SWG winter use in Florida

[Fuldo]

I recently ordered a RJ-30 SWG system for my Port Orange FL pool. I was planning to install it sooner than later but I just realized that the RJ series has a low water temperature limit of 60F. I believe my water temperature often drops to or just below 60F in December, January and early February. I thought 55F was a more typical low limit for SWG systems so I figured I could likely avoid manual dosing in the winter. Now I'm thinking the RJ-30 system may be unable to even run a large part of that time period and perhaps I should even wait for spring to install it at this point.

Should I install and try to use it now or wait? Also, I suspect the air and ground temperature is much warmer than the pool water temperature this time of the year, especially in the afternoons so maybe the water temperature at the cell may be just a little higher than the pool temperature and perhaps the cell may run regardless, at least some days. Is this just wishful thinking?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Fuldo,

I suspect that 60 degrees limit has a pretty wide range.. So my guess is it will work down to 55 or lower.. But that is just a guess, based upon how my Pentair SWCG operates.

If the weather permits, I would install it now and see how it works. Worst case, you can always just shut if off, once installed, and wait until Spring to use it.

I also saw this on the CircuPool site... thought it might be of interest to you... Vertical Installation Kit for CircuPool® Saltwater Chlorinator Systems

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Fuldo]

Jim,

Thanks for your thoughts and the tip on the vertical installation kit. I considered that kit but thought that a long horizontal run would be better and actually less costly. Evidently that kit is designed to retrofit one of the older Circupool generators with a newer model and it would be helpful in that case. In my case I'll need to do some replumbing anyway so I'll try to make things as simple and compact as possible. I likely will install it before spring, there's really no downside. Pentair publishes a 55F lower temperature limit for their SWG systems so it doesn't surprise me that yours works down in that range. The RJ series specifies 60F but from what I've read SWG such as these without a separate water temperature sensor use feedback from the cell based on water conductivity. If that's the case it's probably not that accurate and salt content may play a role as well. We'll see what happens, it will be a learning experience.

Regards,
Doug

 

[dschlic1]

I have a Hayward Aqua Plus system. Never had a problem with the unit turning off due to temperature. However I also have a solar heater and cover the pool during the winter. Pool water usually stays above 70 all winter.