SWG Install - request for comments on plumbing

[acacia1602]

Long time lurker, first time poster

I’m attempting to install an RJ45 Plus and I need some advice on the plumbing. My current setup comes up from the filter or heater as 2” and T’s off down into the primary return (1.5) and areator 3/4”. Picture below.
I was thinking I could just plumb in the cell vertically, put a new T and branch off the exact same way it is now - effectively just making the T taller
Does anyone have any experience with a setup like this? Can the cell be aligned vertically up? Any concerns about this setup?
Thanks in advance for your feedback!

 

[Newdude]

Hey acacia and Welcome from the shadows !!!

The flow switch needs some straight pipe before it, but the cell counts, so I'd move it to the red circle above the cell. (It also needs upflow when it isnt horizontal, but that's already covered. )


Where does the blue circle leg go below the cell ? That leg won't get chlorine.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Welcome Acacia!

Looks good to me. The cell can be mounted vertically. (Edit...follow Newdude's guidance regarding the flow sensor)

Let us know if you need help with set up and chemistry. Make sure you use a reliable test salt test kit (Taylor k-1766) to test salt level before adding more. You may be surprised by your current level.

Best of luck!

 

[acacia1602]

Hey acacia and Welcome from the shadows !!!

The flow switch needs some straight pipe before it, but the cell counts, so I'd move it to the red circle above the cell. (It also needs upflow when it isnt horizontal, but that's already covered. )


Where does the blue circle leg go below the cell ? That leg won't get chlorine.

View attachment 509492

Thanks for comment! That area in the blue circle is the return loop from the heater. There is a T with the line coming in horizontally from a ball switch that allows me to cut off the line directly from the filter so the water gets sent through the heater.

 

[Newdude]

That area in the blue circle is the return loop from the heater

Ok I see it now in the last pic. Thanks.

 

[acacia1602]

Circling back to this: I installed this twice The first time, I installed it without the gaskets in, and found it impossible to slide it in. I also did a terrible job on the valves and they leaked. Lesson learned, the second install was the the gaskets in place, so I was sporting the correct gap, and with a Union on one side so I can service the cell without too much difficulty.

 

[acacia1602]

Welcome Acacia!

Looks good to me. The cell can be mounted vertically. (Edit...follow Newdude's guidance regarding the flow sensor)

Let us know if you need help with set up and chemistry. Make sure you use a reliable test salt test kit (Taylor k-1766) to test salt level before adding more. You may be surprised by your current level.

Best of luck!

Thank you! On to the next round of questions, particularly electrical. I’m a professional software engineer, and have been dabbling in home automation. I’m interested in using Home Assistant and Shelly’s to automate the turning on and off the unit, perhaps with a sensor on the pump circuit to determine current draw, and a Shelly that turns on and off the SWCG according to that and the schedule. @Rancho Cost-a-Lotta, do you think you could point me towards electric and home automation resources?

I ordered a k-1766, I figured I’ll baseline my chemistry once it arrives and then start bringing up my salt levels as I work through the electrical.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

I can't help you with Shelly automation or home assistant. For my SWG automation, I used a simple Sonoff Wi-Fi switch. You can read more here:

Low Budget DIY Automation

When we built the pool, I decided against full automation for a variety of reasons including cost, the proprietary nature of available devices, and the fear an expensive system would quickly become obsolete and unsupported. I've seen a few forums members using Raspberry PI and Arduino...

www.troublefreepool.com

@PoolStored should be able to provide a link for setting up a current sensing relay. I know there are a few form members that have done this, so you should be able to find it by searching.

 

[PoolStored]

I used a CR Magnetic current sensing relay, part number CR4395-EH-120-110-X-CD-ELR . Here's how I wired mine. I put it in it's own box.

If the pump is not running, it will turn off the SWG.

 

[acacia1602]

I can't help you with Shelly automation or home assistant. For my SWG automation, I used a simple Sonoff Wi-Fi switch. You can read more here:

Low Budget DIY Automation

When we built the pool, I decided against full automation for a variety of reasons including cost, the proprietary nature of available devices, and the fear an expensive system would quickly become obsolete and unsupported. I've seen a few forums members using Raspberry PI and Arduino...

www.troublefreepool.com

@PoolStored should be able to provide a link for setting up a current sensing relay. I know there are a few form members that have done this, so you should be able to find it by searching.

Sonoff are great, thank you!

 

[acacia1602]

I used a CR Magnetic current sensing relay, part number CR4395-EH-120-110-X-CD-ELR . Here's how I wired mine. I put it in it's own box.

If the pump is not running, it will turn off the SWG.

Oh sweet; this looks very straightforward to implement! This setup is probably highly reliable, and appropriate for hotter conditions, is that correct? Thank you for posting this!

 

[PoolStored]

appropriate for hotter conditions, is that correct?