We ordered a swimming pool from "Value Pools" (owner: Chuck Coyle) for over $ 21,000.- part of the order was an "Ozonator" for $ 450, - (basically, nothing else than a box with an UV lamp and a hose with a plastic check valve). When we placed the order, Chuck did not explain to us that this device would be hooked up directly to the pump and that the pump could run dry if the line with the check valve would fail.
This happened after 9 month: the plastic check valve broke off (due to the exposure to the sun and the aggressive ozone gas going through the material). The pump lost prime, ran hot, melted the PVC pipes. I heard the noise of the pump, woke up and was still able to shut the system off before it would catch fire.
The next day I called "Value Pools" and explained to them that this ozonator was not safe and that we wanted to return it. Sometimes we travel for a week or more and the pump run on a timer. We hate the idea of returning from a trip seeing our home in ashes. The answer was: "We can disconnect it for you, what you do with the ozonator is your problem, you bought it, you got ist"
When the technician came to repair the broken system he explained that the preferred method to install an ozonator in new pool constructions is with a 3/4" standpipe that prevents the pump to loose prime. I also found this information on the internet. The way how Value Pools hooked it up is for existing pools was probably cheaper. Now it is too late because this standpipe has to be installed from the beginning (it goes all the way to the bottom of the pool). A&A manufacturing picked up the $ 450, - device without ever giving us a refund. Their response was: "You have to talk to the pool builder"
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