+ Reply to Thread
Page 3 of 7 FirstFirst 1 2 3 4 5 ... LastLast
Results 21 to 30 of 66

Thread: Which SaltWater Chlorinator

  1. #21
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    Ft Lauderdale, Fl
    Age
    61
    Posts
    665

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by rrwcm
    Sean... please feel free to quote my experience with the AutoPilot.

    All... I am not affilated with AutoPilot - I just want to share my favorable experience with this device. It is impressive!
    SWEET. Thanks Bill.
    Sean Assam
    Commercial Product Sales Manager - AquaCal AutoPilot Inc. Mobile: 954-325-3859
    e-mail: sean@teamhorner.com --- www.autopilot.com - www.aquacal.com

  2. #22
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Sacramento, CA
    Posts
    31

    Default Re: Which SaltWater Chlorinator

    Quote Originally Posted by SJohnson
    The top two seem to be:

    1. AutoPilot - http://www.autopilot.com
    2. AquaRite, by Goldline/Haward - http://www.goldlinecontrols.com

    The Autopilot automatically adjusts the chlorine output based on water temps, while the AquaRite doesn't. Otherwise, they seem pretty similar.
    -SJohnson
    How do these 2 systems measure temperature and salt concentration? Seperate sensors & wires?

    Mike K

  3. #23
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    Ft Lauderdale, Fl
    Age
    61
    Posts
    665

    Default Re: Which SaltWater Chlorinator

    Pool Pilot provides a dedicated tri-sensor that tests for salt, flow and water temperature. The Digital unit will also provide the amount of salt needed to maintain 3000 ppm, as long as the pool volume is appropriately programmed into the menu. The temperature sensor works in conjunction with the automatic temperature compensation, in which the output is automatically adjusted higher or lower, depending on the water temperature changes.

    Aquarite provides a flow switch and displays salt levels based upon the cell amperage and voltage. It can be fairly accurate as long as your salt level is maintained, water temperatures are steady and cell is not scaled for failing. This will provide a reasonably accurate salt level.

    Hope this helps.
    Sean Assam
    Commercial Product Sales Manager - AquaCal AutoPilot Inc. Mobile: 954-325-3859
    e-mail: sean@teamhorner.com --- www.autopilot.com - www.aquacal.com

  4. #24
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Sacramento, CA
    Posts
    31

    Exclamation Re: Which SaltWater Chlorinator

    Quote Originally Posted by Poolsean
    Pool Pilot provides a dedicated tri-sensor that tests for salt, flow and water temperature. The Digital unit will also provide the amount of salt needed to maintain 3000 ppm, as long as the pool volume is appropriately programmed into the menu. The temperature sensor works in conjunction with the automatic temperature compensation, in which the output is automatically adjusted higher or lower, depending on the water temperature changes.

    Aquarite provides a flow switch and displays salt levels based upon the cell amperage and voltage. It can be fairly accurate as long as your salt level is maintained, water temperatures are steady and cell is not scaled for failing. This will provide a reasonably accurate salt level.

    Hope this helps.
    Thanks

    That's a lot of "IFs" for the Aquarite to be "fairly accurate"!

  5. #25
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    26

    Default Re: Which SaltWater Chlorinator

    I have a question about installing an Autopilot system yourself. My pool builder has given me a quote to install an Autopilot system in our new ig pool. The quote seems to be about 50 to 60% higher than the price of the system on the Autopilot web site. I understand the cost of installation, profit, etc but that seems to be a little too high of a markup.

    Being an engineer and a fairly handy individual, I was toying with the idea of purchasing the system and installing it myself. Posts by rrwcn and hzz have given me encouragement.

    However I have a few questions.

    1) What are the benefits of having the pool company install the system (warranty, service, etc)? Is it worth the additional cost? Actually, a better question might be "what are the pit falls of NOT having the pool company install it?"

    2) If I do opt to install the system myself after the pool is built, what plumbing considerations do I need to be aware of while the pool is being built?

    Right now I have ordered an in-line chlorine system that would be replaced by the Autopilot.

    Thanks,

    Anthony

  6. #26
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Athens, Georgia, US.
    Posts
    17

    Default Re: Which SaltWater Chlorinator

    Quote Originally Posted by ohpoolboy
    1) What are the benefits of having the pool company install the system (warranty, service, etc)? Is it worth the additional cost? Actually, a better question might be "what are the pit falls of NOT having the pool company install it?"

