Is SWG worth it?

[Silver_2000]

also keep in mind the nearly constant level of chlorine from the SWG means much less chance of a bloom or other problem no peaks and valleys of FC ....

 

[Mdragger88]

Just checked out Discount Salt, lots of good info! How good is the AutoPilot Nano+ rc-28? Seems good with low cost cell replacement. I use 2-2.5 gallons of LC per week during summer.

Not sure about the longevity of those particular units- not alot of user feedback about them on here. Do u have pentair automation? If so you may wanna stick with them. If not, the world is your oyster!
This comparison chart is helpful so u can compare outputs to outputs (#’s chlorine/day) instead of just relying on their “rating”. The prices in the chart are average prices so some units may be less during sales.

Compare and Review Saltwater Chlorine Generator Prices and Features | DSP

www.discountsaltpool.com

DSP does sell other brands but circupool is their house brand & offers the most lucrative prices & warranties when diy-ing. They have quite a following here.

You can play around with different chlorine output choices in the PoolMath app effects of adding section (in the hamburger menu) to determine what would fit your needs based on your average need of 2.5ppm fc/day & how u like to run your pump.
Just pick swg under “chemical additions” & use the search to pick a swg.
There are several units that more than qualify. As jim said u can’t really go too big. Anything rated at least 2x’s your pool volume. The bigger u go the longer the cell should last u, as you won’t need to run it as much. Price, warranties, & space/installation considerations should also be part of the decision.

 

[ajw22]

Just checked out Discount Salt, lots of good info! How good is the AutoPilot Nano+ rc-28? Seems good with low cost cell replacement. I use 2-2.5 gallons of LC per week during summer.

Fewer people support and service the Autopilot SWG. Unless you know someone locally you will be on your own to fix problems with it.

These guys are the experts in it....

SaltPoolGuys.com: AutoPilot Pool Pilot Experts

An authorized AutoPilot Pool Pilot & AquaCal dealer featuring replacement cells, parts, complete systems & heat pumps. Offers nationwide shipping.

www.saltpoolguys.com

 

[tcat]

Ok, narrowed it down to Cirupool edge-40 or SJ-35, which is better choice for 13kg pool? Here's my equipment, the 2" line across bottom with valve goes to 1 jet (not used for cleaner anymore), would this be acceptable spot for SWG?

 

[mknauss]

2" line across bottom with valve goes to 1 jet (not used for cleaner anymore), would this be acceptable spot for SWG?

Does your entire return flow to the pool go out that 1 jet? The SWCG needs a certain amount of flow to close the flow switch.

 

[tcat]

Does your entire return flow to the pool go out that 1 jet? The SWCG needs a certain amount of flow to close the flow switch.

No, to the left of that line there's a T. The left end goes straight down to 3 jets. I'm guessing 25-30% of the flow goes right.

 

[mknauss]

You must put the SWCG in a return line with all your flow. Or you will be running your pump at max rpm to get the flow switch to close.

 

[tcat]

I run it at 1750 to get the heater to go. What's minimum flow rate?

 

[mknauss]

Enough flow to close the flow switch. Probably less than you need for the heat pump. But, all the flow from the pump must go past the flow switch. There are SWCG that have a separate flow switch so it can be located in a different area of the plumbing. Hayward SWCG's for instance. Also I believe the Circupool RJ Plus units have a separate flow sensor.

 

[tcat]

I believe the Edge series has a separate flow switch. Do these draw much power? No need to worry about adding to existing timer?

CircuPool EDGE-40 Salt Chlorine Generator | Discount Salt Pool

www.discountsaltpool.com

 

[mknauss]

As you have a VS pump, it should not be connected to a timer. If you have a timer, the SWCG should be run through it so you can set the schedule to run the SWCG during the time you have your pump to run.

 

[tcat]

As you have a VS pump, it should not be connected to a timer. If you have a timer, the SWCG should be run through it so you can set the schedule to run the SWCG during the time you have your pump to run.

Agreed. Pump is just to 220 in the timer box. I have 2 unused timers. More concerned about flow rate, since that one jet line is the only one easily accessable. But if the flow switch can be in the main line, should be no problem.

 

[mknauss]

As long as the flow through that one jet line is enough to push the hydrogen gas out of the line to the pool. You do not want it building up.

 

[tcat]

Then again, what happens with flow switch on the main line at 45gpm, and the cell in jet line, and it's only 15gpm? Water is whizzing by pretty fast either way. Is there a way to calculate how much is going from each leg of T? 2" going to 3 jets, 1.5" going to 1 jet. Both similar distance to pool.

 

[mknauss]

Imagine there is a way to calculate with a piping modeling program. But I doubt it is necessary. Can you feel a good flow out of the jet line? Appears you have it partially closed. What happens if that valve is fully open?

 

[Bperry]

Then again, what happens with flow switch on the main line at 45gpm, and the cell in jet line, and it's only 15gpm? Water is whizzing by pretty fast either way. Is there a way to calculate how much is going from each leg of T? 2" going to 3 jets, 1.5" going to 1 jet. Both similar distance to pool.

You need to have the flow switch and the generator on the same line or plumbed such that there’s zero chance that water is flowing through the switch but not the generator.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

If they are on different timers, just set the SWG to run "inside" of the time the pump runs, as a safety trick. This way there will never be a time when the SWG is "on" and the pump off. Prevents the build up of gases in the cell.

Example: pump run time 10am-3pm, set the SWG timer to be 10:30am-2:30pm. Make sense?

Maddie

 

[tcat]

Imagine there is a way to calculate with a piping modeling program. But I doubt it is necessary. Can you feel a good flow out of the jet line? Appears you have it partially closed. What happens if that valve is fully open?

Yes, probably more than other jets, which is why it's turned down a little. Flow would never stop in that line. It's probably closer to 20gpm. I could probably rig up a connection to a short hose and measure it in a 5 g bucket. I'd feel better if it hit 20, since that's what they advertise as minimum.

I actually have those slitted directional jet nozzles on 3 of the jets. The original ball ones put out more flow I believe, I could put the ball one on that line.

If they are on different timers, just set the SWG to run "inside" of the time the pump runs, as a safety trick. This way there will never be a time when the SWG is "on" and the pump off. Prevents the build up of gases in the cell.

Example: pump run time 10am-3pm, set the SWG timer to be 10:30am-2:30pm. Make sense?

Maddie

Yes. I run the VS pump 1 hour at 2700, 10hrs at 1750, and 1hr at 2700. I figure I'd run the SWG during the 1750 cycle. I believe I only need about 3ppm per day during heat of summer; is it better to run longer at lower output or shorter at full blast?

 

[Saturn94]

… is it better to run longer at lower output or shorter at full blast?

Personally, I would run longer and lower for a more stable FC level throughout the day.

 

[Newdude]

is it better to run longer at lower output or shorter at full blast?

The cell is either on or off in 3 min (?) cycles. 100% at 12 hours produces the same as 50% at 24 hours. It doesnt care and just does what you tell it to.

Low and slow keeps you topped off at all times, a quicker cycle has down time where the FC falls more like a Liquid Chlorine pool would. Cells are rated for 24/7 use. So a 2X can run half (12 hours), 3X in 8 hours, etc. Factor that into your purchase decision.