Proper location for new SWG

[geh]

I bought a Circupool RJ45 PLUS SWG, and want to confirm the proper location for it on my equipment. If my understanding is right, my pool heater is on the return side of the filter, and the chlorine feeder is on the return side of the heater, so that is where it should go: replace the feeder with the SWG. There is a valve between the outflow of the heater and the chlorine feeder, and not sure what that is for.That run of PVC pipe that the feeder is on is about 39 inches long so seems plenty long enough. I was going to attemp the install myself, but I am down for the count with COVID at the moment and want to pay a guy to get it done. Does my plumbing look like it was done correctly and is that the right spot? I can take more photos if necessary.

 

[Poolbreh]

That is a squeeze. It doesn’t look like a fun job. Where does the pipe go in front of the heater? You want the cell to be accessible.

 

[geh]

That is a squeeze. It doesn’t look like a fun job. Where does the pipe go in front of the heater? You want the cell to be accessible.

The second and third photo show the outflow from the heater, and the location of the chlorine feeder. The last photo shows the continuation of that run of pipe, as it runs between the heater and the a/c unit. It’s a little deceptive because the side panel of the heater is not in place, so there is a little more room than is depicted. The feeder is just ahead of that tight space and it is accessible, but it is close to those 90 degree bends in the plumbing coming from the heater. Likewise you can see the top of the heater is cockeyed and not in place. I should button that all down and take another photo, but not feeling well at the moment.

 

[geh]

The heater has has an inflow and an outflow, the inflow being directly above the outflow. You can kind of see that in the photos. It’s a Pentair MasterTemp.

 

[almostakeeper]

I installed the RJ-30 a few months ago using the Circu pool's offset attachment that only needs 6 5/8" of pipe cutout. Super easy, took all of 15 minutes and the offset kit fits perfect.

 

[jedigrover]

That valve is a manual bypass of the heater. This is to be used if you have flow higher than 120GPM, so you can achieve the flow and not throw off the sensors in the heater. I haven't seen much use of them, but it has been a fairly standard plumbing configuration going back decades.

That is a really tight squeeze. Not just in working area, but the fact that there is little pipe length between fittings (I have some like that), which will make it difficult to plumb in.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

I installed the RJ-30 a few months ago using the Circu pool's offset attachment that only needs 6 5/8" of pipe cutout. Super easy, took all of 15 minutes and the offset kit fits perfect.

Did you buy the vertical install kit? Curious what other parts it comes with, specifically the "pipe savers" shown as "D" in the photo. Can you snap a photo of those? They appear to be MagicMend fittings but I want to confirm.

 

[geh]

I installed the RJ-30 a few months ago using the Circu pool's offset attachment that only needs 6 5/8" of pipe cutout. Super easy, took all of 15 minutes and the offset kit fits perfect.

Don’t have the energy right now. Having a bad bout with COVID. But I am trying to determine the correct location for my plumbing arrangement. If I get someone to do it, it will be my first time using them and want to make sure they do it right. If I get better soon I will likely do it myself, just want to be sure on the location and that there are no surprises beyond the basic.

 

[geh]

Did you buy the vertical install kit? Curious what other parts it comes with, specifically the "pipe savers" shown as "D" in the photo. Can you snap a photo of those? They appear to be MagicMend fittings but I want to confirm.

View attachment 426889

Looks like I might need that vertical installation kit? I’ll try to take better photos with my real camera and lenses

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Looks like I might need that vertical installation kit? I’ll try to take better photos with my real camera and lenses

Keep it open as an option. Tough to tell what's going on without better photos.

 

[geh]

Got a quote for $550, not having seen my plumbing. Sounds a bit high? He has good Google reviews for the most part

 

[HermanTX]

Did you buy the vertical install kit? Curious what other parts it comes with, specifically the "pipe savers" shown as "D" in the photo. Can you snap a photo of those? They appear to be MagicMend fittings but I want to confirm.

