How long did your cell last?

[PJM361]

We had a pool installed back in 2012 with a Hayward Aqua Rite SWCG. I bought the T-15 cell under the advice that a more powerful cell working at 50% would last longer. It's rated for a 40,000 gallon and the pool is only about 17-18,000 gallons. So ather only 3 seasons it's not working. I confirmed this by calling Hayward and they had me run through the diagnostics on the control panel. So my question is what brand & model do/did you have and how long did it last? Also if you went with a different brand cell to replace it, what name, model and how much longer or shorter did it last?
Thanks

[mas985]

Hayward/Goldline T-15 Cell, just shy of 10 years. I wouldn't buy anything else.

But pool water chemistry and maintenance of the cell is critical to a long cell life. Most often it is poor chemistry and aggressive cell cleaning that shortens the life of the cell.

Did you find a lot of scale on your cell when you inspected it?

Did you frequently have to use acid to clean the cell?

Did you track CSI as part of your chemistry management?

What were the symptoms of the failing cell?

[PJM361]

Very little scale, the reason I called Hayward was because the check cell light kept coming on and my salt level reading was 2000ppm when I opened the pool this year. After adding a bag of salt the # went down to 1900 then hours later went slowly up to 2700 , but still would only run with limited output (low salt flashing) then added another bag and the # actually went down to 1700. I was having problems at the end of last season with fluctuating numbers. So I did the acid wash. What is CSI?

[mas985]

You didn't answer this question: Did you frequently use acid to clean the cell?

Have you replaced the cell and did the problem go away?

CSI is calcium saturation index. It is a very good measure of the probability that calcium will come out of solution and scale things. The best way to determine CSI is to use the pool calculator: poolcalculator.com

For the longest life of the cell, target between -0.5 and -0.25.

[PJM361]

I cleaned with acid just once. I haven't replaced the cell yet. The reason for my polling is to find out if the cheaper replacements last as long as the OEM haywards. Don't know if I did the calculations right, but it said I have a csi of -1.24. I have a vinyl lined pool and my CH is at 40, FC 3.6, PH 7.2, TA 100, temp 72* I didnt use CYA last year because it was clogging up my filter which in turn would restrict flow and shut down my SWCG at low rpm (800-1000). I have an automatic safety cover that is always closed unless someone is in the pool or I'm cleaning it so I don't really need it. I don't have a problem with high PH, accually just the opposite usually have to add borax. But once I get the levels up it usually only needs a little once in a while.

[mas985]

I didnt use CYA last year because it was clogging up my filter which in turn would restrict flow and shut down my SWCG at low rpm (800-1000). I have an automatic safety cover that is always closed unless someone is in the pool or I'm cleaning it so I don't really need it.

But you do! Using chlorine without CYA can be very corrosive which could explain why your cell failed. Even indoor pools should have a small amount of CYA to prevent this.

But even with a cover, you sometimes remove it during the day don't you? FC will not last even a few hours without CYA so you risk not only algae but bacteria breakouts. Plus, given the pool is exposed to sunlight on occasion, CYA will allow you to reduce the output of the SWG so it will last that much longer. Also, CYA should not clog your filter, that must have been something else, probably algae from the lack of FC. If added to the pool correctly, a sock in front of the return, there should be no problem with CYA.

Honestly, I think the problem with the short SWG life has more to do with the way you are managing your pool.