Salt cell died?

[Fornman]

Greetings from Fort Worth. My mothers salt cell has given up the ghost. Should I replace it for $700, or just get used to the BBB system? Thanks. John

[Watermom]

What kind of pool does she have, how big is it and how much is it used? Is it difficult for daily attention to be given to it? Does she travel a lot? Lots of things to think about. It is costly as you know, and some people just can't justify the cost but others love the convenience. So, it really is strictly an opinion question.

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

[PoolDoc]

Should I replace it for $700, or just get used to the BBB system?

1. The BBB system is not incompatible with salt systems: essentially, the BBB method is nothing more than using chlorine and accurate testing in the cheapest, easiest and best way . . . for you. Some of the earliest pages I posted on PoolSolutions explained how you could use grocery store chemicals, including bleach, borax and baking soda, instead of labeled pool chemical, and thus, the "BBB" acronym was born. But, chlorine generation from salt is just another way to add chlorine to your pool, and sometimes, it's the best way.

2. As Watermom noted, it's not really cheaper, but it's usually more convenient. If you are only visiting your mom weekly, but have to care for the pool, and SWCG (salt water chlorine generator) system can be extremely valuable. But, if you are living there, and can easily spend 10 minutes a day pool side, then a bleach for shock and dichlor or trichlor for regular chlorination approach can be very easy and inexpensive.

[CarlD]

As a long-time supporter of the B-B-B method and having recently added an SWCG system Ben is spot on:
SWCG is incredibly convenient if you cannot be there every day or every other day to test and adjust the chlorine in the water

BUT

On a pure cost basis testing and adding bleach or Liquid Chlorine is far less expensive.

I only installed an SWCG this year because I AM planning to be away for long periods of time and it works extremely well.

Both SWCG and B-B-B are totally compatible with each other and once it's not a "choice". You can leave your SWCG system off if you want, or replace the cell and use it again.

[JimK]

I'm finding out that even though bleach is cheaper, I really like the convenience of the SWCG.

My pump motor died last week and it looks like the new one won't come until later this week, so I have been manually adding bleach every day. It doesn't take long, but it's a pain compared to the SWCG, IMO.

I am soooo ready to have my SWCG back online!

[kelemvor]

Cells are expensive, but $700 sounds like about what I'd expect for a whole system rather than just a cell. What cell do you have? I'm running an aqua rite, and the 40k gal rated cell is "only" about 550 locally and about 100 less than that online.