Proper Preparation...

[SJPoe]

So, Wife and I are planning a trip in June, and we'll be out of town for probably 7-10 days.
I currently use liquid chlorine, and I typically add 1/2-1gallon daily during the summer months.
I do have a tablet-chlorinator plumbed in - we had it included when we had the heater installed, but it has never been used.
My son would come do it, but it's a 70 mile round trip...so it's not really practical on a daily basis.

Non-stabilized tablets in the feeder maybe ? Dump a weeks worth of liquid love in before we leave and just 'slam' it while we're away ?
I know, I'm probably overthinking this...but what are peoples best ways to handle chlorine addition when away ?

 

[dfwnoob]

Just get the floating tab dispenser. They're cheap. The stupid inline tablet chlorinators like to end up leaking and causing trouble when you mess with them.

If you can get non-stabilized that would be great, but they are hard to find (at least here). Last year, in the hottest part of the Texas summer, we went on vacation for 8 days. In the months leading up to it, I let the CYA get lower and lower because my only option I had were the normal stabilized pucks. Using liquid chlorine I brought the pool up to about half of SLAM level, stuffed as many pucks into the floating dispenser as I could, and called it a day. Came back on the 9th day and all of the tabs had dissolved, and the FC was just a tiny bit low, but everything was all good. CYA got overshot, though unfortunately.

I decided I'm not messing with THAT again and I'm just going with a SWCG this year.

 

[SJPoe]

I decided I'm not messing with THAT again and I'm just going with a SWCG this year.

I'm sorely tempted, but I'd need a new pump too, and if I'm getting a new pump, I probably want to replace the old sand filter with a cartridge... and I just dropped for a new roof, and we're having the deck and patio all redone this year which is another chunk of change...*sigh*

 

[Newdude]

*obligatory 'I go on a 2 week staycation every 2 weeks' comment.

Last year was particularly sunny and 8(?) degrees above average. The SWG stayed at the same peak season level for 3.5 months instead of 4-6 weeks per adjustment.

@SJPoe do you have a solar cover ? $125 or so would likely cut your FC loss in half and also come in handy down the road when it's cool but not quite cold. SLAM it and have your son stop by mid trip to re-SLAM it.

but I'd need a new pump too, and if I'm getting a new pump, I probably want to replace the old sand filter with a cartridge... and I just dropped for a new roof, and we're having the deck and patio all redone this year

Do you ever read 'if you give a mouse a cookie' to the grand kids ? It applies here. I'll get that mouse one of these days. I swear it on all things holy !!!!

 

[Newdude]

Also. Put this bad boy on your radar when the time comes for a new pump. At $519 it'll pay for itself in your short season. A season and a half tops. It might get itself on the importance list sooner.

3HP Calimar VS pump

 

[reggiehammond]

Most here would push up to SLAM levels, then leave tabs in a floater. It's imperfect, but at worst, you'll need a quick SLAM to get back to normal if the tabs don't make it.
A cover can make it a bit easier.

 

[SJPoe]

@SJPoe do you have a solar cover ? $125 or so would likely cut your FC loss in half and also come in handy down the road when it's cool but not quite cold. SLAM it and have your son stop by mid trip to re-SLAM it.

Yes, we have a solar cover on anytime the pool isn't actively being used. Makes a massive difference to the heating cost

I guess I'll need to accurately measure FC usage prior to the trip and get an idea on how much I'm going to have to 'overshoot' and when the boy will need to re-do.

Put this bad boy on your radar when the time comes for a new pump. At $519 it'll pay for itself in your short season. A season and a half tops. It might get itself on the importance list sooner.

Oooh....fancy-like. How do you control the variable speed - is it app driven, or do you need the whole control board stuff too ? (Will it fit my Honda...?)

 

[Newdude]

How do you control the variable speed -

It has a panel on it, similar to those of us using intellifo's without automation. I likely wouldn't have spent $1500 on my intelliflo at this price. If I'm expecting 10 years out if it, the Calimar only has to last 3.3 and if it lasted 5+ (very likely) I'd happily buy it again next time.

I absolutely wouldn't have spent today's $1859 on the intelliflo. The tax alone ($160) is over 1/4 of the Calimars total cost including tax.