Items were well packaged and arrived in perfect condition with all parts. Install took some time but turned out to be pretty strait forward. It took me 4.5 hours total and I am pretty sure I could do it in 2.5 now that I know how everything fits together. In operation, it is exceeding my expectation so far. PH control is almost set and forget. Took me about 4-5 days to figure out how to dial in ORP, but it is holding FC steady through changing conditions; better than I expected.
My goal was less about automation and more about keeping consistent chemistry and confidence that things will stay good even if I am out for a week.
Best underplayed feature: The manifold design is just genius, perhaps it is patented (should be) managing the flow through the cell makes sure it is always in optimal conditions, even at low flow where I normally run my VSP.
Favorite unanticipated feature: The ability to easily pull a water sample.
Biggest lesson learned during the install: The little valves on the water inlet/outlet of the chemistry controller are there for a reason. If the collector is empty the pool pump may have a hard time priming.
Not much to complain about, but a few little things could make it even better:
1. The menu structure could be streamlined both in organization and operation. Holding the button for 13 seconds to enter installer mode which is necessary to set up total control is at best frustrating. Software version still has the old cell designation which is confusing with the somewhat awkward cell naming convention.
2. Please, please give us at least remote viewing of system status and ideally the ability to log and manage the readings over time. If anyone has figured out how to pull this info off the RS485 bus please share.
