solarchlor does it work ?

[dp_vegas]

Has any one tried this ? sounds like a great Idea if it works. I just hate to spend the cash if it is junk. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. www.solarchlor.com

[nater]

I don't have one but here are some intial thoughts:

Expensive! At $550, you may find an inline unit on Ebay for equivalent cost, especially if you install it yourself.

Same issue as a floating chlorinator. If it gets stuck in one spot, you'll have a high localized CL concentration. That could be bad for ladders, liner, etc.

Circulation will be poor, so I don't buy the "Reduce Pump runtime by 50%!!!" claim.

The "Saltshock" product really destroys the credibility of the site in my opinion.
From the site:
"SaltShock is a significant part of the SolarChlor system and should be used weekly when water temperatures exceed 70 degrees. SaltShock is an oxygen-based compound specially formulated to enhance salt-water pools and is safe to use on all types of pool surfaces and water sanitizers. SaltShock enhances the efficiency of salt generators and pool equipment." -What exactly is it for $5/pound?? A 40 pound bag of salt is less than that at Lowes.

They don't specify exactly what salinity level you need for a 20K gal pool. They give a range from 3,200-6,000. You'll definately taste the salt at that higher level.

Perhaps one of our resident EE types can tell us if that kind of photovoltaic cell is capable of producing the current required for electrolysis under typical pool conditions.

It may be a truly innovative product, but the website screams "Poolstored" to me. If they'd used a little more class and some more accurate data, I'd be inclined to research it further.

I bet Chemgeek will have a ball with that "Scientific" graph they provide....

Just my $.02.

[dp_vegas]

Thanks Nater,

If it works as advertised it would be a great product. Just tie it up where it is stuck in the flow (or maybe keep it in the hot tub when not in use). Yes, that Saltshock product seemed weird to me also. The Solar panel may be capable of producing the current required based on other solar panel products I have seen.

Also they don't tell you what a replacement cell costs just allude to @$25. It sounded too good to be true but I am still hoping some people here will chime in and say it works.

Any more comments ?

[chem geek]

According to this link on their website, this product is not only an SWG system, but also says it does the following:

The SolarChlor unit also employs an anode that, through the patented salt dissolution process, releases charged mineral ions that actively penetrate the cell walls of algae spores and inhibits further mutation.

That sounds like it releases copper ions so is similar, at least in part, to a Nature2 system (without the silver part). Do you really want to add copper to your pool?

Richard

[tphaggerty]

I was going to add my 2 cents yesterday but held off. I think the other thing to look at is that, according to the performance charts on the site, you would need 2 of these to chlorinate any pool larger than 20K gallons (unless I'm reading the chart wrong). That easily puts you into a regular SWG purchase price if you self install.

I actually think it is a cool idea and actually makes sense in a way. Sure would be easier to add to an existing pool compared to cutting in a new SWG. But I have to agree that the SaltShock stuff plus the clearly limited flow makes me leery. Where I think this WOULD work well is in an Intex type doughnut or small AG.

[CanuckPool]

I think this product is somewhere in the same line as the liquid solar blanket. I am sure it works to some degree, but it can't beat an inline SWG backed by a 1.0-2.0 HP pump with multiple returns. Like a previous poster stated, what if it gets stuck in an area of your pool that has little circulation.