Advice on Chlorine generator

[waterbear]

The pool builder we are using sells zodiac. I told him we didn't want the nature 2 system but a salt generator only. He suggested this
http://www.clearwater-usa.com/LM3.asp
I guess this is the newer model of the LM2. He couldn't give me a price but said it would be cheaper than the nature 2 system. The only reason I am considering this is because I want everything installed together by the contractor. Any opinions on this system (LM3).
Thanks

Actually, we sell the LM3 and the duo-clear (same unit with integrated N2 cartrigde) for the same price. They are both made by Zodiac. I would forgo the N2...the Zodiac SWGs are decent units. I personally don't like them as much as the Goldline and PoolPilot units but they seem to perform well. They certainly retail for less. (We sell both the lm3-24 and the duoclear for the same price and it is several hundred dollars less than either the Goldline or Pool Pilot units)

[west1745]

Actually, we sell the LM3 and the duo-clear (same unit with integrated N2 cartrigde) for the same price. They are both made by Zodiac. I would forgo the N2...the Zodiac SWGs are decent units. I personally don't like them as much as the Goldline and PoolPilot units but they seem to perform well. They certainly retail for less. (We sell both the lm3-24 and the duoclear for the same price and it is several hundred dollars less than either the Goldline or Pool Pilot units)

I have the Goldline and am happy with it. I am happy that I decided to spend the extra money on the SWG - it makes pool management much easier. Glad not to have to deal with adding all of the chlorine manually. Sometimes I do add bleach to shock - but not that big of a deal.

You will be glad you got it!! Hope you can find the right one for you.

One thing you might want to ask about is a 2 speed pump. Our pump runs all the time on low speed and that is when the SWG is on. And about 3 hours a day the pump runs on full speed. It is great having the circulation all the time. Just a thought.

This forum is GREAT!

[CarlD]

You may want to re-figure your costs.

I figure a 3 month summer, and dumping in a gallon of bleach every other day--about 45 gallons over the course of the summer. Even at $2/gallon, that's $90.

If your SWG costs $900, it will cost the same as 10 years worth of bleach--plus you have to buy sufficient salt and you STILL may need bleach if things go awry. You'll also probably be putting a lot of muriatic acid in your pool--what's that run, $3.50/gallon?--and maybe as much as a gallon per week.

What SWG buys you is CONVENIENCE and effective sanitation at lower chlorine levels, because there's less pogo-ing of FC. You can go away for a week or two and come back to a clean pool. SWGs are a wonderful invention.

But saving money versus the B-B-B method? That's not realistic.

[waterbear]

You may want to re-figure your costs.

I figure a 3 month summer, and dumping in a gallon of bleach every other day--about 45 gallons over the course of the summer. Even at $2/gallon, that's $90.

Carl,
Here in NE FL our swim season is MUCH longer....about 6-7 months for a non heated pool and about 10 for a heated one!

[Sean-NJ]

But saving money versus the B-B-B method? That's not realistic.

That is part of my dillema. I was all in favor of the SWG for my new pool but after reading the BBB method, I thought wow that could save me a lot of money.

I guess the advantage of the swg is less fuss?

I could just try the bbb method when my pool is finished and add the swg at a later date?

[KurtV]

But saving money versus the B-B-B method? That's not realistic.

That is part of my dillema. I was all in favor of the SWG for my new pool but after reading the BBB method, I thought wow that could save me a lot of money.

I guess the advantage of the swg is less fuss?

I could just try the bbb method when my pool is finished and add the swg at a later date?

Sean,
I was in exactly your position a year ago and opted out of the SWG. I'm still on the fence now. I want one, but I'm finding it dificult to part with the money. It's not that doing without one and using Ben's techniques instead is particularly arduous, but you do have to be more diligent about keeping up with the water (it only takes a few minutes a day but skipping even a couple or a few days can get you in trouble). The SWG would give me some more leeway and make pool care during vacations and business trips almost a non-issue.

One other convenience factor with an SWG is that you won't have to get to the store every week or two for bleach (not a big deal; just another chore that most of us could do without).

As Waterbear said, you'll have trouble finding someone who isn't happy with his/her SWG but you'll find more than a few of us out there with SWG envy. I guess I'll ask my wife for one for Christmas.

[PatL34]

Did a cost estimate back in April on SWCG operation.

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=316

See if this compares to bleach.

Pat

[waterbear]

going on Carl's estimate of $30/month for bleach and Pat's calculation of just over $20/month for a SWG then the SWG wins hands down!

[KurtV]

One other significant cost for an SWG that hasn't been mentioned here is that you'll have to replace the cell every few years (I'm guessing 3 to 5 depending on several variables). A replacement will cost several hundred dollars.

As Carl said, SWGs are about convenience and effectiveness, not cost savings.

[waterbear]

another thing to keep in mind is that everyone who has installed a SWG loves it and I don't think any of us would consider going back to manual clorination! Also with the rising costs of chlorine (I just paid $1.68 for 3/4 gallon of ultra bleach...for my laundry) SWGs might soon become the less expensive way to chlorinate.
If there is anyone on the forum who is not happy that they have installed a SWG I would sure love to hear it!

In the old forum I remember there were some breakdowns on the cost of installing and operating a SWG vs. manual chlorination and if I remember correctly, the price difference taken over the 5 year estimated life span of a cell was very close.