SWG…. Maybe?

[cwbcss]

So I’m on the edge of whether to add the Ichlor30 for my small pool. I have gone through numerous threads and maybe just need some final encouragement…

1. Is my pool too small to even consider a SWG …..My CYA of 90 and extreme daily burn off of FC makes me have to keep my upper level at 13-14 FC to not drop below min level. Adding the SWG seems like a huge plus for mitigating daily liquid chlorine additions but want to make sure I’m not complaining about my small pool daily maintenance compared to other larger and more demanding pools lol.

2. If you go on vacation do you adjust the SWG to a slightly higher level for a week to ensure proper FC while away? … in a sense to mitigate any extreme weather or potential drop. Just curious how others handle that.

3. I know all pools have salt, but does the type of pool you have lend itself to be better suited for SWG? I have the aqua sport (aluminum body) buried 2.5 ft. I have read all the corrosion threads and if you properly balance it won’t be an issue…. But Is that absolutely true regarding all gaskets, o rings etc etc around the pool. Does the small
Increase in salinity impact anything?

Bottom line is I’m hesitant, more likely I way overthink things…just don’t want to make a wrong decision and what I thought would provide easier maintenance ends up shortening the life cycle of other things.

Appreciate the feedback

 

[PoolStored]

1. Is my pool too small to even consider a SWG …..My CYA of 90 and extreme daily burn off of FC makes me have to keep my upper level at 13-14 FC to not drop below min level. Adding the SWG seems like a huge plus for mitigating daily liquid chlorine additions but want to make sure I’m not complaining about my small pool daily maintenance compared to other larger and more demanding pools lol.

Not too small, any pool will benefit. The ichlor 30 is a great size for you.

2. If you go on vacation do you adjust the SWG to a slightly higher level for a week to ensure proper FC while away? … in a sense to mitigate any extreme weather or potential drop. Just curious how others handle that.

Exactly what I do and many others. I won't hesitate to leave for 2+ weeks...still need someone to monitor skimmers getting filled with leaves etc.

3. I know all pools have salt, but does the type of pool you have lend itself to be better suited for SWG? I have the aqua sport (aluminum body) buried 2.5 ft. I have read all the corrosion threads and if you properly balance it won’t be an issue…. But Is that absolutely true regarding all gaskets, o rings etc etc around the pool. Does the small
Increase in salinity impact anything?

No difference in pool types and SWCG. I had 2000ppm of salt, using liquid chlorine, before conversion to SWCG. Pool equipment is made to handle the salt levels in an SWCG pool.

Bottom line is I’m hesitant, more likely I way overthink things

Yeah, sorry, that is self evident. Me too. Convert and don't look back.

 

[cwbcss]

lol thank you my friend.

 

[mknauss]

I would be careful on the iChlor30. One, for a 3400 gallon pool, might be a bit too strong. And two, it is not known to be the best SWCG around.

There are Intex SWCG's that would likely be a better fit.

 

[cwbcss]

So its too much capacity for my size… I did not realize that would be an issue. Does the fact that I run my variable speed pump 24 hours have any impact on size determination?

I’ll have to potentially take a look at some other options.

Thank you for the input.

 

[mknauss]

I just think for much less money you can get better value. Look at an intex 7k system.

 

[sande005]

The usual recommendation is to get one that is rated for double your pool size. This gives you some extra "oomph" if you have to go to a higher level (too much CYA, etc.), and means you can generally run it at a lower setting, so get longer life before you eventually have to replace the cell.
The iChlor30 is nominally for 10x your pool size, so you may run into problems dialing it down low enough. Since it nominally has 1% increments, you theoretically could set it to 10% and get super long life - but that's all theory, and in real life you may struggle to find a good middle ground setting.

