In the last 5 yrs since installing our pool with the Pool Pilot SC-36 system we've had our share of issues, for example we're on our 3rd tri-sensor assembly and 3rd power cord to cell. The unit has had the check/clean cell on and off for years now, after repeatedly checking and cleaning the cell and replacing the cell when necessary and having it generally operate properly when the tri-sensor and power cords were working I eventually ignored the alarm. I replaced the cell about a year ago and the system operated well since then up until early July of this year (though alarm continued to come in and out). This spring (when the system was still working well) it could keep the pool's chlorine level at 5 ppm at the 85% setting on power level 2 with the water temp in the upper 70s. Since July the system has not been able to maintain any chlorine level, I've had to use liquid chlorine to keep the algae from taking over though we have had some minor blooms to deal with. Last weekend the "low amps" message began appearing on the screen. I removed the cell and cleaned it, there was a bit of scale on the inlet end of the plates but not so much that I would expect to have a noticeable impact on operation. There was also no detectable difference in the length of the plates so I don't suspect the cell is worn out. Afterward, I ran the system test several times with boost mode on and consistantly got readings of 12-14 volts and 3.2-3.5 amps. From reading other posts I'm aware that this is low amperage. Today I ran the test and was encouraged to see 18 volts and 6.5 amps, though when I ran the test a couple hours later I saw 17 volts and 3.4 amps. I like the benefits of the salt system when it is working, but I have to say this thing has been so difficult and expensive to keep working that I am tempted to go to a chlorine feeder. I want to give it one more try to get this thing working, can anybody provide any guidance?

Today my pool chemistry tested as follows:

Total Chlorine: 0.5ppm
Free Chlorine: 0.5ppm
pH: 7.4
Total Alkalinity 120 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 400 ppm
Stabilizer: 90 ppm
Total dissolved solids: 4800 ppm
salt: 3100 ppm
Water temp: 86 degrees