View attachment 426889

I called CircuPool the other day and specifically asked about vertical installation. While the flow switch needs to be on the upward flow leg (as shown) the SWCG can be on either. But they were a little vague on if the SWCG only has 1 flow direction. Their graphics on the website show the end with the wire connection to be start of flow (i.e lets say left to right) but when in vertical position the end with the wire is shown on the bottom so flow is opposite way. Do you have an confirmation that flow can be either direction in the SWCG?

 

[Poolbreh]

Lol yea that’s high. Fly me out and give me good creole food and beer and I’ll do it for free.

 

[geh]

For pool salt, pool school recommends water softener salt. Here’s four products, the last being quadruple the price. Recommendation?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Morton-Professional-Choice-40-lb-Pool-Salt/1000007912

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Morton-40-lb-Salt-Solar-Crystals/1039111

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Clorox-40-lb-Pool-Salt/1000194979

AquaSalt for Sale - Doheny's Pool Supplies Fast

Are you looking for AquaSalt? Doheny's has all the top salt for salt systems in stock. Shop today!

www.doheny.com

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Do you have an confirmation that flow can be either direction in the SWCG?

The manual is pretty clear...

When positioning the Cell, you can consider the side of the cell with the cord the "inlet" side.​

​

All of the diagrams in the manual show the corded side as the inlet.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

For pool salt, pool school recommends water softener salt. Here’s four products, the last being quadruple the price. Recommendation?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Morton-Professional-Choice-40-lb-Pool-Salt/1000007912

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Morton-40-lb-Salt-Solar-Crystals/1039111

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Clorox-40-lb-Pool-Salt/1000194979

AquaSalt for Sale - Doheny's Pool Supplies Fast

Are you looking for AquaSalt? Doheny's has all the top salt for salt systems in stock. Shop today!

www.doheny.com

I like the Diamond Crystal...but is has gone up in price by a couple bucks a bag. The granules are relatively small and it dissolves fast.

Diamond Crystal Solar Naturals Water Softener Salt Crystals 100012454 - The Home Depot

Minimize accumulation of brine tank residue by using this Solar Naturals Water Softener Salt Crystals from Diamond Crystal.

www.homedepot.com

Avoid Clorox salt. There have been reports of iron in the mix.

 

[jedigrover]

I like the Diamond Crystal...but is has gone up in price by a couple bucks a bag. The granules are relatively small and it dissolves fast.

Diamond Crystal Solar Naturals Water Softener Salt Crystals 100012454 - The Home Depot

Minimize accumulation of brine tank residue by using this Solar Naturals Water Softener Salt Crystals from Diamond Crystal.

www.homedepot.com

Avoid Clorox salt. There have been reports of iron in the mix.

My plaster stains can confirm the issues with Clorox salt (at least as of 2 years ago).
I went back to Diamond Crystal.

 

[geh]

What's the advantage of water softener salt over pool salt? For example, the two Morton's...

 

[geh]

I like the Diamond Crystal...but is has gone up in price by a couple bucks a bag. The granules are relatively small and it dissolves fast.

Diamond Crystal Solar Naturals Water Softener Salt Crystals 100012454 - The Home Depot

Minimize accumulation of brine tank residue by using this Solar Naturals Water Softener Salt Crystals from Diamond Crystal.

www.homedepot.com

Avoid Clorox salt. There have been reports of iron in the mix.

I used Clorox tabs and they were an awful product. Never using Clorox pool products again.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

What's the advantage of water softener salt over pool salt? For example, the two Morton's...

Generally, pool salt has smaller granules so it dissolves faster. Cost is usually more than plain water softener salt.

Since you'll need a good deal of salt, shop for bulk discounts. Here are a couple options:

Pool Salt:

Diamond Crystal Splash Ready 40 lb. Pool Salt 110002702 - The Home Depot

Enjoy the Diamond Crystal 40 lb. Pool Salt 8526, that's 99.3% pure salt and specially formulated for use with most electric chlorinator systems at The Home Depot

www.homedepot.com

Softener Salt:

Diamond Crystal Solar Naturals Water Softener Salt Crystals 100012454 - The Home Depot

Minimize accumulation of brine tank residue by using this Solar Naturals Water Softener Salt Crystals from Diamond Crystal.

www.homedepot.com

There's under a $1 price difference here.

*Prices may vary in your area.