GAME epool 4817 User manual

OWNER’S MANUAL
MODEL 4817 & 4819
IMPORTANT
DO NOT RETURN PRODUCT TO STORE
For technical assistance and missing parts, call Customer Service toll-free
1.888.339.2546
(press 135 at any time)
Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:00 pm MST
IMPORTANT
SAFETY RULES
Read all instructions BEFORE
assembling and using
this product.
KEEP THIS MANUAL.

2KEEP THIS MANUAL
IMPORTANT
Read all instructions BEFORE setting up and using this product.
KEEP THIS MANUAL.
Table of Contents
1. ForBestResults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. About
ePOOL™. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
3. Safety Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
4. GettingStarted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Know Your Pool or Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
5. CalculatingPool/SpaVolume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
6. Sensor Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
7. Receiver Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Receiver Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
MainMenu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
pHOffset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
8. Storage,Maintenance&Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Winter or Extended Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Battery and pH Sensor Replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
9. GoodThingstoKnowAboutPools&Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Water Balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Water&pH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Chlorination and Sanitation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
10. Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
11. Trouble Shooting Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
12. Glossary of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
13. Limited Warranty Statement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
14. FCC Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Please visit our website, www.game-group.com, for updates to these instructions.

3KEEP THIS MANUAL
Diagram A
Diagram B
Glass lens
Glass lens
1. Doing it right the first time. Before using this product, read the manual and
follow the step-by-step Quick Setup instructions.
2. A fresh start. Have your pool water professionally tested and properly balanced
before using ePOOL. ePOOL is not guaranteed to work on pools or spas with
grossly unbalanced chemical levels and/or severe bacterial growth.
3. First things first. Insert battery in floating unit and place in pool before you plug
in the indoor receiver. You may receive data within the first 15 minutes. Please
allow 4-6 hours for ePOOL to acclimate to your pool chemistry before making
any chemical adjustments.
4. Know your pool. ePOOL bases its treatment recommendations on the infor-
mation you provide it. During set up, it is important that you give it accurate
information about your pool’s size and type.
5. Establish good communication.
The ePOOL floating unit and the
indoor receiver communicate
best when they are in line of sight
of each other and no more than
100 feet apart (see Diagram A).
We recommend you place the
receiver next to a window that
has a direct view of your pool.
6. Prevent loss of communication. Do not place anything over the floating unit or
obstruct the communication of the indoor receiver by placing something large
in front of it. If you use a pool cover, create a space for ePOOL to float freely.
7. Handle with care. If you remove the cap on the floating unit, avoid touching the
glass lens on the bottom. Never set the floating
unit down without the cap in place or you will
damage the glass lens (see Diagram B).
8. Prevent damage. ePOOL is intended for 24/7
use. However, you should remove the floating
unit during periods of high pool use or severe
weather conditions.
9. Protect and maintain. The glass lens must be
kept moist. Always lock the bottom cap on the
floating unit with the wet sponge inside when
the unit is out of water for any length of time.
10. Receiver care. The receiver is not intended for
outdoor use. Always keep the receiver indoors in
a cool and dry place and in a direct line of sight
of the floating unit.
1. FOR BEST RESULTS

