SWG Recommendations

[ArtP]

I'm thinking about converting to salt water this year. I'm just starting out in researching SWGs, so I don't know much yet. I do know I absolutely despise buying liquid chlorine and never want to do it again.

The two things I'm looking for are:
1. Brand and model recommendations
2. Trustworthy installers in the Phoenix/East Valley Area, if anyone has experience with any

Are there any cons to saltwater, aside from the initial startup costs? About how much should I expect to pay?

 

[ajw22]

Salt Water Chlorine Generators

Salt Water Generators are designed to produce small amounts of chlorine continuously. This is perfect for day to day use and reduces work for the homeowner.

www.troublefreepool.com

SWG How It Works - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

No automation?

With no automation you will need to connect your SWG through a timer unless you run your pump 24/7. Except if you get the Pentair iChlor 30 which uses their Smartsense connection with your Intelliflo pump to control the SWG power.

Many folks here are using Circupool SWGs.

We recommend you get an oversized SWG whose capacity is at least 2X your pool volume.

Compare and Review Saltwater Chlorine Generator Prices and Features | DSP

www.discountsaltpool.com

 

[cowboycasey]

You have a Pentair pump, do you have any automation? If so go with an IC40 or IC 60 SWG... IF no automation you can still go with Pentair... You can also go with a CIrcupool RJ 45 or an RJ 60

Best Sales, Rebates, Deals, and Promotions | DSP

www.discountsaltpool.com

 

[ArtP]

You have a Pentair pump, do you have any automation? If so go with an IC40 or IC 60 SWG... IF no automation you can still go with Pentair... You can also go with a CIrcupool RJ 45 or an RJ 60

Best Sales, Rebates, Deals, and Promotions | DSP

www.discountsaltpool.com

I'm not quite sure what you mean by automation... The thing comes on by itself and goes off by itself nightly. To be quite honest, I haven't done any research on the capabilities of my pump.

 

[proavia]

Post a few pictures of your equipment pad showing all the equipment. This will show us whether you have automation or not.

 

[ArtP]

I don't think I have any automation equipment - Just the pumps.
The filter and water feature pumps

The control panel on my Pentair Pump. That black pump to the left is old and unused.

The electrical box with breakers and timers for the old pump. Also contains a switch to turn on the water feature and the pool light.

My sand filter

 

[wireform]

You don't have automation but be sure you know the real pool capacity as we recommend minimum 2x pool capacity for salt water generator apparatus.

 

[ArtP]

I don't know exact capacity, but I believe it's between 12,000 and 13,000.

So I don't have any automation equipment. Is there any that's compatible with my pump, or is it too old? What should I expect as expenses if I want to convert to saltwater?

 

[wireform]

For starters it'll be the RJ30 or RJ45. Either will work but the RJ45 is about 3 times your pool capacity as per your numbers and will work nicely at lower percentages. You'd have it set with one of the timers pictured to run inside the time your pump runs which means if the pump is set from 8am to 7pm You'd set the timer for the SWCG to start after 8 and stop like 6:30ish. Some with vsp pumps run at low rpm 24/7 as they're very efficient and just set the SWCG on the timer. You'll also need salt as per poolmath and most importantly a K-1766 salinity test kit for checking salinity in the pool. You will need to check salt level in the pool from chlorine which was used until now as it leaves salt behind. Don't assume you have zero salt now. CYA will need to be in the 70 range for efficiency of the SWCG. Make sure all your chemistry is good before you raise the CYA because to slam at high CYA uses lots of chlorine making it very difficult.