Looking at going to salt but would need to install the generator before the solar panels in order to avoid re-piping most/all of the return piping. I know all the SWG people say to install after a heater but I assume that's because gas heaters and heat pumps all have metal heat exchangers in them. Fafco told me that the high chlorine levels coming out of the SWG won't hurt their panels. The water from the SWG would only be going through the panels when the solar controller is calling for heat, otherwise it would go directly into the pool. What's your opinion?
SWG BEFORE the solar panels?
- Thread starter dswwpb
- Start date
D,
The chlorine level coming out of the SWCG is just slightly higher than what is in the water to begin with.. I can't see where it would make any real difference.
Thanks,
Jim R.
The chlorine level coming out of the SWCG is just slightly higher than what is in the water to begin with.. I can't see where it would make any real difference.
Thanks,
Jim R.
The panels might end up getting a bunch of hydrogen gas trapped at the top of the panels.
Hydrogen gas can explode if there is also chlorine gas trapped where the two gasses can mix.
Most chlorine gas will be dissolved, so the risk is small.
Most installation manuals specify that the preferred cell placement is after all other equipment.
Hydrogen gas can explode if there is also chlorine gas trapped where the two gasses can mix.
Most chlorine gas will be dissolved, so the risk is small.
Most installation manuals specify that the preferred cell placement is after all other equipment.
4 months of mine running with the SWG before the panels. No issues here and am not worried there will be.
The only scenario I would re-pipe if I was to install a heat pump. SWG has to be after the heat pump.
The only scenario I would re-pipe if I was to install a heat pump. SWG has to be after the heat pump.
Hydrogen gas was one of my concerns, especially here in South Florida. Those panels get REALLY hot in the summer sun
Hydrogen gas needs an oxidizer to burn. If the chlorine gas is mostly dissolved in the water, I suspect that the risk will be low.
I think that I would prefer to have the cell after everything else to reduce the risk of an incident.
I think that I would prefer to have the cell after everything else to reduce the risk of an incident.
The area next to my panels reach 60c on a hot day. The actual panels shouldn't get hot with full flow - should feel cool to the touch.
Rattus Suffocatus
Silver Supporter
- Jun 5, 2019
- 1,657
- Pool Size
- 14000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool Universal40
So if running the output from a SWCG would make hydrogen gather in a solar panel's plumbing, what keeps that from happening in the return line(s) after the SWCG in a pool without?
I agree. It will take a bit more cutting and fabrication but I'm going to install it after everything else.
My guess and it's only a guess is that the return piping is always full of water so that shouldn't occur whereas the solar panels drain down everyday.
Assuming that the panels get the correct amount of flow, there shouldn't be too much hydrogen in the panels. It's not a big issue but probably best avoided.
You are going to re pipe more than you plan on when installing. It never fails. Better to just think it thru and use the opportunity to make the pad plumbing better overall. I DIY'd my solar and had a beautiful pad layout and with some planning it's still perfectly laid out
I agree Jimmy. It's going to be a lot more work but might as well do it right the first time.
Still no problems? I am thinking of doing the same.
I would imagine oxygen gas is quite diluted compared to the volume of water...