SO, I have been thinking of converting to a Stenner system for a while now , even though I am using a working Liquidator . Why ? Read on ............
BTW, Thanks to Regnar , for the little bit of encouragement / push I needed to just do it , and with a newer Stenner model , the EconT which has a built in timer in this thread ......... https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/139410-Stenner-Econ-T
The Liquidator has performed well for ME for 3 years now , and yes ............it does work , although its not perfect . The reason for the change/upgrade to a Stenner are due to a few reasons which has always bothered me about the Liquidator . I am using the C201, 8 gallon model with the 3/8 upgrade . I am not here to bash the Liquidator . It has performed well for me for 3 years, I was just looking for better options ............hence the Stenner upgrade .
Cons for the Liquidator -
1 . Scale build up . Yes its not a myth . The Liquidator does build up lots of sodium hypochlorite scale . I think its due to the constant flow and mixing with pool water ? But I am not a chem expert ! I will say it really hasnt given me much trouble, but the scale is there, builds up on all the parts and tank and the does need periodic cleaning.
2. FAILING parts . I have , in three years replaced ALL of the parts , minus the tank . Some parts more than twice . The sodium hyperclorite is just too harsh for any of the components that contact the feed water . They are destined to become brittle and fail . Its not IF they will fail , its just HOW LONG will they last before they fail and need replacement. I found it necessary to keep every single part on hand as a spare . Yep, every single part minus the tank . Roughly $100. per year for the complete replacement parts kit. This year, I decided to put that $100. towards a Stenner !
3. HARD to keep adjusted . Its very hard to keep a precise , steady flow of sodium hypochlorite . The adjustment valve is very vague , and made it difficult to keep a consistent FC level . I was always close, but grew tired of weekly "hope I got it right this time" adjustments. A pinch valve may have helped that , but I decided just to go the Stenner route instead.
4 . Pump LOSES prime .............every day . Just by nature of the Liquidator system and all of its 1 way valves and floats allows air to be introduced into the system . Every time the pump shuts down , in a short amount of time , the Liquidator tank will siphon liquid back out until the return float drops enough to allow air into the system to break the Liquidator siphon . I HATE this part . I was tired of the pump having to re-prime itself every time the pump started which in turn rushes a huge amount of air through the sytem . EVERY TIME ! I just want the pump to kick on without all the air going through the system , sand filter , heater etc .
I decided going the Stenner route , but I will be "re-purposing" my Liquidator "TANK" as a storage vat for the Stenner .
I went with a relatively newer and untested Stenner model , the EconT . I decided on the E20T4G model . 12.3 gallons per day , or 1/2 gallon per hour. Makes it easy to figure the amount of sodium hypochlorite dispensed per hour . It is the 80psi 120v model and has an integral timer . These Stenner models can be purchased for a little over $200 . and include everything , even a spare santoprene tubing set for the pump . Ebay is about the only place to find these new pumps inexpensively . If you want to pay full blow retail price (which is approx $400.+) , there are very few online dealers who carry it.
Anyway .................here is the install .................. with pics !
Got my EconT installed yesterday with no issues whatsoever .
Was very easy to install , which in my case included removing all of my "Liquidator" plumbing (except the tank) .
All the mechanics for the pool are located in a pump house which fully enclosed to keep everything (except the heatpump pool heater) out of sight and OUT of the weather including the hot sun to keep everything cool.
I "re-purposed" my "Liquidator" tank as a vat for the Stenner system . I figured that I already had it, and it was already suitable for sodium hypochlorite use , plus it fit exactly in the small footprint I had to work with since it was already in use as a "Liquidator" .
