Replacing majority of system in late 80s pool

[Sparkling Water Enjoyer]

Hi all, looking for some advice on what to purchase for my pool. I for sure need a new SWC, however just replacing the whole unit is an option as well. New variable speed pump is also something I would like to get. I think my filter setup should be fine, unless anyone thinks otherwise.

Current setup (21500 SWG Gunite pool)
Pump - Century USQ1152 (1-1/2HP)
Filter - Hayward StarClearPlus (c1200)
SWG - CircuPool SJ-40 (Works, but the cell is beat up)
Booster Pump - Century Centurion (3/4 HP)
Intermatic Timer

Pipes per the blueprint for the pool (which is cool that I have) shows a 2" suction pipe, and 1 1/2 outlet jets (3)

At a minimum, I will be getting a new SWC, and replacing the pump with a variable speed pump.

I'm quite handy, having replaced the electrical in the house to code, so I will opt to install myself. It doesn't look too difficult to do at all, just some PVC work and light wiring. I understand that this may cause me to not have a warranty for the pump, so that's a consideration.

Budgetwise, I am aiming for around ~5000.

Thoughts/advice on what I should be looking at?

 

[Sparkling Water Enjoyer]

Here's the setup.

 

[Newdude]

Circupool is hard to beat for the SWG when there is no automation. The SJ series you have is great and the RJ series is a tad better.

That's not a pool filter, it's a hot tub filter. You'll be cleaning it often with a large pool. It's also on borrowed time and it would suck to revisit the plumbing anytime soon when it dies. I'd go with 400 sq ft carts, 500 if you have alot of yard debris. Jandy/Hayward/ pentair all make a large cartridge filter and you just can't go wrong.

Hayward and Jandy have 2.7 HP pumps and Pentair has a 3HP. You'd never know the difference and any will do right by you for variable speed.

However, at the current prices I would ditch my flagship equipment tomorrow if it blew. I'd get a Calimar 3HP VS, a Waterway 425 cart, and a RJ60+ SWG.

The pumps also needs GFCI breakers now, so plan on that while you're out there wiring.


@Jimrahbe and @ajw22 can spend other people's money at the equipment pad like nobody's business. They'll want in on this too. Hang tight for more thoughts.

 

[Sparkling Water Enjoyer]

Circupool is hard to beat for the SWG when there is no automation. The SJ series you have is great and the RJ series is a tad better.

That's not a pool filter, it's a hot tub filter. You'll be cleaning it often with a large pool. It's also on borrowed time and it would suck to revisit the plumbing anytime soon when it dies. I'd go with 400 sq ft carts, 500 if you have alot of yard debris. Jandy/Hayward/ pentair all make a large cartridge filter and you just can't go wrong.

Hayward and Jandy have 2.7 HP pumps and Pentair has a 3HP. You'd never know the difference and any will do right by you for variable speed.

However, at the current prices I would ditch my flagship equipment tomorrow if it blew. I'd get a Calimar 3HP VS, a Waterway 425 cart, and a RJ60+ SWG.

The pumps also needs GFCI breakers now, so plan on that while you're out there wiring.


@Jimrahbe and @ajw22 can spend other people's money at the equipment pad like nobody's business. They'll want in on this too. Hang tight for more thoughts.

Amazing, thank you!

For the salt cell, it seems like I'm fine just replacing the cell if I want to save cash, or dropping an extra 1k on an RJ unit. Maybe there's some bundle discounts with a pump, I'll keep it in mind.

Spa filter? Great lol.

There is a GFCI outlet in the side of the pool panel, for what it's worth.

I'll stay tuned for more input for sure

 

[Newdude]

For the salt cell, it seems like I'm fine just replacing the cell if I want to save cash,

Right. I always forget you can buy just the SWG guts with those. Go that route if the controller is good.

Spa filter? Great lol.

They use tiny filters in FL. It's rare to see one in CA.

Bigger filters need exactly that less cleaning. No more, no less. But cleaning them several extra times a season, for a generation, gets old quick.

There is a GFCI outlet in the side of the pool panel, for what it's worth.

That probably feeds the pool light, which is a good thing (also code), but both pumps need GFCI breakers.

 

[wireform]

The booster pump looks aged but if it works just keep it as the replacement will be the same one and a quick change out. Now's the time to think about a heater too if it's in the plans.

 

[Sparkling Water Enjoyer]

Right. I always forget you can buy just the SWG guts with those. Go that route if the controller is good.

They use tiny filters in FL. It's rare to see one in CA.

Bigger filters need exactly that less cleaning. No more, no less. But cleaning them several extra times a season, for a generation, gets old quick.



That probably feeds the pool light, which is a good thing (also code), but both pumps need GFCI breakers.

Yeah, the cell alone is ~580 or so for a OEM cell.

That filter is tiny? It's roughly 3-4 feet tall I think (150sq ft?)