    2) If I do opt to install the system myself after the pool is built, what plumbing considerations do I need to be aware of while the pool is being built?
    My advice:

    1) The installation is very simple - download the manual and check it out. I see no advantage to paying someone to do this. Many times I have paid extra to have someone do a job for me and then later dissapointed in the service after the sale!

    2) Plan now for the AutoPilot! The Control box should be mounted out of direct rain and sunlight. I simply inserted a small piece of plywood into the bottom of a topless Rubbermaid box and mounted it on a post (my location was behind a fence and out-of-sight), cut the lower end out, and the Control box fit nicely inside. I then used two pieces of 3/4 inch liquid tight conduit to protect the wires connecting the AutoPilot to the Manifold and Cell (the conduit lies across a foot path and I wanted to protect them). These wires are 12 feet long so be sure to figure this in when deciding where to locate the AutoPilot Control. The Manifold assembly needs about 26 inches between the filter return and the pipe out of the ground - I had only 14 inches after removing my tablet chlorinator so I had to rotate my DE filter to get the return pipe further away.

    The AutoPilot is well engineered and the installation is simple. You can do it!
    Bill Marshall

  7. #27
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Posts
    26

    Default Re: Which SaltWater Chlorinator

    Thanks for the reply.

    Is there any special procedure for converting a pool from chlorine to a SWG?

  8. #28
    KurtV is offline Registered+ Widget Weaver KurtV 0
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Mandeville, LA, USA.
    Posts
    418

    Default Re: Which SaltWater Chlorinator

    Quote Originally Posted by ohpoolboy
    Is there any special procedure for converting a pool from chlorine to a SWG?
    No, an SWG pool (or SWC as some prefer) is a chlorine pool. The chlorine is just introduced in a different way (produced by the SWG cell vice pouring it in in the form of bleach or adding it through an inline chlorinator, or through a floating chlorinator, or etc.).

  9. #29
    Davenj is offline Lifetime Member Thread Analyst Davenj 0
    Join Date
    Dec 1969
    Location
    Jersey Shore
    Posts
    100

    Default Re: Which SaltWater Chlorinator

    I had the pool company install the manifold when the pool was being built, at no extra charge. Gave them back the inline chlorinator and asked to have the SWG plumbed instead. Electrical sub didn't know what to do with the Autopilot to hook a 2 speed pump to it. I wired it myself, very simple job. Using Ben's test kit and mwsmith2's calculator the pool company (training) rep was amazed when he saw our pool. I actually enjoy taking care of the pool now, don't have to do much, compared to pools I've had in the past.

  10. #30
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Stafford, Virginia, US.
    Posts
    17

    Default Re: Which SaltWater Chlorinator

    Quote Originally Posted by Davenj
    I had the pool company install the manifold when the pool was being built, at no extra charge. Gave them back the inline chlorinator and asked to have the SWG plumbed instead. Electrical sub didn't know what to do with the Autopilot to hook a 2 speed pump to it. I wired it myself, very simple job. Using Ben's test kit and mwsmith2's calculator the pool company (training) rep was amazed when he saw our pool. I actually enjoy taking care of the pool now, don't have to do much, compared to pools I've had in the past.
    I did basically the same thing... Pool Contractor wanted an arm and a leg or two so I bought it myself (Pool pilot) online and he agreed to plumb it in a wire it for me... I saved probably a thousand bucks but he kept a happy customer! =) It is very straightforward though and feel I could have done it myself if he hadn't agreed! Pool Pilot rocks!

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Intex Saltwater Chlorinator issues
    By squeegeatc in forum --cleanup--
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 05-20-2013, 07:19 AM
  2. switching to saltwater
    By mrsmatthews in forum Salt Generators (SWCG) & other Chlorine Feeders
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 05-08-2013, 05:36 PM
  3. Saltwater
    By recoughran in forum Salt Generators (SWCG) & other Chlorine Feeders
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 05-17-2012, 02:51 PM
  4. Love the Saltwater
    By wayfun in forum Salt Generators (SWCG) & other Chlorine Feeders
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 06-09-2011, 12:21 PM
  5. cya and saltwater chlorination
    By bizbad in forum Testing and Adjusting Pool Water Chemistry
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 08-24-2006, 11:24 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts