Leave SWG plugged in? Not sure

[Newdude]

I’m deciding between the ic40 and ic60. Are they they same dimensions? So for example if I get the ic40 and then in hopefully several years when I need to replace can I just pop it out and add the ic60?

Yes the 20/40/60 all plug and play and use the same controller.

At what % do you run your cells? What’s reasonable?

It's exactly the same as your LC swing throughout the year. You need the SWG to create whatever you've been adding, on your behalf.

Open, 20%, 40%, 60%, 40%, 20% close

Something like that (exactly #s change unit to unit).

am not sure if running it at a certain % increases the usable life of the cell.

50%, for example is 50% 'on' of your pump runtime. If that was 12 hours the cell would he on for 6 hours. 6 hours would come off the life of the cell (10k hours usually). If you needed to run 6 hours to make enough FC today, it wouldn't matter if it was 6 hours at 100%, 12 hours at 50%, or 24 hours at 25%. 6 hours on is 6 hours gone.

 

[wireform]

This is a screen shot for the IC40

 

[kul]

If I set my pump to run faster or slower, does that have an effect on how much chlorine is produced? Or is it only based on the amount of time it is on and the % I click on the cell?

 

[wireform]

Pump speed has no effect on chlorine production so as long as the pump is satisfying the flow sensor it'll produce the same amount of chlorine.

 

[kul]

Do people go with the larger cell size because it will last longer?

 

[Newdude]

@kul see the 24 hours at 30% above ? That means the cell will run for 7.2 hours spread over the day in even increments and produce 3.4 FC.

As the season winds down and you no longer need 3.4 FC per day, you can lower the % or the pump runtime to make less FC. Want more FC ? Add % or hours. Each adjustment usually lasts for several weeks. I usually get 4 to 6 weeks per adjustment but a couple of times (over 10 years) it was 2 weeks. Still bloody awesome at 2 weeks. Waltz out back, press a button, and done. And it's literally 'a' button. One click from 20% to 40% (or whatevs)..

 

[kul]

Does PH increase faster with a SWG?

Is the cell hard to clean?

 

[Newdude]

Do people go with the larger cell size because it will last longer?

An IC60 has the lifespan of an IC40 plus an IC20. It costs $1000 (?) for the IC20, but only 20% more (?) to upgrade the IC40.

*daily sales change the maths.

Does PH increase faster with a SWG?

No but it might from more run time (aeration) if you have to increase the pump time. But we can mostly mitigate the extra rise by shifting you to run a high 7 PH, and lower the TA to 60. Then it will be similar to how it always was.

Is the cell hard to clean?

Knock on wood, you'll never need to with TFP balanced water. If it did need cleaning, you knick most of the scale off with a popsicle stick and fill it with vinegar for 15 mins or so.

 

[kul]

I’ve read on occasion here on TFP that people get calcium flakes because of the SWG. Is there a way to stop that? Or is it part of the deal?

I’ve also seen SWG explode here on TFP. That is frightening. How can that be avoided?

 

[wireform]

The circupool RJ units like the RJ45 PLUS or RJ60 PLUS have more adjustability as it can be adjustable in 5% increments. With the intelichlor it's 20%,30%,40%,60%,80% and 100%. Inorder not to over produce between settings you may need to shorten pump run times whereas the RJ series is very adjustable and pump run need not to be tampered with.

 

[wireform]

I’ve read on occasion here on TFP that people get calcium flakes because of the SWG. Is there a way to stop that? Or is it part of the deal?

I’ve also seen SWG explode here on TFP. That is frightening. How can that be avoided?

You're worrieing more then necessary as many of us have the SWCG set without all you describe because it's all dependent on POOL CHEMISTRY. The exploding is stupid mistake in the way they're turned on and off or for a better word the lack of hooking it up correctly otherwise it's like anything else you buy and use as per design.

 

[Newdude]

I’ve read on occasion here on TFP that people get calcium flakes because of the SWG. Is there a way to stop that? Or is it part of the deal?

The 60 TA to keep the PH in check should also inhibit scaling.

I’ve also seen SWG explode here on TFP. That is frightening. How can that be avoided?

Again. Miss. We got you. We already covered that with the timers.

 

[kul]

Thanks @wireform Fortunately my water chemistry is great due to TFP so hopefully all will be ok.

 

[kul]

What salt level does the SWG 40/60 take to run? 3400? I forgot the name of the salt test so I’ll need to get one of those.

 

[Newdude]

I forgot the name of the salt test

K-1766

What salt level does the SWG 40/60 take to run? 3400?

I target 3000 or 3200. Then I let it run until it complains.

 

[markayash]

On the question when I would do it now so any bugs ( hopefully none ) can be worked out and ready for next year.
You won’t regret getting one, imagine checking your chlorine on Monday and it’s 7.0 and going out of town for a week and coming back and it’s still 7.0

 

[kul]

Just got the pricing:
IC40 Salt cell with power center with chemical check valve installed with all parts and labor $2405.

IC60 Salt cell with power center and chemical check valve installed with all parts and labor $2799

For comparison the 30k iChlor with power center and chemical check valve installed with all parts and labor $1679

 

[mknauss]

You don’t need a check valve.

The iChlor is not a robust system. Many short life failures reported. Much better to get a Circupool or Hayward.

 

[kul]

Understood. I’m going with either the 40 or 60. Just posted the above because I was surprised by the big jump in price.

 

[Newdude]

IC40 Salt cell with power center with chemical check valve installed with all parts and labor $2405.

IC60 Salt cell with power center and chemical check valve installed with all parts and labor $2799

PERFECT example, THANKS !!!!! The IC60 is 15% more than the IC40, fully installed, but has 50% more lifespan.

You'll shave about $100 off with no check valve. Expect pushback as they don't understand the SWG doesn't leech acid like a tab feeder would. 'But they're both chlorinators', my guy said. Yes. But one has acid and one doesn't.