First , I set up the Liquidator on full flow a day earlier to empty the small amount of sodium hypochlorite that was still left in it, so I wouldn't have to deal with bleach getting all over . Next I shut down the whole system , and completely removed the "Liquidator" plumbing . The two ports that the liquidator used as feed and dispense in my 1 1/2 " plumbing, I tapped out for 1/4 npt and installed plastic plugs to block them off. I then completely cleaned out the liquidator tank which has been in use for 3 years ...........LOTS of scale in it !!! I was able to acquire 2 rubber plugs to block off the liquidator tank holes , and used one of the plugs as a location to feed in the Stenner line . Got the tank all done, and installed the Stenner weighted pick up and line in the tank . Installed the Stenner Econ T on the wall next to and higher than the feed tank (original liquidator tank) . Also its conveniently located next to a GFCI outlet in the pump house which also feeds the exterior pool lighting control unit . Then installed a 1 1/2" T that had a small threaded opening on the "t" port. I did need to use an adapter to go down from 3/4" npt on the "t" , to the 1/2" npt (also has 1/4" npt option) Stenner injection check valve assy . I installed the T at the tail end of my system after the pump, filter and heater , but right before the main return split off to my 3 returns for the pool . Set the liquidator tank in place, and finished all the Stenner plumbing hook -ups . Filled the tank with 10 gallons 8.25% bleach , and marked the tank after every gallon so I could more easily keep track of sodium hypochlorite usage , and when it needs to be filled.
Install went very easy and I think it took me about 2 hours total just taking my time and making sure the install went off without a hitch .
Everything works perfect, and now I just need to dial the Stenner in over the next week to get it perfect .
Here are some pictures of my install ..............
BEFORE , with the "Liquidator" still running .
After ........... Stenner installation using the liquidator tank .
(Sorry, I left the CYA sock in the picture ! I am sure TFP members knew what it was for already ! ,lol )
Stenner pick-up inside liquidator vat ............
Injection valve installation and location .......
Stenner EconT on wall of pump house ..........
Liquidator vat for Stenner with reference markers .........
Shot of my enclosed pump house ..............behind the "hidden" door of the TIKI BAR ! Above it is our pool bath /shower house and changing area .
Shot of the pool that the Stenner will be in charge of , lol ! Just installed a new liner this season . Pics above and below the waterline ........... THANKS TFP !!!! As you can see , the pool is crystal clear !!!
This shot is underwater , with an i-phone and a 36' view into the deep end .
Hope this helps someone . Any questions ? Just ask, and I will try to answer to the best of my ability .
Will be posting some reviews once in a while on this thread to let everyone know how this new Stenner EconT pump is holding up .
BTW, Thanks to Regnar , for the little bit of encouragement / push I needed to just do it , and with a newer Stenner model , the EconT which has a built in timer in this thread ......... https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/139410-Stenner-Econ-T
The Liquidator has performed well for ME for 3 years now , and yes ............it does work , although its not perfect . The reason for the change/upgrade to a Stenner are due to a few reasons which has always bothered me about the Liquidator . I am using the C201, 8 gallon model with the 3/8 upgrade . I am not here to bash the Liquidator . It has performed well for me for 3 years, I was just looking for better options ............hence the Stenner upgrade .
Cons for the Liquidator -
1 . Scale build up . Yes its not a myth . The Liquidator does build up lots of sodium hypochlorite scale . I think its due to the constant flow and mixing with pool water ? But I am not a chem expert ! I will say it really hasnt given me much trouble, but the scale is there, builds up on all the parts and tank and the does need periodic cleaning.
2. FAILING parts . I have , in three years replaced ALL of the parts , minus the tank . Some parts more than twice . The sodium hyperclorite is just too harsh for any of the components that contact the feed water . They are destined to become brittle and fail . Its not IF they will fail , its just HOW LONG will they last before they fail and need replacement. I found it necessary to keep every single part on hand as a spare . Yep, every single part minus the tank . Roughly $100. per year for the complete replacement parts kit. This year, I decided to put that $100. towards a Stenner !
3. HARD to keep adjusted . Its very hard to keep a precise , steady flow of sodium hypochlorite . The adjustment valve is very vague , and made it difficult to keep a consistent FC level . I was always close, but grew tired of weekly "hope I got it right this time" adjustments. A pinch valve may have helped that , but I decided just to go the Stenner route instead.
4 . Pump LOSES prime .............every day . Just by nature of the Liquidator system and all of its 1 way valves and floats allows air to be introduced into the system . Every time the pump shuts down , in a short amount of time , the Liquidator tank will siphon liquid back out until the return float drops enough to allow air into the system to break the Liquidator siphon . I HATE this part . I was tired of the pump having to re-prime itself every time the pump started which in turn rushes a huge amount of air through the sytem . EVERY TIME ! I just want the pump to kick on without all the air going through the system , sand filter , heater etc .
