New 40k gallon Saltwater pool/jacuzzi owner

[Matt -- HB Cali]

Matt,
Just did a DUMB thing that you should avoid: When changing the SWCG cell, only hand-tighten the new cell in, don't use a wrench.

Today, I did just that and cracked the top union ring (facepalm). Luckily, Autopilot (my SWCG brand) has seen this many, many times and rather than having to replace a $500 cell, they make a replacement repair kit for roughly $20....but now I have to wait for it to be shipped...

Thanks for the tip Carl. Luckily I don't think I own a wrench that large so that shouldn't be too much of a problem for me.

-Matt

[CarlD]

Thanks for the tip Carl. Luckily I don't think I own a wrench that large so that shouldn't be too much of a problem for me.

-Matt

In 12 years I never broke one, and today I broke 2! One on the cell, and another ball-valve union. Luckily for the second, I had a duplicate one and could even reuse the O-ring. Water pump slip-joint pliers can work on them, and there's a Channel Lock Oil filter/PVC pliers that's great--but that's what I was using. The Schedule 80 rated ball valve unions are tougher.

[JimK]

In 12 years I never broke one, and today I broke 2! One on the cell, and another ball-valve union. Luckily for the second, I had a duplicate one and could even reuse the O-ring. Water pump slip-joint pliers can work on them, and there's a Channel Lock Oil filter/PVC pliers that's great--but that's what I was using. The Schedule 80 rated ball valve unions are tougher.

Now you have me scared! I've always used channel locks to tighten the cell just little more than I can with my hands without any problems. Let's hope this season my luck doesn't run out (I plan to open the pool in a couple weeks).

[CarlD]

Well, the repair kit came the next day (thanks to Salt Pool Guys) and went right on nicely! We were leaving the next day and the next morning the salt level was high enough to leave it running...in the Bahamas at the moment for a week and we have a really Really, REALLY large zero-maintenance tidal salt water swimming pool here...

[JimK]

Well, the repair kit came the next day (thanks to Salt Pool Guys) and went right on nicely! We were leaving the next day and the next morning the salt level was high enough to leave it running...in the Bahamas at the moment for a week and we have a really Really, REALLY large zero-maintenance tidal salt water swimming pool here...

Can we come?

[CarlD]

Can we come?

Sure!