4KEEP THIS MANUAL
2. ABOUT ePOOL™
Congratulations, you’ve just purchased the most exciting innovation in the pool
and spa industry. ePOOL is a revolutionary accessory for your pool or spa which
eliminates the complicated calculations and the guesswork of confusing test strip
kits. ePOOL measures your pool chemistry and advises you how to OPTIMALLY
maintain your pool or spa for maximum safety and comfort. ePOOL is personalized
to your pool or spa through the setup process.
ePOOL takes the guesswork out of pool maintenance because it tells you exactly
what you need to do to keep your pool balanced, safe and healthy.
Simple to Use
ePOOL functions as a two piece system, a floating sensor and an indoor receiver.
The sensor floats in the pool and analyzes the chemical levels in the water. This
information is transmitted to the receiver. When your pool’s chemical balance is
good, the receiver will display a green light. When your chemicals are out of bal-
ance, the receiver will alert you with a blinking red light as well as telling you what
needs to be done (“Time for Chlorination” for instance). With the push of a button,
the receiver will then display exactly what treatment is needed and how much
product to add to rebalance your water. It really is that simple.
Accurate
ePOOL contains advanced chemical sensing technology and is programmed
with patented chemical analyzing algorithms that enable it to accurately identify,
analyze and advise on chemical treatment. During setup, you will supply ePOOL
all the information it needs to give you precise instructions on how to achieve
and maintain a perfect pool.
Versatile
While we refer to the pool throughout this manual, it is important to point out that
ePOOL works with all types of pools and spas. Whether you have a chlorine pool,
mineral ion pool, salt water pool or a spa, ePOOL will make maintenance easier.
RELAX, let ePOOL do the chemical testing and calculating for you!™

5KEEP THIS MANUAL
3. SAFETY WARNINGS
Read all WARNING and NOTE messages prior
to setup and use.
FOR MAXIMUM SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE, THE CUSTOMER MUST COMPLY
WITH ALL WARNING NOTICES BELOW.
• The ePOOL water monitoring system is not a toy.
• The ePOOL floating sensor should be removed from the water during use of the
pool or spa to avoid damaging it or injuring yourself.
• Misuse or abuse of the ePOOL floating sensor can result in damage to the sensor
cell and/or the plastic body housing the sensor. Do NOT jump on, strike, hit, kick,
throw, or submerge the floating sensor. Do NOT use the sensor to strike or hit
other objects of any kind.
• The ePOOL system ONLY monitors pH, ORP (oxidation reduction potential),
and temperature. It does NOT monitor other critical constituents of your pool
water and is not intended to entirely eliminate pool water testing. Failure to
maintain water chemistry within established limits can result in unsafe
swimming conditions and damage to pool surfaces and equipment.
• The ePOOL floating sensor is NOT a safety device and is not intended to be used
as a flotation device.
• ePOOL does NOT monitor human or pet activity in the pool. Children should
NEVER be left unsupervised in a pool or spa.
• The LCD display receiver unit is intended for INDOOR use only.
• To avoid electrical shock, do NOT handle the receiver display unit or power
adapter if your hands are wet, or if you are standing in water.
• Leaving the ePOOL floating sensor out of the water for extended periods
of time can result in damage to the sensor system and/or reduced sensor life.
The floating sensor may be stored in a cool, dry place (see section on Storage,
Maintenance & Care).
• Avoid touching the sensor surfaces. The sensor array within the housing is
a sophisticated analytical instrument and should be handled with care.
Failure to comply with ALL Safety Warnings
could void warranty.

6KEEP THIS MANUAL
4. GETTING STARTED
Contents
Ensure that the following components are included in the packaging.
Pool Sensor Remote Receiver
Receiver AC/DC Adapter Battery Carriage Batteries (4)
Owner’s Manual
Know Your Pool or Spa
ePOOL formulates its chemical analysis and treatment recommendations based
on your pool’s specific characteristics. Therefore, before you can properly use the
ePOOL system, you will need to know a couple of facts about your pool (or spa).
During the ePOOL setup, you will be asked to answer the following questions:
• Are you monitoring a pool or spa?
• Is your pool or spa regular chlorine, salt water or copper/mineral ion?
• How many gallons or liters (volume) is your pool or spa?
If you do not know your pool’s volume, i.e. how many gallons (liters), of water your
pool holds, contact the builder or refer to the worksheet included in the manual to
help you calculate your pool’s volume.
In case your volume is between a number, always select the higher
number. For example, if your volume is 7,500 gallons, choose 10,000
gallons during setup. Entering a grossly incorrect volume will result in
inaccurate analysis and treatment recommendations.
NOTE: Parts not shown to scale

