SWG conversion on old pool equipment

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jamesey

jamesey

Well-known member
Apr 27, 2021
105
Maryland
Pool Size
17000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Looking for a bit of advice from a newbie...

A bit of background:

I've done my research on SWG and variable speed pumps and on the edge of pulling the trigger tonight. Discount Salt Pools is having their $20 upsize special going on, so I can land an RJ-45 PLUS for $1299 right now. Additionally, to save money, I'm thinking about swapping my single speed pump with a variable from A.O Smith Century instead of buying a completely new pump & motor combo.

Here's what I'm buying:
  • Circupool RJ-45 PLUS
  • AO Smith Century VGreen 1.65hp Variable Speed Pump OR CircuPool SmartFlo 1.5hp Variable Speed Pump
This year will be my 3rd year managing our pool in Maryland. I have experience swapping motors on the same pump when it died our first year. Don't ask me why I didn't swap to a variable speed back then because now I'm kicking myself for not doing it :(. I'm pretty handy and based on what I've read... installation shouldn't be an issue.

A few questions I have:
  1. Am I doing this the right way? My ultimate goal is long-term pool chemical and maintenance savings as well as performance
  2. Is the RJ-45 sufficient for my setup? Going up to RJ-60 would be an extra $100
  3. The new pump motor is slightly stronger than my existing one. Is there anything I should be thinking of as swap and size up here?
  4. Anything else I might have missed? Just polling some feedback here before I drop $2k on upgrades
Thanks in advance!!
 
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Oh, I also noticed that Discount Salt Pools has a stackable coupon to add the Circupool SmartFlo Variable Speed Pool Pump 1.5 THP which would basically net to the same cost as upgrading the motor separately. Might end up going this way to remove the headache of pulling the motor apart and sticking with the same brand... Don't know much about this motor as I just saw the deal right now
 
jamesey said:
  1. Am I doing this the right way? My ultimate goal is long-term pool chemical and maintenance savings as well as performance
Click to expand...
Sounds like it.
jamesey said:
  1. Is the RJ-45 sufficient for my setup? Going up to RJ-60 would be an extra $100
Click to expand...
Sufficient. Yes. If it were me, I'd get the 60. The $100 is a pittance for the extra life. If you keep your CSI in check, upgrade will pay for itself.
jamesey said:
  1. The new pump motor is slightly stronger than my existing one. Is there anything I should be thinking of as swap and size up here?
Click to expand...
Can't help you with your pump choice. Run a superflo VSP, low rpm, 24/7 and love it.
jamesey said:
  1. Anything else I might have missed? Just polling some feedback here before I drop $2k on upgrades
Click to expand...
Think about how you are going to put the RJ on the same circuit as your pump. You don't want your flow switch to be your primary protection.
 
woodyp said:
My AGP is 13,500 gallons and just got the RJ-45 PLUS. I'd say you're well in the ballpark size wise. You got any automation going on or any plans for any?
Click to expand...
No automation at the moment. Just a simple dual timer that is controlling the pump and booster pump at the moment.
 
The timer will no longer function for the pump. The pump will be wired to be on all the time and use its on board scheduling. So you will need to use the timer to control the SWCG on / off times (within the time scheduled for the pump to run) as well as turn your booster pump on.

I would say the RJ45 is sufficient in your climate.
 
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Really appreciate the help, thank you! Now I'm just doing some research on the Circupool SmartFlo VS pumps
 

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A comparatively new thing is pumps with relays inside for switching pump-dependent features. I believe one of these would be perfect for a SWG. The pump serves more-or-less as a mini automation system.
 
Thought I would wake up this morning with buyer's remorse, but excited to get this installed in a few weeks when the pool season kicks off. I ended up purchasing:

- Circupool RJ-60 PLUS
- Calimar VSP 3 hp

One last question:
The new pump fittings are 2", but my pool inlet and outlet are all 1.5". Will there be any issues here with adding adapters/unions to fit?
 
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jamesey said:
Thought I would wake up this morning with buyer's remorse, but excited to get this installed in a few weeks when the pool season kicks off. I ended up purchasing:

- Circupool RJ-60 PLUS
- Calimar VSP 3 hp

One last question:
The new pump fittings are 2", but my pool inlet and outlet are all 1.5". Will there be any issues here with adding adapters/unions to fit?
Click to expand...
Great choices. I switched to the RJ-60 and love it. I works really well, has 5% increments in output, and the 60, if you are careful with your CSI and avoid scale, should give you excellent service. I have zero regrets, and would fill in my pool if you took my SWCG away from me.

There should be no issues connecting 1.5" and 2" connectors.
 
PoolStored said:
Great choices. I switched to the RJ-60 and love it. I works really well, has 5% increments in output, and the 60, if you are careful with your CSI and avoid scale, should give you excellent service. I have zero regrets, and would fill in my pool if you took my SWCG away from me.

There should be no issues connecting 1.5" and 2" connectors.
Click to expand...
Awesome, thanks! I actually just walked outside and double checked and turns out my returns and inlets are all 2.5", so I'd actually be sizing up instead. For some reason though they were 1.5" because the old homeowner installed a 90 degree elbow reducing from 2.5" to 1.5" (not sure why).

Here's a picture for reference
 

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Here is a good way to install the cell. (ignore the elbows on the bottom, point is that you can install this cell vertically). You want the flow switch to be on water flowing up side, so that if/when it fails, it will fail "down" in the open position. No idea on the 1.5 elbow, weird.

CircuPool-RJ-Series-Vertical-Installation-Kit-1.jpg
 
PoolStored said:
Here is a good way to install the cell. (ignore the elbows on the bottom, point is that you can install this cell vertically). You want the flow switch to be on water flowing up side, so that if/when it fails, it will fail "down" in the open position. No idea on the 1.5 elbow, weird.

CircuPool-RJ-Series-Vertical-Installation-Kit-1.jpg
Click to expand...
Thanks! That's the plan. I just need to do some rejigging with my booster pump to get that 6.5" spacing.
 
I was planning my new install today and thinking through my booster pump situation. Is it even necessary anymore? Considering I am upping my pump to a 3 hp, would there be enough power for my Polaris TR35P as long as I up the RPMs? Would love to use my 3rd return for more circulation and completely eliminate the booster. This was going to be my plan anyway when I upgrade to a Dolphin Nautilus, but wasn't planning on buying until maybe next pool season

If there is enough power, I was planning on installing a valve to that specific return that way I could hook up my Polaris for vacuuming.
 

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