When we bought our house the pool already had a Hayward Aquarite SWG installed in it. We have had some bumps along the way with it, had to replace a control board once (~$400) and about 5 years ago had to replace the salt cell (not sure how old the cell was so it might have just been at the end of it's life). Then toward the end of the season last year I was getting some very wonky readings, low salt, then high salt, then normal, etc with no changes. Checked the cell it looked good, then when putting things away for the winter I found the plug for the cell where it plugs into the controller all burnt up. So it is looking like we are going to have to replace the whole system. Looking for recommendations, should I stay with Hayward, is there something better to consider out there? This is an in-ground 18x24 with deep end pool (Estimate 24k gallon) located in southern Michigan.
Hayward Aquarite Replacement
- Thread starter fyn409
- Start date
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,872
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Get one that is 2x your pool volume.
Also without automation, the Circupool RJ series are built like tanks and work great. RJ-45+ would work great for you, and is a drop in replacement.
www.discountsaltpool.com
If you don't have automation, the Circupool Universal 40 is a drop in replacement, so you would not have to replumb.
www.discountsaltpool.com
I'd get the RJ, I have one and love it.
Also without automation, the Circupool RJ series are built like tanks and work great. RJ-45+ would work great for you, and is a drop in replacement.
CircuPool RJ-45 PLUS Saltwater Chlorinator | Discount Salt Pool
www.discountsaltpool.com
If you don't have automation, the Circupool Universal 40 is a drop in replacement, so you would not have to replumb.
CircuPool Universal40 Saltwater Chlorinator | Discount Salt Pool
www.discountsaltpool.com
I'd get the RJ, I have one and love it.
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Aren't the Aquarite cells the same size as a T15 type cell? If so then the RJ is a direct drop in.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,872
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Would you consider this Circupool system to be as good or better than the Hayward?
Also I do not currently have any automation, but would be interesting in remote monitoring/alerting if possible, if that is the case what system would you recommend? Also currently have a single speed pump but plan to upgrade to VS when this current pump quits.
Also I do not currently have any automation, but would be interesting in remote monitoring/alerting if possible, if that is the case what system would you recommend? Also currently have a single speed pump but plan to upgrade to VS when this current pump quits.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,872
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Specifically the RJ series, yes.
This changes the game. You want to have the same brand of pump and SWG as your automation. Start with what you want to do, then select the brand/product that meets your needs the best, then get the SWG and pump to match.
Automation - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Hayward Automation Systems - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Pentair Automation Systems - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
So yea, that does change things a lot, and thanks for that info. My pool is a simple in-ground setup, I was thinking more of remote monitoring than automation I guess. Really the only thing I could potentially automate is the timer, SWG, and VS pump if I add one. Based on my quick reading of those links I am thinking it is way overboard for what I am looking to do, and will likely add a lot of cost. Is there a more simple remote monitor/alert configuration out there? In the past if there was an error in the SWG, the only way I would know is if I went to the cabinet, opened and and checked it, or if I noticed the chlorine level dropping un-expectedly. It would be nice if it could send me an alert if something happens.
If I do not go with automation would going with the RJ system still make sense if I consider adding a VS pump down the road?
-Ryan
If I do not go with automation would going with the RJ system still make sense if I consider adding a VS pump down the road?
-Ryan
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,872
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Nope, unless you want to roll your own.
Google search results
www.troublefreepool.com
Google search results
www.troublefreepool.com
Google search results
www.troublefreepool.com
Yes. You still need a way to turn off the cell if the pump is not running. Flow switch is not enough. If you go with a Pentair Intelliflo3, you can get an add-on i/o board that will turn the cell on and off with the pump...and it has "simple" automation...
Read section 1.4 here:
SWG How It Works - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Thanks for that info, I have some experience with Arduino's for some other items so I will check that out more.
And makes sense on the VS part, I know they have to be in sync, and currently that happens via my timer with my single speed pump. But I can see now why they would not work with a VS pump and they need the coms between them. At this point as long as the RJ system has that capability that seems like my best bet at this point.
-Ryan
And makes sense on the VS part, I know they have to be in sync, and currently that happens via my timer with my single speed pump. But I can see now why they would not work with a VS pump and they need the coms between them. At this point as long as the RJ system has that capability that seems like my best bet at this point.
-Ryan
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,872
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
VS should NOT be on a timer. It should have continuous power. Read section 1.4.3 in the SWG article link I gave you.
Agreed, I noticed that in the documentation. I was just stating that today with my current setup that is handled with my timer. After reading the doco I see that a VS should have constant power and the schedule setup on the pump, that then also makes sense why I would need the I/O board as that is what will notify the SWG when the pump is running.
I am old school and what has worked for me for 23 years will continue to work for me in the future. That is full constant power to my VS pump with my SWG on a timer set to turn on after the pump starts and turn off before the pump ends. However, I may switch to low speed pump 24 hrs with a high speed stint for 4 hours or so at night with lower elect rates. In that case I will rely on my flow switch to turn the SWG off in the event the pump turns off for some reason. The only reason I can see for any remote capability would be in the event of a notorious Arizona dust storm before I get home (which is always) where I could speed up the pump. It would be great to also be able to turn the SWG to 100% in those events but I am used to doing all of this after I get home anyway. Others have installed a current sensing device into the pump supply line to kill power to the SWG if the motor current goes to zero. That is a failsafe for the flow switch.
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