7KEEP THIS MANUAL
5. CALCULATING POOL/SPA VOLUME
If you do not know the volume of your pool, have an odd shaped pool (such as kid-
ney shaped) or you are unable to obtain this information from your builder/supplier,
the internet offers resources for determining volume for various shaped pools. Your
local pool and spa retailer may be able to assist you also.
The worksheet or chart below may help to determine the volume.
Pool Shape Calculations
Length x Width x Average Depth x 7.5 = Pool Volume in Gallons
______ x ______ x ______ x 7.5 = ______
Diameter x Diameter x Average. Depth x 5.9 = Pool Volume in Gallons
______ x ______ x ______ x 5.9 = ______
Long Arm x Short Arm x Average. Depth x 5.9 = Pool Volume in Gallons
______ x ______ x ______ x 5.9 = ______
If performing pool volume calculations based on the table above, note the following:
• Dimensions use FEET for unit of measure
• Pool volume is in U.S. Gallons
Common Pool Sizes and Gallon (US) Capacity
Round Pools 48" Deep Above-Ground Ovals 48" Deep Common In-Ground Sizes
15 foot = 5,310 Gallons 12 x 24 = 4,502 Gallons 16 x 32 = 19,200 Gallons
18 foot = 7,646 Gallons 15 x 24 = 9,648 Gallons 16 x 34 = 20,400 Gallons
21 foot = 10,407 Gallons 15 x 30 = 12,060 Gallons 16 x 36 = 21,600 Gallons
24 foot = 13,593 Gallons 16 x 24 = 10,291 Gallons 18 x 36 = 24,000 Gallons
27 foot = 17,204 Gallons 16 x 32 = 13,721 Gallons 20 x 40 = 30,000 Gallons
28 foot = 18,502 Gallons 18 x 36 = 17,366 Gallons 24 x 44 = 39,600 Gallons
Width
Diameter
Long
Arm
Short Arm
Length

8KEEP THIS MANUAL
6. SENSOR SETUP
Your pool or spa should be adjusted to the proper chemical balance
before using the ePOOL system. For BEST results, we recommend taking
a sample of your pool or spa water into your local pool supply retailer for
a free water chemical analysis and bring your pool into balance before
placing the floating sensor in your pool. ePOOL is not guaranteed to
work on pools or spas with grossly unbalanced chemical levels.
1) Remove the protective plastic wrap
from the ePOOL sensor. Twist the ePOOL
sensor LOK-CAP into the OPEN position
by turning it counter-clockwise and
pulling downward. Then turn the cap
clockwise until it clicks into the open,
locked position. If the cap comes
completely off, slide it back on and
turn clockwise at the top notch.
FOR BEST RESULTS: We recommend you remove the sponge
from the Lok-Cap before placing the unit in the water.
Keep the sponge for winterizing and/or storage.
The ePOOL sensors require a moist environment during transit.
Upon opening the sensor LOK-CAP, some liquid may spill out.
This water-based solution is non-toxic. A moist sponge is
mounted inside the cap to provide a moist environment for
the sensors during periods of extended storage.
2) Turn the thumbscrew counterclockwise
to unlock the handle. Open the handle.
Remove the screws from the cover and
take off the cover.
3) Remove the battery carriage and insert
batteries. Plug in the battery carriage and
insert into the product.
4) Replace the cover and reassemble. Make
sure the screws are fastened securely to
ensure a water-tight seal.
5) Close and lock the handle.
6) Place the sensor into the pool or spa.
7) Place the receiver in the desired location in your home (for best results,
location is a window with line of sight to the pool).
8) Plug the adapter into a wall outlet and the other end into the receiver unit.
9) Follow the on-screen setup instructions in the next section.
Sensor Lok-Cap
Closed Open

