Using pump's running status as safety shutoff for chlorinator

[dizydizy]

I recently purchased the CircuPool SmartFlo 3HP variable speed pump, along with RJ60 Chlorinator. I was looking forward to running longer on slower speeds, but soon realized that I'm now bound by the minimum that will keep the flow switch engaged. On a new DE charge, everything will work fine at 1500 RPM, but after some time the pressure will rise and 1500 no longer keeps the flow switch engaged, even if it's not really time to clean the filter yet.

I'm trying to figure out if I can cut the flow switch out of the equation, and rely on the Pool pump's running status as the generator's cutoff switch.

It doesn't seem like there's any way for a direct integration, but maybe there are creative workarounds? Thoughts?

 

[Brett S]

The flow switch is there as a safety mechanism. If something happens and the pump fails you don’t want the SWG running when there is no flow as the chlorine and hydrogen gas that the unit generates can literally explode.

I think a better solution would be to keep the flow switch in place and bump up the speed of your pump a little to make sure that it always has enough flow to make the flow switch happy.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Dizy,

All SWCG's need to have two safety devices. The primary device must remove power to the SWCG's power supply when the pump if not running.. As a back up, or secondary, safety device, the flow switch shuts off the cell when there is no flow.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[dizydizy]

The flow switch is there as a safety mechanism. If something happens and the pump fails you don’t want the SWG running when there is no flow as the chlorine and hydrogen gas that the unit generates can literally explode.

I think a better solution would be to keep the flow switch in place and bump up the speed of your pump a little to make sure that it always has enough flow to make the flow switch happy.

Though by same logic if the flow switch fails same happens.

 

[dizydizy]

Dizy,

All SWCG's need to have two safety devices. The primary device must remove power to the SWCG's power supply when the pump if not running.. As a back up, or secondary, safety device, the flow switch shuts off the cell when there is no flow.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Ok, but then again my question still stands about pump shutting swg off when not running, to act as secondary backup.

 

[Jimrahbe]

D,

Sorry, maybe I just missed the point.. As long as the cell does not get power when the pump is off, then that is the Primary safety device.. If for some reason the primary safety device fails, then the cell is protected by the flow switch. While both the Primary and Secondary safety devices could possibly fail at the same time,it is very unlikely and even if they did the explosion of a cell is not like an atom bomb..

It is your system and you can wire it anyway you want.. Just like you could turn the air bags in your car off and drive thousands of miles without any problems at all.. Right up to the point of impact..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[dizydizy]

D,

Sorry, maybe I just missed the point.. As long as the cell does not get power when the pump is off, then that is the Primary safety device.. If for some reason the primary safety device fails, then the cell is protected by the flow switch. While both the Primary and Secondary safety devices could possibly fail at the same time,it is very unlikely and even if they did the explosion of a cell is not like an atom bomb..

It is your system and you can wire it anyway you want.. Just like you could turn the air bags in your car off and drive thousands of miles without any problems at all.. Right up to the point of impact..

Thanks,

Jim R.

The question is how to control the cell power with the pump's onboard electric timer/schedule. If this was a single speed pump that I was running with some external timer, then yea I'd control the cell with the same timer.

The pump has an Automation Adapter https://www.circupool.com/assets/im...Automation-Interface-Adapter-Instructions.pdf, so researching that as well.

 

[dizydizy]

I think I can use the that automation interface adapter, and trigger when the schedule of the pump would turn on using something like the Sonoff switch Sonoff 4CH Pro R2 Wi-Fi Smart Switch 4-Gang Din Rail Mounting Home Automation, Self-Locking/Interlock Control Home Appliances, Compatible with Alexa (SONOFF 4CH Pro R2) - - Amazon.com. I can use the same contacts to act as my flow switch, which would allow me to make sure that the pool and generator always turn on/off in sync.