Salt Water Chlorine Generator for New Pool Build

Well, it’s been a while and I thought I’d post an update. We just signed our contract yesterday and paid the deposit. Now we’re waiting on HOA approval and we can get underway. Woohoo!

As for the chlorinator, I’m now leaning toward the AutoPilot. There seems to be amenities that are going to be convenient for our situation that the Hayward doesn’t offer…at least not that I could find. One feature is temperature compensation since we’ll be running the spa pretty much year round, and another is that it will be able to run at low speeds. I think I’m going to have another chat session with Poolsean to see if this will work for our needs.

I found out yesterday for our pipes not to freeze over the colder months, the builder will set our pump speed to run very slowly to keep water moving thru the pipes. I need to nail this part of it down a little bit more because I don’t know if the pump is set to run continually or just when the temperature is below freezing. If it’s running continually I’m not sure what this will do to our electrical bill, or the equipment for that matter, but I guess we’re going to find out.

But for now, I think the AutoPilot is what we’ll be going with….just have to convince the CFO now.

Congratulations on signing! Thanks for the update.

Congrats on taking the next step. :)

Good luck with it!

Good evening all,

Hope everyone had a very nice Thanksgiving. Just wanted to continue my update and let you know where we are in our process.

We finally got approval from our HOA and we’re getting ready to pull the permit for the build. Landscaping is holding up the process a bit, but we should have that wrapped up in the next week.

For what I’ve been doing since the last time I’ve updated, been emailing with PoolSean a bit and have decided to go with the AutoPilot . Didn’t really have to twist the CFO’s arm either. The main reason for going with the AutoPilot basically comes down to it being able to generate chlorine at low temps and continue working at low speeds as mentioned earlier. With our keeping the spa working thru the winter months, these features will come in handy. I’m not sure if the Hayward Aquarite is capable of these features, but I believe I gave them every opportunity to put their hand in the pot and explain what great features they offer.

I’ve been researching robotic pool cleaners, also, I will be posting a new thread soon in the appropriate forum so please, everyone who has experience/input, throw your knowledge in. I’ve researched about 3 that I like so far.

Also, I’d like to start posting pics for anyone who’s interested in seeing our progress once it actually starts to happen, but I am not too sure how/where to do that. I read somewhere on here how to post pics but I can’t remember where, either. I know it involves the use of Photobucket which I just created an account. Any help on that? Once I start posting our progress, is there a limit as to how much I can upload? I don’t want to overdo it and get my hand slapped by Ben. 

Thanks for everyone’s input so far. Still have a long way to go, and I hope you’ll all stick with me.

Thanks for the update. I look forward to seeing pics. :)

Looking forward to seeing your pics! Exciting!

For those still interested, we've started. I've created a post where I'll show our progress with photos. Here's the link:

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...536#post129536

From friends advice 20yrs a chlorinator seller/repairer, if your water is soft then you don't need a self cleaning cell as the self clean shortens the life of the cell but if your water is hard then self clean can be useful. Any comments from others?

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Originally Posted by Teapot

From friends advice 20yrs a chlorinator seller/repairer, if your water is soft then you don't need a self cleaning cell as the self clean shortens the life of the cell but if your water is hard then self clean can be useful. Any comments from others?

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Thanks for the input Teapot. The water in our neck of the woods is actually quite hard. Harder than our last house which I thought was pretty bad.

Just wanted to do a follow up on this. I pulled the trigger on the AutoPilot today. It's a bit early in our build, but it was on sale at a great price, and I couldn't pass it up. Now I just have to find a place to store it for a month.

Thanks to everyone who helped with the decision. Looking forward to putting it to use! :)

I know nothing about SWGS, but my gut tells me that you made the right choice. I just reread this thread. So interesting and fun. Loved the pizza discussion the most!!!!!

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Originally Posted by FormerBromineUser

I know nothing about SWGS, but my gut tells me that you made the right choice. I just reread this thread. So interesting and fun. Loved the pizza discussion the most!!!!!

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Mmmm! Pizzza. I'm starving. Haven't had my breakfast yet.

I see that you're a subscriber. I feel bad that I'm taking advantage of this forum so I'm thinking of joining too. Any additional perks to subscibing?

Hmmmmm. :confused: That warm, fuzzy feeling? Good karma?

I have "subscribed" several times using it to make a donation to the forum when I have a little extra cash as a way to say thank-you.