9KEEP THIS MANUAL
7. RECEIVER PROGRAMMING
This section guides you through your personalized setup process. Please have your
pool or spa information, such as type and volume, available before beginning.
Begin ONLY after you have completed all steps in the previous section.
Receiver Setup
The screen shots below will guide you through the initial receiver setup using a
regular chlorine pool as an example. If you are setting up the system to monitor
another type of pool or spa, the procedure remains the same.
You will use the arrow buttons to move through menu selections.
1) Select the month. Then press the OK button to save.
Repeat to set day and year. Press OK when finished.
2) Select the hour. Then press the OK button to save. Repeat
to set minutes and AM/PM. Press OK when finished.
3) Adjust the display contrast or leave at the factory setting.
Press OK when finished.
4) Adjust the display backlight or leave at the factory setting.
Press OK when finished.
5) Choose POOL (or SPA) for type of installation. Press OK
when finished.
NOTE: This example will use a pool.

10KEEP THIS MANUAL
6) Select your pool type.
• Regular Pool: Chlorine Sanitizer
• Salt Water: Salt Water Chlorination
• Mineral Ion: Ionization Chlorination
Use the arrow buttons to scroll through the options.
Press OK when finished.
7) Select your unit of measurement.
• US: °F (temp), Gallons (volume)
• Metric: °C (temp), Liters (volume)
Press OK when finished.
8) Enter your POOL VOLUME to the nearest increment
(example shows US measure).
Pool volume changes in 5,000 gallons (20,000 liters)
increments; spa volume in 200 gallons (800 liters)
Press OK when finished.
9) Select your preferred type of chlorinator.
• Liquid, Sodium Hypo
• Dry, Cal-Hypo
• 1” Tablets TriChlor
• 2” Sticks TriChlor
• 3” Tablets TriChlor
Press OK when finished.
10) Please register your product online at www.game-group.
com. This will ensure you receive software updates and
product notifications.
11) This screen appears while ePOOL analyzes your pool
chemistry. It may take up to one hour to complete
its analysis.

11
KEEP THIS MANUA
L
1
2
)
Please verif
y
that the serial number shown on the screen
m
atches the number on the back of your receiver (the last
6
numbers be
f
ore the dash; see example below).
Press OK to continue.
I
f
serial number does not match, press CANCEL. The
unit wi
ll
reset an
d
d
isp
l
a
y
a new num
b
er. You ma
y
h
ave
t
o repeat this several times. If, after the third try, the
n
um
b
er
d
oes not matc
h,
contact GAME Customer Service
at 1.
888
.
339
.
2
54
6
.
R
ecord your serial number
here
f
or
y
our records
Y
ou have now finished the setu
p
p
rocess
.
ePOOL will now monitor your pool
c
h
emica
l
s an
d
wi
ll
te
ll
y
ou w
h
en, w
h
at an
d
h
ow muc
h
to a
dd
w
h
en
y
our water
chemistry is out o
f
balance
.
One o
f
the 4
f
ollowin
g
screens will appear a
f
ter
ePOOL initialize
s
.
1
3
)
I
f
y
our POOL is within the IDEAL chemical range, the light
w
ill be
g
reen and the “Pool is OK” messa
g
e will appear on
t
he screen
.
Select MENU to enter the main menu screen
.
1
4) If the pool chemicals are not within an IDEAL ran
g
e, the
light will be blinking red and one o
f
the
f
ollowing 3 screens
w
i
ll
a
pp
ear
:
•
T
ime
fo
r Chl
o
rin
a
ti
o
n
•
T
ime for Aci
d
•
T
ime for Soda As
h
P
ress NEXT to
f
ind out dosage required.
`

1
2
KEEP THIS MANUAL
A
lwa
y
s run the pump
f
or at least 2 hours when adding chemicals to
you pool or spa to circulate them throughout the water.
B
elow is an example of“Time for Chlorination
”
1
)
Y
ou will see this messa
g
e alon
g
with a blinkin
g
red li
g
ht.
2)
Press the next button. In this case, ePOOL tells you to add
1
0 ounces o
f
Liquid Chlorine
.
S
elect NOW if you plan to add the dose immediately
.
3)
T
his starts the 8 hour stabilization period
.
After
y
ou follow the treatment recommendation, allow ePOOL 8 hours for the
t
r
eat
m
e
n
t
to
stab
i
l
iz
e
.
A
f
ter 8 hours, ePOOL will advise
y
ou i
f
y
our chemical levels
are balanced by displaying the “POOL IS OK” message
.
If f
u
r
t
h
e
r
t
r
eat
m
e
n
t
i
s
needed, ePOOL will give
y
ou further instruction
s
.

