Should i replace my salt cell or the whole system

[turk2012]

Thanks for the idea. I had never thought of doing that. I think will at least see if its out there on ebay.

[mphare]

I was an inch away from buying a 'generic' cell replacement for my Aquarite from poolsupplyworld.com when I saw they had the Hayward replacement (they bought Aquarite?) for not much more. I think I paid about $430 for the Hayward. The unit shipped quickly and arrived quickly. I think they used FedEx. I installed it and am now generating chlorine.

For what it's worth, I've heard some of the generics are just as good, if not even better in some way, to the factory originals. I stayed with the named brand in case I need service, I don't want them pointing the clear blue salt cell and claiming that's the problem even if it isn't.

Just my paranoia.

[Cuuhl]

I'm in the exact same boat as you turk2012. My Polaris Autoclear was installed 4 seasons ago. At the end of last season, it would not produce chlorine. Since they don't make this model anymore, I'm stuck with all local service companies wanting to install a whole new system for $1800 or taking the chance of trying to replace the cell myself, and hoping it works. I've already spent $300 on chemicals during opening, which here in Arkansas was about 4 weeks ago. Since I put in the SWG when I installed the pool, I'm now starting all over, learning from scratch, which is costly and frustrating. I was considering just doing chemicals moving forward, but what a pain in the rear! My SWG was very low maintenance, and water always clear. Now I'm dealing with balancing chemicals, a lot of time and money!

[PoolDoc]

Cuuhl, once you get the hang of it, doing chemicals by hand is pretty fast and easy. It does take awhile to get the routine down, though.

[CarlD]

Cuuhl, once you get the hang of it, doing chemicals by hand is pretty fast and easy. It does take awhile to get the routine down, though.

That's the thing about the B-B-B system: Once you get the hang of it, you find the idea of an SWCG attractive and intriguing, but hard to justify as B-B-B done right is easy and simple, so you don't really gain that much of a work reduction. Of course, if you travel a lot and don't have someone to take care of your pool, that's a different story. I've toyed with getting one over the years, but it's just too easy for me to add LC instead.

[Poolsean]

It's definately not a chlorine generator. Copper is too soft a metal to last any length of time in an electrolytic process, much less an electrolytic chlorine generator.

[spica]

Everytime you consider replacing a cell or installing a SWCG, I would seriously (re)consider the cost. Kinch, had a very good cost analysis regarding a SWCG (see http://www.truetex.com/poolcontrol.htm). It might not be as low cost as many people give it credit. It does however supply a great convenience factor.

[PoolDoc]

It (a SWCG - PoolDoc) might not be as low cost as many people give it credit. It does however supply a great convenience factor.

Spica, we do NOT recommend SWCG's as a cost saving measure. Instead tell people that using the BBB method manual is cheaper, as a rule, than using a SWCG, once you look at all the costs. They might save money for people who are frequently away, since algae episodes can be so expensive, and a SWCG makes it much easier to keep a pool chlorinated while no one's at home. So, while most people who have them seem to like them, in my judgement they are only 'essential' for 'road warriors'.

We *have* seen some problems with corrosion, but these seem to be somewhat localized to dry areas of the country, and to pools using specific kinds of natural stone. But, we haven't figured out what kind of stone that is, except it doesn't seem to be limestone or granite.

Copper is too soft a metal to last any length of time in an electrolytic process, much less an electrolytic chlorine generator.

Sean, I was *guessing* was that they WERE using copper, but were treating the deterioration of the electrodes as a 'feature' (it adds algicidal copper to the pool) rather than a 'failure' (the SWCG stopped working). However, when I looked at the schematic, it appears I was mistaken, and you are correct.

In the schematic below for the "Krystal Clear Saltwater System " (~$270 @ Intex), part #4 is listed as "ELECTROLYTIC CELL (WITH TITANIUM PLATES) (O-RING A INCLUDED) 11233" for $131, and #5 is listed as "COPPER ELECTRODE 11234" for $54. Replacing parts may not make sense, however. The complete unit is available from Amazon of for less than $170 (May 2012): Intex 54601EG Krystal Clear Saltwater System

[waterbear]

I was an inch away from buying a 'generic' cell replacement for my Aquarite from poolsupplyworld.com when I saw they had the Hayward replacement (they bought Aquarite?) for not much more.

Hayward has owned Goldline Controls (manufacturer of AquaRite, AquaLogic, and AquaTrol SWCGs and automation systems and also solar controllers) since 2004! Recently they have phased out the Goldline Controls name and the units are now branded Hayward.

[SafetyBob]

I was at my local Metal Supermarket a couple of weeks ago were I met a man who's salt cell was shot. I believe 3 to 4 hundred dollars for replacement. Bottom line, he disassembled the cell to expose the almost completely gone copper bars. I believe it was around 20 bucks for a foot or so of 1/2" copper bar stock and he has enought for many replacements. Yes he had to carefully cut the unit apart, yes he will have to drill and tap the new copper bars and cut them to length, yes he will have to glue everything back together......20 bucks versus 400....I know what I would be doing (or asking a talented neighbor to help).

Bob E.