IC40 vs IC60 for 11,000 gallon pool

[Ritaelyn]

Hi! I'm upgrading my pool to have a salt water generator along with a full automation setup. I'd like to use the Pentair Intellicenter to control two LED lights, a waterfall feature, my pool's heater, and so on. I'm also wanting to put in a variable speed pump. I live in Las Vegas and use my pool year round, even when it's 32 degrees outside! I keep it at 84 degrees, turning it up as high as 88 when we're using it. Needless to say, I can have some high chlorine demand such as using 3-5 ppm in a day at 50 CYA given how warm I keep my pool and it's frequent use. The pool is in full sun the entire day with zero shade.

I'm having a hard time trying to decide if I want to go with the IC40 or the IC60. Which one would you choose for my situation? Would the IC60 be overkill for my use?

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

Either will work fine for you. You don’t need the IC60. The IC60 will give you 50% more chlorine for 20% additional cost. So as long as the cell does not die early it is a better long term value. All depends if you want to make that bet.

Do you have Pentair automation?

You have finer control over the generation % with Pentair automation.

What is the daily runtime of your pump?

 

[PoolBrews]

My pool is only 7K gallons and I have a Hayward T-15 (rated for 40K gallons). I typically run around 10% or less. Going bigger in salt cells is never bad. The cell will run at a lower rate than the 40K cell, leading to longer life. If you do need the extra chlorine production at any point, at least it's available.

 

[Newdude]

In a perfect world, you'd order an IC40 and it would be here in 2 days. Lately, notsomuch. The 40 will be a rockstar for you if you can find one. And I'm talking an arena selling out for decades, one name using, household name, rockstar. Like Ozzy or Bono. If you can't wait, and only a 60 is available, then do what you gotta do and expect the electronics to fail long before the plates are depleted.

Anyone know if anyone has ever bequeathed a SWG ? You may need to add the IC60 to your will. But it won't do you wrong.

 

[cowboycasey]

The 60 hands down.. More chlorine for very little more cost is just a better deal in the long run.. The problem that was mentioned is finding one that is actually in stock.. It is like the world manufactures just stopped making things, its crazzy..

 

[Newdude]

More chlorine for very little more cost is just a better deal in the long run..

Normally I am all OVER 50% more lifespan for 20% more cost, going from 40k to 60k. But at 5.45 X oversized, the IC60 circuit board will fail long before the plates are depleted.

But then again, it only needs to get 20% more life than the IC40 to break even financially.

This is an AMAZING problem to have @Ritaelyn. May they all be so terrible.

 

[cowboycasey]

But he runs 24/7 in a hot place and keeps his pool at 85 degrees all year long.. He will run his much longer at a lower volume than most people do... If he keeps FC at 7 with CYA at 80 it should be a perfect fit..

I agree the 40 will also work perfect

 

[Jimrahbe]

Looks like Polytech has both the IC40 and IC60 in stock...

Jim R.

 

[Ritaelyn]

Do you have Pentair automation?

Not currently, as I wrote in the post I'm considering upgrading to it. Right now I have a simple intermatic timer. I'm willing to consider other automation solutions as well. I'd also would like to get a variable speed pump, and two LED pool lights that can be controlled by automation and set to different colors/etc like the Pentair lights.

You have finer control over the generation % with Pentair automation.

Good to know!

What is the daily runtime of your pump?

I have it set to 8 hours each day, it's an really old sta-rite 2.6HP single speed pump, I'm not even sure of the date of manufacturer on it.

But he runs 24/7 in a hot place and keeps his pool at 85 degrees all year long.. He will run his much longer at a lower volume than most people do... If he keeps FC at 7 with CYA at 80 it should be a perfect fit..

That's basically my plan! I'd like to get a variable speed pump, hopefully the IC60's flow sensor will turn on at 1200 RPM, and go for midnight swims at 85 degrees in December.

I wasn't aware of in stock issues with the IC40 or IC60. I guess it boils down which ever one I can get my hands on.