Stenner pump questions

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JB007

JB007

Silver Supporter
Apr 3, 2022
86
Houston
Pool Size
17000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
SWG Type
CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
So the pool has been re-plastered (in my 4th week) and I want to automate the PH control/MA addition. Planning on doing the same for chlorine if it works for MA.

I read a lot about these Stenner pumps, but have a hard time on deciding which type is best suited for MA addition. Any recommendation as to what model ?
- S series (fixed or variable),
- Classic 1 head (fixed or variable)
- or Econ (seems an overkill for a residential pool)

The other question, is the size of pump. Should I go with a 25 psi or 100 psi ? (not sure what this even does)

I would assume a 0.2 to 3.0 GPD would be sufficient, as I add about 48 oz every other day right now; hopefully less as time goes by and the plaster cures.

Last, I see that 7.5G is the smallest Stenner tank available; would it make sense to only pour 2 gallons at a time in the tank and use it as is ? I tend to say that the less i have in the tank, the better in case of an unforseen accident. 2 G would hold me a full week right now, possibly longer down the road

Thanks for any recommendation.
 
JB007 said:
I read a lot about these Stenner pumps, but have a hard time on deciding which type is best suited for MA addition. Any recommendation as to what model ?
- S series (fixed or variable),
- Classic 1 head (fixed or variable)
- or Econ (seems an overkill for a residential pool)
Click to expand...
I bought mine on features, any of them can be used. Make sure you get the right pump tubes for MA
stenner.com

Stenner peristaltic metering pump official part numbers pump tubes

Stenner peristaltic metering pumps official part numbers pump tubes; chart with Works With column to match part with pump
stenner.com stenner.com

MAKE SURE TO READ THIS DOCUMENT-->


JB007 said:
The other question, is the size of pump. Should I go with a 25 psi or 100 psi ? (not sure what this even does)
Click to expand...
25 is just fine.
JB007 said:
I would assume a 0.2 to 3.0 GPD would be sufficient, as I add about 48 oz every other day right now; hopefully less as time goes by and the plaster cures.
Click to expand...
I would trade off volume and price. I'd go with a larger capacity. Why? It will run less time=less electrical cost. They are a bit noisy and do get hot, shorter duration run time is better. My 10GPD pump puts out about 52oz an hour. Get the .2 per day and its going to run a looooong time.
JB007 said:
Last, I see that 7.5G is the smallest Stenner tank available; would it make sense to only pour 2 gallons at a time in the tank and use it as is ? I tend to say that the less i have in the tank, the better in case of an unforseen accident. 2 G would hold me a full week right now, possibly longer down the road
Click to expand...
Yeah, the pickup attachment in the tank has holes that are about 1" high or so. The first gallon or 2 won't be entirely usable, depending on how you setup the pickup. Once air hits the pickup, it loses the ability to pull more. You may find you need to keep 3 gallons to keep it primed. In my 15 gallon tank the first two gallons just got my pickup covered.
JB007 said:
Thanks for any recommendation.
Click to expand...
You are welcome.
 
@mknauss I did read the link last night already and another 12 page thread from Stve_in_C. Lots of good info. that made me convince to go with the automation idea

@PoolStored Thanks for the input. I understand your thinking on the sizing up for the pump. makes a lot of sense. will definitively go that route., but does it make sense for get the larger tank also ? 7.5G vs 15G ? i know it will last longer (more acid in the tank), but also prone to a bigger problem should something happen.
regarding the psi, why would someone use 100psi ? what situation would ask for this option ?
 
JB007 said:
@PoolStored Thanks for the input. I understand your thinking on the sizing up for the pump. makes a lot of sense. will definitively go that route., but does it make sense for get the larger tank also ? 7.5G vs 15G ?
Click to expand...
No. The 7.5 should be fine. With the 15, if you every have to empty it, it can be very heavy to move.
JB007 said:
i know it will last longer (more acid in the tank), but also prone to a bigger problem should something happen.
regarding the psi, why would someone use 100psi ? what situation would ask for this option ?
Click to expand...
I'm sure there are plenty of high pressure commercial operations that would require 100psi. Just not your pool.
 
mknauss said:
Remember, you dilute the acid at least 1:1 with water. Preferably more.
Click to expand...
but if i dilute with 50% water, then I will need to double the output of MA. For ex, if i need 48 oz daily, I would need 96 oz , correct ?
is there an advantage (besides the less dangerous part) to dilute it vs pouring it at 100%?
 
Your expendables (tubes, head, etc) will last far longer if you dilute the acid.

Also, be sure to vent the tank to place without metals nearby.
 
JB007 said:
but if i dilute with 50% water, then I will need to double the output of MA. For ex, if i need 48 oz daily, I would need 96 oz , correct ?
Click to expand...
Yes.
JB007 said:
is there an advantage (besides the less dangerous part) to dilute it vs pouring it at 100%?
Click to expand...
Equipment lasts longer, safer to do cleaning and repairs, a lot less fumes when you refill the tank. Most dilute 1:1, 3:1 or 4:1.
 
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mknauss said:
Your expendables (tubes, head, etc) will last far longer if you dilute the acid.

Also, be sure to vent the tank to place without metals nearby.
Click to expand...
I see, longevity issue again. makes sense.
if i get the Stenner tank i believe it has a venting system , so that part should be taken care of.

In any case the tank will be located outside, but the pool equipment will be next to it.

Should i be worried about the heat and sun for the MA (I know it is a major issue for the liquid chlorine); all the equipment is in full south side.
 

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The heat and sun do not bother the MA, but might your equipment.

