Salt Level not showing actual values

[bpark]

I have an aqua rite salt generation system in my pool. The digital display is reading 2100 for salt in the water and when I add salt the reading does not increase significantly. It was 1800; I added 60 lbs. of salt to get to 2100. The pool store says I am at 4900 and I have no salt based chlorine in the pool. Can you give me some advice for directions to troubleshoot?


Read the display - 1800 initially
Added salt - went to 2100
Tool pool water to store for testing - 4900 at store
Cell looks clean and not caked up.
Adding Chlorine to control pool water until issue resolved.

[waterbear]

How old is your cell? Have you acid washed it recently?

[bpark]

The total age on the cell is about 5 years. I have acid washed it about 8-10 months ago.

[waterbear]

I would try acid washing it again. If that does not work then it is most probably time for a new cell. Also if you would please complete the Pool Chart form. This allows us to quickly see what kind of pool you have . If a portion of the form doesn't apply to you, skip it.

Pool Chart Entry Form
Pool Chart Results

[BogeyGolfer]

I have been having the same problem. I have an Aquarite Goldline generator. I replaced the cell about a year ago. It was working fine until lately it showed low salt levels at about 1800. My local pool store checked the salt and it read 4000! There is no chlorine being generated. I inspected the cell and cleaned it with a muriatic acid solution. It still reads low salt. Could it be something else like the flow sensor?

[mas985]

Probably not. A flow censor problem would alarm as no flow. The low salt readout is usually due to a failing cell or a calcified cell.

[BogeyGolfer]

Well I bit the bullet and ordered a replacement cell today. I was hoping for a less expensive fix. Thanks for the advice.

[mas985]

Are you sure you cleaned the cell well? A cell should last much longer than a year.

[JimK]

I have been having the same problem. I have an Aquarite Goldline generator. I replaced the cell about a year ago. It was working fine until lately it showed low salt levels at about 1800. My local pool store checked the salt and it read 4000! There is no chlorine being generated. I inspected the cell and cleaned it with a muriatic acid solution. It still reads low salt. Could it be something else like the flow sensor?

Well I bit the bullet and ordered a replacement cell today. I was hoping for a less expensive fix. Thanks for the advice.

Are you sure you cleaned the cell well? A cell should last much longer than a year.

Unless it was one of those new "economy" cells only designed for one year, it should be under warranty.