Circupool SJ-35 install questions

SteveinSC · May 19, 2023

Hello everyone.

Just received a Circupool SJ-35 unit to replace my old Intellichlor IC40 that died late last year. Preparing to install and have a few things bugging me I would like to get clear on before starting.

1. The flow cell. Generally manufacturers recommend a 12" straight run of pipe (6" per side) for a flow sensor to avoid turbulence. The SJ-35 manual says nothing on this, and in fact does not address the flow-sensor installation at all. I can accommodate a straight run with a bit of re-plumbing, but wanted to ask if that is necessary. Also and more importantly, my assumption is the sensor should be installed such that the rectangular housing from which the wires emerge is on top, with the plug on the side. Of the only three pics I have found of completed SJ-35 installations, two show the wires emerging from the top, and on the one installed with the wire housing on the side (plug on top) the person posting was complaining of flow-sensor issues. Am I assuming correctly?

The manual also is woefully lacking in detail on wiring. It notes that no mods are needed for 220V versus 110V installation. Unit has one black, one white and one green (neutral) wire, and I assume that as with most 220V wiring the white and black are both hot, the green is the neutral, and the bonding serves as the ground. Having said that, included is a jumper with two leads, again with no mention of it at all in the manual. Photo attached. When a jumper is included on a unit that runs on either 110V or 220V, the assumption would normally be that it is needed. Anyone know what that jumper is for? Last thing I want to do is fry the thing.

Thanks in advance for responses.

woodyp · May 19, 2023

The jumper is to change from 220 to 120 volts. My RJ-45 had two.

hexabc · May 19, 2023

SteveinSC said:
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The manual also is woefully lacking in detail on wiring. It notes that no mods are needed for 220V versus 110V installation. Unit has one black, one white and one green (neutral) wire, and I assume that as with most 220V wiring the white and black are both hot, the green is the neutral, and the bonding serves as the ground. Having said that, included is a jumper with two leads, again with no mention of it at all in the manual. Photo attached. When a jumper is included on a unit that runs on either 110V or 220V, the assumption would normally be that it is needed. Anyone know what that jumper is for? Last thing I want to do is fry the thing.
...
View attachment 493631

The black wire is the line, the white - neutral (120V between these two wires). That is if you want to run the unit on 120V. Otherwise, for 240V, the black wire is connected to line1, the white - to line2 (240V between these two wires). The green in both cases is ground. Now, you do NOT connect the unit's bonding lug to the ground wire. Instead, it MUST be connected to the pool's 8AWG bonding grid. (The same way your pump is.)

I am also confused about the purpose of the black jumper. The manual clearly states that the unit's switching-mode power supply does not need to be reconfigured between 120V and 240V.

SteveinSC · May 19, 2023

hexabc said:
The black wire is the line, the white - neutral (120V between these two wires). That is if you want to run the unit on 120V. Otherwise, for 240V, the black wire is connected to line1, the white - to line2 (240V between these two wires). The green in both cases is ground. Now, you do NOT connect the unit's bonding lug to the ground wire. Instead, it MUST be connected to the pool's 8AWG bonding grid. (The same way your pump is.)

I am also confused about the purpose of the black jumper. The manual clearly states that the unit's switching-mode power supply does not need to be reconfigured between 120V and 240V.

Thanks to you both. Wiring is as I assumed, provided the cursory explanation in the manual is correct. I remain confused on that jumper. Obviously something potentially critical.

SteveinSC · May 19, 2023

woodyp said:
The jumper is to change from 220 to 120 volts. My RJ-45 had two.

Please explain. Where does that jumper go?

PoolStored · May 19, 2023

SteveinSC said:
Please explain. Where does that jumper go?

The jumpers are for the RJ series, not the SJ series. The SJ (which you have) is internally switched. Likely a packing error at the factory.

SteveinSC · May 20, 2023

PoolStored said:
The jumpers are for the RJ series, not the SJ series. The SJ (which you have) is internally switched. Likely a packing error at the factory.

Thank you. I checked the RJ manual and verified, and fwiw I had also emailed Circupool who responded this morning that the SJ unit is wired for 220V and that the jumper would be needed only if I wanted it 110V (which I don't). Either way, looks like I am good on that. Circupool also indicated that the flow sensor is to be mounted with the wires (temp sensor) on the side and the plug (flow sensor) on top, and a short straight run of PVC is also recommended.

Thanks again, to you and all who responded.

Off to do a bit of plumbing and wiring.