Thank you Richard. This whole thing has me quite perplexed. My pool store guy says he has the exact same SWG I do, and that he has never heard of it cutting off at 55 degrees; and in fact his produces chlorine all winter ( scratching my head on that one).

I am embarrassed to admit, that up to this point I have no real test kit. I have been using the dip sticks , just as a general guide for me, and letting the pool guy do the weekly testing with his droppers and stuff for me. I am on a rapid learning curve as I have only owned this pool since July, and figuring out stuff as I go. Thank goodness for finding this forum to help me out.

I am a little confused by your question as to whether I may in fact in have high chlorine. Would I and my pool guy not be getting a reading if it were high?

I thought i might try this:

run my pool heater for a day or so to get the water temp up and see if the SWG kicks in at that point. Then I would at least know if it is operational or not. Is that a good idea?

I have to admit I am a bit frustrated by this way of chlorinating. Seems to me the reason to get a SWG is to have low maintenance for the owner; what is the point if I have to manually balance the pool half of the year anyway?

And please do not get me started on my in ground liner woes ( that is a whole other story).

But this is what I inherited, and I do love my pool, so I just have to learn how to care for it properly.

thank you for any continued advice; it is much appreciated!

Sharon