SWCG and winter months

[steveinaz]

Our pool will remain "open" all winter, but realizing that the SWCG will not produce chlorine in colder water temps that winter brings; do I just set the output to "0" or do I shut the unit off and go back to using the standard pool timer? What do you guys do?

I have a QuikChlor RP18HD SWCG.

[Poolsean]

In most cases you can increase your salt level to the upper limits of your system, which will help extend the operation of your salt system in cooler water temperatures.
However, whether you turn the unit to 0 or turn the power off, it should not energize the cell. Therefore, you will have to resort to adding chlorine by hand until it gets warm enough to reactivate your salt system.

Another option, add a heat pump and keep it heated! = )

[Phillbo]

Steve, my pool never got cold enough to stop generating chlorine. My SWCG system has a 'winter' setting that alters the 'cut out' point. I used it and had no problems.

[steveinaz]

Thanks guys. Oddly enough, my QuikChlor manual says nothing about it shutting off at lower temps, but i figured it would since most SWCG's seem to. I guess I let her run and just keep chlorine monitored; I'm definitely going back to bleach when necessary. Right now I'm at the "upper-end" for my SWCG with 2800ppm. The recommended range is 2250-2750.

[explorthis]

Sean…

Can you give more detail to “cooler water temperatures” please? I live in Southern Calif, where it does not get what some would determine cold. Last year, the coldest I saw my pool get was about 55 degrees. I never reduced my output (Aqua Rite System) to zero, or turned it off. I did however turn the dial down to about 40%. I did see (if I remember) the digital readout on the system say “cold” (again if I remember correctly) but most days, no matter the day of the year, It was generating to the standard 2800 (+/-) every day.

Should I be zeroing out the output and adding chlorine – for my weather, or am I not considered cold-cold weather? My pool always had plenty of chlorine obviously, as the water remained crystal clear all year, even in the coldest months. I read about “winterizing” or “closing” the pool during the winter months, but I never did.

Still learning…..

-Mike

[Sumo1]

My Polaris SWCG book says not to operate it with water temps less than 55 degrees so I just reset the controls so that it doesn't turn on the cell when the pumps turn on.
Hal