Hi! We are considering converting to a SW system this summer. I've gotten a few local quotes averaging about $2500 but my husband is an engineer and a close friend is an electrician so I feel like it may make more sense to do this ourselves. Is there a good post on the site as to how to do this? What to look for in a generator? Etc? I feel like I don't know where to begin my research.
Installing SWG ourselves?
- Thread starter BabsNMK
- Start date
- May 3, 2014
- 62,689
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
As you do not appear to have automation you can pick a SWCG for what is called a stand alone install. We suggest getting a SWCG that is rated for 2X your pool volume. For you, that would be a 40K or larger. Circupool and Pureline from Inyopools are good SWCG's that have good warranties for DIY install.
SWCG List
SWCG List
It’s a relatively easy retro fit, plan it out, measure twice cut once. Depending on your piping and the cell and flow switch you might require some reducer bushings.
- Jun 7, 2017
- 9,972
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
Very easy to do yourself. I helped my neighbor install one last season. Used a Jandy TruClear. Really you just plumb in the SWG (should be last in line before the pool returns), connect the electrical and add salt. Took just a few hours and he is loving it. Pool was cleaner this year than ever before. Don't forget the K-1766 salinity test!
post a pic of your equipment pad if you can. the piping before the returns into the ground are where it needs to go, basically between the filter and the returns or the heater and returns if you have a heater. you can get an automation system with SWG and a VS pump for 2500
Ok I'll be sure to get a picture as soon as I can. We have a heater but it doesn't work (it was inherited) and we don't really want to pay to get it up and running. But I guess we'd still need to factor that in. What's the benefit of the VS pump vs. what I have? Odds are my pump is on it's last legs anyway.
the VS pump lets you run it super slow to just make chlorine using the SWG saves the electric bill. its handy if you have water features or a spa, etc. if you have a basic pool only a 2 speed is cheaper and is good also. without seeing your equipment pad I dont know if you have a booster pump for a cleaner or other features your pool has. I just noticed your in NJ too, you got some time yet before swim season. You were quoted 2500 to just install a SWG nothing else?
I just installed a Circupool RJ-60+ this weekend. It's really not that hard depending on your pump pad, setup and comfort with piping. Hopefully you have good power tools like sawzall and miter saw as they just speed up the work although not necessary.
SWG only produce chlorine while the flow goes thru the generator cell and the lbs/day generation based on 24 hr generally. Running normal pumps 24/day is generally not economical. Energy consumption relates exponentially to velocity, therefore generally pumping 2x times the flow uses 4x the energy. A VS pump enables running the pump 16-24/days generating chlorine constantly while significantly reducing energy use, allowing continuous chlorination and better filtration. SWG and VS pumps do go hand and hand.
SWG only produce chlorine while the flow goes thru the generator cell and the lbs/day generation based on 24 hr generally. Running normal pumps 24/day is generally not economical. Energy consumption relates exponentially to velocity, therefore generally pumping 2x times the flow uses 4x the energy. A VS pump enables running the pump 16-24/days generating chlorine constantly while significantly reducing energy use, allowing continuous chlorination and better filtration. SWG and VS pumps do go hand and hand.
I will say we have amazing power tools (much to my chagrin). We are in NJ and were quoted $2500 from two separate places for just the SWG. So that's why I looked into doing this ourselves. Our pump for the past few years (since we inherited) is run 24/7 and very costly so I'd be happy to switch it out. So I should be looking for VS pump and SWG. Is there a certain place I need to purchase these from? I'll post picture tomorrow if the weather is good so you guys can see my setup. Thanks for the help so far!
- May 3, 2014
- 62,689
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
For a non-automation install you can check with Circupool and Inyopools. They each have SWCG's and VS pumps that are internal brands. Better warranty for DIY install.
Do you have any water features or a spa attached to the pool? How about a booster pump?
Assuming this pump has a similar pump curve to you: Carvin Magnum Force Pump 1 1/2 HP Pump - 94027115 - INYOPools.com
If you have 80ft of head, the pump pushes 43gallon/min which equates to 61K gal turnover/per day. Conservatively, you should turn over 1.5 the pool volume per day. So your likely spending 2 times what you should on electricity. My guess is a intermatic timer is in order! (this all could be wrong if I have the wrong pump).
You'd still save money switching to a VS pump. I made the same decision last year and went with Circupool SWG and pump, just installed last week (now if it'll warm up enough to open the pool). Don't know I'd buy the Circupool pump which is made by speck. I think the Inyo Pureline is likely the same manufacturer.
