IC40 vs iChlor30

[kramer]

After 9 seasons, I am ready for salt. Liquid chlorine has just become too expensive and cumbersome to buy, transport, and store.

I called two installers who naturally recommended two different things . . . the Pentair IC40 and the Pentair iChlor30. It's not immediately clear what the major differences are, so I thought I might ask here. I assume both require a power supply or transformer or whatever.

If it helps, my pool is pretty simple. Just a Pentair DE filter and a Pentair variable speed pump. No heater, no spa, no lights, no actuating valves. However, we will install a heater at the same time as the SWG, but I think that's another post.

 

[Jimrahbe]

K,

We never recommend the iChlor 30 as it seems to have many more failures than the IC 40..

Your 17K pool needs a cell that is at least 2 x the volume of your pool.. In your location, the iChlor 30 will work, but the IC40 will work better.

Both will need the same Power Center.

As a side note... You will need to make sure of the current salt level in your pool, before dumping in more salt.. Liquid Chlorine adds salt, so you might not need much to run the cell. You will need a K-1766 style salt test, if you don't have one already. You need to be able to test for the 'actual' salt level of the pool water vs. the salt level that the cell reports.. Never rely on what the cell reports unless you know the actual level for comparison.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

Get the IntelliChlor. It is a more robust system.

Pentair Intellichlor ICXX SWG - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Pentair iChlor SWG - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[kramer]

K,

We never recommend the iChlor 30 as it seems to have many more failures than the IC 40..

Your 17K pool needs a cell that is at least 2 x the volume of your pool.. In your location, the iChlor 30 will work, but the IC40 will work better.

Both will need the same Power Center.

As a side note... You will need to make sure of the current salt level in your pool, before dumping in more salt.. Liquid Chlorine adds salt, so you might not need much to run the cell. You will need a K-1766 style salt test, if you don't have one already. You need to be able to test for the 'actual' salt level of the pool water vs. the salt level that the cell reports.. Never rely on what the cell reports unless you know the actual level for comparison.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks. The community experience with these devices is why I asked. I also like this answer because the IC40 was recommended by the installer I generally trust more.

I plan on testing with the kit for sure. This place effectively taught me not to trust anything but my own chemistry results. Installer says he includes 600 lbs. of salt. I don't know what he based that on, but I assume he won't do the install on the same day that his team opens the pool, so I should have time to test the salt level beforehand.

 

[kramer]

Get the IntelliChlor. It is a more robust system.

Pentair Intellichlor ICXX SWG - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Pentair iChlor SWG - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

I will read these. first thing I notice is not to use dry acid. Got a big cannister of it ready to go for this year. I have only ever used dry acid, so that will be a change. Maybe I won't get liquid chlorine stains all over my shorts, but now I have to handle liquid acid? The joys of pool ownership!

 

[Newdude]

I plan on testing with the kit for sure. This place effectively taught me not to trust anything but my own chemistry results.

*especially the salt. After 9 seasons, you've added a metric boatload of sodium hyperchlorite and when the PB just blindly adds 3500 ppm without a baseline, you'll blow past the target.

I should have time to test the salt level beforehand.

 

[pjt]

we will install a heater at the same time as the SWG

Add an external bypass when the heater is installed.

 

[Jimrahbe]

K,

600 lbs of salt in a 17K pool will add 4200 ppm of salt to whatever is in there now.. Even if you currently have zero salt (very doubtful) 4,200 is a little too high. Let him deliver 600 lbs. but don't let him add it...

Make sure you run a salt test before adding any new salt. Don't use Clorox salt...

Muriatic acid is as easy to use as Liquid Chlorine.. It has a bad rep, but it is all bark and no bite..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

I will read these. first thing I notice is not to use dry acid. Got a big cannister of it ready to go for this year. I have only ever used dry acid, so that will be a change. Maybe I won't get liquid chlorine stains all over my shorts, but now I have to handle liquid acid? The joys of pool ownership!

Chemical Storage and Safety - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com