Question for Sean on High pH with AutoPilot

[CAL7]

Sean - I have read closely Ben's "High pH" operating guidelines (http://www.poolsolutions.com/gd/hiphpool.html).

He doesn't directly address SWG chlorination systems, but does say that sodium hypochlorite is an acceptable form of inorganic chlorine to shock. I take that as an implicit approval of high pH operation with a SWG.

The PoolPilot manual recites the familiar pH range of 7.2 to 7.8. What are your thoughts on running in the 7.8 to 8.2 range, assuming all the other levels are maintained as Ben's recipe prescribes? It looks like the only departure in recommendations is Ben shows 100-120 for Hardness; the PoolPilot specifies 200-400.

I have my new PoolPilot (Dig220/SC60) still sitting in the box awaiting the larger pool replumbing project, but I am close to putting it in. All of Ben's high pH recommendations look good to me, primarily because my water tends to a natural pH of 7.8-8.0 using Trichlor - so I expect even more upward pressure on pH when I go completely to the PoolPilot. Thanks for your input.

[PatL34]

Sean - I have read closely Ben's "High pH" operating guidelines (http://www.poolsolutions.com/gd/hiphpool.html).

He doesn't directly address SWG chlorination systems, but does say that sodium hypochlorite is an acceptable form of inorganic chlorine to shock. I take that as an implicit approval of high pH operation with a SWG.

The PoolPilot manual recites the familiar pH range of 7.2 to 7.8. What are your thoughts on running in the 7.8 to 8.2 range, assuming all the other levels are maintained as Ben's recipe prescribes? It looks like the only departure in recommendations is Ben shows 100-120 for Hardness; the PoolPilot specifies 200-400.

I have my new PoolPilot (Dig220/SC60) still sitting in the box awaiting the larger pool replumbing project, but I am close to putting it in. All of Ben's high pH recommendations look good to me, primarily because my water tends to a natural pH of 7.8-8.0 using Trichlor - so I expect even more upward pressure on pH when I go completely to the PoolPilot. Thanks for your input.

You will find that the Poolpilot SWG, similar to what I have, does its most efficient work at 7.2 to 7.6 pH. I must admit I do not keep as low as this most of the time. I am not sure that Ben was thinking about SWGs when he mentioned his high pH method, but I would not advise that route with the SWG.

Assuming you have a gunite or plaster pool, 200-400 ppm hardness is reasonable, as is the TA for normal SWG operation.

The "upward pressure" on pH is created by the SWG as it creates caustic soda (NaOH) as a side product, and this has to be neutralized with muriatic acid. It's going to be your call as to how high you want to let the pH go up.

Hope this helps.

Pat