1
3
KEEP THIS MANUA
L
M
a
in M
e
n
u
From t
h
e main menu screen
y
ou
h
ave 3 c
h
oices:
•
Settings Menu: Will return
y
ou to the beginning o
f
the
P
OOL SETUP process w
h
ere
y
ou can ma
k
e c
h
anges to
y
our programm
i
ng
.
•
E
vent Histor
y
: Wi
ll
s
h
ow
y
ou t
h
e
l
ast 10 poo
l
events
.
•
Status Screen: Will show the current pool values
f
or pH,
chl
orine, temperature an
d
t
h
e sensor
b
atter
y
l
eve
l.
p
H Offse
t
T
o ad
j
ust pH,
g
o to MAIN MENU, SETTINGS MENU.
T
his screen allows
y
ou to alter the IDEAL pH range o
f
7.3 – 7.6
pre-pro
g
rammed in the software. To ad
j
ust the pH ran
g
e
:
Use t
h
e up or
d
own
b
utton to increase or
d
ecrease.
Press
O
K when finishe
d.
e
POOL is preset at the factor
y
for the recommended ideal pH range
of
7.3 – 7.6
f
or residential swimming pools. However,
y
ou ma
y
adjust
this range by adjusting the pH offset depending on your preference.
We recommen
d
l
eaving t
h
is in t
h
e DEFAULT setting.

14
KEEP THIS MANUAL
8
.
S
T
O
RAGE
,
MAINTENAN
C
E
&
C
ARE
W
inter or Extended Stora
g
e (more than 72 hours
)
Within the floating sensor there is a sensing node that must be moist at all times
.
When
y
ou remove the sensor
f
rom the water, it is important to close and lock the
e
nd cap (see below
)
.
This is especially important i
f
the sensor will be out o
f
water
for longer than 72 hours (3 days
)
.
Store it indoors, in a COOL, DRY environment
.
N
OTE: Extreme temperatures can harm the sensor during storage.
D
o not store in
f
reezing temperature (a garage
f
or instance).
ePOOL is pro
g
ramme
d
to s
h
ow t
h
is messa
g
e Octo
b
er
1
5th each year. If you are going to remove it from
y
our pool,
f
ollow these instructions. I
f
not, simpl
y
p
ress
NEXT
.
1)
U
NPLUG the receiver
p
ower cord from the
wall
ou
t
l
et
.
2
)
Remove the ePOOL sensor
f
rom the pool or spa.
Remove the batteries and disconnect the power
connector. Carriage ma
y
be le
f
t inside the unit.
3)
Reassem
bl
e an
d
c
l
ose
h
an
dl
e
.
T
h
e sens
o
r CL
O
S
U
RE CAP m
u
st
b
e sec
u
re
d
in t
h
e
C
LOSED-LOCK position
d
uring exten
d
e
d
storage.
Please ensure you the sponge is moist and inside
t
he bottom o
f
the cap.
4)
Twist t
h
e CAP counter-c
l
oc
k
wise an
d
at t
h
e
s
ame time
p
ush with an u
p
ward motion. Then
t
wist t
h
e CAP c
lo
c
k
wise int
o
t
h
e CL
O
SED-L
O
CK
p
osition. T
h
is position a
ll
ows an interna
l
sponge
t
o kee
p
the sensor nodes moist.
S
ponge
S
ens
o
r N
od
e
s
S
ensor Lo
k
-C
a
Cl
ose
d
Open

