Monday, July 18, 2011

Control your pool with your iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch!

The mobile smart phone and tablet revolution is reshaping the way we communicate with each other. The swimming pool is not immune, you can control a myriad of your swimming pool circuits from anywhere in the world using your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.





How do you go about it?


First you will need to install a Pentair® IntelliTouch or Pentair® Easytouch system. The system is designed to control your pump , sanitisers, lights and water features automatically.





All Pentair Products with the prefix 'Intelli' are compatible with the automation systems.


The products that can be controlled include:









And many more.....




Other interfaces for the IntelliTouch are:




Wireless Control Panel (pictured)
Indoor Control Panel


Remote Control
Screenlogic touchpad






Home Automation integration


Many new homes that are being built are having ho,e automation systems installed. Media servers, lighting control, security and so on are all being controlled from a central point. The Intellitouch can communicate with many of these systems, putting your pools control and info right at your fingertips, info like: Water temperature, pH, Salt levels and so on. One such home automation systems is ELAN 'G'. IntellTouch integrates seamlessly with 'G' and gives the consumer a huge scope of control. The pool is no-longer just a hole in the ground.


Ridd's Aqua Centre have a relationship with ELAN Systems SA, we have installed a display pool at their showrooms where the products mentioned above are displayed and you can see first hand how the pool in controlled. You can contact them at 0861 3526 47.


If you are interested in seeing the Intelli range in action please feel free to contact us on


086 123 2782 or go to www.riddsaqua.co.za














Friday, July 15, 2011

All New IntellipH® pH Controller


Winter is almost done and we are preparing to offer you solutions to a hassle free pool this summer, so we would like to introduce the latest innovation from Pentair, coming this season.

The all new pH controller doses specified (programmable) amounts of pool acid. This ensures that your pH remains constant.

A stable pH is important for the following reasons:




  • Chlorine efficiency


  • Bather comfort


  • Pool surface longevity


As most of us don't have the time or inclination to check our pool water every week, this product in combination with a SALT CHLORINATOR will ensure a sparkling, hassle-free pool all year round.


For more product info CLICK HERE


Please feel free to contact us for more info or go to www.riddsaqua.co.za

Saturday, April 23, 2011

NEW BARACUDA AUTOMATIC POOL CLEANER













If you start listing problems that you have encountered with your Automatic Pool Cleaner (APC) you would probably list the following:




  • Coverage


  • Speed


  • Blockage


  • Noisy




We would like to be the first to introduce the latest APC that will revolutionize the APC market in SA for ever.




The Zodiac Baracuda MX8. It takes all the current conventions and turns them on it's head.




Lets examine the features by looking at the shortcomings of other APC's




Coverage

All suction APC's are restricted to some degree by the pool hoses. they all have limitations in varying degrees and will all fall short of the 100% coverage mark.


Well not the New MX8, it is gear driven and with it's programed gearboxes it will cover the whole pool, wall and floor. (not all the steps)



Speed

Locomotion of suction cleaners is usually effected by a pulsating acion either by a diaphragm or som sort of oscillating hammer, this pulsation will cause the APC to bounce and this will cause movement throught the water. There is a trade off here, faster movement means less adhesion and more adhesion means slower movement. This is not the case with the MX8. It runs on tracks and speed is not determined by a suction seal. the unit therfore runs at an optimal speed throuhght your pool.




Blockage

Ever had a childs marble or date blocking the throat of your APC, either blocking the hammer or tearing the diaphragm?

The new MX8 will easily handle items of this size without causing damage or blockage as it has a large diameter throat. The MX8 also has paddles that guide all debris to the throat and this gives the MX8 a very wide cleaning pattern.


Noisy

The endless clatter of an APC is a frustration for some pool owners, particularily those with pools being part of the entertaining area. With the MX8 this is no more! The unit is entirely silent. You will not hear it even if your head is under the water! As there is no pulsating action, the water surface will also not riple as it does with conventional cleaners, this will improve the look of infinity edges and a smoother water surface also is easier to heat.


