SWG, Pool Pump, CT, and IoT Relay success

[seggers99]

Long time lurker, first time poster. I figured I'd share my simple and reasonably inexpensive solution to powering on a salt water generator (SWG) with a pool pump and no automation. Parts: Digital Loggers Power IoT Relay II ($25 on Amazon) plugged into a 120VAC outlet; Veris Hawkeye H822 solid-core current transducer (CT) 0-5VDC output ($25 on Amazon); Circupool Core35 SWG; Pool Pump (in my case a Pentair Superflo VS); 16AWG wire to connect the CT to the IoT relay ($2? from Lowes). The Power IoT Relay is essentially a power strip with 4 outlets (1 always on, 1 normally on, 2 normally closed). The NC outlets turn on with > 3 VDC from the CT.

Plug in the IoT relay into a wall outlet. Plug the Core35 SWG into a NC outlet on the IoT relay. Install the CT on the hot wire of the pool pump. Run the 16AWG wire from the CT to the IoT relay. Start pump and watch the green light on the IoT relay turn on indicating power to the NC outlets and the SWG! I'm also connecting a Circupool TotalBalance pH controller to the second NC outlet.

NOTES:
(1) A nearby 120VAC outlet is required.
(2) In my case, one pass of the hot pump wire through the CT only outputted 2VDC when the Pentair Superflo VS pump was running at 2800. After winding the pump wire three times around the CT, the output was raised to over 6VDC and enabled successful operation of the Power IoT relay to turn on the SWG when the pump starts.
(3) I purchased the Core35 specifically because it would plug directly into a 120VAC outlet for this solution. Other SWGs will not be as simple as the Circupool Core series.
(4) And finally, the Power IoT relay is rated for indoor use only (mine is currently installed on an enclosed porch so not sure of its life expectancy in humid Florida).

And apologies in advance... I don't have my pool specs in my profile.

 

[jblizzle]

Welcome to TFP!!!

Interesting solution, my immediate thoughts as I was reading was your point #4 ... Does not sound like this would be rated for use near a pool. As well as #3 where most SWGs for in ground pools are to be hardwired.

We always mention the use of a current sensing relay, to be triggered when the VS pump is running. But, then is seems that no one ever reports what piece of hardware they are actually using.
Sure seems like the VS pump manufacturers should just have a power out, not necessarily enough the run the SWG (although they are pretty low power), but to even just be used to trigger a relay directly.

 

[laprjns]

We always mention the use of a current sensing relay, to be triggered when the VS pump is running. But, then is seems that no one ever reports what piece of hardware they are actually using.

I use this device, CR4395-EH-120-110-X-CD-ELR-I. It senses current on one of the pump's 220v lines and switches 120V to my SWG. Current trip point is adjustable.

Sure seems like the VS pump manufacturers should just have a power out, not necessarily enough the run the SWG (although they are pretty low power), but to even just be used to trigger a relay directly.

I not sure it's the pumps manufacturers responsibility to solve the SWCG problem. Having said this, auxiallary relays do seems to be avaialbe on some VS pump, but they tend to be the higher power pumps. Take Inyo's Pureline VS pump, their 2.7 hp pump has the aux relay, but the 1.65 hp, which is the one i own, does not have a one.

 

[jblizzle]

Thanks for the feedback. That relay sure does not look like something that should be sitting out by pool equipment and would thus also need some kind of environmental protection, making the install more complex.
Given the frequency that this comes up, sure seems like there should be a easier outdoor rated solution.

The thing is .... most of the pump manufacturers also are making SWGs and it could be used for other purposes as well.
So, do they exclude it to keep costs down or to hope that you upgrade to a full automation system

The pump does not even need a relay built in really, just a trigger wire to be used for a relay (like I think it was the Yellow wire from car stereos to be used to trigger the external amplifiers to turn on, which would have their own power supply wire)

 

[Jnet]

I've been using these, combined with old school HVAC relays when necessary, all mounted in an ABS weatherproof enclosure. I use IFTTT to automate pumps, valves, heater, SWG, etc. Working very well so far.