Intex pump/filter and SWCG with a non-Intex pool?

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A

Art C.

Member
May 17, 2020
5
New York State
Hi everyone -- I searched the forums for this question and didn't see anyone asking it before; apologies in advance if I missed it.

After eight years of running Intex pools, I finally took the plunge and upgraded to a "real" AGP -- a Cornelius Phoenix 15' round. I didn't see any reason to buy a new pump/filter or SWCG for this pool ... after all, it's the same size as the Intex it replaced, and the equipment has been working fine. A few pieces of PVC and a Hayward skimmer later, I've got everything working brilliantly, and my pool water is as clean and clear as it's always been.

My question to the group is -- are there any hidden gotchas here? Most people seem to do the reverse (Intex pool with non-Intex filter) but I'm doing an Intex filter with a non-Intex pool. Will something go horribly wrong that I wasn't expecting? Will I fail the inspection if the inspector doesn't see a "real" pump and filter? Anything else I missed?
 
Hello and Welcome to TFP!!

From a usability point of view, everything should work just fine if you were able to get it hooked up. You still need to perform water testing as usual. The chlorine and chemistry doesn't care if it is an Intex or a metal wall pool.
If you don't have a quality test kit yet, I highly recommend the TF-100 from TFTestkits. You won't be disappointed. You don't give model numbers so it will be difficult to tell if the Intex SWG can keep up with the chlorine demand of the pool.

You mentioned an inspector. Depending on where you live, you may need to have an inspector come out to sign off on the installation. There are a few codes that need to be followed. This is not exhaustive and you should contact a licensed electrician in your area. The pool will need it's own dedicated power outlet for the pump and SWG. The pool and equipment will need to be bonded (different from grounding). You should ask the AHJ (Authority having jurisdiction) what else is needed to comply with local and national codes. Likely the same office where you obtained the permit to install.
 
Right. I've got the pool chemistry under control, chlorine demand is satisfied, all of that is fine -- again, I ran Intex pools for eight years and learned all of that stuff a long time ago.

I'm more interested in finding out whether the Intex pump/filter and SWCG are considered "different" from a regulatory point of view. They're working great, the pool chemistry is balanced, I am extremely satisfied. What I am trying to figure out is whether there is any reason an inspector would look at it and say "this is not acceptable equipment".
 
The equipment is perfectly acceptable. It still must be installed per applicable requirements. One specific item of note would be the pump bonding. Intex pump should be double insulated, so the pump bonding would differ slightly from what would be considered “normal” for an above ground pool pump. Here is a snip from the bonding requirements for double insulated pump. Obviously you should know and meet all the applicable electrical requirements.
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The only problem you may personally run into is the gfci cord ends all trying to be plugged into your gfci (its hard to make them fit in the weatherproof in use cover). The inspector may say the cord is too long for the pump as it’s not a storable pool but if they do you can replace it with a shorter one. The gfci cord ends aren’t necessary if you have a gfci power source. I run 2 intex swg’s on my 33’ above ground pool & have no issues. So long as you’re complying with local & national codes you should be fine. Here’s the 2017 NEC for reference & planning
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Thanks mdragger88 and jcp! I think the phrase "double insulated pump" is the key phrase that I needed to get pointed in the right direction.

My power cords are still at the 25' length but I've already cut off the inline GFCIs because they tend to fail and I'm already plugging them in to a GFCI-protected circuit. Rather than extend electric over to the pool I'm going to run PVC water line between the pool and the house, and set up a little equipment station where there's already a GFCI-protected outlet. Then I can cut the flex cords down to 3' and plug them in.

Is it safe to assume that if the pool is bonded to ground (including the frame, the water, the equipotential grid, etc) that the pump is also grounded by way of having been plugged into a three-prong grounding type receptacle?
 
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