Aqua-Rite CG Generator - I need assistance please!

[AlgaeFarmer]

Current Status: Aqua-Rite Turbo Cell 14 (year three), 30,000 gal SWP, Water Temp high 90's, Salt 2940+/- ppm per AquaCheck strips, Pool store reading was 3300ppm before reducing level 5-6" and refilling with city water (lake high mineral content). Current AquaCheck test strip readings pH 7.8, Free Chlorine .5, Total Alkalinity 80, Stabilizer "Low". Before reducing the level 5-6" as stated earlier I added 6 1 gallon bottles of bleach to head-off an impending algae bloom. Wall Unit registers salt as 300 ppm. Full sun. Had the beginnings of some black algae as well but brushes and vacuumed, I am not concerned about the black algae issue as much as I am the lack of chlorine generation.

Earlier this Summer I added salt per the readings on the wall unit. The wall unit functioned for a time, but stopped producing chlorine. Continous lights "Check Salt" and "Inspect Cell". Had a water sample taken to the pool store the salt ppm was off the chart. Drained and refilled until we reached the sweet spot again. I'm told (and per the chart) should be between 2750 and 3300 ppm. Which brings us to my current situation stated above.

The wall unit is registering 300 ppm and maintain a continous "Check Salt", "Inspect Cell"
and automatically shuts off chlorine production. Per a previous thread here I turned the output knob to 100% and switched the unit to "off" and then immediately to "auto". Then quickly noted the salt reading which started at -900 and descended to -300, the unit then switches off and reads 300 ppm. I tested this repeatedly with the same results. I know the salt level is higher than this. I have also attempted to take the chlorine generator off of the line and start chlorine production in a bucket of water. This was completely unsuccessful. No bubbles, even when shooting water over the flow sensor into the outlet pipe while the CG sat in the bucket of water.

Any ideas? Is this the end of the road for this CG? Very frustrating since the pool looked great when the salt ppm was evidently off the chart but without chlorine production. Now the salt level is right, but the CG will not produce chlorine even under best conditions???

[aylad]

Algaefarmer,
I'm sure that one of the SWCG experts will be along soon to answer the question for you, sorry, but that's not my area of knowledge!

Just wanted to welcome you to the forum, but also wanted to add a caution: when you post, the post goes into a moderator queue for us to look at before it actually shows up on the forum. So when you post it and don't see it immediately, don't post it again because it'll just go into the same queue. I deleted your other, duplicate post.

Janet

[AlgaeFarmer]

Ayland, Thank you for the heads up. I thought my message had been lost, then realized it was an opportunity to shorten my story Thanks!

[Poolsean]

Once you've verified that you have the proper salt level, run the test mode to see what it shows for the amps and volts. As the cell fails, it will show a higher voltage, but it also shows lower salt than the actual salt.
Remove and inspect the cell for any debris or calcium scale. Clean it out if necessary.

[AlgaeFarmer]

Thanks Sean, I'm looking at it right now. It states the salt is 500, temp 89, 30.0, 0.00, 100p, -0, AL-3, r 1.40.

Turn off, switch on: power generating lights on, 500,89,24.1 climbing,1.79, 100, -500, al-3, r 1.40. Clicked: Now displaying Check Salt and Inspect Cell, 500, 90, 29.8, 0.00, 100p, -0, AL-3, r1.40,

Retest: Turn off, switch on: 500, 90, 24.3 rising, 1.95,100p, -600, al-3r 1.40. Clicked: 500, 90, 29.8, 0.00, 100p, -0, AL-3, r 1.40
check salt and inspect cell.

The cell was cleaned with a 25% solution of acid a week ago. Then a short 50% solution about 2 days ago then sprayed out.

[AlgaeFarmer]

Called the Customer Service number and spoke with a technician. Started up the system, noted the initial salt reading, amps and output and negative number as well. Based on that he stated that the cell was bad. Provided me with two servicing dealers in my region. Stated according to the serial number that the unit was four years old. Looking at the receipts now and it was installed 3 years ago.

Warranty covers 40% if 4 years old. If 3 years old the only charge is for service.

Placed a call to both servicing dealers in my area and left voicemail with each.

Will follow up with outcome.