Regards,
Scott
If you have 80ft of head, the pump pushes 43gallon/min which equates to 61K gal turnover/per day. Conservatively, you should turn over 1.5 the pool volume per day. So your likely spending 2 times what you should on electricity. My guess is a intermatic timer is in order! (this all could be wrong if I have the wrong pump).
You'd still save money switching to a VS pump. I made the same decision last year and went with Circupool SWG and pump, just installed last week (now if it'll warm up enough to open the pool). Don't know I'd buy the Circupool pump which is made by speck. I think the Inyo Pureline is likely the same manufacturer.
Regards,
Scott
- May 3, 2014
- 62,689
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Hi everyone
So I know its plumbed into the return line: Filter - (Heater) - SWCG Cell - Return Valves
Can someone bring up a schematic on how to wire up the SWCG so that it comes on when a VS Pump comes on? Mine has its own built in timer thing (Century V-Green 1.65 HP Variable Speed Motor).
Also is there an automation system out there that I can hook up to its RS-485 interface. I know most folks advise getting the same brand pump and automation but surely that Rs-485 is begging to be used.
Thanks!
So I know its plumbed into the return line: Filter - (Heater) - SWCG Cell - Return Valves
Can someone bring up a schematic on how to wire up the SWCG so that it comes on when a VS Pump comes on? Mine has its own built in timer thing (Century V-Green 1.65 HP Variable Speed Motor).
Also is there an automation system out there that I can hook up to its RS-485 interface. I know most folks advise getting the same brand pump and automation but surely that Rs-485 is begging to be used.
Thanks!
- Oct 25, 2015
- 5,813
- Pool Size
- 28000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Babs,
I did exactly what you're doing on the SWGC about a month ago. Easy peasy and there's a lot of help here for any questions you may have. I have Jandy automation and I still went with Circupool because Jandy cuts the warranty to zero for self install. I powered it through a spare relay so I can tweak the run time via the wifi app and I only need to change the %power manually as the cell ages (shouldn't need to do this more than once per year). I did a fairly extensive investigation using the following criteria in rough order of importance:
The only other things I have to offer is to make sure you layout the controller mount location relative to the power supply. Mine worked fine but it only has a 6' power cord so it does need to be fairly close to the power. The other thing is to definitely check your pool's salt level before you calculate the salt quantity needed. Most pools have a lot of salt from chemicals that were added. Mine was a little over 1000 ppm. If I assumed the level was zero I would have added way to much salt. Also, add the salt soon after you order the equipment. This gives you a week to get the salt level where you want it. You can keep on adding liquid chlorine 'till you get the salt cell installed and start enjoying the fantastic water sooner.
We had our pool for almost 6 years before the switch. I should have done this years ago! We LOVE our salt pool!
I hope this helps.
Chris
I did exactly what you're doing on the SWGC about a month ago. Easy peasy and there's a lot of help here for any questions you may have. I have Jandy automation and I still went with Circupool because Jandy cuts the warranty to zero for self install. I powered it through a spare relay so I can tweak the run time via the wifi app and I only need to change the %power manually as the cell ages (shouldn't need to do this more than once per year). I did a fairly extensive investigation using the following criteria in rough order of importance:
- $/lb chlorine output per day
- warranty
- reviews
- convenience
The only other things I have to offer is to make sure you layout the controller mount location relative to the power supply. Mine worked fine but it only has a 6' power cord so it does need to be fairly close to the power. The other thing is to definitely check your pool's salt level before you calculate the salt quantity needed. Most pools have a lot of salt from chemicals that were added. Mine was a little over 1000 ppm. If I assumed the level was zero I would have added way to much salt. Also, add the salt soon after you order the equipment. This gives you a week to get the salt level where you want it. You can keep on adding liquid chlorine 'till you get the salt cell installed and start enjoying the fantastic water sooner.
We had our pool for almost 6 years before the switch. I should have done this years ago! We LOVE our salt pool!
I hope this helps.
Chris
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,177
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Low tech way is wire the SWG to an Intermatic timer.
High tech way is to use a current sensing relay. Search on ‘current sensing relay’. One recent thread at Aqua Rite SWG and Variable Speed Pump
Ok here you guys go. Pics of the pool "pad" since it looks to really be just installed over mulch ?
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,177
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I don't know why they put the filter out pipe into the ground to then bring it right back up and into the heater.
Which is the heater outlet?
Which is the heater outlet?