Quick Reality check.
My online research looks like Liquidator is, install on pad with a few screws, run some pipes and tap into the PVC. Appears to use gravity and suction to flow?
Stenner looks like another contraption with a motor, a need for electrical, and a whole production (and would probably need a second small pad in my case).
Just trying to understand my options:
SWG: $650 - $1200 depending on make & model, cell replaced every few years, board might need replacement from time to time
Runs when Pool is on, configure the amount of usage over time. When we have people over, can hit the shock button or pour in chlorine when people leave. Can dial-up or pour in chlorine before the kids come and attack the pool.
Downsides: Salt Related Issues? Replacing Circuit Boards from time to time? Possible desire to upgrade to new tech every few years. Runs on same circuit/timer as pump.
Stenner: $400 for Pump / Tank / Circuit / Timer
Advantages: totally configurable amount of chlorine
Downsides: Big, need electrical, needs a timer, etc.
Liquidator: $200
Advantages: Can pout 3 Jugs (7.5 Gallons) of chlorine in, refilled as needed with bulk jugs.
Downside: Not configurable (beyond a pinch valve), no "shock mode" -- increasing chlorine rapidly is manually
Stenner looks to be about double the price with a more complex install for a more powerful, but more complex, setup? SWG is about 4x-5x the price, but is super convenient, unless I run into salt related problems, in which case it's a disaster. Sealing the stone that water goes over should be trivial ($10 + 20 minutes of work), and should mitigate MOST of the salt related problems.
As a boat owner, I'm wary of salt water, but everyone that has an SWG loves it. Wondering if I go full out SWG, or play with the liquidator.
Pump timing is via time, with extra "on time" when we are using the spa and have company over, a time I WANT extra chlorine.
Weird downside, the flow control for SWG is supposed to be on the pool side, not the spa OR spa/pool. Well, the pipe between my "Spa/Pool" valve and my "Bubblers vs. Floor System" is about .25" -- so either the SWG only runs when the floor system is on or all the time. I might want to do that anyway, to not chlorinate the bubblers when kids are playing, but it is a slight concern.