What’s the benefit of having an automated system with adding a SWG and robot cleaner?

[Lowbrow-Dizzy]

Hi, we have a newly acquired pool and planning to DIY the maintenance and add SWG, probably Pentair IC60 since the existing equipment is all Pentair. My question is what value does the automated system add versus syncing up the pool timer and SWG timer?

The pool doesn’t get that dirty but thinking a pool robot would save brushing the whole thing down weekly. I guess ultimately the automation could power the existing heater, new SWG, pump and robot.

It’s complicated because I think the pump is single speed right now (how do I tell?) and there’s an automated cover on the pool - so the robot probably won’t be left in the pool all the time unless I can figure out how to close the cover on the cord.

Do I go ahead and add the SWG and sync the timers or do I add automation right off the bat? Is there value to automation with this setup? Do I need to change out the pool pump for a VS?

Help.

Thanks!

 

[HermanTX]

Welcome to TFP.
A Pentair WhisperFlo pump is a single speed.
You can use it with a SWCG but you get more flexibility when you use a VS pump with a SWCG with regard to run times and what percentage of output you get from the SWCG.
Without an automation system, you have to input your data at the controller by the equipment pad for the SWCG.

You do not indicate if you have a Spa with Pool or just a Pool. An automation system can allow you to remotely move the valves between Spa and Pool mode if you have that set up.

Automation adds convenience if that is important to you. You can set multiple schedules for pump run time, turn on/off your lights or your heater, etc.

Adding a SWCG is a good step to ensure a properly chlorinated pool. The automation and VS pump provides you flexibility and convenience to monitoring your pool.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Low,

For most pools, without spas, an automation system is a fun thing to have but it is not a requirement to make the pool work.

If you don't have an automation system you can install any brand SWCG you want. With an automaton system it almost always best to install the same brand of cell as the automation, so that they can "talk" to each other.

I am a big Pentair kind of guy, but I never recommend getting the IntelliChlor (IC40 or 60) unless you also have a Pentair automation system.

I am also a big supporter of saltwater pools, but one drawback of a saltwater system is that the cell needs to run long enough to generate the amount of chlorine that the pool needs. The bigger the pool the more chlorine it will need each day. This means that the pump has to run much longer in a saltwater pool than in the same size non-saltwater pool. A single speed pump will work, but it makes much more sense to use a VS pump when you have a saltwater pool.

As a reference, I run my VS pump at a low RPM 24/7 so that I am making a little chlorine all the time and skimming all the time. Doing this costs, less than $20 bucks a month.

One advantage of having an automation system is that it can control the pump's speeds, and the time the pump runs, as well as the output of the salt cell. It can turn on the heater while at the same time increasing the pump speed to match the flow that the heater needs.

The main downside to having a VS pump, automation system, and a salt cell is the initial cost. $$$$

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[jmastron]

I am also a big supporter of saltwater pools, but one drawback of a saltwater system is that the cell needs to run long enough to generate the amount of chlorine that the pool needs. The bigger the pool the more chlorine it will need each day. This means that the pump has to run much longer in a saltwater pool than in the same size non-saltwater pool. A single speed pump will work, but it makes much more sense to use a VS pump when you have a saltwater pool.

This doesn't necessarily have to be the case with a properly sized SWCG and CYA level. I put in a generic Calimar 40k SWCG with vague specs (I believe it's in the range of ~1.2-1.3 lbs/day) last summer. It's left at 100% production on a WiFi plug, so I manage the run time directly by app and basically treat it like a slow stenner pump (which is what it replaced).

After raising the CYA level to 70 (using enough to reach an actual 70, not just convincing myself that the 50-60 was really 70 ), even in the hottest part of the summer with the most direct sunlight, I was able to maintain FC levels (8-10ppm) running the SWCG less than 8 hours a day. And that's the days with the cover off -- when the cover was on all day (most of the time because of our low usage) I had to lower the time to 4-6 hours.

I keep looking at "real" pool automation but concluding that it's not worth the cost for me -- using cheap WiFi plugs/switches for the robot, SWCG, and light (Kasa), and living with having to adjust the pump parameters outside is sufficient for my needs. If I had a spa or solar the equation might be different.

 

[r2sie2]

Low,

For most pools, without spas, an automation system is a fun thing to have but it is not a requirement to make the pool work.

If you don't have an automation system you can install any brand SWCG you want. With an automaton system it almost always best to install the same brand of cell as the automation, so that they can "talk" to each other.

I am a big Pentair kind of guy, but I never recommend getting the IntelliChlor (IC40 or 60) unless you also have a Pentair automation system.

I am also a big supporter of saltwater pools, but one drawback of a saltwater system is that the cell needs to run long enough to generate the amount of chlorine that the pool needs. The bigger the pool the more chlorine it will need each day. This means that the pump has to run much longer in a saltwater pool than in the same size non-saltwater pool. A single speed pump will work, but it makes much more sense to use a VS pump when you have a saltwater pool.

As a reference, I run my VS pump at a low RPM 24/7 so that I am making a little chlorine all the time and skimming all the time. Doing this costs, less than $20 bucks a month.

One advantage of having an automation system is that it can control the pump's speeds, and the time the pump runs, as well as the output of the salt cell. It can turn on the heater while at the same time increasing the pump speed to match the flow that the heater needs.

The main downside to having a VS pump, automation system, and a salt cell is the initial cost. $$$$

Thanks,

Jim R.

I’m a little confused on the SWCG automation. I’ve read on here that the system is blind to chlorine levels, so how does the system know when to raise or lower the pump speed or output levels?

 

[mknauss]

so how does the system know when to raise or lower the pump speed or output levels?

It doesn't. You manage that, via your testing.

 

[r2sie2]

It doesn't. You manage that, via your testing.

That’s the way I understood it. The automation system doesn’t really do anything with the SWCG, do I have that correct?

 

[Jimrahbe]

R2,

In my case, Pentair automation and IC40, the automation lets me adjust the output percentage from my PC rather than going out to the equipment pad. It also allows me to see what the cell reports as the salt level of the pool water. Here is my SWCG page.

Chlorinator tab.PNG

• Jimrahbe
• Jun 22, 2017
• 1

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[r2sie2]

R2,

In my case, Pentair automation and IC40, the automation lets me adjust the output percentage from my PC rather than going out to the equipment pad. It also allows me to see what the cell reports as the salt level of the pool water. Here is my SWCG page.

Chlorinator tab.PNG

• Jimrahbe
• Jun 22, 2017
• 1

Thanks,

Jim R.

Oh ok this is cool. Does it actually measure the salt level or is it like a guesstimate? I’m getting a SWCG in my pool so just trying to get a feel of what it can and can’t do and what to expect. Thanks

 

[Jimrahbe]

R2,

Most all salt systems use an electrical conductivity test to "calculate" the salt level of the pool water.

The IC40 has a 600-ppm tolerance, so not all that accurate, but it does give you feedback when your salt level is too high or too low. I use a Taylor K-1766 test kit so I can determine the "actual" salt level.

If the cell thinks the salt level is too high or too low, it will shut itself off. So, it is important to know what the cell reports as well as the actual salt level.

Thanks,

Jim R.