Best SWG

[evamor]

I just had my pool renovated and thinking of switching to a SWG. Currently use LC but the price increase to $4.5/gallon along with how much and often a texas summer requires it is something i'd like to miss out on this summer. I've gone over the comparison at discount salt pools (Compare and Review Saltwater Chlorine Generator Prices and Features | DSP) how accurate are these ratings? I was originally thinking of putting in the pentair IC20 or IC40 but the circupool and autopilot seem to have far better ratings. The autopilot total control PPC1 looks to be the best of the best. Is that correct? Automation wise I dont have anything currently that it would need to integrate with and other than the chlorine not sure what there is to automate other than pool light which is already on an astronomic timer.

I've also heard from several pool builders and companies that salt water pools are a very poor choice for where I am (North texas) due to the heat. Any accuracy in that or reasons I should not convert to SWG being in NTX?

 

[ajw22]

That site is primarily a Circupool distributor. I would take those reviews with a Texas size bucket of skepticism.

What equipment do you have?

Autopilot is good but not as widely supported as the major brands. They all are basically the same using the same technology but different electronic controls.

AutoPilot Pool Pilot Parts & Cells

Is the best place for Autopilot sales and support.

 

[evamor]

I have all pentair equipment and just put in a new intelliflo VSF pump. Thats what I was thinking an IC20 or IC40 was a good fit but if its not the best i'd rather spend a couple more dollars and do it right.

 

[ajw22]

Pentair IC40 is as good as it gets.

I have been running one for 10 years.

 

[Jimrahbe]

E,

I am a Pentair kind of guy, but even I would not recommend a Pentair salt system unless you have one of their automation systems.

This has nothing to do with Pentair's reliability but just the fact that the cells are made to operate with an automation system.

I have three saltwater pools and so far, have replaced two IC40 cells. One was over 9 years old and the other over 7 years old.

The average cell life for all brands is between 5 to 7 years.

The main key to installing a salt system is making sure whatever cell you buy that it is at least 2 x the volume of your pool. A 20K pool needs a 40K cell as a minimum. This is because cells are rated when running 24/7 at 100% output.

've also heard from several pool builders and companies that salt water pools are a very poor choice for where I am (North texas) due to the heat.

What a load of Bull Feathers. This is exactly the right place to own a saltwater pool. I'd just as soon fill my pools in with dirt as not have them be saltwater pools.

If I did not have Pentair automation systems, I'd go with CircuPool systems.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

Never mind. Smart sense is on the ichlor and not the intellichlor.

 

[ajw22]

In my opinion the IntelliChlor ICXX cells are more robust then Circupool and higher quality. There is nothing that the Circupool does better then the IntelliChlor.

I have been running IntelliChlor cells for 10 years without an automation connection with no issues.

Without automation you need to connect either SWG to a timer as the primary power protection and keep the timer in synch with the IntelliFlo programmed times. If I had an IntelliFlo and got an IntelliChlor I would get an IntelliConnect box instead of a timer. A bit more cost and the IntelliConnect will communicate with both devices.

 

[evamor]

What am I missing from not having automation? I don't have an integrated spa, no heater (but will be adding one), and no water features. Is there any advantages to adding automation and going with IC40?

 

[evamor]

Oh and worst case down the road what is the process to convert back from a SW pool? Aside from just disablng/removing the SWG anything else required to go back to regular chlorine and any impacts on the plaster/minipebble or its life span?

 

[ajw22]

What am I missing from not having automation?

Nothing.

Controlling you pump speed or lights using an app.

I don't have an integrated spa, no heater (but will be adding one), and no water features. Is there any advantages to adding automation and going with IC40?

No. And you can use an IC40 fine without automation.

 

[ajw22]

Oh and worst case down the road what is the process to convert back from a SW pool? Aside from just disablng/removing the SWG anything else required to go back to regular chlorine and any impacts on the plaster/minipebble or its life span?

A salt pool is a chlorine pool. You can add chlorine in whatever form you desire - SWG, or liquid chlorine, or solid chlorine products.

 

[evamor]

Thanks guys. Conversion to SWG it is then! I'll start shopping while prices are cheap.......or cheaper than they will be in a couple months.

 

[MA5177]

Pentair IC40 is as good as it gets.

I have been running one for 10 years.

On a 35,000 gallon pool?

 

[ajw22]

On a 35,000 gallon pool?

Yup, but in the Northeast where my summer daily FC need is around 2ppm.

 

[Newdude]

+1. My IC60 rarely needed to be set at 60% 24/7 (35k gallons) and when it did, the FC ran away from me as I really needed 45% but 40% wasn't enough. 3 weeks later 40% was more than enough again.