Is this a standard union?

[MITBeta]

Despite the adage that no good deed goes unpunished, I'm about to embark on a project to help my brother install a SWCG on his pool (or, rather, he's going to help me...). This is what we're working with:




I'm thinking the flex hose can be replaced with hard PVC and the generator can go on the vertical downleg to the returns. Like this:



I know that I can unscrew the fitting from the filter outlet, but I'm more limited at the connection to the returns. It seems like it would be ideal if I could keep the existing union, but I'll need a new female side to it.



Does anyone know if this is a standard union that I can buy at a pool store or big box store? How can I find out?

Any other thoughts or advice is certainly welcome. I am going to work on encouraging him to think about a VSP but that's out of scope for this project.

 

[PoolStored]

Does anyone know if this is a standard union that I can buy at a pool store or big box store? How can I find out?

Look for numbers on the union nut...if there are, take a pic and post, or translate to text.

The other alternative is to take the nut to the big box and test.

 

[Newdude]

Take the length of flex pipe and the SWG to a plumbing supply store. Note, not a plumbing aisle. You want the place the pros go. You probably pass a dozen a week without even knowing. Ferguson (sp?) Is a big chain and are probably by you too.

The counter folks at the plumbing supply will disappear in the back for a few minutes and return with everything you need.

 

[proavia]

What SWG are you installing?
Don't forget, the flow switch needs to be horizontal - or if vertical, the flow needs to run upward (not downward like in your drawing. Also, if the flow switch is separate from the SWG, it usually requires a 12" straight pipe run before the water enters the flow switch(the cell can count for part of that 12").

 

[MITBeta]

Haven't decided on a SWCG yet, but was leaning towards a CircuPool RJ45+. The manual for this doesn't say anything about orienting it down when mounted vertically.

But if I take all of your conditions, it sounds like I would need to come down, 90 over for about 2 feet, then add two 90s and mount the cell and switch on the resulting horizontal.

Like this:

 

[PoolStored]

The reason for the pressure switch to be in up flow, or horizontal is the failure mode. If it is the down flow, and the water stops, the switch can fail closed. The RJ manual assumes a horizontal install. You need to go to the vertical install kit for the instructions. While not explicit, the switch is on the upflow for this reason.

https://www.circupool.com/assets/doc/CircuPool-Vertical-Installation-Kit-Quick-Install-Guide.pdf

 

[Newdude]

The manual for this doesn't say anything about orienting it down when mounted vertically.

I believe the RJs have external flow switches so the cell can go any way. Your brothers simple system should have no problems with flow. I wouldn't be worried about the 12 inch straight pipe recs.

Anywho, there's many ways to plumb it, here's another

 

[MITBeta]

The reason for the pressure switch to be in up flow, or horizontal is the failure mode

Oh, right! The switch needs to be horizontal or up, but not the cell itself.

 

[JamesW]

You can rotate the top if you want.

 

[MITBeta]

Yes, I confirmed that.

 

[Bperry]

For reference, the unions are not standard on the RJ series, at least not with big box store hardware. Even they don’t have standard unions as I went to to go buy another for my sprinkler system to replace a broken one from last year and they switched sup pool owes so the new unions are different than the style from last year.