Stenner Pump: Variable vs. Fixed rate?

[Parabolic]

Those of you who have a Stenner pump to feed chlorine, I'd like to ask what most have chosen, either a fixed rate or variable rate pump, and why?

 

[RonsPlc]

I got a variable, but only have it set to FULL speed, and control it with a timer. I figured that if I didn't have to engage the slip gear, it wouldn't wear out.
I got the pump for a song... $80 brand new, and couldn't turn it down.
It was the SECOND best thing I have done for my pool, and my sanity!
The first best was following the principals that are taught here on TFP.

I love my stenner, and wouldn't hesitate to replace it at full price if it ever bit the dust.

 

[spoonman]

I just got the Stenner Econ T to automate the chlorine and it works fabulous. It is fixed speed with a built in timer. Only other recommendation is to get a pump on the higher gpd end. This will reduce your run time and wear and tear.

 

[Pollock]

I have a 3 inch puck chlorinator. I guess it would be easy to plumb one of these stenner systems right into the existing chlorinator line?

 

[skimmerswimmer]

I have the fixed rate 10 GPD stenner pump running it on a timer 3 times a day for about 15 min each. The fixed rate pumps are quieter and should last longer.

 

[Bama Rambler]

I originally bought an adjustable model and later converted it to a fixed rate head.
With the new Econ T model you have a choice of getting the pump with built-in timer.

My recommendation would be either the Econ T or a fixed rate with separate timer.

 

[Demegrad9]

I have a rola-chem but it's still the basic idea as a stenner. Mine is a fixed rate head but it has a timer built in with a control knob labelled 0 to 7. Since the pump can dispense 12 gallons per day, way too much, I put it on a separate intermatic timer from home depot so I could set the knob to about 3 and still have some room to adjust up and down.

 

[joshua5438]

I have an variable rate stenner pump. I purchased it on Craigslist and actually got two of them for $60 each. I have it set to the highest rate and control it with a timer. I run it twice a day for 20 minutes each to inject 1/2 gallon of chlorine per day.

 

[Jbat9466]

I bought the 45MPHP22 fixed rate pump. I know my pool takes about 1/2 gal chlorine a day. The pump puts out roughly 22 Gal per day which equals 1.95 oz per min. I run the pump twice a day for roughly 16 min each time. I planned on using a timer to control how much chlorine is administered so the bigger the pump, ( flow rate ) = less the run time, less wear and tear, the longer the pump will last.

 

[csrpenfab]

I bought the Stenner fixed rate 45MP2, 10 gallon per day, 25psi model attached to a 15 gallon tank from Poolweb.com for $366 shipped. It came in yesterday and I'm ready to install today. I'll be using a Wood's outdoor timer. Looking forward to this upgrade.

 

[slickraft]

My pump is variable speed but I leave it at a fixed rate and change the delivery amount as needed with timer instead.

 

[panamax53]

I purchased a variable 45M and use the small tube to dispense 16 total ounces over a one hour time period of a 50/50 muriatic acid solution. I regret buying the variable. It's too noisy for me and my neighbors due to the very loud clicking sound it makes on variable dosage settings. So I run it at full open without restriction and use a Woods Timer to regulate the time. The Woods timers don't last much more than a year in my experience. I like their precision and price point over the alternatives. I keep a backup on hand.

I do wonder if using the next size larger tube and running it for only 15 minutes would be a better idea? Or would those 8 ounces of acid be too much going into a 4 jet 17,500 gal pool in that period of time if someone were swimming in the pool?

 

[Blowout]

Just installed the fixed rate Stenner with 15 gal tank a month ago. Using a timer and everything seems to be running smoothly.

I don't have a central control system and fixed rate seemed to be the easiest to implement and most simple to troubleshoot.

 

[Jaimslaw]

I So I run it at full open without restriction and use a Woods Timer to regulate the time. The Woods timers don't last much more than a year in my experience. I like their precision and price point over the alternatives. I keep a backup on hand.

I’ve had two Woods timers fail on me (causing a serious acid dump, ie, stenner was on for the full time of the pool pump cycle. I really like the Wood timer design and price point, but reliability does become a really important factor in the context of timing the dispensing of acid. So I have two Woods timers - one controlling the other. This at least reduces the odds of another timer failure/acid dump, as this would only happen with a simultaneous failure of both timers. As an additional safeguard against a timer malfunction, I time th dispensing to be during the final 15 minutes of the pool pump cycle. If both timers were to go bad, referring to both going into a always on mode, dispensing would only occur during that pool pump on time frame (ie, timers powered by pool pump circuit).