SWG ratings

[trivetman]

Hi all - I installed an SWG (Circupool Universal 55) this year and am finding I have to run it a bit longer than I was expecting. Through May and June I usually go through no more than 2ppm FC daily. This year with the SWG if I am doing the math correctly, I’ve been going through 3-4ppm daily (2.9# chlorine output, run 6 hrs a day is ~3.5 ppm in 24K gallons). The simplest explanation would be that the advertised rating of 2.9# chlorine output is more marketing than truth. Not a big deal to increase runtime but Im just wondering if others have had similar experiences (or if my math is wrong!)

 

[ajw22]

I personally think some SWG chlorine output numbers are inflated for marketing to make them look superior to the competition.

I don’t believe they can contain the materials to generate the claimed chlorine at the price point sold.

Once installed most consumers run it at whatever setting it takes to get the necessary chlorine.

 

[Mdragger88]

This is an interesting observation as I have been eyeing that unit - i have a 26k gal pool.
One question though- what is your current cya?

 

[trivetman]

I personally think some SWG chlorine output numbers are inflated for marketing to make them look superior to the competition.

Glad I bought the big one then!

One question though- what is your current cya?

Its been 50 so a little under recommended level. Maybe thats been a bit of a factor. I just added some yesterday and am building up to 60-70 level.

I’m still happy with the purchase even if proves to be a little under the advertised specs. Assuming the output numbers are a little inflated on every model, its still one of the largest units out there. I also have a single speed pump that I’ll avoid replacing with vsp (at least for now) so getting max output with min pump time was my priority.

 

[markayash]

I just had a similar issue and my CYA was around 50 and FC was around 5. Bumped CYA to around 80 and now my FC is around 9 with no other changes

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

You can test the output of your SWG at night with an overnight chlorine production test. On the night prior, do an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test to rule out algae. The following night, test FC and set the SWG to run for X hours at X percentage. At the end of the run, before sunrise, test again. Compare results against Pool Math calculated results.

 

[Jimrahbe]

TM,

Your math is correct if you are running the cell at 100% output.

6 hours at 100% = 3.5 ppm in a 24K pool.

Is that what you are doing?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Oly]

run 6 hrs a day is ~3.5 ppm in 24K gallons).

Not sure how you are calculating system run time relative to generation % and generation cycles to determine output but check out this link for how different systems operate.

SWG Generation Cycle Times - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[trivetman]

@Jimrahbe
Yes my calculations are for running at 100% output. I remember finding some posting you made a long time ago giving an equivalency between #chlorine gas and gallons of LC which my math was based off.

@Oly the circupool universal series isn’t detailed in the link you sent. If the unit takes some ‘time off’ when set to 100% maybe that impacts the calculation a bit but I wouldn’t think it a large amount


@Rancho Cost-a-Lotta

Nice method and maybe Ill try it. Waking up before sunrise is so not my style.

I did pass the OCLT after opening this spring and clearing out the swamp so should be algae free

 

[Oly]

If you are using 100% that simplifies your calculation. My CP unit operates on a 90 minute cycle time. Now perhaps I am overthinking this but it seems best to only run the system in full cycle time increments, so 6 , 7.5 , 9 , 10.5 hours that equals 4, 5, 6, 7 full cycles and adjust % generation time as needed. If the last run time cycle is not 90 minutes but say only 30 minutes then adjusting % generation beyond 35% will have no effect on the last cycle as the system has already shut down for the day. Obviously running 24 hours solves this issue. Small detail, but can alter estimated FC production, daily FC demand estimation and complicate SWCG scheduling. I welcome any thoughts on this.

 

[jmastron]

You can confirm output with an "Overnight Clorine Gain Test" -- measure FC at say 8PM (perhaps using a 25ml sample for more precision), run SWCG at 100% overnight, and test again at 8AM, to isolate the chlorine generation from any sun burnoff. On another night, do an OCLT (Overnight Clorine Loss Test, same measurements with the SWCG off) to ensure the baseline is 0 loss.

I've been meaning to do this with my generic Calimar 40k unit (just out of curiosity because I've been pretty happy with the runtimes needed)

I wouldn't be surprised if the output claims on some of these things have, um, caveats -- the warranties certainly do (yeah, an 8 year warranty sounds great until realizing that years 5-8 you only get a 10-20% discount on the then-price of a replacement...which might be worse than a sale price).

