Looking to add SWG to existing pool - help selecting equipment

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R

RoberTX

0
Jun 18, 2010
61
Arlington, TX
Pool Size
27000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Hello,

I am finally going to add a SWG to my pool and am looking for advice on selecting equipment. My plan is to purchase the equipment and pay a local pool company to install it.

My pool is approximately 27,000 gallons. My existing pool pump is a Pentair WhisperFlo Two Speed Pool Pump with a 1HP 2-Speed 230V motor, 356630S. The speed control is a manual toggle switch on the back of the pump motor. If possible, I would like my new setup to allow for running the pump on low speed all of the time and maintaining chlorine level throughout the year. Currently I have simple mechanical Intermatic controls (timers). I have two timer controls to control my Pentair 2-speed filter circulation pump and Polaris booster pump.

I know I need the SWG with power center and a new control system to control my existing pump + booster pump and the new SWG system.

I have barely started researching, and I am looking at the following new equipment.

Pentair IntelliChlor IC60 Complete Salt Chlorinator System, includes: PC100 power center, IntelliChlor IC60 Cell, and Cell Cable.

Pentair IntelliConnect Pool Control & Monitoring System

Is the above equipment what I should be looking at? What are the considerations for selecting the SWG and controls? For controls, I would prefer simpler, if possible.

Thank you,
Robert
 
Robert,

It does not appear to me that the IntelliConnect can directly control a 2-speed pump.

Unless you just want some kind of automation system, you don't need one just to install an IC60 and power center. You just need something that only lets the SWCG work when the pump is running. You could install a separate timer for the SWCG, or just run on low speed 24/7.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Robert,

I have a Pentair EasyTouch automation system, so for me, an IntelliChlor made the most sense.. I am a big Pentair fan, so would recommend the IC60 for your pool, due it size.. A cell must be at least 2 x the volume of the pool..

That said, if I did not already have an automation system, the CircuPool SWCG, that BRS is recommending above, would be my 2nd choice for sure. We have a lot of users here that really like them.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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BRSAustinTX said:
So far I'm leaning towards Circupool.
Click to expand...
DSP is circupool so no kidding their units make 50% more for 50% longer. They don't need to play games because they're at worst as good as the flagship brands, and possibly a little better. But marketing is gonna market.

There's also a forever 'sale' where the unit is overpriced and they upgrade you for $1 to $10. So look at the 45 and upgrade to the 60.
 
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Jimrahbe said:
Robert,

It does not appear to me that the IntelliConnect can directly control a 2-speed pump.

Unless you just want some kind of automation system, you don't need one just to install an IC60 and power center. You just need something that only lets the SWCG work when the pump is running. You could install a separate timer for the SWCG, or just run on low speed 24/7.

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
First - thanks for your reply!

I have no desire to control the speed of the pump - ideally I will only use the high speed manually, when I need to reprime after cleaning the pump strain basket.

I want an "automation system" in that it will automatically turn my filter pump on / off as programmed, and will control the SWCG as required. I have never had a SWCG before, so I do not know what all is needed to control it. I do not know what an automation system does. Does automation imply the SWCG is automatically adjusted based on chlorine reading demand? I would be fine with an occasional test and manual adjustment. In fact I do like your suggestion of running the filter pump on low speed 24/7. That is a bit overkill for the cooler (non-swimming) seasons.

I currently have a small enclosure with two Intermatic timers - one for the filter pump and one for the Polaris booster pump; similar to image below. I would have no problem continuing to use that if possible. If I need to add a third timer I would need a new enclosure to house 3 timers.

1710271644089.png
 
Also I am completely open to other equipment / SWCG options. The Discount Salt Pool Circupool looks like another good option.

I am looking for the simplest, reliable solution that can keep my pool chlorinated with minimal effort. I have been pouring jugs of bleach in this pool for nearly 15 years now... I am fine with adding a jug just after heavy swimming use, but I want to be done with adding bleach all the time as my primary chlorine source.
 
Robert,

If you are not using the IntelliConnect to control the pump speed, then it should work well for you.

It will allow you to adjust the cell's output using the app.

It will run schedules and control your booster pump.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Robert,

Keep in mind that SWCG's do not work when the water temp gets below about 55 degrees.. For winter months I still use Liquid Chlorine, but it does not take much LC in the winter.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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RoberTX said:
I am fine with adding a jug just after heavy swimming use
Click to expand...
With 27k gallons, it will take a blowout party to make a dent. Unless you have little kids. :ROFLMAO:

For blowout parties, I turn my cell to 100% for as long as needed to boost the FC appropriately. An IC60 will make 8.9 FC in 24 hours for you. I'd turn it to 100% a full day before to get to half SLAM level. FC to FC, it's much cheaper to use the cell. (When you are free and clear above min). Plus you don't have to expose yourself to Wal-Martians buying LC.

