Shopping for a SWG

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T

T_Meek

Silver Supporter
Jun 24, 2019
3
Waco, Texas
I am wondering if anyone can share their experience with the Pentair Intellichlor line of SWGs. I would like to convert my pool to SWG and am comparing products. Pentair comes in dead last for warranty at a mere 60 days while other brands like CircuPool warranty for up to 7 and 8 years depending on the model. The only reason I can see to go with Pentair is that all my other equipment and automation are Pentair. I would like to know what automation features I would be foregoing if I choose a brand other than Pentair.

On a side note, I was somewhat neutral on SWG at the time of pool building (1 year ago) but wish I had found this forum before deciding. Pleased to have learned so much since discovering this group.
 
If you have a Pentair automation system and do not use an IC, the non IC SWCG will be able to be turned on and off by the automation. You will not be able to adjust the % setting for FC generation.
 
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I love my IC40 and I have the Easy Touch 8. My only issue has been the flow switch which probably 75% of the people on this forum have had problems with. I believe though I saw in a thread on the site that Pentair has fixed this issue with the newer models. Other than this mine works flawlessly and is a piece of cake with the Easy Touch.
 
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Thank you. Yes, I already have Easy Touch. And Marty, you answered one question--I want to know if the Easy Touch will allow me to adjust it from my lounge chair. Also good to hear that the unit functions well. So far, our experience with Pentair has been that when they identify a problem, they fix it going forward and often retrofit for prior purchases.

Reading the Easy Touch control panel, I do not see a place specifically identified to connect a SWG. I assume it connects to one of the AUX ports? I have at least 2 available.
 
Does your Easytouch have Screenlogic? Can you add those items to your signature?

To add an IC to your system, you will need the power center and generating cell. There will be a cable that connects from the power center to the ET at a COM port. It will not use a relay though it will be controlled by the Pump/Filter relay.

@Jimrahbe can walk you through the wiring, etc.
 
T,

If you had bought a SWCG with your EasyTouch, it would have come with an internal power supply... In your case you will have to buy the external power supply and the salt cell..

You will need the IC40 or the IC60, as you need a cell that is rated for at least 2 x the volume of your pool.

The power supply is wired to the load side of the pump filter relay.. This is because you only want the cell on when the pump is running. Then you will need to run a 4 wire cable between the com port in the EasyTouch and the com port in the power supply.. This communications cable is so that you can control the cell from ScreenLogic and so that the cell can report the level of the salt in the pool water.

That said you never want to trust what the cell reports.. You will need to have a Taylor K-1766 salt test kit so that you can test for the actual salt level.

I have three saltwater pools and they all have the IC40s. One is 10 years old and still on the original cell, one is 7 years old and I just replaced that cell about a month ago. The one at my house was replaced after a lightening strike so it is only about 3 years old. I have had a couple of Flow switch failures, but they were an easy DIY repair.

If one of them goes bad tomorrow, I'll have another one on order the same day.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
T_Meek said:
On a side note, I was somewhat neutral on SWG at the time of pool building (1 year ago) but wish I had found this forum before deciding. Pleased to have learned so much since discovering this group.
Click to expand...

Can you share why the switch to SWG after one year?

I have a new pool and went the inline chlorinator route as well. Currently in a wait and see on how my setup turns out after year one. Using 3” 99% Trichloro tablets with 10% LC for additional chlorine as needed. Other than that, utilizing the Pool Math app for balancing (BBB plus MA). Rationale for going this route is the combination of the immense amount of rain my area receives (60”+ per year) and the pool overflow drain will keep the CYA within TFP recommended levels. That’s my hope at least! Setup is easily upgradable to SWG (Hayward ProLogic) if the time does come.
 
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1271,

A lot of people use tablets... The key is to routinely test and understand what you need to do to keep your chemicals in balance.. The people that get in trouble with tablets, either never test, or trust the pool store to do it for them...

When you get out of a standard chlorine pool, you feel like you need to take a shower.. When you get out of a saltwater pool, you feel like you just got out of the shower.. :mrgreen:

Each pool and location is somewhat different, but if it works for you, it works for us.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 

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Jimrahbe said:
When you get out of a standard chlorine pool, you feel like you need to take a shower.. When you get out of a saltwater pool, you feel like you just got out of the shower.. :mrgreen:

Each pool and location is somewhat different, but if it works for you, it works for us.
Click to expand...

Jim, thanks for the feedback. So far so good. Saltwater does sound amazing though! One day... ?

Andy
 
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