15 KEEP THIS MANUAL
Battery and pH Sensor Replacement
Chemical analysis and treatment recommendations may be inaccurate if the pH
sensor and/or batteries are in need of replacement. We recommend changing the
pH sensor annually. See your pool supply store for a replacement part kit.
When the batteries need replacement, this
message will be displayed.
To Replace the Batteries
1) Open the ePOOL handle and remove the
battery compartment cover.
Remove and disconnect the old battery pack.
Dispose of batteries properly.
2) Insert new batteries into the carriage.
Connect the carriage to the unit and insert into
the product.
3) Reassemble cover and handle. Return the unit
to the pool.
4) Follow the receiver’s on-screen instructions.
NOTE: After replacing sensor, batteries or unplugging
the receiver, you will have to reprogram your receiver.
Your initial setup is kept in memory.
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16KEEP THIS MANUAL
To Replace the Sensor
The pH sensor cell is a sophisticated analytical instrument. It should
be handled with care. AVOID touching the glass sensing bulb surface.
Remove the sensor from its package and check that it is undamaged.
If damaged contact GAME for a replacement. Care should be taken
when unpacking and handling the sensors.
1) Unplug the receiver from the wall.
Remove ePOOL from water and dry.
2) Remove the LOK-CAP
Please ensure there is no water in or
around the sensor housing as it can
seriously impact system performance,
accuracy and reliability.
To remove sensor cell, turn sensor counter-
clockwise with an adjustable wrench.
pH Sensor
Sensor
LOK-CAP

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3) Unwrap the new sensor and remove the
protective cap. AVOID touching the glass
sensing bulb surface.
Ensure that the o-ring is seated properly on
the pH sensor. This provides a watertight seal
during submersion in water.
Insert the sensor and turn clockwise. Tighten
carefully with a wrench. The sensor must be
screwed in tightly to ensure a watertight seal.
4) Replace the LOK-CAP. Leave in its open
position. Return the unit to the pool.
Any water inside the sensor housing will seriously impact
the system performance, accuracy and reliability.
5) Plug the receiver back in.
Follow the receiver’s on-screen instructions.
Sensor Lok-Cap
Closed Open
Proper O-Ring
Placement Sensitive
“Glass Bulb” Sensor
For technical assistance and missing parts, call Customer Service toll-free
1.888.339.2546
(press 135 at any time)
Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5:00 pm MST

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9. GOOD THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT POOLS & WATER
Water Balance
In order to maximize your pool enjoyment and at the same time protect costly pool
equipment, ideal values for the various pool parameters have been established
by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the National Pool & Spa
Institute (NPSI).
Suggested NSPI Standards – Pools and Spas
MIN IDEAL MAX
pH 7.2 7.4 – 7.6 7.8
Free Chlorine, ppm 1.0 1.0 – 3.0 3.0
TDS, ppm 300 1000 – 2000 3000
Total Alkalinity, ppm 60 80 – 100 180
Calcium Hardness, ppm 150 200 – 400 500-1K
Cyanuric Acid, ppm 10 30 – 50 150*
*Except where limited by the Health department requirements, often to 100 ppm. (ppm = parts per million)
Water & pH
pH is the single most important element in swimming pool water chemistry. It af-
fects every other chemical balance in pool water. pH is a measure of hydrogen ion
(H+) concentration in water. It indicates the relative acidity or basicity of pool water.
pH is measured on a scale of 0 (strong acid) to 14 (strong base) with 7 being the
neutral pH.
In pools, a slight alkaline pH of 7.4 to 7.6 is ideal because it is the most comfortable
to the human eye and provides for optimum use of free chlorine while maintaining
water that is noncorrosive or scale forming.
What happens when the pool is too acidic? (pH is low)
• If your pool surface is plaster, the water will begin to dissolve the surface, creat-
ing a roughness which is ideal for algae growth. A similar result occurs in the
grout of tiled pools.
• Metals corrode - this includes pool equipment, pipe/pump connections, etc.
• As the pool walls and metal parts corrode, sulfates form. These sulfates are
released from the water onto the walls and floor of the pool causing brown and
black stains.
• Chlorine, which is used as a disinfectant in the pool water, is activated and lost to
the atmosphere very quickly.
• When we swim, our eyes and nose burn; swimwear fades and perishes.
What happens when the pool is too alkaline? (pH is high)
• The calcium in the water combines with carbonates and forms scale. This calcifi-
cation is seen most at the waterline, where it traps dust and dirt, turning black.
• The water starts to become cloudy or murky and loses its sparkle.