 

[Mdragger88]

You can confirm output with an "Overnight Clorine Gain Test" -- measure FC at say 8PM (perhaps using a 25ml sample for more precision), run SWCG at 100% overnight, and test again at 8AM, to isolate the chlorine generation from any sun burnoff. On another night, do an OCLT (Overnight Clorine Loss Test, same measurements with the SWCG off) to ensure the baseline is 0 loss.

I've been meaning to do this with my generic Calimar 40k unit (just out of curiosity because I've been pretty happy with the runtimes needed)

I wouldn't be surprised if the output claims on some of these things have, um, caveats -- the warranties certainly do (yeah, an 8 year warranty sounds great until realizing that years 5-8 you only get a 10-20% discount on the then-price of a replacement...which might be worse than a sale price).

Update us with your findings as that unit is also a contender for me as well as the inyo pureline 60k gal unit. I am a baller on a budget over here

 

[trivetman]

Im planning on the newly minted OLCG test and will report back. It might be a couple of days.

 

[Newdude]

I wouldn't be surprised if the output claims on some of these things have, um, caveats -

What about when Circupool rebrands itself as DiscountSaltPool and has its own models spank the pack on the comparison chart ? Nothing fishy, right ?

It sucks because this comes up at times and even though the buyer is kinda disappointed, they still have a beast of a unit. There is zero need to play shady games with advertising here, but marketers gonna market.

With everyone here reporting what the units do achieve, I'd buy one myself without blinking.

 

[trivetman]

What about when Circupool rebrands itself as DiscountSaltPool and has its own models spank the pack on the comparison chart ? Nothing fishy, right ?

Wait…that hasn’t already happened??

 

[jmastron]

Update us with your findings as that unit is also a contender for me as well as the inyo pureline 60k gal unit. I am a baller on a budget over here

I will when I do the formal test, but my informal observations of my Calimar CMARSHA40-3Y seem to match 1.3-1.5 lbs/day, similar to a Hayward T-15 cell. When the solar cover is on (which it is most days), I have to dial production down significantly (no more than a few hours a day) to keep FC from rising too much. On the days the cover is off, with lots of sun here, 20-25k gallons of water in the high 80s and CYA 70-80, the max I ever needed was ~7 hours at peak season. That's at 100%; I leave it there and use a WiFi timer to control the runtime.

So far very pleased for $625, which even last year was a great price. Replacement cells seem pretty well priced too, so even if they last a bit less (and I have no reason to believe that's the case), still ahead of the game. And the unit is heavy and seems well-built (it's similar to other brands that appear to be the same product with different stickers and prices).

 

[trivetman]

So now I am grumpy.

The OCLT two nights ago showed no drop in FC. I actually magically gained 0.5ppm overnight which I attribute to sampling error.

The OCGT showed only 1 ppm increase in FC (4.5 last night and 5.5 this morning), running the swg 100% for 6 hours. Thats under 30% of the output I should be getting according to the specs.

I am going to run the gain test again tonight to confirm, and if it’s similar type output anybody have any suggestions? I guess I’ll have to call Circupool and hope for the best.

Is anybody from Circupool active in this forum?

 

[trivetman]

A second overnight test confirmed the low output. 8 hour run at 100% raised FC 1.0. This is not going to keep up with chlorine demand during the summer months without running 24/7 at 100%

I called Circupool yesterday and the guy said I could send in the cell for testing. Id have to get a bypass before doing so. I am hesitant to do so without knowing more. What if the problem is with the power supply/control box and not the cell itself. Is there any way to better diagnose at home before sending it in?

Also - my overnight fc loss was zero a couple nights ago and yesterdays fc loss during the day was only 1.0 so I am confident this is not a water chemistry or algae problem. I also took the cell off today to check for blockages or something. It was clean and clear.



Is there anything about my plumbing setup which looks problematic? I think its pretty standard.

 

[Mdragger88]

Just checking- Are u certain your pump was set to run all night long ?
That output is drastically lower than it should be.

 

[trivetman]

Ive done two overnight tests. One for a 6 hr run and the second for 8 hours. No reason to think the timer isn’t working right