Advice on Chlorine generator

[Sean-NJ]

My wife and I were looking into an new inground pool 16*32 with an 8 foot deep end. They offered a chlorine generator for an additional $1300. This is the system http://www.comfortchlor.com/brochure.shtml
I am guessing I will probably save money on chlorine in the long run but I wanted to know if there were any drawbacks to this system? Thanks for any help.

[waste]

Sean, welcome to the forum and congrats on caring for your pool enough to research how to take care of it!!:) If you follow what you learn here, your pool will be a source of pleasure - not trouble. I'm not familiar with that particular unit, but what they claim is on par with the others available. If this is the unit that your builder has experience with, it's probably best to go with it, as he'll know how to handle any 'irregularities' you may experience. However, give the SWG section here a good read, and see if anyone has had problems with that unit, and see if another might be what you are looking for. You are better off doing a little reasearch rather than regretting a purchase.

[waterbear]

This seems to be a private label SWG. I have seen the identical unit under a few different names. The control panel and cell are always the same (and the design of the cell IS distinctive). Where I work we sell the identical unit under the brand name Resilience. It is our least expensive line. I believe that they might be the actual manufacturer since they seem to have the most models available and the most data on the unique shape of the cell (for structural integrety). They also offer the cell in different outputs for various pool sizes. Then again they just might be buying a more complete line from the actual manufacturer. They are located in Altimonte Springs, FL.

[Sean-NJ]

Thanks for the advice. How much does the salt typically cost for these types of units?

[BogeyGolfer]

I am assuming most all SWG's use the same kind of salt. A 40-50 pound of coarse "solar salt" costs me about $4.30 at Lowe's. I only have to add salt about once or twice a year. Very cheap. :)

[waterbear]

The initial addition of salt is the main expense. Once the proper salt level is reached very little salt is needed to maintain it. I think I might go thru 2-3 bags of salt a year (if that much) at about $5/bag. Your 16x32 pool with 8 foot deep end will hold about 21000 gallons if it is rectangular and the shallow end is 3 feet. You will initially need about 550 lbs to get you in the ballpark. That's about seven 80 lb bags at about $8/bag ($56) or fourteen 40 lb bags at about $5/bag ($70). Not a big expense! Once the initial salt is in there you only have to replace what is lost by splashout or backwashing.

[Sean-NJ]

Wow! I guess this system will pay for itself in a short time considering the price of chlorine tablets.

[cruzmisl]

Wow! I guess this system will pay for itself in a short time considering the price of chlorine tablets.

"Chlorine tablets" is like a curse word around here:)

[Sean-NJ]

Ha! I will go with the salt generator then. Thanks for the help!!!!
Great forum!

[waterbear]

"Chlorine tablets" is like a curse word around here:)
Trichlor tabs do have a place in pool maintenance and several of the forum members do use them to advantage (to raise CYA and keep pH down). You just have to know when to stop and how to use them responsibly.

[waterbear]

Found out some more info on this SWG. The manufacturer is an Israeli company called Plastic Magen
www.plasticmagen.com

[Sean-NJ]

The pool builder we are using sells zodiac. I told him we didn't want the nature 2 system but a salt generator only. He suggested this
http://www.clearwater-usa.com/LM3.asp
I guess this is the newer model of the LM2. He couldn't give me a price but said it would be cheaper than the nature 2 system. The only reason I am considering this is because I want everything installed together by the contractor. Any opinions on this system (LM3).
Thanks

[waterbear]

The pool builder we are using sells zodiac. I told him we didn't want the nature 2 system but a salt generator only. He suggested this
http://www.clearwater-usa.com/LM3.asp
I guess this is the newer model of the LM2. He couldn't give me a price but said it would be cheaper than the nature 2 system. The only reason I am considering this is because I want everything installed together by the contractor. Any opinions on this system (LM3).
Thanks
Actually, we sell the LM3 and the duo-clear (same unit with integrated N2 cartrigde) for the same price. They are both made by Zodiac. I would forgo the N2...the Zodiac SWGs are decent units. I personally don't like them as much as the Goldline and PoolPilot units but they seem to perform well. They certainly retail for less. (We sell both the lm3-24 and the duoclear for the same price and it is several hundred dollars less than either the Goldline or Pool Pilot units)

