mguzzy
Gold Supporter
Automation, SWG decisions
- Thread starter eco-help
- Start date
Eco,
How could it adjust the salt level? The SWCG makes chlorine not salt...
The cell reports the salt level of the water and it shows up on both the EasyTouch as well as the IntelliCenter.
Thanks,
Jim R.
How could it adjust the salt level? The SWCG makes chlorine not salt...
The cell reports the salt level of the water and it shows up on both the EasyTouch as well as the IntelliCenter.
Thanks,
Jim R.
I meant chlorine % sorry and thank youEco,
How could it adjust the salt level? The SWCG makes chlorine not salt...
The cell reports the salt level of the water and it shows up on both the EasyTouch as well as the IntelliCenter.
Thanks,
Jim R.
- Oct 25, 2015
- 5,828
- Pool Size
- 28000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
For the swg I adjust runtime to adjust FC level using a schedule feature on the Intellicenter. To adjust % Power I have to do that at the SWG controller on the wall but once you get it set up that doesn't change much. I've had it a little over a year and setting remains at 40%. Salt readings on all brands of SWG are notoriously inaccurate. Fortunately that doesn't change much either since salt is not consumed. I run the Taylor K-1766 drop test for that about twice per year. You do lose a little salt from splashing water and when the pool fills up with rain water and has to have some drained. We get a lot of rain so it might be half a bag per year, maybe even less than that.
Our solar works great but wasn't cheap. $5000 and adds about 5 deg so long as it's at least partly cloudy through the winter and right now it normally starts to gain more. Usually keeps the pool around 90. In a few months the control will start by-passing in mid-afternoon so we don't get above 90. During winter and up till right about now we top the pool temp off with our gas heater by running it 1-3 hours in the late afternoon. We swim almost every day year round.
Hope this helps
Chris
What temp do you keep your pool isn’t the “winter”? Under 89 we don’t swim lol
If you weee to do it again would you get solar panels instead (I know this is off the question I asked originally, I won’t dig deeper without new thread)
Thank you everyone for your input, seems the summary is can’t go wrong buying Apple, I mean Pentair.. it isn’t as locked in as I thought and there are workarounds.
Between the easy touch and the Intellicenter seems as much a matter of cost (if I can buy intellicenter near cost of easy touch go for it) the newer system is more modular, more expandable
I still don’t have my arm around the way Connectivity works between the two but it doesn’t seem to mayter
Thanks again
Between the easy touch and the Intellicenter seems as much a matter of cost (if I can buy intellicenter near cost of easy touch go for it) the newer system is more modular, more expandable
I still don’t have my arm around the way Connectivity works between the two but it doesn’t seem to mayter
Thanks again
- Oct 25, 2015
- 5,828
- Pool Size
- 28000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
I'm good with 88 but wife prefers 90-91. Happy wife... so that's the temp I run. Solar works well for us to reduce gas bill but with our fairly low gas price it probably has around a 5 year payout. I'm happy with that other's may want it to pay out sooner. Even with solar we'd have the gas heater. I added both after the pool was built. Even if the solar got the pool to temp we'd want the gas heater for the spa. Often we're out at our favorite honkytonk for dinner and drinks we use the phone app to switch to spa mode and have it mid 90's when we get home. Makes for a real nice evening! But we need the heater to get the pool comfortable for her at least 4 months per year so we'll always have both.
PS I believe we used Tryon Solar for the panels. I was very satisfied with their work and followup support. I'd use them again in a heartbeat. 772-465-0284 is the number on our receipt. I'm sure there are other installers. If you get 2 bidders that say you're location isn't good then that's probably correct. I have 9.5 4X12 panels facing roughly west on the roof.
Chris
Thanks Chris so o father you would do this again vs solar panel for whole house?
- Oct 25, 2015
- 5,828
- Pool Size
- 28000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Yes o child , I would do the hybrid solar gas heater. Don't think solar could meet our requirements year round with even twice the panels and we want to swim at least several days per week year round. Your pool and preferences should drive what's best for you though.
, I would do the hybrid solar gas heater. Don't think solar could meet our requirements year round with even twice the panels and we want to swim at least several days per week year round. Your pool and preferences should drive what's best for you though.You going to have someone do this or attempt DIY? Timeframe? Am currently walking the same path, except that I can't do much until I get the muck out of my pool. If you're ready to go now, would love to follow along.
Taking bets you will have solar questions again - unless you're abandoning the thought now.
You going to have someone do this or attempt DIY? Timeframe? Am currently walking the same path, except that I can't do much until I get the muck out of my pool. If you're ready to go now, would love to follow along.
Option A: Hire someone to do this..unfortunately. I would love to go the full DIY (build my own using controllers etc) but that would require more expertise/time than I currently have; I am not comfortable changing the pump on my own (I have better skills with IT stuff than mechanic/pumps).
