Need advice on SWCG purchase

[Jeffski]

We decided to go with a Salt Water Chlorine Generator for our pool that is being built now. The walls are up, liner in and full of water, backfill and cement coming this week.

The cost of the SWCG was not included in our quote because I didn't know about it at the time. Now I am wondering how much it should cost and what type of unit I need. I like to be educated and not just take the builder's advice (especially since he didn't recommend the SWCG...see other posts).

My pool is the basic liner 18 x 36, about 3.5 feet in the shallow and 8 feet in the deep. I don't know how many gallons that is.

So what brand, power, style, etc should I be getting and how much should it cost me?

Thanks in advance, you guys/gals are great!

PS My pump and filter are made by Pentair if that helps.

[eljefe281]

One thing - when you write...

My pool is the basic liner 18 x 36, about 3.5 feet in the shallow and 8 feet in the deep. I don't know how many gallons that is.

...it is unclear as to whether that is a "free form" or rectangular pool.

Makes a huge difference in calculating volume.

[Jeffski]

It's a rectangular pool.

[eljefe281]

It's a rectangular pool.

Pool volume = 18' x 36' x 5.75' (average depth) x 7.481 gallons/cuft = 27,874 gallons (roughly - the "average depth" business isn't quite as simple as many suggest)

Popular SWCGs (no particular order):

http://www-1.pentairwater.com/jwcs/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=149651&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=17251

http://www.jandy.com/html/products/chlorinegenerators/aquapure.php

http://www.goldlinecontrols.com/AquaRite.aspx

[Poolsean]

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/forumdisplay.php?f=138

The Salt Forum will have this question asked many times so you'll find many more responses for your question.

add to this list:
www.autopilot.com
www.watermaid.com
www.ecomatic.com

[Pool_Mike]

Jeffski,

First off, let me just say congrats on your new pool purchase. As for your SWG, please let us know how you like it.

As for us, we just decided to go w/ chlorine setup b/c it was included in the pool purchase price and all chemicals are free for one year. So from there we can be cheapO's till next year and then decide if SWG is that way to go. I also got quotes from about 2 companies that would install an SWG after the pool is installed and my quotes were $150.00 for one and the other was $285.00. So that way I know what to save up for next years pool project ;)