If you find your FC low, then it needs a now boost with LC, but that will be rare once we teach you how to use the SWG.
 

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Jimrahbe said:
Robert,

If you are not using the IntelliConnect to control the pump speed, then it should work well for you.

It will allow you to adjust the cell's output using the app.

It will run schedules and control your booster pump.

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...

For my situation would you recommend:

1. Pentair IntelliConnect with the Pentair IC60 SWCG
or
2. Circupool SWCG (I have not looked at the models) using old, existing Intermatic Timers and running my filter pump on low speed 24-7. Maybe I could cycle the filter pump on and off in the winter using the Timer when chlorine demand is very low and the SWCG will not work anyway?

For Option 1, I notice for the IntelliChlor, on the PolyTecPools website: Controls IntelliChlor IC20, IC40 or iChlor IC15, IC30. But it does not mention the IC60. Does anyone know if the IntelliChlor can control the IC60?

Thanks,
Robert
 
Robert,

Control wise, there is no difference between the IC20, 40, and 60, so I can't see how it would not work with the IntelliConnect.

The IntelliConnect manual just says it controls the IntelliChlor..

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Jimrahbe said:
Robert,

Control wise, there is no difference between the IC20, 40, and 60, so I can't see how it would not work with the IntelliConnect.

The IntelliConnect manual just says it controls the IntelliChlor..

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
Thanks - the only thing I could think of is if the IC60 required more power to be switched to it. I don't know if the controller is just sending it a signal to turn on or if it is actually switching the power supplied to it.
 
I ended up ordering the CircuPool RJ-60 PLUS. It should be here in a few days. I also ordered the salt test TF Salt Bundle. I went ahead and purchased 6x 40 lb bags of Diamond Crystal Solar Naturals Water Softener Salt Crystals today from Home Depot. I know I will need much more but figure I will add a few bags each day. I will wait until I have salt test results before I go and buy the rest.

For powering the RJ-60 control module, looks like I will be using my existing Intermatic timer that is used to turn my filter pump on/off. I looked at the manual and it shows the RJ-60 control module should we wired to the load of the same switch that switches the filter pump on/off.

The only other thing I noticed in the manual is this:
NOTE: When using a Variable-Speed or Multi-Speed pump on a low speed setting, or for general circumstances where flow is less-than-adequate, the cell must be inverted in order to ensure adequate flow & efficient chlorine production.

Image showing cell installed inverted:
1710462641664.png

My flow is fairly low with the pump on low speed, but good enough to skim and filter the water. I do hope to be able to run the pump on low speed all the time; so I will ask to have the cell installed inverted.

Thanks,
Robert
 
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Newdude said:
DSP is circupool so no kidding their units make 50% more for 50% longer. They don't need to play games because they're at worst as good as the flagship brands, and possibly a little better. But marketing is gonna market.

There's also a forever 'sale' where the unit is overpriced and they upgrade you for $1 to $10. So look at the 45 and upgrade to the 60.
Click to expand...
I went this route...didn't bother with calculations just bought the biggest one Circupool makes (17k pool, got the 60+ I believe). My setup is similar to yours OP in that my pump is turned on / off by it's own internal timer settings. Per the Circupool manual, I rely on the flow switch to turn on / off the SWCG based on when the pump is flowing water. I later went and installed a timer on the SWCG outlet so it isn't powered up 24/7 but powers up 30m before the pump timing and down 30m after the pump timing.
 
cznkane said:
I later went and installed a timer on the SWCG outlet so it isn't powered up 24/7 but powers up 30m before the pump timing and down 30m after the pump timing.
Click to expand...
Other way around. You don't want the cell coming on without flow. (And it's only a matter of time until every flow switch fails).

Yes it's rare, but one explosion is too many. Statistically nobody will be standing there when it blows, but the equipment and plumbing will all be there to take the force and shrapnel.
 
Newdude said:
Other way around. You don't want the cell coming on without flow. (And it's only a matter of time until every flow switch fails).

Yes it's rare, but one explosion is too many. Statistically nobody will be standing there when it blows, but the equipment and plumbing will all be there to take the force and shrapnel.
Click to expand...
Good point. The Circupool manual says it's perfectly acceptable to power it 24/7 and rely on the flow switch to regulate generation on / off. I get ya though...if that flow switch fails and the generation turns on that could be ugly. I'll go edit my timer right now
 
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cznkane said:
The Circupool manual says it's perfectly acceptable to
Click to expand...
My Pentair SWG says directly on the cell itself to acid wash it every 3 months.

I have effectively zero calcium and low TA. It has never needed cleaning. (12+ years) They had me soak my original cell in acid for 3.25 hours over its lifespan before i learned better here. No KIDDING it died early. None of them know their rumps from their elbows. :)
 
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