Looking for Circupool Review

[badabing]

Wow Ben,
that's amazing research you did, much much appreciated, are you also a PI by any chance

You certainly convinced me to stay away, even if the unit is good and legitimate, I'd have no assurance that in few years when the cells die, it would still be in business or these model parts would be easily available.

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PoolDoc note: the deleted material above showed that Don had been involved in a number of small businesses, on and off the Internet, thus leading to the conclusion that Circu-Pool might not be around for a long time. As noted above, this turned out to be an unjustified conclusion.
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the RJ20 (20,000 Gal) unit on special @ $579 was very appealing, though if I need to replace it with another unit when the cell dies won't be very appealing.

What would you recommend for a pool of my Size, obviously I prefer just like anyone else I prefer not spend too much, however it's more important for me to get a reliable unit that would last for a long time and parts would remain to be easily available in years to come.

I live in Canada in a colder climate, and have no heater
Will install it myself.

Also, is a model for 20,000 Gal pool a good size to look at? (my pool is 10,000 Gal)

Any guidance is greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[PoolDoc]

Best unit? I don't know. I only have personal experience with the Pentair units, but it's my impression that they are NOT the best. PoolSean can't recommend his (by forum rules) but I do get the impression that a lot of people prefer the AutoPilot.

Size? Buy big, but make sure you can turn it down. SWCG life is a function of cell on-time. A unit that's 2x larger will be on 1/2 as much . . . but does NOT usually cost 2x as much. The only problems with a much over-sized unit is if you can't turn it low enough. HOWEVER, if you install the power supply with a PLUG-IN connection, you can put a plug in outdoor time clock between the power and the power supply, and that will allow you to turn the SWCG down as much as you like, if you buy a unit that isn't sufficiently adjustable.

[waterbear]

My recommendation would be a pool pilot with the RC-42 cell or R-52 cell or a Hayward/Goldline Auqarite with a T-15 cell. Both are proven, dependable units from majro companies with good track records. Personally I would stay away from the Zodiac units (which include Jandy since they are owned by Zodiac).
Pentair units have had problems in the past but my understanding is that they have solved their problems. I have no direct experience with them. WaterMaid units are also worth looking into. They are an Austrailian company but do have US distribution channels.

Just my 2 cents.

[PoolDoc]

Here are options:

Aqua-Rite In-Ground Chlorine Generator - up to 40K -- Amazon, $1060 + $0 shipping

Aqua Rite In-Ground Chlorine Generator up to 40,000 -- Amazon, $950 + $12 shipping

Goldline Controls Aqua Rite Salt Chlorination -- A1PoolParts, $1059 + $0 shipping

For comparison, here's an AutoPilot 40K pool unit:
AutoPilot 110/220-Volt Digital Chlorine Generator with Super Cell -- Amazon, $1454 + $0 shipping

[BigTallGuy]

One thing I think I tripped over by accident is that the Compu-Pool CPSC 24 and the Compu-Pool CPSC 36 seem to use the same controller. It appears that there is an internal setting that you can change for the specific cell you are using. So, If you have a CPSC 24 and want to bump up to a CPSC 36, I think you only have to buy the bigger cell and change the setting. You don't have to buy an new controller.

Can anyone verify this?

[kelemvor]

I can't confirm how that model operates, but what you theorize is exactly how you do it with the Aqua Rite units. There is a configurable option for cell type when you set up the control panel

Lord of the Cells: "One panel to control them all."

[Pacecorp]

The CPSC24 and 36 have different power supplies and the transformer in the CPSC24 is not capable of powering the CPSC36 cell. The software in all models has the settings for all cell sizes (amperage) but the rest of the hardware is size specific.

[BigTallGuy]

The CPSC24 and 36 have different power supplies and the transformer in the CPSC24 is not capable of powering the CPSC36 cell. The software in all models has the settings for all cell sizes (amperage) but the rest of the hardware is size specific.

That is fantastic information. You probably just saved me a lot of time, trouble, and money. I had planned to try to upgrade and get off easy, but I guess there is no free lunch in SWCG's. I love this forum!

Thanks for your reply - BTG.

[PoolDoc]

Many of the sellers they give limited time 15-30 days for a return on a defective product.

I wouldn't buy it, till I was ready to use it. If you wait a month or so to install it, you won't likely get full replacement if DOA. I don't know specifically about Hayward handling warranties. In my case, I've usually purchased wholesale, so if it breaks, whether it's Pentair or Hayward , I still just take it back to my local SCP, and say "Here, it broke. Gimme my money back!"

You're not going to get that result from buying online. You aren't going to get (I don't think) fast in-season warranty response from the majors --they are swamped, too. I know that my local SCP tends to pile up difficult warranty stuff till August or September, when they've got more time to fight over it.

If you can find a trustworthy local seller or installer . . . you'll get much better response if something goes wrong. You're unlikely to be able to duplicate that online. I've never returned anything to Amazon, but I've heard they'll give you your money back, if you get it back to them AND if THEY sold it. But most of the SWCGs I liked to on Amazon were 3rd party sales, and I've heard mixed stories about those.

Bottom line: if you are are really worried about warranty, hunt for a trustworthy local, and pay the extra it takes to buy from him. In part, the money you save online is a trade-off for greater risk and less service.

[PoolDoc]

Unfortunately, life often presents us with two choices, neither of which is optimal.