Be sure you run the vent tube away from your equipment.
 
ok. great.
another question/confirmation : the key to using these Stenner pumps as automation, is to make sure that they ALWAYS run when the pool pump is running , correct ? regardless if it is MA or LC injection.

Also which injection should go in last in the circuit ? MA or LC ? Since it is not recommended to inject both at the same time, should i have the MA injection before or after the LC injection ?
 
JB007 said:
ok. great.
another question/confirmation : the key to using these Stenner pumps as automation, is to make sure that they ALWAYS run when the pool pump is running , correct ? regardless if it is MA or LC injection.
Click to expand...
Yes...AND if you have a heater, you should have a checkvalve or hartford loop after the heater. YOU ALSO ABSOLUTELY NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT INJECTING MA AND LC AT THE SAME TIME.
JB007 said:
Also which injection should go in last in the circuit ? MA or LC ? Since it is not recommended to inject both at the same time, should i have the MA injection before or after the LC injection ?
Click to expand...
Pentair Intellichem shows MA before LC.

Why don't you get a SWCG to chlorinate. So much less hassle. I was on the stenner, and switched to SWCG. I wouldn't go back if you paid me. Also, with the price of chlorine these days, almost a no brainer.
 
PoolStored said:
Yes...AND if you have a heater, you should have a checkvalve or hartford loop after the heater. YOU ALSO ABSOLUTELY NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT INJECTING MA AND LC AT THE SAME TIME.

Pentair Intellichem shows MA before LC.

Why don't you get a SWCG to chlorinate. So much less hassle. I was on the stenner, and switched to SWCG. I wouldn't go back if you paid me. Also, with the price of chlorine these days, almost a no brainer.
Click to expand...
Yes. I totally got that the 2 cannot be injected at the same time.
Actually i was wondering if it really was important for 1 beeing before the other or vice versa. Since they dont run at the same time, it should not matter, unless I missed something.

AHH SWCG vs Stenner.... I know most people on here swear by it. Here is the reason why I plan on going with the Stenner pump : when we purchased the house several years ago, the pool had an SWG system. But I had no clue about how to use it and how to maintain it and my pool guy had really no idea either....and I had no clue about pool maintenance. So i removed it.

Fast forward 8 years later, I have learned so much about pools and chemistry in between (mostly thru this site and other educational sites like Orenda) that the last 2 years I have been taking care of my own pool with Liquid Chlorine maintenance. I can see the hassle with the Schlepping of Gallon jugs, but i feel so comfortable using it this way. Cost wise it probably is a wash out anyway, so no really looking at this....who knows down the road when i get tired with LC jugs.

Starting with MA first to test the Stenner system; if it all goes to plan, I'll do the LC. seems like it is an easier set up for the MA than the chlorine (more variables to consider, loss of %, calibration/adjustments)
 
I think the biggest fear i have is IF the pool pump for any reason stops working and nobody see it and the Stenner system injects without knowing about it. That could become a small disaster, just not sure to what extend.
 
FWIW, I bought this: Stenner Single Head Adjustable Pump with 7.5 Gallon Tank #1 Tube 0.2 - 3 GPD System

It provides me the following:
1682455522462.png

I like the adjustable output so far. Mine has the 7.5 gallon capacity too. I usually keep about 4 gallons in it. It was super easy to install, easier than I thought it would be. I had a problem with it in shipping, the pump itself was damaged, but Stenner took care of it quickly and got me out a new replacement ASAP so I was happy with their customer service. I'm dosing about .25 gallons/day of MA right now.

I recommend when you first set yours up and start dosing, set the adjustable output ALL the way up initially until you start to notice it drawing MA up and sending it out the line (you should see it in the clear tubing), then dial in your exact setting that you want. This way you're sure it's actually dosing.

I hardwired the pump (do NOT "cut" the power cable, instead buy an extension cord (i bought one for like $15 on Amazon) and "cut that one -- in case you ever need to send it in for warranty, you haven't ruined the cord) and hardwire it to your filter pump relay so the Stenner only receives power when the filter pump is actually on.

Let me know if you have specific questions? So far, VERY happy with the Stenner pump and glad I did it.
 
nice. appreciate your input,
I am leaning towards the Fixed output. Model 45MFL2A2S (0.5to10GPD; 25psi) with the 7.5G grey tank (57G) and black 1/4" tubing (i'm in full sun). I think it comes with #2 inside tube. Stenner explained me that I could always change the tube down the road to a higher number if i needed to.
I also plan on installing an indicator flow (AK600) to be able to visually see if the liquid flows properly.

How much do you dilute the MA ?

I kind of like your system to hook it up to the pool pump directly, at least it ONLY can run when the pool pump is running. I just am not an electrician and not sure how i would do this; not familiar with relays. So I thought the easiest was to get a timer that would run (for example 2 hours) during the time frame that the pump is running (usually 8 to 12 h per day depending on season). The only issue i saw, was if the pool pump would not run for any reason (breakdown) and the Stenner would run. Then potential trouble in paradise. lol
 
I don't dilute the MA in the container right now. It's straight MA.

Do you have an automation system that controls your pool pump(s)?
 
Woah. From what I get, most people dilute MA at a ratio of 1:1 to up to 1:4. It kind of make sense to dilute it, since it will be "softer" on the Stenner pump tubing. Maybe help increase longevity

On the automation, I only have a double intermatic timer; 1 for the pool pump and 1 for the Polaris cleaner.
 
@jesse-99 To make sure i understand the variable pump function, in your case you set the pump to run during a certain time (for example 1h) AND you adjust the output thru the turndown dial from 1 to 20, am I correct ?
while in a fixed pump, with a given tube #, the timer is what determines the amount injected.

debating one last time before ordering my pump, fixed vs adjustable. trying to figure out the easiest to adjust.
 

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