Install location & sizing

I have been looking into salt chlorinators for a few months now and I am getting close to being ready to purchase. I have 20,000 gal in-ground vinyl pool in Toronto Canada. I have narrowed my search down to the Pool Pilot but I have a few questions:

- are there any issues with "over sizing" to the sc-60? am I correct that the larger cell will last longer because it will not work as hard?

- I have a T valve on the output of my heater - 1 side goes to the step jets and the other goes to the pool jets - is it ok to put the cell on the pool jets side of this T or do I need to re-plumb and put it before the T valve?

- prices in Canada are much higher (double) than the on-line stores. Anyone have any positive/negative experiences with the one-line stores? (ie www.saltcells.com www.aquasuperstore.com etc)

Poolsean - is the Pool Pilot manufactured in the USA? (no duty is charged if the item in made in the USA). Also are there any warranty issues buying from USA in Canada?

Thanks in advance

Hi Daren,


To answer your questions:
- are there any issues with "over sizing" to the sc-60? am I correct that the larger cell will last longer because it will not work as hard?
ANSWER: Oversizing does not create a problem and will provide longer cell life.

- I have a T valve on the output of my heater - 1 side goes to the step jets and the other goes to the pool jets - is it ok to put the cell on the pool jets side of this T or do I need to re-plumb and put it before the T valve?
ANSWER: Installing the manifold after the T on the pool return should be fine, as long as you also have sufficient circulation to your steps, otherwise I would recommend plumbing before the T.

- prices in Canada are much higher (double) than the on-line stores. Anyone have any positive/negative experiences with the one-line stores? (ie www.saltcells.com www.aquasuperstore.com etc)
ANSWER: We have an exclusive distributor agreement in Canada with Lectranator Systems Inc, LSI (Tabex.com), in Calgary, AB. They have gone through the required process (timewise and financially) of submitting our Pool Pilol (yes it is made in the US) to the Canadian equivalent of the EPA, for approval. This is a requirement. US dealers cannot (or rather, should not sell into Canada because of this PCP registration process). LSI has a network of dealers that sell the Pool Pilot throughout Canada.
It's my obligation to mention this as I know if a warranty issue arises with a unit purchased stateside, and not through the proper distribution channels in Canada, LSI will not cover warranty.

Poolsean - is the Pool Pilot manufactured in the USA? (no duty is charged if the item in made in the USA). Also are there any warranty issues buying from USA in Canada?
ANSWER: See above. sorry.

Thanks for the info.
I finally worked my way down the food chain to a Canadian dealer in my area.
$3750 CAD for a Autopilot DIG-60 = $3300 USD

Internet price = $1100 USD

$3750 for a SWCG!! WOW!!!! is that installed?

I have my IC20 after the heater and before my T... I also have the 2 returns to pool and 2 to steps and 2 to deck jets.

This price did not include installation - that was + $500 CAD

Cheapest salt system I have seen around here was a Zodiac LM2-40 for $1299 - Pioneer Pools had an opening special - but this is the old model (replaced by LM3)

Sounds like a trip across the border is in order.

i have bought all my major items from the internet and u.s.

the aquasuperstore i believe is where i bought my soft touch autopilot, i bought my heater from the u.s. and saved 50% over buying in canada, my solar cover and reel came from intheswim.com as well as my heater stack kit (intheswim are absolutely awesome and really have their you know what together), i bought my pool pump on ebay for about 30 to 40% of what they wanted at the pool store in my city. i spent 3500 dollars and figure i save 3000 dollars over buying this stuff in canada. the fact is what is fairly commonplace in the u.s. is a real speciality item here so i "get it" in terms of why they jack their prices in canada..but...case in point..i went to the pool store i deal with to give me a price on my laars jandy heater. 2500 canadian..i spent 1200 canadian including freight and duties to buy it from the u.s. i like to buy local but i'm not going to get raped doing it:)