Converting to SWG - feasible?

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New2water

New2water

LifeTime Supporter
Jun 28, 2011
141
Stockton, CA
Pool Size
18000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Considering conversion of our about 20 years old ~18,000 cu ft in ground pool to SWG. As you can see, there’s no automation other than the pump on-off electromechanical clock.
What would it take for us to do the conversion and how do we calculate payback time?
 

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N2W,

What kind of pump do you have? Single speed, 2-speed, or VS?

How long do you normally run your pump each day?

You would add the cell in place of your current tab feeder. Some replumbing would be required.

If you are going with a SWCG to save money, I am not sure that will happen. It costs about the same to chlorinate your pool no matter which chlorine source you use. The main reason to go saltwater is for the convenience. The cell just makes the chlorine your pool needs. No buying any more tablets, no weekly shocking, being able to go on vacation and not worry that you pool will turn green.

Another reason that I like... When you get out of a non-saltwater pool, you feel like you need to take a shower, when you get out of a saltwater pool, you feel like you just took a shower. :mrgreen:

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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Jimrahbe said:
What kind of pump do you have? Single speed, 2-speed, or VS?
I believe our pump is single speed.
How long do you normally run your pump each day? About 4 hours/day

You would add the cell in place of your current tab feeder. Some replumbing would be required.
We don’t use the tab feeder so it won’t be an issue.
Click to expand...
Jimrahbe said:
Thank you for laying out various considerations.
Click to expand...

Jimrahbe said:
If you are going with a SWCG to save money, I am not sure that will happen. It costs about the same to chlorinate your pool no matter which chlorine source you use. The main reason to go saltwater is for the convenience. The cell just makes the chlorine your pool needs. No buying any more tablets, no weekly shocking, being able to go on vacation and not worry that you pool will turn green.
These are compelling enough reasons even if the cost to chlorinate is the same. I’m tired of having to go buy liquid chlorine and shocking to keep it clear.
Click to expand...
Jimrahbe said:
Another reason that I like... When you get out of a non-saltwater pool, you feel like you need to take a shower, when you get out of a saltwater pool, you feel like you just took a shower. :mrgreen:
We don’t use the pool often. We have it because it. And with the house.


Jim R.
Click to expand...
 
I would put in a variable speed (or two speed) pump, and plan to replace the heater. Cosmetically, things are paintable with the right paint and prep. Be sure to use approved plumbing pipe. Not all PVC pipe is the same.
Your mechanical timer is a plus. You can set your SWG run time within the “pump on” hours for better chlorine control. FYI, if necessary the timer clock motor is replaceable.
Payback time is a moving target. You have to remember to add in the “psychic income” of not schlepping chlorine from the “poo” store. When your SWG numbers are dialed in, pool care is a breeze.
 
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Chuckiechan said:
I would put in a variable speed (or two speed) pump, and plan to replace the heater. Cosmetically, things are paintable with the right paint and prep. Be sure to use approved plumbing pipe. Not all PVC pipe is the same.
Click to expand...
I understand a variable speed pump is more efficient and less noisy but other than that, is there any reason to have to replace the existing pump for SWG conversion?
Do I need to replace the heater if we don't use it?
What do you mean by approved plumbing pipe - Is Schedule 40 PVC pipe not adequate?
What else will I need to do after installing a SWG in place of the tablet feeder with appropriate plumbing? Which SWG should I choose for my 2" plumbing?
 
You can permanently bypass the heater and place the swg where the tab feeder is. If you don’t bypass the swg will have to be after heater. Having a vs allows you to run the pump on the lowest rpms, just enough flow to trigger the flow switch on the swg. You consume less energy and it allows you to run the pump long periods of time with a lower output that puts less wear and tear on the swg. With a single speed you most likely will be running the pump longer than you currently are and the swg at a higher output consuming quite a bit of electricity and putting more wear and tear on swg.
Use schedule 40 rigid not dwv or flex.
I should also mention you need to go with a swg rated 2x-3x the size of your pool. If you stick with a single speed, I would do the 3x.
 
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Thank you all for your guidance. In summary, I understood that I need to do the following:
1- Replace current pump with a 2 speed or variable speed pump to reduce wear and tear on SWG and filters
2- Remove the tab feeder.
3- Buy a SWG of 2-3X pool capacity ~50K Gallon.
4- Install SWG after the heater.
5- Use Schedule 40 rigid PVC pipe. Prep and paint all plumbing black.
6- No additional automation equipment is necessary.
Please correct me if any of the above needs correction.
 

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New2water said:
Please correct
Click to expand...
#1.

There is no wear and tear on the SWG or filter. The filter can be run indefinitely with either pump and the SWG has a lifespan of 10k hours. If you run a VS pump 24/7 like me, the unit will be set to 50% (adjusted through the season to match UV demand) and off for 12 hours a day. Or you will run it 100% for 12 hours with a single speed pump to achieve the same thing. The unit only knows that it was on for 12 hours and 12 hours comes off the expected lifespan.

The energy savings of running a VS pump at 110W versus a SS pump at 2k-3k W will be $100 a month, maybe even more during peak hours in CA. That's the reason for the switch.
 
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You may be able to get a 2 speed pump at a very reduced cost versus a vsp because single and 2 speed pumps are being fazed out and you'll only be able to buy vsp after that. Parts for the old will be hard to find. My recommendation would be you go vsp for the efficiency as the pool season is much longer then the east coast. You make back your outlay much faster and be very efficient.
 
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Maybe that's where the misinformation about the cell 'working harder' at more runtime comes from as they claim it is 'allowed to rest' when used at a lower % of runtime.
 
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wireform said:
You may be able to get a 2 speed pump at a very reduced cost versus a vsp because single and 2 speed pumps are being fazed out and you'll only be able to buy vsp after that. Parts for the old will be hard to find. My recommendation would be you go vsp for the efficiency as the pool season is much longer then the east coast. You make back your outlay much faster and be very efficient.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I assume I’ll need to replace the whole pump and not just the motor. What would be a good VS or 2 speed replacement for my current Whiperflow WFE-4 pump?
 

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