Shopping for new SWCG and looking for advice

[DaveTheAccountant]

Good evening,

I am in the market for a new SWCG. Our current one simply isn’t cutting it and I’m tired of adding liquid on a regular basis to supplement.

Our pool is 18x36 with a three person swim out and approximately 28,000 gallons. I am
In middle GA, and our pool gets about eight hours of sun daily. Water temps hover in the low 90s with 12 hours of daily pump run time.

What are your recommendations? I’d like to order online and have my previous PB install. I realize I could probably handle it, but I am not confident with my abilities in this area.

Given that I have electrical run already, do I need to involve an electrician again? Is there a “gotcha” I need to be aware of in this process?

I think I’ve provided all necessary information, but I am happy to answer any additional questions.

Thanks in advance!

 

[PoolStored]

Without automation, buy this, but get the RJ-60+ for $10 more (Big Red Button):

CircuPool RJ-45 PLUS Saltwater Chlorinator | Discount Salt Pool

www.discountsaltpool.com

I have the same size pool, and the RJ is a beast. With 12 hours of runtime, 75% output, it will create 4.8FC in your pool. 90% would be 5.8. It would likely cover your needs.

Even if you have to up your pump runtime a bit, the RJ-60+ is your best solution.

In the future, you might consider replacing your SuperPump...assuming it is single speed (EDIT: looks like it is single speed)...with a VSP. You could then run very low RPMs and run 24/7. This would reduce your electrical usage and reduce your SWCG output %. Would save on electricity.

 

[DaveTheAccountant]

It’s definitely a single speed. I’m working overcome my equipment ignorance a year or two at a time

 

[PoolStored]

Being an accountant, you will like this calculator...

[Tools] Energy Calculator

Hayward's easy-to-use Energy Solutions Calculator computes your estimated savings by switching to the Hayward family of variable speed pumps.

hayward.com

Electrical rates in GA average about .15/kWh. Set the calculator up with a tristar 950 vs single speed. .15/kWh. 30K pool. 1hp single speed at 12 hours. Length of season 8 months.

Cost savings is 500$ per season. Payback is about 3.8 years. ($1900 pump including $200 installation / $500 in electrical savings per season).

 

[trivetman]

Is it the swg thats the problem or that you’re trying to limit it to 12 hour runs? If the cell is in good shape the better investment might be in upgrading to the vsp and then the swg will be able to keep up.

Are you sure the water is algae free and thats not the problem?

The electrical should be basic to replace as you’re replacing whats there.

 

[PoolStored]

Is it the swg thats the problem or that you’re trying to limit it to 12 hour runs?

Jandy TruClear makes 3.8FC @100 if run for 24 hours. Still not enough for OP in GA.

 

[DaveTheAccountant]

Is it the swg thats the problem or that you’re trying to limit it to 12 hour runs? If the cell is in good shape the better investment might be in upgrading to the vsp and then the swg will be able to keep up.

Are you sure the water is algae free and thats not the problem?

The electrical should be basic to replace as you’re replacing whats there.

This is addressed below, but the cell is just undersized. I’d need to run it at 125% for 24 hours to begin to feel comfortable.

 

[DaveTheAccountant]

Is there a time of year when these tend to drop in price or no?

 

[proavia]

Is there a time of year when these tend to drop in price or no?

It's hit or miss. They seem to have had stable pricing for a while.

If you go with the RJ60+, look at the RJ45+ and do the $10 upgrade to the RJ60+ as recommended by @PoolStored

 

[DaveTheAccountant]

It's hit or miss. They seem to have had stable pricing for a while.

If you go with the RJ60+, look at the RJ45+ and do the $10 upgrade to the RJ60+ as recommended by @PoolStored

Thanks for the feedback

 

[DaveTheAccountant]

Without automation, buy this, but get the RJ-60+ for $10 more (Big Red Button):

CircuPool RJ-45 PLUS Saltwater Chlorinator | Discount Salt Pool

www.discountsaltpool.com

I have the same size pool, and the RJ is a beast. With 12 hours of runtime, 75% output, it will create 4.8FC in your pool. 90% would be 5.8. It would likely cover your needs.

Even if you have to up your pump runtime a bit, the RJ-60+ is your best solution.

In the future, you might consider replacing your SuperPump...assuming it is single speed (EDIT: looks like it is single speed)...with a VSP. You could then run very low RPMs and run 24/7. This would reduce your electrical usage and reduce your SWCG output %. Would save on electricity.

Being an accountant, you will like this calculator...

[Tools] Energy Calculator

Hayward's easy-to-use Energy Solutions Calculator computes your estimated savings by switching to the Hayward family of variable speed pumps.

hayward.com

Electrical rates in GA average about .15/kWh. Set the calculator up with a tristar 950 vs single speed. .15/kWh. 30K pool. 1hp single speed at 12 hours. Length of season 8 months.

Cost savings is 500$ per season. Payback is about 3.8 years. ($1900 pump including $200 installation / $500 in electrical savings per season).

Is it the swg thats the problem or that you’re trying to limit it to 12 hour runs? If the cell is in good shape the better investment might be in upgrading to the vsp and then the swg will be able to keep up.

Are you sure the water is algae free and thats not the problem?

The electrical should be basic to replace as you’re replacing whats there.

While we’re here, is there a recommendation on a VSP that I can bookmark for later?

 

[PoolStored]

While we’re here, is there a recommendation on a VSP that I can bookmark for later?

Do you have 115 or 230v service?

 

[DaveTheAccountant]

Do you have 115 or 230v

apologies for my ignorance, but I don’t know. Does a pic help?

 

[PoolStored]

Looks like 230.

Waterway 2.7 Defender
Pentair Intelliflo
Tristar 950 VS.

DO NOT GET SVRS!!!

Higher HP moves the same water at lower speed than a low HP. You want a high head pump.