I am putting a new salt system together for a 23K gal fiberglass pool and it was suggested to me to get a cell rated at least twice the volume of the pool. IC40 is rated up to 40K and IC60 is rated up to 60K. Thoughts/ recommendations?
Which IntelliChlor SWG to purchase?
- Thread starter Papadon
- Start date
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,074
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
- May 3, 2014
- 62,702
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
An IC40 would be sufficient -- but will likely need to run 14 hours a day or so in the summer. With a VS pump, no issue, run it 24/7 and you are golden. The IC60 will not hurt, just a bit more cost.
Be sure you can remove the power from the SWCG when the pump is not running.
Be sure you can remove the power from the SWCG when the pump is not running.
Thank you. Yes, in Texas, Would keeping the pool covered when not in use affect the decision as to which unit?
- May 3, 2014
- 62,702
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Doubt you will cover in the summer. Unless you are getting a cooler. It would get very hot if covered all summer.
Cover will reduce UV impact. So yes, a smaller IC can be used.
Cover will reduce UV impact. So yes, a smaller IC can be used.
The pool would be hotter if covered? That surprises me, I would think getting direct sun off of it would keep it cooler. I am considering adding a cooler. Would the cover diminish the coolers ability?
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,074
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
IC60 is $1700, 2lb/day, = .4FC / hour = 10FC at 100% for 24/7, or 7.3FC at 70% output for 24/7.
IC40 is $1249, 1.4lb/day, = .3FC / hour = 7.3FC at 100% for 24/7
Rated life is 10,000hrs.
10,000 * .4FC = 4000FC Total production
10,000 * .3FC = 3000FC Total Production
$1700 / 4000 = $.42 / FC
$1250 / 3000 = $.42 / FC
They work out to about the same $ / FC. (Sneaky smart, those pentair pricing guys...)
Texas demand can be 3-6FC daily, with sun and swimmers in the summer. (certainly depends on your CYA level).
4000FC / 3 = 1333 Days
3000FC / 3 = 1000 Days
*NOTE* Your demand will vary with the seasons, I'm just using average math for illustration. I also have not compared the $$ for electrical, I assume the same run times...there will be a slight bias towards the 60 saving a little $ in electricity, assuming you don't run 24/7.
As Marty said, likely you will not use a cover in the summer, you pool will get very hot, and likely higher demand without the cover.
I recommend the larger cell, because when I have a lot of people over on a sunny day, I can turn my 60K cell up, and it can handle ANY FC demand I can throw at it, I don't need to supplement with Chlorine. And, I get another year of life out of the cell before I have to shell out money.
Is your pool in full sun or is it partially shaded...that makes a difference too. Both cells will work.
Your value equation may be different than mine, I hope this helps your decision.
IC40 is $1249, 1.4lb/day, = .3FC / hour = 7.3FC at 100% for 24/7
Rated life is 10,000hrs.
10,000 * .4FC = 4000FC Total production
10,000 * .3FC = 3000FC Total Production
$1700 / 4000 = $.42 / FC
$1250 / 3000 = $.42 / FC
They work out to about the same $ / FC. (Sneaky smart, those pentair pricing guys...)
Texas demand can be 3-6FC daily, with sun and swimmers in the summer. (certainly depends on your CYA level).
4000FC / 3 = 1333 Days
3000FC / 3 = 1000 Days
*NOTE* Your demand will vary with the seasons, I'm just using average math for illustration. I also have not compared the $$ for electrical, I assume the same run times...there will be a slight bias towards the 60 saving a little $ in electricity, assuming you don't run 24/7.
As Marty said, likely you will not use a cover in the summer, you pool will get very hot, and likely higher demand without the cover.
I recommend the larger cell, because when I have a lot of people over on a sunny day, I can turn my 60K cell up, and it can handle ANY FC demand I can throw at it, I don't need to supplement with Chlorine. And, I get another year of life out of the cell before I have to shell out money.
Is your pool in full sun or is it partially shaded...that makes a difference too. Both cells will work.
Your value equation may be different than mine, I hope this helps your decision.
Last edited:
- May 3, 2014
- 62,702
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
No.
The most efficient cooler type is evaporation based. Glacier is the company that makes them.
Wow thank you for that extensive explanation. The pool will be in full sun although I would like to shade some of it with a sail at some point. I’ll be going with the 60, thanks.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,074
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
You won't go wrong with either. If you want the flexibility to handle high demand and run the pump less, 60 is the way to go.
The 40 will work just fine as @mknauss indicated.
My value equation may be different than yours. Either way, you will LOVE the SWCG. Between my SWCG, robot cleaner, and smart stir for chemical testing, if you took any one of them away, I would fill in the pool.
The 40 will work just fine as @mknauss indicated.
My value equation may be different than yours. Either way, you will LOVE the SWCG. Between my SWCG, robot cleaner, and smart stir for chemical testing, if you took any one of them away, I would fill in the pool.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,702
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,074
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
