Upgrading To IC40

[251LCT]

Hello,
I currently have a Pentair system and recently upgraded my pump to a VSF pump this spring (love it). I'm thinking about changing from chlorine to SWG. I have a pebble tec pool that is about 6 years old and was looking at going with the Pentair IC40. I'm not sure exactly what Easy Touch system I have, but it has a blank on the breaker panel labled IntelliChlor. Does this mean it has an internal power system in the Easy Touch? Do I just need to add a breaker? It also has a menu item for IntelliChlor. If thats the case, do I just need to order an IC40 replacement cell? Does this sound like a good upgrade to the pool? I'm kind of on the fence about it because of the longevity issues I keep reading about with the cells. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[ajw22]

How many gallons in the pool?

You do not have the chlorinator transformer in your ET system and it costs more to add the parts then to use the IntelliChlor Power Center.

 

[251LCT]

How many gallons in the pool?

You do not have the chlorinator transformer in your ET system and it costs more to add the parts then to use the IntelliChlor Power Center.

Thanks,

I think it’s 23k gallons. We are second owners. It’s a 630 sq ft pool with depth of 3.5 to 8 ft.

 

[Jimrahbe]

25,

You need the IC40 Cell plus the Power Center.. The power center gets wired into the pump/filter relay for power, only when the pump is on. The Power Center is also wired to the Com port on the main card.. This allows the EasyTouch to talk to the cell, so that you can adjust the % of SWCG output, plus it lets you see the salt level of the water in your pool..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[251LCT]

25,

You need the IC40 Cell plus the Power Center.. The power center gets wired into the pump/filter relay for power, only when the pump is on. The Power Center is also wired to the Com port on the main card.. This allows the EasyTouch to talk to the cell, so that you can adjust the % of SWCG output, plus it lets you see the salt level of the water in your pool..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thank you Jim,

That’s the direction I’ll lean towards. Is it a worthy upgrade? Should I stick with Pentair, being that everything else is Pentair, or is there a more reliable system? Are there any special considerations with a plaster pebble-tec pool and salt?

 

[Jimrahbe]

25,

I have three all Pentair saltwater pools... One cell is ten years old and still running.. (I know, Knock on wood...)
I just replaced a cell on another pool and it was over 7 years old.
The one at my house it only 3 years old... so time will tell..

As they die from old age, they will be replaced by another IC40...

Keep in mind that cells last an average of 5 to 7 years.. Some die earlier, and some last a lot longer.. Depends on how they are used.

Also keep in mind that at least 50% of all reported SWCG failures (all brands) are not really bad.. Most are reported by pool owners that have no clue how a SWCG works.. They just make chlorine.. They can't turn your green pool clear... The owner still has to test on a routine basis, and keep the water in balance.. A SWCG has no brain, it just does what it is told.. The sad part is that often, the SWCG is a lot smarter than the owner...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[251LCT]

Thanks again,

Would you plumb the SWG in the area I have circled? It currently has an ozone generator where the green line feeds into the manifold. Should I cut those two pipes out and plumb the SWG there, or should it go upstream just after the heater, but before the spa junction?

 

[Jimrahbe]

25,

Assuming you have a spillover spa, then it does not matter.. I would go the easy route and plumb it inside your green circle.. It will just mean that no chlorine will be going into the spa when you are in the Spa mode..

Edit.. no.. I take that back... The problem with green circle idea is that your SWCG will get no water, yet will still be getting voltage.. This means that you will be relying on just the flow switch to make sure the cell does not explode.. That is not a good idea.. One of the rules about installing a SWCG is that it can't be on with no water flow...


Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[251LCT]

Ah, that makes sense! The pump/SWG would still be powered in spa mode, but there would be no water flow through the SWG. So, the only place that would work is where I have the yellow arrow just past the heater, correct? I would have to move heater to the left a little bit to make room. Would the hot water coming from the heater damage the SWG? Thanks in advance!

 

[Jimrahbe]

25,

It won't be any hotter that what you are soaking in, when in the spa, so I would not think it would hurt anything.. If you are going to move the heater anyway. I would move it an extra foot or two..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[251LCT]

Thanks for the advice. I'm thinking I'll go with the IC60 after more research. Seems like a better match with the VS pump.

 

[Jimrahbe]

25,

Works for me, but I don't see the correlation with your VS pump??

Just to make sure we are on the same page.. Once the flow switch is closed, the cell puts out the same amount of chlorine, no matter what speed the pump is running. In theory, a 60K cell should last longer than a 40K cell.. Kind of like a big gas tank will allow you to drive farther than a smaller sized gas tank, on the same car..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[251LCT]

25,

Works for me, but I don't see the correlation with your VS pump??

Just to make sure we are on the same page.. Once the flow switch is closed, the cell puts out the same amount of chlorine, no matter what speed the pump is running. In theory, a 60K cell should last longer than a 40K cell.. Kind of like a big gas tank will allow you to drive farther than a smaller sized gas tank, on the same car..

Thanks,

Jim R.

That makes sense. Thanks for the help!