Homemade liquid chlorinator

[unixfreak]

I am thinking about putting together a homemade chlorinator using a vented 5 gallon bucket with screw on lid for easy refill. It will use gravity to supply 12.5% bleach to the side of the skimmer. I am also planning on installing a 12v solenoid that will open and close flow (inline to the skimmer); possibly even a pinch valve. It can be wired to the pump timer or if need be, another timer all together.

I was planning on using aquarium tubing for the supply line. Maybe even hard line from the solenoid to the skimmer. I would rather hit the discharge but I don't really see an issue hitting the pumps input.

Thoughts .... suggestions?

 

[JohnT]

I don't think aquarium tubing will handle straight sodium hypochlorite for a long time.

 

[Waldog]

Gravity feed? This means you'll need a "bleach tower". How close to the pool? How far? If it's outside, it will degrade from the heat...

Sounds like a neat concept... I would use something better than aquarium line that's for sure.

 

[mas985]

If you plumb the feed lines on the suction side of the pump, it doesn't need to be gravity fed. This is what I did:

http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/3940-Homemade-Acid-OR-Chlorine-Injection-System

 

[jcowart]

I am thinking about putting together a homemade chlorinator using a vented 5 gallon bucket with screw on lid for easy refill. It will use gravity to supply 12.5% bleach to the side of the skimmer. I am also planning on installing a 12v solenoid that will open and close flow (inline to the skimmer); possibly even a pinch valve. It can be wired to the pump timer or if need be, another timer all together.

I was planning on using aquarium tubing for the supply line. Maybe even hard line from the solenoid to the skimmer. I would rather hit the discharge but I don't really see an issue hitting the pumps input.

Thoughts .... suggestions?

Anything is possible. With an AGP you would have to have to be up on a deck or something. UV type irrigation tube would be your best bet. Also most solenoids are wet valves "the cheaper ones" To stand up to Sodium Hypo you really need a dry solenoid like a plast-o-matic true blue but they run several hundred. Then you can vacuum feed right into the pump. The other problem is your vacuum will change with your pump pressure. My vacuum measured with a clean filter is 67 oz a minute and 28 oz when I need to backwash. A metering valve can solve that.