confusing readings on 4 year old SWCG

[alisonquilts]

[ Pooldoc note: the TLDR; for this thread is simple: most 4 year old SWCGs are, like this one, at the end of their lives!]

Hi y'all

We've never had any issues with our AquaRite SWCG since it was installed, other than a creature gnawing through its power cord. This summer we keep getting "low salt" readings despite the fact that we have had little rain, and so it seems like the salt concentration should be going up rather than down. When we add salt the warning goes off, and the readout goes up to a reasonable number.

Today, in addition to a low salt light I got a "check cell" light. Even though it is not time yet to check the cell I did, and it seems fine. After I put it all back together again it was working...and then it wasn't.

My questions are:

Can something make salt levels drop other than dilution and splash out?
What does a SWCG that is going bad (like maybe a cell wearing out?) look like? Do you get a whole range of weird warnings? Does the salt level read wrong? How can I independently check the salt level?

Thanks for any help!

[Mikes Pool]

When my Aqua Pure cell went bad last year I would get crazy readings and false alarms like yours. Most SWCG's only last 3-5 years. That is why if you read the posts on this site you will find that a lot of pool owners with SWCG 's use liquid chlorine bleach. Using the bleach will cut down on how much chlorine your cell needs to provide. I replaced my cell with a Pentair IC40. It is for pools up to 40k gallons. I found it on Amazon for a little over $600.

Any pool store can give you your salt levels. While your at it get a complete water test done and post them. With your SWCG going bad you might find other issues you didn't know about.

Good luck.

[alisonquilts]

Thanks for the help, Mike!

I replaced my cell with a Pentair IC40. It is for pools up to 40k gallons. I found it on Amazon for a little over $600. Good luck.

Was this a replacement cell that fit into your existing system, or did you change systems?

I use the big test kit that PoolDoc recommends, and so far all the other chems are behaving sensibly.I'm off to the pool store today for other stuff so I'll get a salt reading from them. I did have to add bleach, with the SWCG behaving erratically, but I think you are suggesting using bleach as the main source of chlorine, and the SWCG as a back up. I will consider that - still get the lovely water conditioning of the salt. I'd miss the carefree chlorination of our generator if we stopped using it altogether!

Alison

[PoolDoc]

Actually, you can use the SWCG for routine chlorination, but not for 'shocking', for spring start-up, for winterization, for algae, etc. In other words, when the pool is fully 'adjusted', use the SWCG. When you are having any sort of problem with the pool (algae?), or when the chlorine needs a boost (party?), use bleach if your CYA is OK, or dichlor if it's low.

[kelemvor]

Alison,

It's probably a good idea to have a K-1766 in addition to the big kit you already have. K-1766 is a drops based test kit for salt levels. The concern at this point is that since you added a bunch due to a failing cell levels might be very high. When you get a new cell, you may find yourself with a higher than expected salt reading. Not a problem so long as the levels aren't high enough to prevent the SWCG from operating. I think the Aquarite unit wants 3200ppm. High salt can often be treated with a heavy dose of teenagers and fill water.

Here's a link to get the K-1766 on amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...EU/scouscho-20 It's much cheaper than the big kit.

The IC40 cell mentioned is for a pentair SWCG. You need a T-CELL for your Aqua-rite swcg. There are different output sizes, and They are identified by model number.

T-CELL-15 is largest. I would recommend this one, because a smaller cell means you have to dial up the percentage more on the control panel. The higher the percentage, the shorter your cell will last you.

There is a GLX-CELL-15-W cell that will work with this unit. You probably don't want it. It has a 1 year warranty vs 3 year of T-Cell and will have a shorter lifespan as you'd expect. This cell is only about $20-30 cheaper on amazon, so not exactly a good buy.

T-Cell-15: http://www.amazon.com/Hayward-Goldli...RM/scouscho-20

There are many aftermarket salt cells on Amazon and the internet at large. I wouldn't mess with them. Mainly on account of the obvious concern about cell lifespan even with different versions of genuine hayward/goldline cells. You never know what you're going to get with an aftermarket unit.

P.S. I'm in the same boat as you right now. My aquarite cell gave up the ghost a month or so ago. I've been bleach chlorinating as i procrastinate about spending the $400 on a new cell.

[PoolDoc]

Thanks, Kelemvor.