19 KEEP THIS MANUAL
• The calcium carbonate has a tendency to plate out on the sand in the pool filter,
effectively turning it into cement. So your sand filter becomes a cement filter and
loses its ability to trap dirt from the pool water.
• As the pH rises, the power of the chlorine to act on foreign particles is lost. At a
pH of 8.0 the pool can only use 20% of the chlorine you put in. So 80% of it goes
to waste and you would need 5 times the amount of chlorine to provide the
disinfection you need.
• Eyes and nose burn and skin becomes dry and itchy.
By neglecting to test and correct the pH of swimming pool water, we not only
cause it to become unsightly, but we also cause ourselves physical discomfort.
Chlorination and Sanitation
Chlorine needs to be present in the pool at all times. It reacts instantly with waste
products to sanitize and protect your pool water. The amount of chlorine used by
your pool is referred to as "Chlorine Demand".
All chlorine types disassociate in water into hypochlorous acid [HOCl] and
hydrochloric acid [HCl]. Hypochlorous acid is the active sanitizer. It is also referred
to as “Free Chlorine”. Bromine chemistry is similar except hypobromous acid [HOBr]
is the active sanitizer.
For pool or spa owners utilizing chlorine as their sanitizing agent take note of
the following quote from the American Chemistry Council: “Chlorine is regularly
fed into the pool water and should be tested daily, at a minimum, for proper disinfec-
tion. Routine chlorination kills harmful microorganisms that can cause health-related
problems, such as gastroenteritis, Legionnaires disease, ear infections and athlete's foot.
Learning how to properly test your water will allow you to identify the chlorine residual
and demand in pool water. More frequent testing is needed if there is heavy bather use.”
ePOOL provides you with CONTINUOUS monitoring of your chlorine levels which
results in a safe swimming environment.
CHLORINE - Basic Rules of Thumb (Courtesy of the American Chemistry Council)
• Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Store chemicals in a cool, dry and shaded place.
• Never mix different types of chlorine - add each to the pool separately.
• Never mix chemicals together - add each to the pool separately.
• Avoid breathing fumes or vapors.
• Don't buy more pool chemicals than you’ll use in a season - they lose
effectiveness over time.
• Make sure pool chemicals are inaccessible to children.
Other properties such as Total Alkalinity (TA), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Calcium
Hardness (CH), and Cyanuric Acid (CA), are important, but need to be checked on
a much less frequent basis - typically only twice per year. We recommend taking
a sample of your pool or spa water to your local pool supply store two times a year
for a complete chemical analysis.

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10. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. How does ePOOL help me maintain my pool?
ePOOL continuously analyzes your pool pH, chlorine and temperature. This
information is transmitted to the receiver. The integrated intelligence in ePOOL
determines when action is required to optimize your pool chemistry. It calculates
the specific chemistry addition using your pool’s volume and other data entered
into its memory.
2. How does ePOOL extend the life of my pool surface and equipment?
Maintaining your pool within optimal ranges extends the life of your pool
surfaces and equipment. Information is provided to the pool owner to keep the
water chemically balanced. Acidity and chlorine are maintained at safe levels.
3. I believe my pool maintenance company is doing a good job of maintaining my
pool. Why do I need ePOOL?
These companies normally maintain your pool weekly. When they service your
pool, they measure your pool’s chemistry at that moment in time. They overdose
your pool with chemicals to last until their next visit. This causes your levels to
spike and dip into unhealthy levels (see following graph).