New SWG, Does not seem to produce at advertised rates

[josh_j]

I made the switch last weekend from liquid chlorine to SWG and am confused at the lack of results. I am still running tests, so this post may be premature, but hoping to get insight.

I oversized the SWG considerably, Circupool Universal 55 for a 16,500 gallon pool. SWG should generate 2.9lbs/day per the circupool website (this model is not yet in Pool Math app), which in Pool Math should raise my FC by 21 over a 24 hour period and I am not getting anywhere close to that. I performed an OCLT and lost 1PPM and my CC was .5...so not perfect, but technically passing. Last night I left the SWG on to do what I am calling an Overnight Chlorine Gain Test "OCGT" to take the sun out of the equation and my FC only rose 2.5ppm. If I account for the 1PPM loss the night before that is a total gain of 3.5PPM. Per the effects of adding calculator, I should have gained 8ppm over that time period.

Pool Chemistry
FC - 9.5 as of this morning after 2.5 overnight gain
CC - .5
PH - 7.6
TA - 70
CH - 375
CYA - 30 (I know this is low, but don't want to raise just yet if I need to SLAM)
SALT - 3400
Pump Run Time - 23 hours at 1500RPM and 1 hour at 2600 RPM
SWG % - I have been running 24 hours during these tests, mostly at 100%
Pool is crystal clear and has been, no cloudiness whatsoever

Notes/Questions:
1. I know I need to raise CYA, but have been hesitant in case I need to SLAM or do something else. I would think the Overnight gain test would eliminate the sun factor in the equation, but could be wrong.
2. Is SWG cholorine somehow just different than LC in that it dissipates more easily? I wouldn't think so, but if the SWG can generate at even 1/2 the levels advertised I should be seeing major gains should I not? What could consume that much Chlorine?
3. Is there something potentially wrong with my cell?
4. Am I just not understanding how SWG's work and had I run the cell at 30% last night I would have seen the same results?

 

[Newdude]

know I need to raise CYA, but have been hesitant in case I need to SLAM or do something else. I would think the Overnight gain test would eliminate the sun factor in the equation, but could be wrong.

You got that right. Excessive daytime loss would be one thing and you'd need CYA. But you'd produce the full amount overnight if it was a CYA issue.

Pass another OCLT for good measure and notify Cicupool. Sounds like a dud.

Is SWG cholorine somehow just different than LC in that it dissipates more easily? I wouldn't think so, but if the SWG can generate at even 1/2 the levels advertised I should be seeing major gains should I not? What could consume that much Chlorine?

Chlorine is chlorine. The only reason for the higher CYA is that the SWG usually can't outpace the sun at peak loss times. (Although yours will probably do well pnce its replaced) With LC you spike it once a day and it has all day to drift down, so losing 3 or 4 ppm isn't an issue.

Is there something potentially wrong with my cell?

Likely. Was the gain test at 100% ? That would get you the full amount of production overnight. 50% would be half, (of the overnight gain) etc.

 

[mknauss]

Circupool will likely request a pool store test including phosphates.

 

[Hootz]

Are you testing for salt with taylor 1766? The salt level as measured from the controller usually is not accurate. You might try boosting your salt level to at least 3600. My rj60+ seems to produce better at 3600 or above.

 

[josh_j]

Are you testing for salt with taylor 1766? The salt level as measured from the controller usually is not accurate. You might try boosting your salt level to at least 3600. My rj60+ seems to produce better at 3600 or above.

Yes, I am using the Taylor 1766. I did not have to add any salt when I installed the SWG as it was already at that level. I can certainly boost the salt, but it seems like a big gap between advertised production and actual for a measly 200ppm of Salt delta. The manual states the ideal level is 3500PPM.

To answer NewDude's question: Yes, I was running the SWG at 100% in my overnight gain test.

 

[Newdude]

Yes, I was running the SWG at 100% in my overnight gain test.

Ok. Then you should have produced the full amount, or reasonable close to it.

I can certainly boost the salt

There's no way there's an appreciable difference from 3400 to 3600, especially to the extent you're seeing. That's about half of the test variance at that level. 2800 to 3600, sure, It could matter.

 

[josh_j]

Circupool will likely request a pool store test including phosphates.

I went by my local pool store (pinch-a-penny) and got a water test done. Good news is that they aligned with everything I already knew, so no surprises there. Bad news I guess is that phosphates were at 1500ppb. Going to start researching phosphates now, never dealt with them before.

Realistically though, is that level of phosphates really causing that big of a difference in chlorine production?

 

[Newdude]

Realistically though, is that level of phosphates really causing that big of a difference in chlorine production?

Not a chance. We've seen occasional cases where they picked up some efficiency after a treatment, buy yours is producing about 1/3 of what it should.

 

[ajw22]

I think many SWGs do not generate their claimed chlorine daily output. Most users don’t measure it accurately and don’t care. To the company it is marketing claims that they don’t expect customers to be able to verify.

I don’t expect Consumer Reports to ever do a report on pool SWG system output but maybe next season TFP can ask members to do a OCGT, capture the data, and do some statistical analysis on it. I think it would be eye opening.

 

[JamesW]

There are several threads that question the accuracy of the claims by Circupool and others.

Ask them to provide some sort of proof that their cell actually produces the amount of chlorine that they claim.

 

[trivetman]

Josh - i had the exact same experience with the exact same swg. Ill see if i can link the post of my saga. In the end….it was a dud. After a couple of semi-heated conversations with the manager at circupool i got a full refund. Bought the hayward the next day for twice as much and its been fantastic.

Lots of people love their circupools but i got a dud…and you may have too.

 

[JamesW]

SWG ratings

Hi all - I installed an SWG (Circupool Universal 55) this year and am finding I have to run it a bit longer than I was expecting. Through May and June I usually go through no more than 2ppm FC daily. This year with the SWG if I am doing the math correctly, I’ve been going through 3-4ppm...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[trivetman]

@JamesW - yep thats the one!!

 

[laprjns]

Before talking with Discount Salt Pool / Cirupool you should check to ensure that the controller has the correct cell version. For the UL 55 it is either t-15 or c-60 depending on the age of the controller. Sorry for the vagueness of this answer, but I couldn't find any definite answer on their website.
Also, you might want to run through this troubleshooting guide to be ready for any questions that you get from Curcupool.

 

[josh_j]

Before talking with Discount Salt Pool / Cirupool you should check to ensure that the controller has the correct cell version. For the UL 55 it is either t-15 or c-60 depending on the age of the controller. Sorry for the vagueness of this answer, but I couldn't find any definite answer on their website.
Also, you might want to run through this troubleshooting guide to be ready for any questions that you get from Curcupool.

How do I check the cell version? Do you mean on the cell itself or inside the panel? I took the panel cover off but did not see anything that would indicate the cell type. There looks to be a small reset type button on the right side of the panel, but it is not labeled.

 

[trivetman]

Press the display button till you get to ‘cell version’. I think its the 9th push of the button

 

[josh_j]

I checked this morning and the cell version is H-15. I talked to Circupool customer support and that is the current/correct version for the Universal 55. They are going to send me some troubleshooting info and they were already harping on the potential presents of Phosphates as being the issue. I have purchased the Orneda PR-10000 phosphate remover and while I don't think that is the issue I will try to remove any potential causes. I'll keep this thread updated until resolution so hopefully someone can learn from it.