Cell life depends on several factors but I was once told that 8,000-10,000 hours is possible. If you have water high in calcium that requires frequent cleaning with muriatic acid or maintain salt level at minimum your cell life will be shortened. I'm in Indiana and on my 6th season with the Aquarite, same cell, no problems whatsoever. Pool is 20k, ig vinyl and full sun. I run the pump 8 hours a day and Aquarite output is 20%. Based on 100 minute cycles, runs for 20 minutes each, or 100 minutes a day. Do the math and this thing could last several more years with 5 month/yr use - I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Mizzouguy - I have had high phosphates on one occasion and caused nascent algae that ate all the chlorine I was producing and couldn't get a chlorine reading. I opted to treat the phosphates rather than shock (my schedule wouldn't allow me to hang around for days to keep the chorine level 12-15).

Hope this helps, Tony