Leave SWG plugged in? Not sure

[kul]

You'll shave about $100 off with no check valve. Expect pushback

The response was: You need a chemical check valve if it's within 3' because when the system is turning off it still produces a bit of chlorine and will leach backwards. But if you don't want us to install it we can remove $100 from the cost. Thoughts?

My setup will be within 3 feet. The guy seems receptive either way. I just don’t want any trouble in the future with any company insisting that was a flaw and why my warranty won’t be good. I’m good with some things but plumbing fixes are not my forte. I’m getting a replacement Mastertemp 250 at the same time.

 

[generessler]

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

tl;dr is that with a good installation and IC's safety features, this is just not a concern.

When generating chlorine, cells make hydrogen gas. Think Hindenburg.

This is no worry if the cell is full of flowing water. It gets carried out the returns and makes cool little bubbles.

Explosions can only happen if the water stops flowing, the cell keeps generating, and something ignites the gas. This needs some combination of bad installation, bad or failed cell technology, possibly assisted by a failed pump or plumbing. A dose of bad luck is in there, too.

The ICs all have flow sensors that turn them off automatically. That's the final safety layer. In addition, they must be set up so that if the pump is off, the cell is, too. That's the first safety layer.

The other edge case I've ever seen mentioned is the cell is plumbed incorrectly so a hydrogen bubble can form even though water is flowing. Low VSP speeds are most susceptible. Also one where a bypass valve was installed allowing the cell to be removed. Someone closed the valve while the cell was on, basically making it a hydrogen pressure cooker. Darwin award material, though thankfully no one was near.

 

[Newdude]

because when the system is turning off it still produces a bit of chlorine and will leach backwards.

They simply want it to now be, like it used to be. Besides, the timer for the SWG shuts it off 5 mins before the pump so if this was a concern, it's not a concern.

But if you don't want us to install it we can remove $100 from the cost. Thoughts?

Save the $100. Pentair no longer requires it for their equipment. You'll notice all pipe from the heater to the cell in their manual.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

The response was: You need a chemical check valve if it's within 3' because when the system is turning off it still produces a bit of chlorine and will leach backwards. But if you don't want us to install it we can remove $100 from the cost. Thoughts?

As mentioned earlier, a check valve is not required as a SWCG does not contain or produce a corrosive/acidic mixture like a tablet chlorinator or acid feeder does. Here is what the MasterTemp manual says:

Install the chemical feeder downstream of the heater. Install a chemical resistant one-way check valve between the heater
and the chemical feeder to prevent back-siphoning through the heater when the pump is off.

Exercise care when installing chemical feeders so as to not allow back siphoning of chemical into the heater, filters or pump. When chemical feeders are installed in the circulation of the piping system, make sure the feeder outlet line is down stream of the heater, and is equipped with a positive seal noncorrosive “Check Valve”, (P/N R172288), between the feeder and heater.

Water chemistry should follow good swimming pool water chemistry practices. When using a chlorinator, install it down stream from the heater and at a lower level than the heater outlet. Install a corrosion resistant positive seal “Check Valve”, (P/N R172288), between the heater and the chlorinator to prevent concentrated chemicals from back-siphoning into the heater.

It's not surprising that pool professionals don't know the difference; or perhaps they do and are trying to get an extra hundred dollar out of you. Make sure your contract states that they will connect the electrical supply to an existing timer. Otherwise, they will try to tell you it's okay to rely on the SWG flow switch to cut power to the device when the pump is off. The flow switch should not be relied upon as the primary means of control.

 

[kul]

Got it. I will save the $100. Thanks for the information about contract language regarding existing timer vs relying on the SWG flow switch.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Check out TFP Wiki. There are some good articles on SWGs.

 

[kul]

Thank you all for your guidance. I’m getting it all installed Wednesday. I went with the ic60 and of course my same Mastertemp 250. Skipped the check valve.

I confirmed also that the SWG power will be connected to the timer so will not be solely relying on the flow switch.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

That's great. Don't look back; you won't regret it!

 

[wireform]

Only part to figure out now is what you'll do with your extra time not having to deal with chlorine on a daily basis.

 

[kul]

Opinion about this salt?

 

[Newdude]

This is a GREAT time to learn the system as the daily demand decreases slowly each day. If you fall asleep at the wheel, you'll make too much FC. Whoopsies, it's a 16 but it's stupid clear !!! If you fall asleep at the wheel in the spring, you made too little FC the next time the demand increases and things might get out of hand.


What's your recent loss been per day ? Set the unit to match what you've been adding, with any form of equivalent maths for runtime and go from there.

I dialed mine in at 10 for lots of wiggle room. It did so well, who was I to argue with it, and I walked away.





Also, Overnight Chlorine Loss Test before jacking the CYA to SWG levels.

 

[kul]

The guy says he can drop this off for me at $12.27 for 40 pound bag, but I could use a second set of eyes please

 

[Newdude]

It's $8 a bag at Home Depot. The one he offered is likely ok as fancy pool store salt. It's Buckmans brand but the one retailer I found doesn't list it as pure. It should be though.

 

[kul]

It's $8 a bag at Home Depot. The one he offered is likely ok as fancy pool store salt. It's Buckmans brand but the one retailer I found doesn't list it as pure. It should be though.

Wait, is this one ok to use even though it says it’s for water softeners?

 

[Newdude]

Yes. So long as any bag says 100% or pure, it's good to go. The water softener bags are larger chunks, like marbles instead of peas. But it's all the same besides 30 mins longer to dissolve. (harmlessly)

 

[kul]

Looking forward to Wednesday. I was not able to locate a k-1766 at a local pool store or online that could arrive prior to Wednesday. So, after the install, I will go ahead and measure and start adding salt until the SWG starts working. Gosh. I hope this works out!

 

[Newdude]

I was not able to locate a k-1766 at a local pool store or online that could arrive prior to Wednesday

Amazon says next Saturday for me. Nate ships daily and can likely beat that by at least a couple days.

 

[kul]

Thanks for checking into it. Looks like Nate would be able to get it to me Wednesday so that’s a tie for when I’m getting it. Will keep you all posted! Per usual, I’ll have questions and unnecessary worries that I’m going to break everything.

 

[wireform]

It's not really a tie with Nate cause Nates products are guaranteed fresh no matter when it gets to you and who knows about Amazon how long they have it sitting and where it was or how many times did it overheat somewhere in a transport. Wednesday Nate wins by me.

 

[Newdude]

Wednesday Nate wins by me.

Nate wins any day by me. But in this case, fresh supply Wednesday Nate whoops the tar outta Who knows how old Saturday Amazon.