Timer recommendations

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Q

Quickstep192

Silver Supporter
Jun 30, 2022
101
Annapolis MD
Pool Size
15000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I’m needing to re-install my pump and filter after some grading was done and so I’m thinking about replacing the 30 year old timer. Any suggestions?

Would I be better served to get a variable speed pump and eliminate the time all together? Are there special considerations for a variable speed pump with a SWG?
 
Last edited:
Having a VS pump will save electricity and money over time.
Without automation, you still need a timer to shut the off when the pump isn't running.
The SWG flow switch is the secondary safety and the timer is the primary safety.
You don't want the SWG if the pump is off.
 
I just upgraded to a VSP and SWG after a couple seasons with a single speed and manual liquid chlorine sanitation. I'm only a couple weeks in, but I definitely regret not upgrading sooner... especially when BGE was offering rebates for energy efficient pumps a couple years back, but we missed that train :cry:

My VSP is always powered on as it's wired to the line side of my Intermatic timer and will power on/off using the on board scheduling. My SWG is wired to the load side of the timer as recommended by many members on here. What @proavia said ^
 
Quickstep192 said:
Would I be better served to get a variable speed pump and eliminate the time all together? Are there special considerations for a variable speed pump with a SWG?
Click to expand...
There are some pumps such as the new Pentair IntelliFlo3 has connections on the pump to control a SWCG so you do not need a timer. It is a more expensive pump. But since you have a timer, then you could use it with a SWCG.
 
For a VS pump, there is always power available at the pump. The pumps onboard timer controls pump runtimes and speeds. An external timer is needed to control on/off times for the SWG so it's only powered within the runtimes of the pump. This prevents the SWG from being powered when the pump is off.

There are a limited number of pumps that may allow the SWG to be controlled thru the pump timer - but as this point, they are far and few between.

An automation system will also control the SWG so it is only powered when the pump is set to run.

For a basic setup like mine, using an external timer to control the SWG is easy and simple.
 
Personally, I've been running my pump 24/7 at a high enough RPM to always close the SWG flow switch that way I can generate a little bit of chlorine all day and night. I still wired my SWG through my timer, but I have the dogs off just in case I decide to run a different schedule in the future.
 
I have an Intermec timer setup for my pump and the SWG is tied in to it as well. I've toyed with the idea of switching to VSP but can't get myself to fall in love with the idea mostly because of powering the SWG off a source separate from the pump power, so the opportunity exist that the pump could be off and the SWG powered. I know it's not a huge problem because I had the SWG direct wired and the flow switch was the only thing that kept it from generating.
Then there's the separate booster pump that I would need to sort out VSP speed and timing too.
Combined with the low cost of electricity where I live I just can't justify the changes. It's worked well for many years and I'm probably going to just leave it alone.
 

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