Don't even get me started on the pool light... It's a relic 120v 100w Halogen light, that's sitting in a ~4" Niche. It's also flooded, and has been, for a while. Completely toast. After some research I found that realistically, I have 2 options. Use a Spa Electronics R6 Conversion kit (only thing that I could really find to fit that niche) or wait to replaster, cut the niche out, and put a proper sized one in. I opted for the R6 option for now.

 

[Sparkling Water Enjoyer]

The booster pump looks aged but if it works just keep it as the replacement will be the same one and a quick change out. Now's the time to think about a heater too if it's in the plans.

It seems to work flawlessly.

The lady wants a heater, so I'm researching that as well. It seems that the most efficient heating here is solar. Still pricing out the electric ones.

 

[wireform]

Solar is a nice add on along regular heating but also depends how you I tend to use the pool as it's not instantaneous heat.

 

[Sparkling Water Enjoyer]

Solar is a nice add on along regular heating but also depends how you I tend to use the pool as it's not instantaneous heat.

After some research, I think I'll just use a solar pool cover for now, and will upgrade to solar in the future if we really use the pool a ton.

 

[Ahultin]

If you are replumbing and considering solar, it would be easy now to plumb in the bypass loop and really only cost a few fittings and one additional jandy 3-way

 

[Sparkling Water Enjoyer]

Realistically I'm looking for which pump to order, if my filtration is sufficient enough or not, and should I consider upgrading my SWG, or just stick with replacing the cell.

 

[Newdude]

if my filtration is sufficient enough or not

That's purely subjective as to how many cleanings are too many for you.

I pointed out the clearly obvious age of the filter, and if you're replacing it, to do yourself a favor and go much larger.

or just stick with replacing the cell.

If it's worked great and it's $1000 less, it would almost be stupid to replace the whole shebang.

I'm looking for which pump to order

Where do you stand in the name brand VS generic debate ?

 

[TinFoilHat]

Just based on months of reading here I would opt for the 3 hp Calimar and a Circupool cell since it has worked well for you. If you're skeptical then get a new RJ system. You need to replumb most of this anyway. If it was my money I would put in what I know will last for many, many years. What you have now won't.

 

[1poolman1]

Amazing, thank you!

For the salt cell, it seems like I'm fine just replacing the cell if I want to save cash, or dropping an extra 1k on an RJ unit. Maybe there's some bundle discounts with a pump, I'll keep it in mind.

Spa filter? Great lol.

There is a GFCI outlet in the side of the pool panel, for what it's worth.

I'll stay tuned for more input for sure

GFCI outlet is for the pool lights only, not a 240V pump.
If the bus bars in that panel are good you don't need to replace the Intermatic circuit breaker panel, but do need a new GFCI breaker for the pumps. A little sanding and paint and that box will last a long time. The time clock can be used to control your SWG as well as the booster pump. A VSP is wired directly to get continuous power, so it won't be on the timed side of that clock.

 

[Sparkling Water Enjoyer]

To be honest, Circupool has some decently priced bundles, but I would need to research their pumps.

As for brand vs generic, as long as the generic operating costs are obscene compared to brand name, or arent obnoxiously louder (or die quick) then im totally fine with that.

 

[Newdude]

Circupool has some decently priced bundles, but I would need to research their pumps

Its a sister clone of the calimar. It's more expensive but comes with a better warranty. I personally would not spend more only for the warranty, but it might wash if there is a good package deal.

As for brand vs generic, as long as the generic operating costs are obscene compared to brand name, or arent obnoxiously louder (or die quick) then im totally fine with that.

Operating cost and noise are the same either way. Some don't trust generic equipment. That's the only beef with it. Plenty of name brand pumps fail too, but everyone's perceived risk is different

 

[Sparkling Water Enjoyer]

Its a sister clone of the calimar. It's more expensive but comes with a better warranty. I personally would not spend more only for the warranty, but it might wash if there is a good package deal.

Operating cost and noise are the same either way. Some don't trust generic equipment. That's the only beef with it. Plenty of name brand pumps fail too, but everyone's perceived risk is different

Sounds like its time to math things out then and see if its worth the bundle/warranty.

 

[Sparkling Water Enjoyer]

For 2800 I can get a 3hp vsp, 350sqft filter, and a new salt cell system + new piping (and 5-7 year warranty).

I think that's a pretty decent deal. The alternative is to keep my filter, replace the salt cell and pump, which would be around 1200 or so.

I guess the real question is, do I need a 3hp pump, or should I go smaller.

 

[Ahultin]

Get the 3hp vsp pump as you can then dial it down to as low of speed as works to keep the salt cell flow meter happy. Get the biggest cartridge filter you can afford , it's not much more and will lower your filter clean frequency. The waterway 425/525 are popular options and have the benefit (imo) of made in the USA.