Pool Pilot error message: "warning check/clean cell"

[cscannon]

I have had a pool pilot digital for six years. I replaced my first cell about three years ago. This spring I keep intermittently getting a "warning check/clean cell" message. I have washed the cell with water and have soaked it with acid as recommended in the user manual. The cell looks clean to me.

There is no authorized service in my area. Tech support wants me to send them the cell and the power supply. In addition to the expense of the electrician, shipping, their bench fee, etc., pulling the power supply and the cell leaves me with no way of running the pump until I get the whole thing back!

My salt is 3400, temp 65 degrees, SC-48, Power level 2, volts 28, amps range from 3.4 to 3.8. I know that my amps are low and my volts are high but haven't been able to get a satisfactory answer from tech support as to what causes that.

Anyone have any suggestion?

Thanks,

Steve

[Poolsean]

Have you had the salt level verified? Usually when the water temperature falls around 65 degrees or lower, the SC-48 cell will give you this warning due to the combination of the water temp and low salt levels. My guess is that the salt is low and needs to be calibrated, in conjunction with the cooler water temps and there's a chance that the cell may be wearing out too.
Do the two outer blades in the cell appear to be shorter than the blades between them?

IF your salt level is low, calibrate the salt display to match your test results, then add enough salt to get your level up to 3500 - 4000 ppm. This will compensate for the reduced conductivity in the water from cold water temps, and/or low salt levels.

Keep up posted.

[cscannon]

Thanks for your help. That was certainly part of the problem. I added 160 lbs of salt which was all I had (30k gal pool) and that got the salt level up to 3700 on the test strips I bought. I'll buy some more salt next time I am out.

Curently I am pulling 4.2 amps at 28 volts and 66 degrees, so better but...


What is the significance of the two outer blades in the cell appearing to be shorter than the blades between them? My outer blades are maybe 2 or 3 mm shorter on each side than the others. Is this a sign of age?

How long are these cells supposed to last?

I see that when you replace the cell, there is a menu option that resets the "amp-hours". How does one check the amp-hours on the cell?

Finally, does it wear the cell prematurely to run it at lower temps? I'd rather use bleach during the spring startup and last cool days before closing the pool in the fall if it'd save my cell.

Thanks,

Steve

[Poolsean]

Thanks for your help. That was certainly part of the problem. I added 160 lbs of salt which was all I had (30k gal pool) and that got the salt level up to 3700 on the test strips I bought. I'll buy some more salt next time I am out.

Curently I am pulling 4.2 amps at 28 volts and 66 degrees, so better but...


What is the significance of the two outer blades in the cell appearing to be shorter than the blades between them? My outer blades are maybe 2 or 3 mm shorter on each side than the others. Is this a sign of age?
Yes, the outer blades wear almost in conjunction with the erosion of the ruthenium oxide coating on the blades.

How long are these cells supposed to last?
The cells are suppose to last about 10,000 hours of operation. For 12 month swim seasons, this usually comes out to 3-5 years.

I see that when you replace the cell, there is a menu option that resets the "amp-hours". How does one check the amp-hours on the cell?
The AMP-HOURS display is shown on the TEST POOL PILOT in the MAINTENANENCE MENU, rather than the normal test pool pilot menu option. To reset the counter, it is in the Maintenance Menu under, REPLACE CELL. Press and HOLD the SELECT button for about 8 seconds (or it may be 13 seconds...I don't recall).

Finally, does it wear the cell prematurely to run it at lower temps? I'd rather use bleach during the spring startup and last cool days before closing the pool in the fall if it'd save my cell.
The cell does wear prematurely, but with the TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION feature, it will reduce the output setting automatically so as to lessen the impact of cold water operation.

Thanks,

Steve

I hope I embedded my answers to your questions correctly.

[cscannon]

Thanks. BTW, one of the main reasons that I bought a pool pilot is that I noticed that you or someone else (I don't remember who) was always quick to provide good answers to questions. Keep up the good work!

One last question. Am I correct in remembering that when the cell needs to be replaced I will get a message to that effect?

Thanks again,

Steve

[Poolsean]

You should get a message that says LOW AMPS/CELL?.
At that point, if you verify that your salt level is at least 3000 ppm, the cell is clean, and water temperature is at least 75 degrees, THEN run a TEST POOL PILOT to see where the Cell Amps and Volts are. The normal operating range is 24- 28 volts, and the amperage depending on the Cell Power setting; Cell Power 1 = 5.0 amps, Cell Power 2 = 6.5 amps, Cell Power 3 = 8.0 amps.

Perform a visual inspection of the two outer blades too. These will wear in relation to the cell life by getting eroded on the leading edges of the blades.