[west1745]

Actually, we sell the LM3 and the duo-clear (same unit with integrated N2 cartrigde) for the same price. They are both made by Zodiac. I would forgo the N2...the Zodiac SWGs are decent units. I personally don't like them as much as the Goldline and PoolPilot units but they seem to perform well. They certainly retail for less. (We sell both the lm3-24 and the duoclear for the same price and it is several hundred dollars less than either the Goldline or Pool Pilot units)

I have the Goldline and am happy with it. I am happy that I decided to spend the extra money on the SWG - it makes pool management much easier. Glad not to have to deal with adding all of the chlorine manually. Sometimes I do add bleach to shock - but not that big of a deal.

You will be glad you got it!! Hope you can find the right one for you.

One thing you might want to ask about is a 2 speed pump. Our pump runs all the time on low speed and that is when the SWG is on. And about 3 hours a day the pump runs on full speed. It is great having the circulation all the time. Just a thought.

This forum is GREAT!

[CarlD]

You may want to re-figure your costs.

I figure a 3 month summer, and dumping in a gallon of bleach every other day--about 45 gallons over the course of the summer. Even at $2/gallon, that's $90.

If your SWG costs $900, it will cost the same as 10 years worth of bleach--plus you have to buy sufficient salt and you STILL may need bleach if things go awry. You'll also probably be putting a lot of muriatic acid in your pool--what's that run, $3.50/gallon?--and maybe as much as a gallon per week.

What SWG buys you is CONVENIENCE and effective sanitation at lower chlorine levels, because there's less pogo-ing of FC. You can go away for a week or two and come back to a clean pool. SWGs are a wonderful invention.

But saving money versus the B-B-B method? That's not realistic.

[waterbear]

You may want to re-figure your costs.

I figure a 3 month summer, and dumping in a gallon of bleach every other day--about 45 gallons over the course of the summer. Even at $2/gallon, that's $90.


Carl,
Here in NE FL our swim season is MUCH longer....about 6-7 months for a non heated pool and about 10 for a heated one!

[KurtV]

One other significant cost for an SWG that hasn't been mentioned here is that you'll have to replace the cell every few years (I'm guessing 3 to 5 depending on several variables). A replacement will cost several hundred dollars.

As Carl said, SWGs are about convenience and effectiveness, not cost savings.

[Sean-NJ]

But saving money versus the B-B-B method? That's not realistic.

That is part of my dillema. I was all in favor of the SWG for my new pool but after reading the BBB method, I thought wow that could save me a lot of money.

I guess the advantage of the swg is less fuss?

I could just try the bbb method when my pool is finished and add the swg at a later date?

[waterbear]

another thing to keep in mind is that everyone who has installed a SWG loves it and I don't think any of us would consider going back to manual clorination! Also with the rising costs of chlorine (I just paid $1.68 for 3/4 gallon of ultra bleach...for my laundry) SWGs might soon become the less expensive way to chlorinate.
If there is anyone on the forum who is not happy that they have installed a SWG I would sure love to hear it!

In the old forum I remember there were some breakdowns on the cost of installing and operating a SWG vs. manual chlorination and if I remember correctly, the price difference taken over the 5 year estimated life span of a cell was very close.

[KurtV]

But saving money versus the B-B-B method? That's not realistic.

That is part of my dillema. I was all in favor of the SWG for my new pool but after reading the BBB method, I thought wow that could save me a lot of money.

I guess the advantage of the swg is less fuss?

I could just try the bbb method when my pool is finished and add the swg at a later date?