I know initial posts get attention right away in the subscriber forum but you are kinda past that.

Here's what it says the perks are:
Subscribe to the Pool Forum for a year, and get rid of that pesky "Restricted User" title. Use colors and links in your posts. Upload pictures of your problems. Help the Pool Forum keep going!

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Originally Posted by FormerBromineUser

Hmmmmm. :confused: That warm, fuzzy feeling? Good karma?

I have "subscribed" several times using it to make a donation to the forum when I have a little extra cash as a way to say thank-you.

I know initial posts get attention right away in the subscriber forum but you are kinda past that.

Here's what it says the perks are:
Subscribe to the Pool Forum for a year, and get rid of that pesky "Restricted User" title. Use colors and links in your posts. Upload pictures of your problems. Help the Pool Forum keep going!

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Just signed up and ready to start posting more...soon. Will have plenty of chemical questions once we're close to start up. :)

As a follow up, the SWCG has been installed, except for the control unit which is still in the box, but they forgot to include the bypass I had requested at the design stage. I don't think it'll be difficult to splice in, but I think the PB should have had it in his notes to put in.

Carl, if you're still hanging around this thread, you mentioned quick releases on either end of the manifold. Are they threaded couplings or is it something else?

Here's a pic with my sketch of where I want to put the bypass:

http://i1376.photobucket.com/albums/...psmgwxduqa.jpg

Toy, I think you accidentally closed your other thread... Mountain Retreat... Equipment shed looks great!!!

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Originally Posted by FormerBromineUser

Toy, I think you accidentally closed your other thread... Mountain Retreat... Equipment shed looks great!!!

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I did? How do I reopen it?

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Originally Posted by Toybuilder

I did? How do I reopen it?

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I just added a reply. Seems ok to me?

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Originally Posted by FormerBromineUser

Toy, I think you accidentally closed your other thread... Mountain Retreat... Equipment shed looks great!!!

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Actually, I noticed a few days ago that it was closed and re-opened it for you.

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Originally Posted by Watermom

Actually, I noticed a few days ago that it was closed and re-opened it for you.

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Thanks Watermom! Read your post on the future of PF. I really hope this site doesn't go away.

Me, too.

Me, three!

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Originally Posted by CarlD

Giordano's can call it "Sicilian Ambrosia" but it ain't pizza--and I can't wait to get it again in just a few weeks! :D

There's LOTS of good food in Chicago...lots! I'd never say otherwise. I'm no hot dog connoisseur so I'll wimp out on THAT argument!

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Next time you're in Chi-town, look me up. Pizza and beer on me!!!

Moved post:

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...ol-Build/page2

Whoops! Just noticed I put this in the wrong thread. Ugh.

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Originally Posted by Toybuilder

I found out yesterday for our pipes not to freeze over the colder months, the builder will set our pump speed to run very slowly to keep water moving thru the pipes. I need to nail this part of it down a little bit more because I don’t know if the pump is set to run continually or just when the temperature is below freezing. If it’s running continually I’m not sure what this will do to our electrical bill, or the equipment for that matter, but I guess we’re going to find out.

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Normally in areas where you get a hard freeze people "close" their pool. This involves removing the water from the pipes so that busted pipes is a non issue. Unless you have a generator/UPS for the pool pump, relying on it running all winter is probably a bad idea. One power outage and you might have busted pipes.

Here's information on how to close a pool. You can also hire a pool guy to do it for you if you'd rather not DIY.

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Originally Posted by kelemvor

Normally in areas where you get a hard freeze people "close" their pool. This involves removing the water from the pipes so that busted pipes is a non issue. Unless you have a generator/UPS for the pool pump, relying on it running all winter is probably a bad idea. One power outage and you might have busted pipes.

Here's information on how to close a pool. You can also hire a pool guy to do it for you if you'd rather not DIY.

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Thanks for the input. We are closing our pool down for the winter...but not our spa. Discussed this with the builder and he says that he's done this before. With the equipment and exposed piping inside the equipment building, and it being insulated, we should be ok. I hope. If worse comes to worse and it gets super cold, I'll put a small portable heater in there to keep things above freezing. Guess we'll see in a few months.

You are outta my league here on any advise, Toy... But I sure hope it works out. A spa post-close and pre-open sounds wonderful! I SO wish we had some kind, any kind of spa!!! So jealous!