question regarding the Autopilot chlorine generator

[ArtCan]

I am planning to convert my 37,000 gallon pool to salt one. Based on my research I have decided to go with Autopilot generator. The only question I have is to which model to get - DIG52 or DIG-COM?
DIG-52 is good for 52,000 gallon pools and DIG-COM is something about 60,000.. I am usually running my pump from 10 pm to 7pm (timer based) and I never had any chlorine issues before.. ( I am using tablets in the skimmers). So, considering the fact that the pump will be running only at night time - would DIG-52 be enough? Is it possible to calculate how much chlorine my pool needs (average per day)?

thanks
ArtCan

[Poolsean]

ArtCan, that's a lot of hours of operation, or did you mean 10 pm to 7 am? In either case, either cell will work for your pool. The larger COM, or CC-15 commercial cell will simply last longer than the RC-52 cell.
You can estimate how much chlorine, based on how much tablets you're going through. That would mostly be just an estimate though.
Which part of the country are you? Warmer areas will require more chlorine. Again, either cell should work for you.

[ArtCan]

ArtCan, that's a lot of hours of operation, or did you mean 10 pm to 7 am? In either case, either cell will work for your pool. The larger COM, or CC-15 commercial cell will simply last longer than the RC-52 cell.
You can estimate how much chlorine, based on how much tablets you're going through. That would mostly be just an estimate though.
Which part of the country are you? Warmer areas will require more chlorine. Again, either cell should work for you.

Oops, right - I meant from 10 pm to 7 am!
Usually I put two tablets (one per skimmer) and they last for 3 days. I am in Canada, Ontario so fortunately (or unfortunately) I will need a bit less chlorine. But last summer was just exceptional and I had to put more tablets.
I hope it is not a problem being in Canada - you guys sell it all over the world, correct?
thanks!

[CarlD]

Hi Artcan!

Are you testing your water for more than pH and chlorine levels? If you are using tablets they are probably adding stabilizer, aka, CYA (cyanuric acid), or, possibly, calcium. This is not bad IF you are monitoring and tracking it weekly, but tablets may run it up farther than you want or expect. However, while PoolSean is far more expert than I am, I can tell you that salt systems frequently require much higher stabilizer levels than we normally recommend for non-salt system pools. This is not a problem or an inconsistency: SWCGs state in their literature that stabilizer levels are optimal in the 60-90ppm range, depending on the brand and model. 80ppm seems the usual. You'll then need to maintain a chlorine level of 5% of that...Stabilizer= 80ppm ==> FC=4ppm.

I don't know how you can get the kind of test kits we recommend, primarily the Taylor K-2006 and Taylor K-2006C, because there seems to be an issue exporting them to Canada, but you should have stabilizer testers easily available there. I hope.

Carl

[ArtCan]

I don't know how you can get the kind of test kits we recommend, primarily the Taylor K-2006 and Taylor K-2006C, because there seems to be an issue exporting them to Canada, but you should have stabilizer testers easily available there. I hope.

Carl

Hi CarlD,

Yes - you absolutely correct, I am only testing the Ph, Chlorine and total alkalinity levels (every week). I know that the pucks contain the stabilizer and actually my chlorine level is always a bit high (4-5%).. So far I was lucky not to get the stabilizer level too high..
So, what you are saying I now will need to monitor the stabilizer level.. I know a place where can I get the Taylor kits in Canada so I believe I will be ok.
I also hope converting to salt would make my life easier and I would not regret of doing that..

[CarlD]

ArtCan,

What the salt system does is make your system maintenance easier because you don't have to add stuff, but it is STILL incumbent on you to test your water religiously. You'll need to monitor the CYA (stabilizer) /FC relationship AND monitor salt levels as well. I believe most of the units have a salt level sensor, but, again, I'm not the expert. Some people report that pH tends to rise as well so they find they periodically have to add acid.

Almost all of our members who have salt-water chlorine generator systems LOVE them! We consider them proven, effective technology, not a gimmick.

Carl

[ArtCan]

yes, Carl - I hope it will be a positive experience to have a salty pool. As most people in this forum recommend Autopilot and it does have the salt monitoring I think I will be ok..
And yes - I will get the testing kit too for monitoring the CYA level..

thanks!
Art

[ArtCan]

Just ordered my Autopilot DIG-52 set.. As for the Taylor kits - what is the difference between K-2006 and K-2006C - is it only the quantity of the chemicals?

thanks
Art

I don't know how you can get the kind of test kits we recommend, primarily the Taylor K-2006 and Taylor K-2006C, because there seems to be an issue exporting them to Canada, but you should have stabilizer testers easily available there. I hope.
Carl

[Watermom]

Yes. The K-2006C has larger bottles of the reagents. Nothing else different between the kits.

[ArtCan]

Yes. The K-2006C has larger bottles of the reagents. Nothing else different between the kits.

I see, thank you very much!