kids or whoever the fuck else has physical access to the control infrastructure that could potentially flood the fuck out of your house!!!

I would prefer login protection for such potential mishapps and welcome systems control data logging to further separate my personal liability pertaining to anyone's residence or public pool.

I haVE used a LAbjack in the past to interface and control basic science projects the eventually high voltage systems applications.

TECHNOLOGY HAS COME ALONG WAY SINCE I HAVE LAST PLAYED AROUND WITH THESE TYPES OF APPLICATIONS! CAN WE COLLABORATE HERE OF CAN I PLEASE BE HYPERLINKED TO EXISITING APPLICATION THAT MAY FIT.

My Test application will be my parents pool.
There is a 2.7hp single speed filter motor.
1.5hp water feature motor
(2) 3 way 12/24v jandy valve actuators
gas heater - no info- may not even work - havent f'd with for like 10yrs
2 separate lights

Electrical Input-
(2)20a 240v Non GFCI breakers

Planned upgrades

3hp var speed filter pump.motor
3hp var speed waterfall

Currently we do not need to control any variable speed motors from wifi controller but open to the possibilty.

Thanks folks!!!
Any info or link are greatly appreciated.
CI

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I'd like to see you edit your post, and remove the unnecessary expletives.

I would prefer login protection for such potential mishapps

You want kids of pool owners to log in before they can unplug/turn off important controls whose access should be physically restricted? How is THAT going to help?

CAN WE COLLABORATE HERE

Can you get off your soap-box, and stop screaming?

This is NOT the place for collaboration. The Gigs and collaboration section is.

What I see, though, is that YOU want to make money by offering pool monitoring/control software and hardware that you want other people to put together for you. Personally, I've got other things to do.

I also see that you object to what other pool equipment suppliers charge, to cover the legal/regulatory expenses they are forced to endure. But, you want pool owners to pay you even more money.

Maybe it's just me, but I figure if you want a pool in your yard, you'll pay what it costs to have a pool in your yard.

Now, I do have a hot tub, and hot tubs have some of the same problems in that they offer no remote monitoring and no remote control. However, I can't see the point of being able to raise the temperature of my hot tub, located near Seattle, WA when I am in Bumfuck, NE. Being able to remotely cause chemicals to be added to the hot tub while I am on vacation, so I don't need to drain, clean, and refill the hot tub when I get home would be a good thing, but a fool proof system for doing that is NOT a simple development activity. And, perhaps THAT is why pool stuff costs so much.

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Ahh, Fresh minds and all people want to do is put the fire out.

Sound like a great idea.

Just to Add, Give it WiFi, allow it to Email out any change of states.

Setup a small server with database, then all of the units sold could reports their stats and customers can see historic usage data. If that was handy.

I am guessing HighEnd pool controllers will have WiFi these days but like you say they cost $$$.

The principles are simple enough.

Detecting things.
Turning a motor on and off.
Telling something it happened.

Plenty of off the shelf modules to do what you need I think at least for the prototyping.
From Relay or sensor boards from ebay or simular.
Use an ESP8266 or ESP32 for your Wifi connecton.
Infact just one of those alone maybe able to create something workable,
but the Arduino will have more I/O.

The hard part will be writing the controller logic.
Hard only cos you have to translate your thoughts of how you want the box to operate either into code or at least a written spec for someone else to follow. But there are so many examples of doing every aspect it would not be that hard if you know what you want it to do.

Don't let the electronics hold you back,
You can start to prototype the controller code with the Arduino/ESP and some LEDS and BUTTONS.

Once you have the code under control the prototype electronics and layout will just need to be processed and approved.

4

Detecting things.

I have tried to do something similar but I got stuck at reliably detecting Ph levels as well as Chlrorine levels of the pool.
There are lots of sensors around, even on ebay meant for laboratory measurements.
When it comes to permanent installation and probably in a not so friendly environment, i was never able to accurately and continuously measure these parameters.

(I ve tried to mount the sensor in the pool's balancing tank immersed in pool water)

You probably need to go for a more dedicated type of sensor which costs a lot more as well.

Once a reliable means of measuring water parameters is found the rest shouldn't be too difficult to cover.