Hi All, I'm a slightly older retired Floridian with an unusual pool problem (I hope). I've owned five pools now, the last three here in Florida. It was built 4 years ago and has been OK until last week.
My SWCG EXPLODED.I've been searching for possible replacement parts. I had become interested in a Mineral system. I can tell I probably won't find any encouragement on this site, however I am open to suggestions and I do have normal budgetary constraints and would like to continue to use as many of my current components as possible.
Here's how this all came about. I had a mechanical timer which powered my single speed pump and my Pentair IC20 SWG. When it came on both units received power and thus performed as expected. The IC20 SWG reached its limit and stopped producing chlorine. The interior was always clean as a whistle. On my pool builders recommendation I stepped up to the next level IC40. Everything still working normal.
Then my pump motor gave out. In an effort to update a little I opted for a two speed AO Smith pump motor which included its own built in digital control panel which required continuous power. I got the motor at large chain pool supply store and the owner, who does pool repair installed it for me. Since the pump motor had integral digital control, he removed the timer dogs, turned the timer on and put a wire tie on the door. It ran this way for couple of months and one night when I was outside in the dark after the pool shut off, I noticed the SWG lights were all on. I called the installer the next day, he said it was OK, that many in our area are run that way.
A couple of months later in the evening we heard an explosion about like a stick of dynamite. We went out to find the source and there was nothing immediately evident. It looked a dark across the lake and we decided it must have been a blown transformer. The next morning I was out before the pump came on and was amazed to see the plumbing destroyed and PVC shrapnel spread over a 20 yard radius. The theory is the SWG with power on but no flow had made enough hypochlorus gas and electrically set it off.
Pentair says the flow switch is not designed to prevent such an occurrence and absolved themselves of any liability. The pump motor installer is scratching his head. I checked with Pentair and they said their controller cannot coordinate the 2 speed pump and the SWG.
The inside element of the SWG is all bent and distorted.I haven't searched the sight much yet, but has this happened to anyone else? As I said I would like any recommendations to restore my system. I think the pool store will replace the SWG and I have a good power suppy and 2 speed motor but they need to be wired and controlled differently.
My SWCG EXPLODED.I've been searching for possible replacement parts. I had become interested in a Mineral system. I can tell I probably won't find any encouragement on this site, however I am open to suggestions and I do have normal budgetary constraints and would like to continue to use as many of my current components as possible.
Here's how this all came about. I had a mechanical timer which powered my single speed pump and my Pentair IC20 SWG. When it came on both units received power and thus performed as expected. The IC20 SWG reached its limit and stopped producing chlorine. The interior was always clean as a whistle. On my pool builders recommendation I stepped up to the next level IC40. Everything still working normal.
Then my pump motor gave out. In an effort to update a little I opted for a two speed AO Smith pump motor which included its own built in digital control panel which required continuous power. I got the motor at large chain pool supply store and the owner, who does pool repair installed it for me. Since the pump motor had integral digital control, he removed the timer dogs, turned the timer on and put a wire tie on the door. It ran this way for couple of months and one night when I was outside in the dark after the pool shut off, I noticed the SWG lights were all on. I called the installer the next day, he said it was OK, that many in our area are run that way.
A couple of months later in the evening we heard an explosion about like a stick of dynamite. We went out to find the source and there was nothing immediately evident. It looked a dark across the lake and we decided it must have been a blown transformer. The next morning I was out before the pump came on and was amazed to see the plumbing destroyed and PVC shrapnel spread over a 20 yard radius. The theory is the SWG with power on but no flow had made enough hypochlorus gas and electrically set it off.
Pentair says the flow switch is not designed to prevent such an occurrence and absolved themselves of any liability. The pump motor installer is scratching his head. I checked with Pentair and they said their controller cannot coordinate the 2 speed pump and the SWG.
The inside element of the SWG is all bent and distorted.I haven't searched the sight much yet, but has this happened to anyone else? As I said I would like any recommendations to restore my system. I think the pool store will replace the SWG and I have a good power suppy and 2 speed motor but they need to be wired and controlled differently.
