Real cost for SWG use

[Gutbucket]

I'm quite tempted to go salt, just hung up on the cost to do so. In addition to the inital outlay for the unit ($1200 or so) and the salt (not much I think). What are the actual operating costs: electricity and replacement cells? Also how often do the cells need replacing if I use Sodium Hypo to shock and just use the SWG to provide baseline chlorination?

[waterbear]

You also have to look at the convience factor that you get from using a SWG. It is hard to put a dollar amount on that but IMHO it far outweighs any additional costs that may be incurred. As for the life of a cell--there are many factors invovled such as salt concentration, water hardness, operating temperature, pump run time, cell output setting, etc. Most cells are rated in hours of operation. Given all the variables your milage will vary. My system (Aqualogic PS-8 by Goldline) is new so I have never had cell problems. Haven't even needed to clean it yet and it's been in constant operation since lst Nov. My brother has a salt system that is over 6 years old and he is still on the original cell and going strong---don't know what kind it is though.

[gwrace1]

I would suggest you check out Aquarite prices on Ebay. I picked up a brand new unit from a pool dealer last year for $400.00. It seems to be working great on my AG 26000 gallon pool that was installed this spring. It came with a 5 year prorated warranty.

It did require about 600 lbs of salt, but that was the only other expense. I have a two speed pump and am running the unit on low speed for 12 hours a day. Seems to be holding chlorine at the right levels. I just didn't want to be bothered with constant bleach purchases and additives. This is far more convenient.

[mwsmith2]

I share similar experiences with those above. I got mine on fleabay too, for right around the same price. Salt is cheap, its the same thing used in water softeners. They only way your salt goes down is from pumpout, splashout or dragout. I've been running mine just about over a year, and have yet to have the "check cell" light come on. I'm going to pull it out just to take a peek at how it looks, but it's pretty low maintenance.

Yes, definitely use bleach to shock, instead of the cell. However, since i've had the SWC, my CC has dropped to 0 and stayed there. I haven't shocked the pool in over a year.

Michael

[KurtV]

You also have to look at the convience factor that you get from using a SWG. It is hard to put a dollar amount on that but IMHO it far outweighs any additional costs that may be incurred.

Good post and good answers so far, but I think Gutbucket is asking a slightly different question than the one that's been answered. While (most) everyone acknowledges that SWGs are a great convenience, that convenience comes at a higher price, especially when compared to the "grocery store" school of pool water care. While for Waterbear and others, at the price he/she is paying (initial + operating + maintenance), the benefit "far outweighs any additional costs that may be incurred", that isn't the case for everyone (or anyone at some price point). That cost/benefit ratio breakpoint is pretty high for lazy spendthrifts like me but much lower for the more industrious, frugal types. What I (and I think Gutbucket) want to know is, what are your true total costs? What is the average daily electricty appetite of the SWC (if it's non-trivial)? How often do you have to add salt? We know that cell life is expressed in hours of operation, how does that translate into years of "normal" operation?

I know there were some very informative posts on this on the old forum. Did any of you who've done those calculations save that information?

Michael: Thanks for Bleachcalc (though you should probably rename it since it now does so much more); it's very helpful.

[waste]

There were quite a few good responses posted on this when the 'old' forum was available, unfortunately, those are gone right now (and perhaps... (shudder)... forever).
As I recall (do you trust my memory of the old posts?) they were usually not excessive. However, I do recall a number of(something between 'a few' and 'quite a few') responses for short life on some SWGs. As I recall, the most short lived were the ones that didn't have the 'auto-reverse polarity' function.
If you, and your wife or children are the 'we can do this ourselves' sort - bleach is the way to go. If you want less involvement in your pool, get the SWG.

I don't know your financial situation. If you can afford it, I'd go with the SWG. Hell, even if you can't, adding salt (it's cheep) might increase the 'feel' of the water.
This response is incomplete, but other members will add on, as neccesary (and I'll keep my eye on it).

You came to the right place - stick with the pool forum!

[mwsmith2]

I add salt very rarely. Maybe 40# in the past year. I wouldn't worry about the cost of salt. Figure 1 gallon of acid per month during the summer. I can't see how the electric cost would be more than $10/month. Truthfully, you are going to be able to do it cheaper with bleach. But, when I was doing bleach, I had to add .75 gallons every 3 days, without fail. Even then, I was skirting 0.5 Cl. I always had about 0.5 PPM CC, and a slight Cl smell. I don't have any of those problems now with a SWC

[Gutbucket]

[QUOTE=KurtV]What I (and I think Gutbucket) want to know is, what are your true total costs? What is the average daily electricty appetite of the SWC (if it's non-trivial)? How often do you have to add salt? We know that cell life is expressed in hours of operation, how does that translate into years of "normal" operation? QUOTE]

Yes! my questions exactly. I'm certainly convinced about the convenience factor. I'll poke around the online auction sites and see what I can find. The issue for me at the current point in time is that there are too many more important house & pool projects that require the time/energy/funds I'd spend getting and setting up a SWG to justify the convenience and nice water feel I'd get in return. Thank you all for your responses.

[waterbear]

Yes, definitely use bleach to shock, instead of the cell. However, since i've had the SWC, my CC has dropped to 0 and stayed there. I haven't shocked the pool in over a year.

Michael

Seems there is more than a convience factor going on here. I also have never had nay CC since my unit went operational last Thanskgiving and have never shocked my pool with the unit or added bleach... The abiltiy to maintain less then .5ppm CC is also a health factor, IMHO!
But then again I'm just a guy with a big mouth, bigger opinions, and enough knowledge to be dangerous! (glad that's finally out. I feel much better now!)

[Brock]

Warning newbie SWG questions here. What do the actual cells run on? 120vac I assume, what are they rated for UL wise 2 amps, 5 amps? How do they know if water is being passed through the cell? Is the cell powered from the same circuit as the pump? I mean if the pump is on a timer does the cell need to be on the same timer or do they somehow know when it's on or not? To me the selling point might be the fact the pool can sit at .5 free all by itself.