Replacing majority of system in late 80s pool

I guess the real question is, do I need a 3hp pump, or should I go smaller.
When it's a small upgrade cost, such as the $70 difference of the 1.5 HP / 3 HP Calimar, the slightly better efficiency of the larger pump will pay for itself over time. For the expensive pumps that cost may take the lifespan to recover, if even then.
 
Okay, most of the parts have arrived, and I have already swapped my breaker to a GFCI variant.

I also have new conduit, and wire ready to go.

I have three questions...

1- Should I hook up the SWG to direct power, and have it run based on flow, or should I hook it up to the timer?

2- I have an outdoor box that the current SWG is in. The new SWG doesnt require one as its reasonably outdoor proof, however will it hurt to use the box? I was considering putting the transformer for the pool lights inside as well.

3- How does this diagram look? There will be a 3way valve installed between the pump and filter, for a waste line. Top of the diagram is a wall. I can probably eliminate the 90 after the SWG Cell and go straight to the pool jets, but I need to check for clearance on the pad (its storming atm).
 

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Without automation you need to hardwire the pump to the hot side of a timer, as it needs to always be powered, and then the salt system will be connected to the load side of the timer. Then the timer is set to turn the cell on AFTER the pump has developed flow and then the cell should be off before the pump turns off. This is to avoid cell operation without water flow.
 
1- Should I hook up the SWG to direct power, and have it run based on flow, or should I hook it up to the timer?
I run 24/7 because I'm lazy and that allows the least amount of fiddling with anything. With the cell always having flow, there's also no need for a timer (again less install and fiddling because lazy). So it's shared with the pump breaker for constant power.

In a power outage, both the pump and swg shut down and resume once power is restored.

On the off chance the pump shuts off but retains power, say, the electronics hiccup or the pump burns up, then in that rare imstance, the flow switch is the failsafe.
2- I have an outdoor box that the current SWG is in. The new SWG doesnt require one as its reasonably outdoor proof, however will it hurt to use the box? I was considering putting the transformer for the pool lights inside as well.
It never hurts to have any of it protected from the elements. I'd want some airflow space for anything with electronics or moving parts that might get warm.
3- How does this diagram look?
It looks great besides that I've don't recall seeing a booster pump further down the line. I'm wondering if there is a reason for that, or it works just the same. Being a novice for booster pumps, I can't think of any reasons it wouldn't work fine but hang tight just in case.
 
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I run 24/7 because I'm lazy and that allows the least amount of fiddling with anything. With the cell always having flow, there's also no need for a timer (again less install and fiddling because lazy). So it's shared with the pump breaker for constant power.

In a power outage, both the pump and swg shut down and resume once power is restored.

On the off chance the pump shuts off but retains power, say, the electronics hiccup or the pump burns up, then in that rare imstance, the flow switch is the failsafe.

It never hurts to have any of it protected from the elements. I'd want some airflow space for anything with electronics or moving parts that might get warm.

It looks great besides that I've don't recall seeing a booster pump further down the line. I'm wondering if there is a reason for that, or it works just the same. Being a novice for booster pumps, I can't think of any reasons it wouldn't work fine but hang tight just in case.
Oh I have a gem for you then.

I have all of the original documents, blueprints, manuals... Everything for this pool, when it was built in ~88. Per those instructions, the booster is installed correctly.
 

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It really seems like there's no reason for the timer anymore, except maybe to turn the lights on and off at certain times.

Which could be bypassed by just replacing the toggle light switch with a smart one, and having it automated that way.
 
Goodness me. :ROFLMAO:

My bad. I couldn't stop seeing your pump diagram as the pool because it was a big rectangle so the booster pump was way downstream on the other side of the pool. I caught it but my brain kept going there anyway. 🤦‍♂️

brooklyn99-b99.gif
 

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Ah yeah, that will do it.

So I probably want to coincide the booster pump timer with a higher speed period on the main pump.
You find a speed that supplies the booster with enough water, add about 200rpm to account for a dirty filter, set the timer to run along with that speed, and you're good.
There is a way to plumb a pool so that the booster can run when the main pump is at very low rpm as well. My pool has been operating both ways for over 15 years. I did a replumb about 6 years ago. My pool is older and, because of the way it was originally plumbed, the booster did not always get enough water. Now it does at about 1100 rpm from the main pump.
 
You find a speed that supplies the booster with enough water, add about 200rpm to account for a dirty filter, set the timer to run along with that speed, and you're good.
There is a way to plumb a pool so that the booster can run when the main pump is at very low rpm as well. My pool has been operating both ways for over 15 years. I did a replumb about 6 years ago. My pool is older and, because of the way it was originally plumbed, the booster did not always get enough water. Now it does at about 1100 rpm from the main pump.

So I'm likely going to have to hook the SWG up to the timer.... It registers the flow even at ~500rpm, though flickers below 650 or so.

Pump off, no flow light comes on.

Yes it is vertically mounted, and pointing in the way of flow (up)

I still need to program everything, and finish piping out the waste line.

Unfortunately I have very limited pad space, so this was the only realistic way to hook everything up, without pouring more concrete and busting up the old pad. Unfortunately that will be difficult as the pipes and electrical run through the concrete. I did use a swept fitting close to the pump to help.

I did make a mistake tho... Theres a line that comes in, that I assumed was for the pool light.... I didn't see any other lines coming in so I assumed as much.

Hooked up the transformer, and hit the light switch.

A nice little depth charge explosion occured from the light housing... Lol. An unfortunate 350$ mistake, however I can just replace the LED assembly.

The actual light line comes in NEARLY below the breakers in the box. You would have to be laying down to see it. The line I hooked up to the transformer, which is also wired up to the light switch, is for the Shed.

No clue why it is wired up that way, however I have corrected it, and tested that the light was getting 12v from the inverter instead of a spicy dose of 120v.

Still saving myself a significant amount DIY vs professional and name brand parts, so I'll chalk it up as a learning experience.
 

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