Also doesn't the DIY route result in 1yr warranty instead of 3yr (by using an installer?) - maybe the $ tradeoff is worth it
Yes I am ready to install a week ago. No SWG and "on its last legs" pump makes for a horrible time maintaining.
I could start a thread about the project...
Taking bets you will have solar questions again - unless you're abandoning the thought now.
Nice one, yeah I don't think I will be looking into solar, unless I tell the wife about it.. so please do (I mean don't
It actually maybe smart since she refuses pool covers (ugly and hard to remove I am told)... hmmm... then I have to consider roof age.. oh my rabbit holes indeed.
When I talked to Polytec, they said DIY is 60 days only. Been talking to Wholesale Pool Equipment which just happens to be moving their Austin branch to Buda where I live. They're offering a company backed (not Pentair) 3 year warranty since I'd be buying 3 major Pentair pieces: IntelliCenter, pump & filter. Buying there looks like it'd cost less than $130 more than getting it from Polytec, so I'm really tempted. Haven't had much luck with the pool guys that we have tried to contact, so with the level of help that seems to be available here, DIY is not out of the question for us. We're big DIYers and have moved all of the equipment before.
Another possible option.
1. DIY (make sure you install using industry-standards or better).
2. Find a pool professional who will come over and inspect your work and if acceptable, sign-off on the Warranty Cards. $50-$75 to them should do the trick.
3. Now you have 3-year warranty and probably saved some $.
r.
- Oct 25, 2015
- 5,828
- Pool Size
- 28000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Keep the questions coming, we're here to help. If I had no gas (pretty common in Florida) I'd look at solar and heat pump. Heat pumps are slower to heat than gas but plenty to get the spa heated up in reasonable time plus they're very easy on the electric bill.
Assuming you meant "in the winter". We keep it the same year round for swimming so in winter on the coldest days I start the heater 3-5 pm depending on how cold it is. Usually we get a little under 3 deg per hour. Usually only need to run it a couple hours then it's perfect for that evening swim...
Assuming you meant "in the winter". We keep it the same year round for swimming so in winter on the coldest days I start the heater 3-5 pm depending on how cold it is. Usually we get a little under 3 deg per hour. Usually only need to run it a couple hours then it's perfect for that evening swim...
I would love to have a pro inspect, but if I can't get 'em to come out for the complete thing, probably little chance for a low-revenue quickie.
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eco, would you consider solar only and maybe just a 10 mo swim season? That's what we're hoping for.
It’s all fluid, meaning plans seem to change daily in my home..
With our electric heater, no pool cover and shady roof (let’s assume or now the company was right) I am not sure it is possible to have 10 months - we are at 6 maybe 7 if we were ok with paying the electric bill (we calculated cost but not sure impact as we aren’t consistent.. a few years we did try using a cover, most years we just didn’t attempt it (windy cold outside etc))
If we rip/replace pool (for a lap pool) we could install an automatic pool cover.. maybe that would help to warm it (with heater running.) it would save on chemicals.
At the end of the day it’s hard to see which way is best, what’s next — is why modular systems are great.
Also we don’t have unlimited funds so choices have to be made, sigh.
Sounds like a normal household to me.
We built a shed specifically for solar. Got it almost done when health issues interferred. We've used a reel for the solar cover & it does help. Biggest problem is that it dumps dirty water and debris on the surface back into the pool if you're not careful. Looking at a add-on, motorized version now...
We belong to the same club.
I just re-read your reply. Something is very very wrong with my pool. I go through bags of salt, maybe 1 per month (or more, I haven't tracked but will now), I do seem to add water & Stabilizer frequently (as well), I did check for leaks previously, but it is possible. I just figured that once the generator converts salt to Chlorine it is then used (as Chlorine) so can't convert back to salt (even if that was possible). I do not have a covered pool but also didn't think salt could be evaporated. I may create a new thread regarding this.
Sorry to hear about your health hope things improve.Sounds like a normal household to me.
We built a shed specifically for solar. Got it almost done when health issues interferred. We've used a reel for the solar cover & it does help. Biggest problem is that it dumps dirty water and debris on the surface back into the pool if you're not careful. Looking at a add-on, motorized version now...
We belong to the same club.
What sort of shed? I don't understand what the shed is for. I need something to cover the pool equipment.
Me too - the solar cover (those blue bubble wrap ones) get dirty then it goes in the pool. Someone mentioned (in tips and tricks) to use a hose pointed to a skimmer to remove the dirt. I haven't tried since I have been asked not to use the cover anymore.
I once saw a thick cover / motorized in a Florida home and have been dreaming about it since.
Yes, same club, I just am not sure I want to name it