The other adjustment is pump run time (speed doesn't matter) - cutting the run time in 1/2 is the same as cutting the strength on the chlorinator in 1/2. So you might be able to balance things out by playing with both. But better to look at the intex 7k, or other brands in the 15K or under range. Since you will be a little more than recommended oversized, look for ones that have finer gradations in the control outputs - 1%, 5%, etc. - getting one with only 10% steps may still be an exercise in having to continually bump it up or down.

I only have experience with the CircuPool product, and really like it, so can't speak to the intex or others.

 

[setsailsoon]

In general bigger is better for swg but to Marty's point you can get one so large that you barely run it to make adequate FC for the whole day and the swg may last longer than your pool. The Intex brand swgs run at about .6#/day FC which for your pool would probably run initially at 20-30% power if you ran it 24 hrs per day. Over the years FC production declines and you have to raise the power. If it was me I'd go with the Pentair or Circupool brand that produces 1# per day if you want it to last quite a while. On the other hand if you don't see the pool lasting a long time the Intex may be your most cost effective solution. One parameter to look at is $/lb FC production. Another is warranty. Also important is reputation here. A great warranty that isn't honored is worthless.

I hope this is helpful.

Chris

 

[cwbcss]

Ok so I will talk to my friend who has the ichlor30 and was going to install it for me. Getting a great deal on it but if that is going to not be able to dial in the FC I need them maybe I need to reconsider the make/model to use.

 

[Newdude]

my friend who has the ichlor30 and was going to install it for me. Getting a great deal on it but if that is going to not be able to dial in the FC I need them maybe I need to reconsider the make/model to use.

The IC30 will make 35 FC for you in 24 hours. That's 1 FC every 41 mins.

As much as I love touting the ROI for over sizing, it's insane overkill. The electronics will fail long before the expensive plates are depleted and you'll be throwing out half your investment.

With the exception of an occasional heat wave, you probably lose 2 or 3 ppm a day for most of your season. The cell is capable of 14 500 FC over its lifespan for you.

 

[cwbcss]

Maybe I just need a bigger pool … lol

Ok I’ll see if I can get the ichlor 15 as an option if I want to stay with Pentair. Would that be a better option?

 

[jgofnj]

The IC30 will make 35 FC for you in 24 hours. That's 1 FC every 41 mins.

As much as I love touting the ROI for over sizing, it's insane overkill. The electronics will fail long before the expensive plates are depleted and you'll be throwing out half your investment.

With the exception of an occasional heat wave, you probably lose 2 or 3 ppm a day for most of your season. The cell is capable of 14 500 FC over its lifespan for you.

Are you sure about that? Pool math says it will make 6.5 FC running at 100% for 24 hours.

 

[mknauss]

Are you sure about that? Pool math says it will make 6.5 FC running at 100% for 24 hours.

3400 gallon pool ................

 

[jgofnj]

3400 gallon pool ................

ooops........Forgot to adjust that one value. Makes sense now.

 

[cwbcss]

Using pool math, if it’s adjusted to 20% with pump run time of 24 hours wouldn’t that be an acceptable outcome?

 

[mknauss]

Sure. Get the iChlor. I was just pointing out that from a value standpoint, an Intex style SWCG would cost about $200. It will last at least one, likely two seasons. The iChlor is well over $1000, replacement cells are $800 or so.

 

[cwbcss]

Understood completely ….Im getting the salt generator for next to nothing as it was never installed and no longer going to be used on a friends pool. That’s the only reason I was trying/hoping it could work with my setup.

 

[setsailsoon]

Understood completely ….Im getting the salt generator for next to nothing as it was never installed and no longer going to be used on a friends pool. That’s the only reason I was trying/hoping it could work with my setup.

OK now that makes more sense... free is always the best price. If you take care of it by keeping water chemistry in TFP balance it may last forever. Don't clean unless you need to. Cleaning removes catalyst.

 

[Newdude]

If you use 300 FC per year with your short seasons, it'll last 48 years.


For FREE.

 

[sande005]

And, if by itself, you seem to have to do almost daily adjustments to keep it in range, you can adjust pump run times to give a broader range. So at that price - go for it.