I decided going the Stenner route , but I will be "re-purposing" my Liquidator "TANK" as a storage vat for the Stenner .
I went with a relatively newer and untested Stenner model , the EconT . I decided on the E20T4G model . 12.3 gallons per day , or 1/2 gallon per hour. Makes it easy to figure the amount of sodium hypochlorite dispensed per hour . It is the 80psi 120v model and has an integral timer . These Stenner models can be purchased for a little over $200 . and include everything , even a spare santoprene tubing set for the pump . Ebay is about the only place to find these new pumps inexpensively . If you want to pay full blow retail price (which is approx $400.+) , there are very few online dealers who carry it.
Anyway .................here is the install .................. with pics !
Got my EconT installed yesterday with no issues whatsoever .
Was very easy to install , which in my case included removing all of my "Liquidator" plumbing (except the tank) .
All the mechanics for the pool are located in a pump house which fully enclosed to keep everything (except the heatpump pool heater) out of sight and OUT of the weather including the hot sun to keep everything cool.
I "re-purposed" my "Liquidator" tank as a vat for the Stenner system . I figured that I already had it, and it was already suitable for sodium hypochlorite use , plus it fit exactly in the small footprint I had to work with since it was already in use as a "Liquidator" .
First , I set up the Liquidator on full flow a day earlier to empty the small amount of sodium hypochlorite that was still left in it, so I wouldn't have to deal with bleach getting all over . Next I shut down the whole system , and completely removed the "Liquidator" plumbing . The two ports that the liquidator used as feed and dispense in my 1 1/2 " plumbing, I tapped out for 1/4 npt and installed plastic plugs to block them off. I then completely cleaned out the liquidator tank which has been in use for 3 years ...........LOTS of scale in it !!! I was able to acquire 2 rubber plugs to block off the liquidator tank holes , and used one of the plugs as a location to feed in the Stenner line . Got the tank all done, and installed the Stenner weighted pick up and line in the tank . Installed the Stenner Econ T on the wall next to and higher than the feed tank (original liquidator tank) . Also its conveniently located next to a GFCI outlet in the pump house which also feeds the exterior pool lighting control unit . Then installed a 1 1/2" T that had a small threaded opening on the "t" port. I did need to use an adapter to go down from 3/4" npt on the "t" , to the 1/2" npt (also has 1/4" npt option) Stenner injection check valve assy . I installed the T at the tail end of my system after the pump, filter and heater , but right before the main return split off to my 3 returns for the pool . Set the liquidator tank in place, and finished all the Stenner plumbing hook -ups . Filled the tank with 10 gallons 8.25% bleach , and marked the tank after every gallon so I could more easily keep track of sodium hypochlorite usage , and when it needs to be filled.
Install went very easy and I think it took me about 2 hours total just taking my time and making sure the install went off without a hitch .
Everything works perfect, and now I just need to dial the Stenner in over the next week to get it perfect .
Here are some pictures of my install ..............
BEFORE , with the "Liquidator" still running .
After ........... Stenner installation using the liquidator tank .
(Sorry, I left the CYA sock in the picture ! I am sure TFP members knew what it was for already ! ,lol )
Stenner pick-up inside liquidator vat ............
Injection valve installation and location .......
Stenner EconT on wall of pump house ..........
Liquidator vat for Stenner with reference markers .........
Shot of my enclosed pump house ..............behind the "hidden" door of the TIKI BAR ! Above it is our pool bath /shower house and changing area .
Shot of the pool that the Stenner will be in charge of , lol ! Just installed a new liner this season . Pics above and below the waterline ........... THANKS TFP !!!! As you can see , the pool is crystal clear !!!
This shot is underwater , with an i-phone and a 36' view into the deep end .
Hope this helps someone . Any questions ? Just ask, and I will try to answer to the best of my ability .
Will be posting some reviews once in a while on this thread to let everyone know how this new Stenner EconT pump is holding up .
