New SWG Install - Low FC

[ffdemoss]

I recently swapped from Baquacil to Chlorine, which I posted my progress on the Testing and Balancing Forum. I recently installed a RJ45+ and are having issues with it keeping up during the day. I did another OCLT last night and did not lose any, was at 9ppm at 9:00PM and 9ppm at 6:30AM. I kicked my SWG on at 6:30AM and by 11:00AM I was down to 1ppm.

Other test results:
CYA: 70
Salt: 3400
TA: 130
PH: 7.2

I am going to do a salt generation test tonight too see how much my FC increases, but what am I missing?

My only question I have yet to get a good answer to in reviewing countless other post is, does the orientation of the SWG matter when mounted vertically? I currently have mine mounted with the cord side as the input (top).

I'm at a loss as to what I'm doing wrong. Any help is appreciated.

 

[mknauss]

How much FC is the SWCG supposed to be adding based on its generation and run time?

 

[ffdemoss]

Sorry, forgot that. It is 2LBs per Day machine. I have it set at 75% and pump run of 12hours. So I should be getting 8FC for the day.

It ran this morning for 5.5 hours and I lost 8ppm from the 9ppm I had at 6:30.

 

[ffdemoss]

Also, Circupool just emailed me back and orientation does not matter.

 

[mknauss]

Something does not add up. I would concede the RJ45 could be overstating the generation but should be close to 1.25 lb per 24 hours. That creates 5 ppm FC per day.
Correct, orientation does not matter vertically.

What pump do you have? Please add pump, SWCG, etc to your signature.

 

[ffdemoss]

I've got a 1.0HP Single Speed pump that is original to the pool (4th year). I addedthe SWG and pump to my profile.

Plan for 2025 is a VS pump.

I was planning on running a Chlorin rise test tonight. The pool has not been used, mainly because of weather, and is full because of recent rain. Other than a but higher TA, everything else seems balanced.

 

[ffdemoss]

I've also thought about SLAM again just to make sure for I got all the Baquacil. I'm going on vacation in 2 weeks and if I don't have this resolved, it will put me back at 0. Maybe I'm on the cusp of algae somewhere but that still seems like a lot of FC loss in less than 6 hours?

 

[mknauss]

but that still seems like a lot of FC loss in less than 6 hours?

Exactly. Something does not add up.

 

[ffdemoss]

Here is the SWG while generating. Pulling about 4.5 amps.

 

[mknauss]

With that amp pull and making chlorine and hydrogen gas, it is working. So something is eating up the FC.

Be sure on your CYA level.

 

[ffdemoss]

 

[mknauss]

Just to be sure.
When you do the CYA test, try this next time.

Once you have your solution ready, back to the sun, etc. Fill the vial to a line, say 80, lower the vial to your waist level and glance for the dot, you see it, add solution to the 70 line, glance, see it, repeat until you no longer see it with a glance. Then use the CYA value one step above the line you read. So if you stopped at 50, use 60 ppm CYA.

The vial is a non linear scale. So it is not reasonable to interpolate between the lines. Just use the whole numbers, such as 50, 40, 30, ....

 

[ffdemoss]

That's almost exactly how I did. Outside, back to sun and holding at waist. I'd squirter a little and then turn my head and glance back. But next time I'll be more attentive to the levels and fill to those and then glance.

 

[ffdemoss]

Tell me your thoughts and what's more important...

I start slamming right now. Turn of SWG and SLAM today through Saturday and then do another OCLT Saturday night. I hate to be off on CYA and add more and then have to SLAM.

Or

Run a Chlorine rise test tonight sundown to sun up? If I'm generating and rise then I need more CYA?

I've got the time and chlorine to SLAM hard 3-times a days for the next 72 hours or so.

I read something about mustard algae...could I have that? I have virtually zero floating and I've had almost nothing particulate in a filter sock all week.

 

[mknauss]

Run a Chlorine rise test tonight sundown to sun up? If I'm generating and rise then I need more CYA?

I would run the Chlorine gain test tonight.
I would not raise the CYA. Adjust the SWCG to maintain the FC level, regardless of what the calculator says the SWCG is creating. Then manage it over summer to see how things go.

 

[djdonte]

Did you do the OCLT? I'm sorry to say I have doubts about Circupool myself these days.... Ever since I got my replacement cell my pool hasn't been holding FC either. I passed OCLT no problem too but kept losing a few FC a day even at 70-80 FC. Now I have algae and am SLAMing as well, but I am positive I did not have algae when I put the new cell in. I religiously kept up my FC while my cell was away being serviced.

My cell plates look almost rusted but they said it was fine. I think I see that on your cell. My old one didnt look like that. Up until recently, I had good amp/volts and saw the hydrogen bubbles, but I think the cells are not putting out as much FC as they claim. Ever since covid it seems manufacturing lacks QC in many industries. I finally caught mine acting up and sent it back in, but I fear they will just say it works fine. They did the same to me last time, then when I sent it back for the same issue they finally warrantied it pro rated.

 

[djdonte]

Also one more thing, make sure you have no phosphates. I know phosphates don't matter if your pool is properly sanitized, but DSP will blame that for your cell not keeping up. They made me provide pool store results before they agreed to let me send my equipment in. They prefer zero but want you to treat anything 125ppb or higher. The pool store stuff (phosfree I think), clogs your filter up. Orenda pr-10000 works well but is a bit pricey and has to be ordered. Good luck!

 

[ffdemoss]

So here was the approach I ended up taking. I went SLAM. I got my FC up to 28ppm at around 2:00PM yesterday. It dropped to about 21ppm by 6, added more LC and went to bed at 28.5ppm at 9:00PM.

However, I also wanted to check my output. So I ran the cell at 100% from 9:00PM until 6:00AM. This morning I was at 31ppm. So I gained 2.5ppm in 10 hours @ 100%. Pool Math said it should have been 9ppm.

I'm going to continue to SLAM through Saturday night and do an OCLT again Saturday night. I'm going to re-scrub and vacuum where needed.

I don't believe the cell is putting out what is should be. Tech support emailed me back and said phosphates as well. They also asked if I had algae. I'm definitely ending the algae debate by SLAM. How do I test for phosphates in case in comes down to having to provide that to Circupool?

 

[djdonte]

There is a test kit for it, Taylor K-1106. Dont bother with strips. The problem is algae will confuse the test as well. Either way DSP will ask for pool store test results so you have to go see a Leslies or similar. If you are in a SLAM, algae is probably consuming FC as well, so you can't really measure output at this time.

Dont bother trying to explain to them OCLT or SLAM lol.. they are clueless and dont care. Years ago I tried to tell them its not phosphates because I have no chlorine load at night since I passed an OCLT, but no dice.

 

[ffdemoss]

Update.

Been SLAMming all day. Kept FC above 20ppm for most of the day. Between 7:00AM and 12:00PM I lost about 15FC. Between 12:00PM and 5:00PM I lost about 10ppm. I got in the pool and scrubbed every inch of the liner and skimmer I could this afternoon. Found a few hideaway spots of either algae or Baqua goo that I got cleaned up.

I'm still SLAMming tomorrow all day and trying a OCLT again on Saturday night.

The water is still very clear and getting warm. Definitely high in chlorine because the shirt I was wearing after being in the pool for an hour started to fade a but.