I have been considering a SWCG for a few years now and the chlorine shortage seems to make this a good time. I normally use liquid bleach regularly with tabs in my inline chlorinator when away for a few days. I do NOT have a variable speed pump nor automation. Currently, I have a timer with plugs for my pool pump and then open plugs after timer I could use to plug the SWCG into so it comes on and off with the timer. In the past I would typically run my pool for 4-6 hours a day, does this mean without a VS pump I should get a SWCG with 4 times my pool capacity? I am thinking I would replace the chlorinator with the SWCG in my piping se up. Is there any downside to removing the chlorinator? Is there anytime I would still want the chlorinator? I assume the SWCG would work for well for the random vacations instead of the chlorinator. It seems a common recommendation is the CircuPool RJ and CircuPool SJ series. There is a pretty big price difference between the two, so is there any reason I should go with the RJ over the SJ?
Questions on SWCG on old setup
- Thread starter gerg887402
- Start date
Gerg,
I have three saltwater pools and none of them have a tab feeder.. A few years ago, we went on vacation for over 22 days and all three pools were just fine when we got back...
Look at this chart under salt levels.. The RJ can operate over a wider salt range, while the SJ has a much higher lower limit. I like running my salt below 3500 as I can start to taste it when it gets much higher.
www.discountsaltpool.com
You are correct, the larger the cell, the less you have to run the pump.
Thanks,
Jim R.
I have three saltwater pools and none of them have a tab feeder.. A few years ago, we went on vacation for over 22 days and all three pools were just fine when we got back...
Look at this chart under salt levels.. The RJ can operate over a wider salt range, while the SJ has a much higher lower limit. I like running my salt below 3500 as I can start to taste it when it gets much higher.
Compare and Review Saltwater Chlorine Generator Prices and Features | DSP
www.discountsaltpool.com
You are correct, the larger the cell, the less you have to run the pump.
Thanks,
Jim R.
- Jul 3, 2013
- 9,028
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool SJ-40
I love the SJ.. I have had the old version and now have the new SJA version.. Both have worked great... There are 2 new SJA installs that have not worked and we have tried everything to get them working... With that said the RJ + is a beast and puts out more chlorine than the SJ at every size.. An SJ 40 would be a prefect fit for your pool at 4 + times the size..
So I took a look at some of the SJ and RJ options. It seems like the current best bang for my buck would be the RJ 45 but that really seems like overkill on my very small pool. Then next would be the SJ 35. Any one have any recommendations? My only concern is look through for available replacement cells, there are no SJ-35 for sale. Can any size replacement cell be used?
| Model | Cost | Gallons | Rated Life Span (Hours) | Hours per day | Number of days | Initial cost per day | Days Per Year | Hours per year | Rated Life Span (Years) | |
| RJ 45 | 1499 | 45000 | 15000 | 5 | 3000.00 | 0.50 | 182.5 | 912.5 | 16.44 | |
| SJ 45 | 1189 | 45000 | 10000 | 5 | 2000.00 | 0.59 | 182.5 | 912.5 | 10.96 | |
| RJ 30 | 1379 | 30000 | 15000 | 7 | 2142.86 | 0.64 | 182.5 | 1277.5 | 11.74 | |
| SJ 35 | 989 | 35000 | 10000 | 6 | 1666.67 | 0.59 | 182.5 | 1095 | 9.13 | |
| RJ 20 | 1359 | 20000 | 15000 | 11 | 1363.64 | 1.00 | 182.5 | 2007.5 | 7.47 | |
| SJ 20 | 849 | 20000 | 10000 | 11 | 909.09 | 0.93 | 182.5 | 2007.5 | 4.98 |
- Jul 3, 2013
- 9,028
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool SJ-40
- Feb 6, 2015
- 6,096
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
I have heard that the SJ series requires a higher salt level to properly function than the RJ series. IIRC, the SJ needs ~4500ppm vs the RJ needing ~3000ppm. Does that still hold true? That may be a consideration for those who don't want an overly salty taste to the water. Not that you should be drinking your pool water anyways - but some may consider the salt content too high.
- Jul 3, 2013
- 9,028
- Pool Size
- 15000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool SJ-40
- Feb 6, 2015
- 6,096
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Ok, I see their website shows 3500+ppm for the SJ series and 2800ppm - 4500ppm for the RJ series.