SWG reading vs Taylor

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datadr93

datadr93

Gold Supporter
Jun 4, 2024
201
Eastern Ohio
Pool Size
11400
Surface
Fiberglass
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair iChlor 15
Added salt couple days ago to get me to a level to fire-up SWG (min 2600 and added what I had on hand to hit 2800).. need to get one more 40# bag to get me to target 3200 and picking that up today at Ace store (along with 4 more bags to keep on-hand). Allowed salt to circulate for 48 hours before powered on SWG.

However, after my SWG has ran for about 12 hours, it is showing a reading of 3180.

So my question, do I let the SWG go by it's reading and don't bother adding the additional salt?
 
If the SWG thinks it has a happy salt level, don't add more salt.
 
If the SWG is happy, and you have somewhere to store the salt, no need to add it. Keep it handy in case the SWG turns around and suddenly decides it's not happy any more ;)

If the Taylor says 2800, I would say it's probably closer to 2800 than the 3200, but the test is 200ppm a drop, so +/- 200 isn't that far off.
If you are at 3200 (like the SWG says) and you add 40lbs, that would bring you to 3600, still well within the range of 2800-4500 for your SWG.

So, worst case, if you 'stored' the salt in the pool, it's not going to hurt anything ;)
 
Normally I would be happy when the SWG is happy. This time of year i find myself needing more salt to balance the wet spring. So if you're testing lower, you'll be needing more soon either way.

I'd rather add it before the cell complained when I knew it was coming.
 
SJPoe said:
So, worst case, if you 'stored' the salt in the pool, it's not going to hurt anything ;)
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The higher the salt level, the more amps a SWG draws, and the hotter the electronics gets.

The Hayward Aquarite burns out many components. The IntelliChlor less so.

With the replacement cost of SWG components, I prefer keeping the SWG happy at the lower end of its range and not pushing the salt level up unnecessarily.
 
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I have a water softener so already have storage area for bags of salt. 4 more bags not an issue.

I plan on taking another reading one week post start then monthly. If I need it, I got it.

Then makes me wonder... The SWG is drawing off skimmer and main drain. My sample is elbow depth in front of a return. Water temp at 72. Didn't know if all those factor in readings.

Thank you for the opinions. I was curious if SWG happy, remain status quo. We still have many rains to come and haven't started heavy pool loads with splash out. I anticipate some addition as summer goes on. I check my equipment frequently so will keep an eye what SWG reads.
 
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datadr93 said:
The SWG is drawing off skimmer and main drain. My sample is elbow depth in front of a return. Water temp at 72. Didn't know if all those factor in readings.
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Salt stays well dispersed once it's dissolved unlike FC which could vary some across the pool.

Heavy rains may cause an issue if the top water hasn't had time to mix well when the system runs a self check. (Every 12 hours for Pentair). If it fails it shuts off until the next self check.
 
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I can't recall if thru TFP, but I recall a comment that after a heavy rain to close skimmer valve half-way for few hours to prevent that exact issue with top water causing skewed reading at SWG... And also to run pump at higher speed (clean cycle) to mix better
 
I reset mine so it boots when I get home from work so i can check it if it poured that day without losing any off time. The same goes for the AM check, it hasn't run for long when I wake up and if the driveway is flooded from overnight storms, I go check for the green light before leaving for work.
 

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Its moreso the after or the after its been pouring because it takes a while to flood the top of the pool with rain.

And with 24/7 it goes off the last time it was turned on so you can set that like I did so you know when the self test lines up with a big storm.
 
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