What is better: Running the generator at 100% chlorine output for 6-7 hours or running the generator at 40% chlorine output for 9-10 hours.
Run Time
- Thread starter wantobpoolmaster
- Start date
Define "better"
What are you trying to accomplish? What are your current chemistry results?
What are you trying to accomplish? What are your current chemistry results?
100% for 6.5 hours is x% more chlorine production than 40% for 9.5 hours.
(1.00 x 6.5) / (.40 x 9.5) = 1.71
You produce about 70% more chlorine at 100% for 6.5 hours. You also use 70% more power and useful life of the cell. (all approximations).
(1.00 x 6.5) / (.40 x 9.5) = 1.71
You produce about 70% more chlorine at 100% for 6.5 hours. You also use 70% more power and useful life of the cell. (all approximations).
Running your SWG at 100% will shorten the life of the cell, so that is not recommended.
Here's a min 8 hour run-time recommendation from Pool School:
pool-school/water_balance_saltwater_generator
Posting a full set of water test #'s will help. One of the most common probs w/a SWG is having a too low CYA level.
Here's a min 8 hour run-time recommendation from Pool School:
pool-school/water_balance_saltwater_generator
Posting a full set of water test #'s will help. One of the most common probs w/a SWG is having a too low CYA level.
Butterfly said:
Are you saying running 2 hrs at 50% is better than 1 hr at 100%? Does it matter how your SWG accomplishes the % output? Some just turn on and off to get the desired %. But I think my CompuPool actually adjusts the voltage to the plates.
Cell life is usually measured in Amp/hours, so 2 hours at 50% is EXACTLY the same as 1 hour at 100%. To get 50 % power, the controls shut off power to the cell, either abruptly (relay) or tapering (solid state relay.) That opens the great debate about what is more damaging to the cell, steady-state operation, or cycling. Cycling the polarity reversal (cleaning) is known to shorten cell life, so you definitely want that to occur as little as needed to keep it clean, so why power cycle it at more?
The pump is using much more power then the ECG. I would determine what pump run time is required to filter the pool, and adjust the % to fit that time period. If you get too little FC at 100% in that time, then you will need to increase the pump time. Too much, then decrease the %.
The things really don't make that much chlorine at full power, so if you want to maximize cell life, why not run it there when you run it? Put it on its own timer and set it at 100% power so that it is not cycling power, and possibly reducing cell life.
The pump is using much more power then the ECG. I would determine what pump run time is required to filter the pool, and adjust the % to fit that time period. If you get too little FC at 100% in that time, then you will need to increase the pump time. Too much, then decrease the %.
The things really don't make that much chlorine at full power, so if you want to maximize cell life, why not run it there when you run it? Put it on its own timer and set it at 100% power so that it is not cycling power, and possibly reducing cell life.
The general advice is to run your filter pump sufficient number of hours to filter the pool and mix your pool chemicals. For most people this is 8 hours or more. Set the SWG per cent to maintain a least a 4 ppm FC. The filter pump requires substantial amount of electricity; the SWG requires very little electricity to operate. You will minimize your use of energy by running your filter pump the minimum number of hours required to filter your water and adjusting your SWG accordingly.
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