Sean,
I was in exactly your position a year ago and opted out of the SWG. I'm still on the fence now. I want one, but I'm finding it dificult to part with the money. It's not that doing without one and using Ben's techniques instead is particularly arduous, but you do have to be more diligent about keeping up with the water (it only takes a few minutes a day but skipping even a couple or a few days can get you in trouble). The SWG would give me some more leeway and make pool care during vacations and business trips almost a non-issue.

One other convenience factor with an SWG is that you won't have to get to the store every week or two for bleach (not a big deal; just another chore that most of us could do without).

As Waterbear said, you'll have trouble finding someone who isn't happy with his/her SWG but you'll find more than a few of us out there with SWG envy. I guess I'll ask my wife for one for Christmas.

[PatL34]

Did a cost estimate back in April on SWCG operation.

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=316

See if this compares to bleach.

Pat

[waterbear]

going on Carl's estimate of $30/month for bleach and Pat's calculation of just over $20/month for a SWG then the SWG wins hands down!

[PatL34]

I think the trend to SWCGs is going to go faster and faster as the cost of producing bleach starts to go up with cost of electricity. The $30 - $20 differential will start to increase through the years. Another argument for SWCGs. And I've been running one since April of 1998.

Pat

[Sean-NJ]

That was a great post about the cost. I am on a tight budget and trying to keep costs under 22K for the pool itself. I guess I will just have to add a little to the budget. My gut was telling me the swg was a good investment but I was trying to find a way to justify cutting it out. Thanks for the input. This forum in general has educated me so much on pool care.

[KurtV]

going on Carl's estimate of $30/month for bleach and Pat's calculation of just over $20/month for a SWG then the SWG wins hands down!

But that ignores the initial cost. At $1000 initial cost to have the builder install it you're looking at an additional $100 per year for a 10 year period of ownership. Besides that, Carl's estimate was intentionally high to make his point ( I typically spend less than half that). Finally, Pat's supposition that power costs will drive bleach costs up in the long run applies more directly and at least equally to the power costs for operating the SWG.

I want to believe that an SWG will pay for itself (as that would make my decision very easy) but it just ain't so.

(On the other hand, it really doesn't cost that much more in the long run. I almost have myself talked into this; thanks Sean:D.)

[Sean-NJ]

Kurt,

Lol! I think I talked myself into it as well.

[PatL34]

But that ignores the initial cost. At $1000 initial cost to have the builder install it you're looking at an additional $100 per year for a 10 year period of ownership. Besides that, Carl's estimate was intentionally high to make his point ( I typically spend less than half that). Finally, Pat's supposition that power costs will drive bleach costs up in the long run applies more directly and at least equally to the power costs for operating the SWG.

Yes Kurt, I ignored the initial cost of the unit for a reason. That takes care of the intangibles, like going away on vacation, not having to worry too much on keeping the pH exactly between 7.2 and 7.6. It will look after itself a lot better than you think, and I am on my second SWCG, an upgrade from the first one, for that very reason. Yes I still use bleach and pucks on occasion, but overall it gives me peace of mind. I hope this answers you next statement below.
I want to believe that an SWG will pay for itself (as that would make my decision very easy) but it just ain't so.

(On the other hand, it really doesn't cost that much more in the long run. I almost have myself talked into this; thanks Sean:D.)

Hope I have convinced you. Sean must be feeling very happy.:D

Pat

[KurtV]

Pat,
As I said, I'm sold on the convenience factor. I'm just pointing out that in straight dollars and cents, it will cost more to operate a pool with an SWG than it will using "grocery store chemicals".

Thanks again for the cost analysis you provided in that earlier thread. It's definitely helped to convince me that an SWG is the way to go. (I'm actually already convinced, I'm just finding it difficult to write the check.)

Cheers.

[PatL34]

I'm just finding it difficult to write the check.

I know the feeling.:(

Pat

[Poolsean]

But your input is greatly appreciated!...and I am smiling! Thanks Pal!

[PatL34]

My pleasure.

Pat