We've only had our pool a year but I'm ready for some relief from lugging liquid chlorine 7 days a week, year-round. After researching SWGs and reading as much as I can, I still have some questions and would love some input on the following:
1. My equipment pad is currently all Pentair. I know lots of you say to stick with the same brand, but the IC40 and IC60 cells are so expensive to replace that I'm leaning towards the Circupool line-up (also for the substantially longer warranty). I know it probably wont integrate with my EasyTouch automation panel, but can I still install and use another brand SWG and just use the control unit that comes with the cell to control it?
2. I do want to take full advantage of my variable speed pump by generating chlorine at the lowest possible pump speed. Right now my pump runs mostly at 1100 rpms and it would be fantastic if that speed would satisfy the SWG. Anyone with a Circupool RJ 45/Plus, or SJ 40 or 55 who can chime in with their experience in this regard? My plumbing is 2" and my equipment pad sits maybe 10 feet from the pool and 6" or so above it (flat backyard).
3. horizontal vs vertical install: to save space, I'd be inclined to install the SWG vertically, but I won't if that will negatively impact my ability to run at low flows. I'm concerned that the extra couple of elbows might might make a difference versus the relatively straighter run of pipe in a horizontal install. Am I just being overly obsessive here?
4. Wondering if I can do the install myself. As far as plumbing, I'm fairly handy with a shovel, hacksaw and PVC cement. And I can do basic electrical- swapping outlets or installing fixtures. Is this much harder than that? There's a sub-panel at my pad that houses the EasyTouch. Is there anything else I would need or anything else I should be aware of?
5. timing: I know that SWGs won't generate when the water temp drops below 60, which will happen for me in another month or so. But I don't actuall close my pool since it's a pretty moderate climate where I'm at. Is it okay to leave the cell installed and just have it turned off during the winter, or should I plan on replacing it with a dummy bypass in the winter months? (Also, should I wait 'til the spring to install to maximize the warranty period?)
Thanks in advance! I have learned so much on this forum over the last year or so. I find myself on this site surfing "new posts" about as much as I'm on Facebook!
Sean
1. My equipment pad is currently all Pentair. I know lots of you say to stick with the same brand, but the IC40 and IC60 cells are so expensive to replace that I'm leaning towards the Circupool line-up (also for the substantially longer warranty). I know it probably wont integrate with my EasyTouch automation panel, but can I still install and use another brand SWG and just use the control unit that comes with the cell to control it?
2. I do want to take full advantage of my variable speed pump by generating chlorine at the lowest possible pump speed. Right now my pump runs mostly at 1100 rpms and it would be fantastic if that speed would satisfy the SWG. Anyone with a Circupool RJ 45/Plus, or SJ 40 or 55 who can chime in with their experience in this regard? My plumbing is 2" and my equipment pad sits maybe 10 feet from the pool and 6" or so above it (flat backyard).
3. horizontal vs vertical install: to save space, I'd be inclined to install the SWG vertically, but I won't if that will negatively impact my ability to run at low flows. I'm concerned that the extra couple of elbows might might make a difference versus the relatively straighter run of pipe in a horizontal install. Am I just being overly obsessive here?
4. Wondering if I can do the install myself. As far as plumbing, I'm fairly handy with a shovel, hacksaw and PVC cement. And I can do basic electrical- swapping outlets or installing fixtures. Is this much harder than that? There's a sub-panel at my pad that houses the EasyTouch. Is there anything else I would need or anything else I should be aware of?
5. timing: I know that SWGs won't generate when the water temp drops below 60, which will happen for me in another month or so. But I don't actuall close my pool since it's a pretty moderate climate where I'm at. Is it okay to leave the cell installed and just have it turned off during the winter, or should I plan on replacing it with a dummy bypass in the winter months? (Also, should I wait 'til the spring to install to maximize the warranty period?)
Thanks in advance! I have learned so much on this forum over the last year or so. I find myself on this site surfing "new posts" about as much as I'm on Facebook!
Sean