SWG Adjustments

midlifecrisis

Bronze Supporter
Jan 3, 2023
327
Manor
Pool Size
9500
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
It’s fair to say for the last few weeks we’ve had a wild ride weather wise including a late season cold snap, pool overflowing rains, and overcast condition. May is our rainiest month normally so I won’t say it’s out of the norm but I am certainly more aware of it. To my point…

Now that my SWG is doing what it does, I am wondering how, of any adjustments you guys make during the above type of events. I am assuming you just get used to it and it’s second nature so I’m looking for more tips or tricks you use in managing your unit.

I was running mine at 12% but have had to increase to 18% a couple of times because of full blown sun. I was very happy I am not having to lug chlorine especially with my travel lately. looking for tips and tricks from the pros until I get there. I did manage mine a bit remotely while gone so it didn’t get out of control.

Here are my current goals for what it’s worth:

FC target: 8
Range: 5-10
Minimum: 3

Now I can only wait for this plaster to settle so my PH can regulate itself.
 
I have a 9k gallon pool in Houston with an IC40 set at 20% right now. It’s holding FC generally but it’s not consistent totals daily - at one point I ran an OCLT to assure myself that it’s just the daily difference in weather and usage that affects the FC.

I’m thinking for vacation I’ll bump it up a bit as I don’t know how the pool will react on summer yet.
 
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MLC,

The key in my mind is to not try to micromanage your cell's output in an attempt to stay between your Minimum FC and your Target FC. Trying to do that will quickly drive you crazy. :mrgreen:

The best bet is to keep your FC at your target or higher. Running your FC a little hot, will not hurt anything. I don't worry about cloudy days when the FC will increase, as it will burn off the next sunny day. I look at my minimum FC as if it were a cliff I never want to fall off, so I never try to peak over the edge of the cliff.

Another thing to think about is pump run time.. If you are not running 24/7, then you need to make sure when the pump shuts off, that there is enough FC in the pool so that you will stay at or above your target until the pump is scheduled to come back on.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
+1 to all the above. I noticed I was losing a little FC a day with nothing but blazing sun lately. It was no biggie because I started 'hot'. As soon as it hit 8FC, I upped the SWG. It will likely now overproduce for the next 2 weeks or so, and I'm ok with that. I will step in and turn it down if it hits a 'teen', but other than that, I'm on easy mode.

Free and clear above minimum is the goal.

The day after adjusting, I ran a OTO test. It worked. Lol.

20230529_140129.jpg

Whether the orange is an 8 or 11, I'm in the clear.
 
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+1 to all the above. I noticed I was losing a little FC a day with nothing but blazing sun lately. It was no biggie because I started 'hot'. As soon as it hit 8FC, I upped the SWG. It will likely now overproduce for the next 2 weeks or so, and I'm ok with that. I will step in and turn it down if it hits a 'teen', but other than that, I'm on easy mode.

Free and clear above minimum is the goal.

The day after adjusting, I ran a OTO test. It worked. Lol.

View attachment 497907

Whether the orange is an 8 or 11, I'm in the clear.
For us colorblind folks who hate shades of colors, what would you say that pH is?
 
For us colorblind folks who hate shades of colors, what would you say that pH is?
Holding the comparitor in front of a multicolored background is a problem. Can you see how the blue background of the pool is skewing the color in the ranges of the pH ranges 7.5 - 7.8? If the background was all one color the test result would be easier to determine. Between 8.2 and 7.2 for sure and closer to 7.8 than 7.5, my opinion.
 
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Can you see how the blue background of the pool is skewing the color in the ranges of the pH ranges 7.5 - 7.8?
I do now, didn't notice before. I always hold white paper behind me, still hard to tell for me though.
Between 8.2 and 7.2 for sure and closer to 7.8 than 7.5, my opinion.
And that's where my eyes fail me, I know @Newdude would have his chemistry locked in, but I would say it's between 7.2 and 6.8. Last night was my girls first softball game of the year, and I wanted to wear a yellow shirt, and they're like, "Our shirts are green dad!"
 

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I do now, didn't notice before. I always hold white paper behind me, still hard to tell for me though.

And that's where my eyes fail me, I know @Newdude would have his chemistry locked in, but I would say it's between 7.2 and 6.8. Last night was my girls first softball game of the year, and I wanted to wear a yellow shirt, and they're like, "Our shirts are green dad!"
If it makes it better, I struggle mightily with color comparisons. I’m not even colorblind, but I’m 100% sure I’m color challenged. My bride won’t even let me pick my own clothes. She puts my clothes out for me to pack when I travel or it’s black pants and a solid color polo or button down with a selection of three or four colors. :p
 
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