Another Salt Conversion. IS the hardware purchase list right?

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picklebush

Silver Supporter
Jul 28, 2018
68
Hebron, Texas
Pool Size
10000
My signature has most of the important stuff, but today I bought:
  • Pentair 520554 SWG IC20
  • Pentair 520556 IntelliChlor Controller
  • Pentair 520670 IntelliChlor Acid Cleaning Kit
and from reading, I also bought a
  • Pentair 350122 Comm Cable for my Pentair Intelliflow VS Pump to talk to the controller. Couldn't confirm it came with that cable.

Besides about 5 to 7 bags of salt, what else would I be missing hardware wise? I bought a Taylor Salt Chlorine kit too obviously.
I'm feeling somewhat confident to install. Read through the install directions several times. But might pick up new tester to confirm wiring.

My Pool
pool.jpg
 
PB,

The 520556 is not a "controller", is is simply just a power supply for the cell.. I don't believe that the pump will communicate with the Power Center at all, so you really do not need a cable. But.. the IntelliFlo comes with a com cable anyway.

I would recommend that you just run the pump 24/7, as it is the best way to run a salt cell. Running 24/7 means that you are making a little chlorine all the time, skimming all the time, and since you would be running at a low RPM, you can do it all for less than $20 bucks a month.

I assume that you do not have an automation system like an EasyTouch or similar system.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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Thanks for the reply! OK, I can do 24/7, with my Pentair Intelliflo VPS, I can go down to around 25 gpm? It won't kick over the water FALL. That takes around the 30 gpm to 35 gpm range. My hot tub does the classic falls (as you can see) into the pool. I can "Dribble" it down and probably creates MUCH less aeration, hence doesn't skyrocked my PH daily.
Maybe for summer, I run 12 on 12 off, so we can enjoy the falls. In off season (about October to March), I can run 24/7 dribble.

I do NOT have the EasyTouch. I see it online, but no. I have a dual dial manual like this. Do you think the EasyTouch is a requirement? I was planning on just hooking my VPS up directly (off dial) and program my Cell to go on during those times? I was under the impression that the power supply for the salt cell "can see" the VPS is on (via the comm cable) and can then come on? I might be wrong.
 
PB,

Tell me what specific pump you have so I can check the manual.

I know the iChlor cells can see the pump, I am just not sure about the IntelliChlor cells. (We do not recommend the iChlor cells..)

It does not really matter much as running the cell off of a timer will work just fine.

If you want the spa waterfall to work, just crank the speed up when you are in the pool. Up to you, as it makes no difference to the cell.

You do not need an EasyTouch, but if you had one the pump and cell would be controled by it. I just wanted to make sure I understood what you have.

Thanks,

Jim R..
 
We do recommend the intellChlor Cells. Not the iChlor Cells. Big difference.
And the intelliChlor SWCG is best if you have a Pentair automation.
 

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If you don't plan to add automation, consider a Circupool RJ30+. It's standalone but for how little you actually touch it, I don't think you'd mind.
CircuPool RJ-20 PLUS Saltwater Chlorinator | Discount Salt Pool - note the promotion to upgrade from 20 to 30 for just a few bucks.

An IC-20 is 2x your pool size, which is fine, but the cost of larger cells and longer life is not linear. Meaning... you can buy more life for less dollars.

Lastly - SWCG cleaning is a last resort. Manage your CSI between -.6 to 0 and you'll never have scale that requires cleaning. Cleaning removes the rare earth metals, shortening the life of the cell.
 
reggiehammond said:
If you don't plan to add automation, consider a Circupool RJ30+. It's standalone but for how little you actually touch it, I don't think you'd mind.
CircuPool RJ-20 PLUS Saltwater Chlorinator | Discount Salt Pool - note the promotion to upgrade from 20 to 30 for just a few bucks.

An IC-20 is 2x your pool size, which is fine, but the cost of larger cells and longer life is not linear. Meaning... you can buy more life for less dollars.

Lastly - SWCG cleaning is a last resort. Manage your CSI between -.6 to 0 and you'll never have scale that requires cleaning. Cleaning removes the rare earth metals, shortening the life of the cell.
Click to expand...
I might automate at some point so I'm sticking with all Pentair. Been really impressed with the VPS over our crappy single speed pumps. The last single speed pump died just after 3 years of service and no warranty would cover it.
 
When water temps are that low, FC loss is minimal. Temps will only get that low in winter when the days are very short. You could probably get by with dosing liquid chlorine every few days, or even floating a trichlor tablet.
 
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Rancho Cost-a-Lotta said:
When water temps are that low, FC loss is minimal. Temps will only get that low in winter when the days are very short. You could probably get by with dosing liquid chlorine every few days, or even floating a trichlor tablet.
Click to expand...
Curious, does the until auto off in that case or I need to keep an eye on temp to manually turn it off? Sorry, stupid questions here.
 
last question. Does the RS-485 comm cable from (PN 011056) Intelliflo VSF actually do anything if hooked to the Intellichlor Power Generator comm ports? The yellow green wires. I mean this pump will do simple stuff, but I don't think the Power Generator is sending receiving any data from the pump, from what I've read.
So I know the comm cable needs to be ideally wired into a control center, EasyTouch, IntelliTouch, etc.

Otherwise, I'm thinking of the power relay as first offense, but going to put both pump and SWG on a single timer anyway. I did read through many threads and I never saw an exact answer. Just reading conflicting info on the web doesn't help LOL
 
Hooking up a cable between the two devices will do nothing. If you don't plan on controlling any valve actuators, consider the Pentair and IntelliConnect. It will provide RS-485 communication and can control several other devices including a heater for under $500.

You mentioned hooking the pump up to a timer. You probably know this, but the pump is not designed to be turned on and off. It should receive constant power. The timer should be used to control schedules for your SWG.
 
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Rancho Cost-a-Lotta said:
Hooking up a cable between the two devices will do nothing. If you don't plan on controlling any valve actuators, consider the Pentair and IntelliConnect. It will provide RS-485 communication and can control several other devices including a heater for under $500.

You mentioned hooking the pump up to a timer. You probably know this, but the pump is not designed to be turned on and off. It should receive constant power. The timer should be used to control schedules for your SWG.
Click to expand...
Thank you for that confirmation. I am going to just get an Inetlliconnect. Seems safer. My idiot pool company tech wired the pump to the switch. Another reason I don't hire them anymore.
 

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