Wiring SWG Help

[rocketship1]

Hi all,

Looking to get some advice on how to wire a new SWG. Long story short, my old single speed pump started leaking a few weeks ago and that's when I decided to update to a variable speed pump with a SWG system. I went with the 1.5 HP Circupool Smartflo VSP and the Circupool RJ 30+ SWG.

The pool guys I use to open and close the pool came by to install the systems but I was unfortunately not home when they finished. I came home to find that the SWG was on but not operational. What they ended up doing was plug the SWG to a 120 V outlet and connect the VSP to the intermatic timer. I suspect that they did not adjust the jumpers from the factory setting of 240 V to 120 V. Also, they said that having the SWG on a plug is more convenient for taking the salt system inside to store during the winter but I keep seeing that it's best to have the pump and the SWG wired together so the SWG doesn't turn on when the pump is off. The pump has a timer of its own and I am planning on running the pump 10 hours a day. I hesitate to ask them to come out to fix it so I'm thinking of tackling this on my own.

I see two possible approaches:
1. Keep the current set up and adjust the jumpers on the SWG to 120 V. Plug the SWG into a separate stake timer that I use for Christmas lights in the winter. I don't think load will be an issue since the stake timer is rated for 15 A. I'll run the pump from 11AM-9PM and the SWG from 12PM-8PM to provide some buffer . This seems like the easier approach.
2. Keep the SWG on 240 V and wire it to the intermatic timer to control the SWG. I could then either keep the pump on the load side so that the timer controls the pump too or switch the connection to the line side so that the pump timer controls the pump. This seems like the more correct approach but I don't consider myself very handy so I'm not sure if this is something that would be simple to do.

For reference, I've attached pictures of my set up. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

What they ended up doing was plug the SWG to a 120 V outlet and connect the VSP to the intermatic timer. I suspect that they did not adjust the jumpers from the factory setting of 240 V to 120 V. Also, they said that having the SWG on a plug is more convenient for taking the salt system inside to store during the winter

I think they were just lazy and took the easiest way to power the SWG.

but I keep seeing that it's best to have the pump and the SWG wired together so the SWG doesn't turn on when the pump is off.

That is correct.

1. Keep the current set up and adjust the jumpers on the SWG to 120 V. Plug the SWG into a separate stake timer that I use for Christmas lights in the winter. I don't think load will be an issue since the stake timer is rated for 15 A. I'll run the pump from 11AM-9PM and the SWG from 12PM-8PM to provide some buffer . This seems like the easier approach.

I think this is not weatherproof and long term unreliable and will give you problems.

There is no reason to bring the SWG inside in the winter. My SWG's have stayed outside connected through winters for 30_ years.

2. Keep the SWG on 240 V and wire it to the intermatic timer to control the SWG.

That is the best way.

I could then either keep the pump on the load side so that the timer controls the pump too or switch the connection to the line side so that the pump timer controls the pump. This seems like the more correct approach but I don't consider myself very handy so I'm not sure if this is something that would be simple to do.

It is easy to move the pump to the LINE side of the timer.

Turn off the pump CB and remove the plastic that covers the wire connections and post a picture of how it is wired.

It should be clear how to move the pump wires from the LOAD screws to the LINE screws and then connect the SWG to the LOAD screws.

If you want to do it right run a liquidtight whip from the SWG into the timer housing through a knockout at the bottom.

Southwire 4 ft. 8/2 Ultra-Whip Liquidtight Flexible Non-Metallic PVC Conduit Cable Whip 55311401 - The Home Depot

The Southwire 3/4 in. x 4 ft. Liquid tight Whip helps you connect air conditioners, pumps, motors, compressors, swimming pool devices and similar equipment. The ready-to-install whip has a non-metallic

www.homedepot.com

 

[trivetman]

Do it like ajw said. This is an easy diy electrical job. Its no harder than replacing a light switch or outlet. If you want to learn to become handy, this is a great project to start on.

If you’ve never done anything electrical, theres lots of material available about how to safely make basic connections. Its common sense stuff but worth doing a little research before diving into a first project.

 

[rocketship1]

Thank you both! I'll go with that approach then.

 

[trivetman]

Also - many of us run vsp’s and swg’s 24/7. Depending on your swg capacity and pool size you may find you need more than 10 hrs of swg runtime for it to produce enough during the peak of summer. I have my swg on a timer, but ive never flipped the switch to off. I find it very easy to adjust the swg output with the percentage control while the power is supplied 24/7.

However you end up operating it, switching the pump to the line and swg on load gives you the most flexibility.

 

[rocketship1]

Also - many of us run vsp’s and swg’s 24/7.

Is that because you need the swg to be on 24/7 to produce enough chlorine? My takeaway from reading TFP is that running the pump on 8 hours on a low speed is sufficient.

I have a 15k gallon pool and I have the RJ30+ so ideally 8-10 hours of run time at 100% should be sufficient in the dead of summer but we'll see once I have it up and running.

 

[trivetman]

Is that because you need the swg to be on 24/7 to produce enough chlorine?

Chlorine production and vsp on low speed costs very little to run 24/7. It just makes things simpler to run it all the time. The issue of minimizing runtime because electricity is expensive becomes a non issue.

I have a 15k gallon pool and I have the RJ30+ so ideally 8-10 hours of run time at 100% should be sufficient in the dead of summer but we'll see once I have it up and running.

I bet youll find its not enough runtime. For reference, ive got the hayward t-15 cell i think its got a 40k label and my pool is 24k. Theres definitely days i need to run it well over 50% when its running 24 hours. By that math, cut the runtime in half to 12 hours and it wouldn’t make enough set to 100% to keep up.

But get it running and however u find it works for you is ok. Just don’t hesitate to increase that pump runtime cause theres really no downside in keeping it on and having the extra runtime capacity for making chlorine can be really helpful.