If your cell look like this, you can use any Hayward or generic cell.View attachment 347936
SWG costs
- Thread starter jkusmier
- Start date
- May 23, 2015
- 25,705
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I think the biggest upside to an SWG is the fact that, assuming no catastrophic events, it's very convenient to have for vacation (and we usually do 1-1/2 vacations every summer). When I go away on vacay, I throw the Dolphin in and set it to automatic daily cleaning, the SWG gets bumped up a few extra % and, if I need the additional CYA, I'll float some trichlor tabs (3 tabs = 10ppm CYA and it'll take 7-10 days for 3 tabs to dissolve). If I do that with pump automation set, the pool is pretty much guaranteed to be swimmable (after little bit of skimming) the second we walk through the door on returning home. Beats trying to find a neighbor or relative to watch the pool while you're gone and have them screw it up ...
Another Chinese made cell although DSP will go to great lengths to tell you it's not.
Yes, all the generic products we are using is made in Asia, China, Vietnam and Thailand is what I am seeing now. That cell is only lasting 5k to 7k hours, while some other generics are lasting 10k hours. I don't like them personally, but some of our customer insist we use that brand, that is why we stock them.
Can you guys list the brands that expect 5k hours ? Some of them only get 3K and that makes a huge difference when spending half the name brand price. I tried to get the specs for the generics being sold at Home Depot but they were nowhere to be found. I imagine if they were fair buys, half the life at half the price , the manufacturers would admit it. Because they didn’t make me skeptical at best.
It is not the brands, same brand makes multiple versions. Some brand only have 1 version or even 1 cell type. I believe in transparency dealing with our customers. And multiple brand could be made in the same factory (but different label is put on)
Hmm, maybe I'm glad I've stuck with bottles. Not that I've had a spare couple of grand lying around, anyway.
A well made generic system is under 1 grand even with the largest cell if you can do the install yourself. There are not so well made system under half grand that will last you just a few year.
My Stenner setup has performed flawlessly, but I do still have to lug three very heavy cases of chlorine around the house to the tank every 3-4 weeks. It's exponentially better than hand dosing, but I have to think SWCG would be better even if there were some added costs.
I am on my second cell, and seeing as how Compupool went paws up I had to buy a what I guess is a generic cell from DSP. I am noticing that this one requires me to turn the percentage up to 30%, whereas I never had to go that high on my original cell which lasted 9 years.
jakeg
Bronze Supporter
The increasing cost of SWGs has been eating at me for a while now. After reading around on the forum, I decided I wanted to switch to a SWG a few months ago but was holding off because I also plan to get a new heater for my spa - I'll need to do some significant re-plumbing and figured it would make the most sense to plumb them in at the same time. My goal was to wait a few months while I saved up some more money before buying the SWG and heater, but I think the prices are rising faster than I'm saving.
I have heard SWG prices go down in the colder months - what's everyone's experience with that? I can put up with chlorine for another summer if it means getting a significantly better deal on a SWG this winter.
I have heard SWG prices go down in the colder months - what's everyone's experience with that? I can put up with chlorine for another summer if it means getting a significantly better deal on a SWG this winter.
In prior years that has always been the case especially if newer models were being introduced. Retailers would just blow out the older models. Sales in colder months normally go down because demand for pool products would go down and retailers would be more inclined to make deals. However with the super spike in prices lately it might not be the case this year. We could see elevated prices longer and we are certainly not going back to the prices from just a couple of years ago.
mguzzy
Gold Supporter
You could always install one of them and stub for the other. I think the prices of everything is inflated right now. And when do they start to drop?.. everyone is hoping by next season. Either way I will be continuing to repair my fence with old lumber for as long as I can. SWG prices have been creeping upwards for a while now due to competition for materials with other industries.. so where we used to see the prices drop in the winter is really only leveling off for a while. I bet (hoping) the prices of other pool components will drop as the manufacturing catches up to the demand.. but again that won't happen until next year if it does. So the answer becomes do you mortgage just the Cat, or both the Cat and the Dog for your new pool parts. I dunno
jakeg
Bronze Supporter
Hahaha luckily I have 3 dogsSo the answer becomes do you mortgage just the Cat, or both the Cat and the Dog for your new pool parts. I dunno
At the end of the day, I think it would be worth it to spend the money - I would just hate to do it and see prices drop shortly thereafter. Nothing is more annoying than wasting money or getting a bad deal. I had a good conversation with the folks at discount salt pool yesterday, and it pretty much aligns with everything discussed here. Granted, I doubt they would want to tell me to wait and prevent a sale, but it sounds like no one expects prices to go down anytime soon. Now I just have to decide between an RJ-60 plus and a CORE-55
Sorry to comment on an older post like this, but I have been reading a lot more lately here and catching up on some good info. I have the Hayward Aquarite (T-15) *knock on wood* have not had a single issue with it and have had it for over 4 years-same cell. Will it throw an error/code if the thermistor goes bad? I just want to be on the lookout for it. And by controlling the salinity you mean maintaining a minimum salt level or because of too much salt?
Well I hear ya, but that depends. If you bought it now you would also get to use it now. Most people need to be enticed to purchase next years items during the off season. Especially for pools and boats where so soon after the season ends is the holidays and all of the expenses that come with them. There better be a big incentive to shift the focus back to out of season supplies. But then again if you get a good deal in November, you can’t use it for months. If you bought it now you’d be enjoying it right away. Whattayagonnado
jakeg
Bronze Supporter
I'm far from an expert on this, but if you are not having issues, you shouldn't have anything to worry about for now. I believe by controlling the salinity, he meant testing it yourself vs relying on the panel readings. I have a friend with a T-15, and if I remember correctly, he kept getting a low salt light and low salt readings, so he kept adding more and more salt. In reality, I believe it was just a bad thermistor.
jakeg
Bronze Supporter
Exactly, especially as SWGs continue to increase in price, you are paying more and more for the convenience of not having to deal with adding bleach/chlorine opposed to immediate Chlorine savings....and I'm really sick of dealing with chlorine!!If you bought it now you’d be enjoying it right away. Whattayagonnado
OK good to know. I don't test the salinity with strips that often and usually just glance at the LCD display. I will double check I have a few salt test strips left.