The new MX8 will be available at Ridd's Aqua Centre in the next few weeks. Watch our website for dates.
















































Saturday, April 9, 2011

Pentair IntelliChlor

The Pentair IntelliChlor Salt Water Chlorine Generator At Ridd's, we have been installing Salt Chlorinators for as long as they've been around. And while they are without doubt one of the most convenient items to have installed in your pool, they do require some maintenance and knowledge to get the most out of it. Salt water Chlorinators have an electrode witha coating of materials suitable to the specific chemical situation that the electrode undergoes. This coating is a wearing part and will degrade over time. Incorrect use of the electrode will accelerate this degredation and result in early replacement that becomes costly. Through the years we have identified the situations that will degrade the electrode faster, they are:

  1. Low salt

  2. High Salt

  3. Power input faults (Too High)

  4. Cell running dry

  5. Incorrect cleaning

  6. Low tempeature

  7. Overheating

  8. Bad Troubleshooting

All these potential problems are solved in the Intellichlor.


Low Salt


The intellichlor measures the salt content in the water and through LED's Tells you what the level is, shold the salt level drop below 2.5ppt the unit turns off


High Salt


Less dangerous than low salt, the unit will warn te user if the level is too high.


Power Input Faults


A common failure cause of chlorinators is users will run the chlorinator at 100% of capability for a long period, this can be likened to over-revving a car, decrease in life is inevitable. The Intellichlor works a little diferently, output is optimized and user input will change the time that the unit runs, not the power.


Cell Running Dry (No Flow)


Chlornator electrodes can be compared to a car battery, if the cells are drym the plates will bend and fail. The Intellichlor has a flow switch that detects flow, if the pump stops or if water flow is restricted for whatever reason, the unit will turn off immediately.


Incorrect cleaning


In self-cleaning chlorinators the reversing polarity on the electrodes irradicates calcium build up on the electrodes. The time between these polarit changes is either controlled by a time switch or on some units, by internal circuitry. The former presents with the possible user error and results in clogged cells and the latter gives no flexibility and could also cause cell clogging. In the Intellichlor the reversing is controlled internally and the cycles can be changed to match the environment. In short, the Intellichlor is truly self-cleaning


Low Temperateture


Few pool owners are aware that low electrolite temperature will destry an electrode. This phenomenon is the silent killer for chlorinators in areas where the water temperature falls below 11°C. It is therfore advisable to turn your chlorinator off during the winter months and to manually add chlorine for this period, the saving on electrde replacement will outweigh the small amount spent on chlorine. The Intellichlor measures water temperature and will shut down automatically when the water falls below 11°C.


Overheating


Most chlorinator's power supplies are installed in or near the pump and filter of the pool, these areas are characterized by warm and humid conditions, this shortens the life-span of the electronics. Added to this is the infestation of various insects and lizzards that are attracted by the heat generated by the electronics of the chlorinator. I would venture to say that 85% of repairs on chlorinators are caused by these conditions. The Intellichlor's electronics are all potted in a resin that makes it impervious to insects and liquid damage and as the electronics are housed in the electrode, the unit is water-cooled and operates in any environment flawlessly.


Troubleshooting


The electronics in the Intellichlor record all vital data like, hours run, settings, water temperature, power input as well as a self-diagnostic test. This enables us to pin-point any possible errors and prevent reccurrence. It also removes warrantee disputes and vastly speeds up back up service or unit replacement.



In short, the Intellichlor is quite possible the best Salt Chlorinator avaiable today. For more info go to www.riddsaqua.co.za or go directly to the products Page


Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Social Media

Ridd's Aqua Centre is becoming socially connected.
Please like us on Facebook and follow us on twitter to see new products, special offers and new projects.

If you are building a new pool, use us to get fresh ideas and innovations to create a truly spectacular feature

What's New

Hi,
It's been a while since we last posted.
Since the opening of the new store in Horizon, the automation work has flooded in.

Automation
We've built a display pool at the offices of ELAN SYTEMS SA, where the integration of the Intellitouch can be viewed first hand.

Online profile
The new website went live last week and already is receiving alot of interest from prospective clients.
We hope to have an online store soon on the the site so you can buy the products online for added convenience.

Pool Safety
We are in full swing with installing safety nets and are standing by to child proof your pool.

Going Green
we have had a slot on 702 explaining about the ways that the environmental impact of your pool can be reduced. We have had a huge response and as the network grows we are ableto save the planet in our own small way.

Winter is approaching, please don't forget your pool until summer. It will only cost you more in the long run. All pool maintenace is the same for winter.
Bring a water sample to us and we will help you ensure seamless pool maintenance year round.

Cheers,

The Ridd's Team