Why is my pool not producing chlorine?
7 min read
Asked by: Rob Aditya
Salinity. Chlorine generators need salt to produce chlorine and can’t do so if the amount of salt in the water is too low. The desired salinity level in a saltwater pool is between 2,500 and 3,500 ppm. Get a salt-testing kit from a pool supplier and check to make sure that the levels are within this range.
Why is my pool not generating chlorine?
A dirty skimmer basket, clogged or dirty filter, and a clogged pump strainer, can cause insufficient water flow for the chlorinator to produce less chlorine.
How do I know if my chlorinator is not working?
Test the water that water has just left the chlorinator – it should have a very high chlorine reading. (Remember that if it is extremely high it may bleach the test tablet so you may have to dilute the water you are testing). If there is no chlorine reading, the chlorinator will not be working.
How do I raise the free chlorine in my pool?
Raising pool chlorine can be much easier than trying to lower chlorine levels. Simply adding chlorine in the form of chlorine tablets, granular chlorine, liquid shock or powder shock will increase the total amount of chlorine within the pool.
Does low salt damage chlorinators?
Salt levels
It’s important to understand that running your chlorinator without having enough salt in the water will cause damage to your electrodes so it’s the first thing we recommend to keep a close eye on.
What to do if chlorinator is not working?
The first thing to do is to make sure you have enough salt in the pool water you zodiac salt water chlorinator will require about 4,000 parts per million salt in the pool water.
Can a pool chlorinator get clogged?
The unit can clog with scale, but it won’t if you regularly clean it. Clogs can also occur in the control valve when you vacuum the pool, and airlocks can develop inside the cartridge. Clogs and airlocks restrict water flow, and the pool chlorine levels will fall.
How do I reset my pool chlorinator?
Thing press and hold the up and down button that will give it a reset that's going to fix a lot of those little electrical gremlin problems get you going.
How long does it take for chlorinator to make chlorine?
The chlorine generator should be left running long enough to produce the amount of chlorine needed to sanitize the pool daily. On average, this takes between 8 and 12 hours depending on the pool size, type of saltwater generator, and the output level the chlorine generator has been set to. What is this?
Can you fix a chlorinator?
Most chlorinators can be repaired but some items or types of damage are simply too expensive or unavailable, in these cases a replacement option will be recommended.
How can I tell if my salt cell is bad?
If the salt cell bubbles, but only a little bit, then you probably have a bad cell. It is still a good idea to call a pool professional to confirm this diagnosis. If the salt cell bubbles vigorously, then it is working fine.
How do you reset a salt chlorinator?
To reset, move the switch to ‘Off’ and then back to ‘Auto’. Wait for the relay to click (5 to 10 seconds). When the instant salt level is stable (and the negative sign still present), slide switch to ‘Super Chlorinate’ and back to ‘Auto’. It takes about 30 seconds for the unit to settle back on the default reading.
How often do you need to replace chlorinator?
about five to seven years
The safe answer is that they usually last for about five to seven years. Salt Cells cost between $200 and $900 to replace, depending on your chlorinator model.
How much does a chlorinator cost?
If you’ve been shopping around for a swimming pool chlorinator, you’ve probably noticed that you have two options: inline and offline chlorinators. They both function the same and cost about the same, too (most fall within the $35 and $95 price range). The main difference lies in how they are installed.
What should my chlorinator be set at?
Try to maintain a consistent salt level of between 2,700 parts per million (ppm) and 3,400 ppm, with 3,200 ppm being ideal. Clean the chlorinator cell at least once a season or as needed. During lightning storms, turn off the chlorinator to reduce the risk of power surges that could damage the control board.
How do you clean a cell chlorinator?
Then you can mix it in salt cell cleaner. Or if you want you can actually wash it in a 1/10. Solution of hydrochloric acid or water so that's ten parts of water.
How long does a chlorinator cell last?
The control board sends an electrical charge to the cell, and electrolysis occurs, which produces chlorine. Eventually the metallic coating on the cells erodes, requiring the cell to be replaced. A well maintained cell will last 3–7 years at an average replacement cost of $700–$1100.
How often should you clean your chlorinator cell?
The best way to get the most out of your salt water cell is to clean it regularly. To keep your salt water cell running at its optimum, you should clean it every 3 – 4 weeks. During peak pool season, you should check your cell weekly to keep on top of calcium build-up.
How do you test a pool chlorinator cell?
So what you do is you disconnect the pump from the chlorinator. You take the cell out of its housing. And you drop it in a bucket of water. And this you see this cell needs a bit of a clean.
What causes a salt cell to fail?
Keep a pH level of 7.2-7.6 and your level of CYA (or stabilizer), at 30-50 ppm to reduce the workload on your salt cell. Using the salt cell too much increases scale and may cause premature cell failure.
How often should I clean my salt cell?
Most salt cells will need cleaning at least twice a year. Some may need it as often as every two months. It mostly depends on how hard your water is, as that’s what causes buildups. Check on it every two months to see if it needs cleaning until you figure out how often yours will need to be cleaned.
Can I use vinegar to clean my salt cell?
See the white vinegar loosen up there's calcium that was in the cell really well was able to hose off really easily. You can see after 24 hours in the distilled.
How do you descale a salt cell?
How To Clean A Salt Cell
- Turn off pool pump.
- Remove the salt cell from the lines/unit.
- Rinse the plates with a garden hose.
- If you have a Zodiac LM Series salt cell, pour salt cell cleaner into the cell until the plates are covered. Let soak for 15 minutes.
How long do salt cells last?
about five years
This is all possible thanks to your pool’s salt chlorine generator cell. With proper care, a cell will last about five years. Eventually, though, it will need to be replaced.
How often do you need to add salt to pool?
How often do I need to add salt to my pool? There is no set timeframe of when you need to add salt to your pool. Because salt does not dissipate from your water, the only time you would add salt to your pool is when you add fresh water or after heavy rain that dilutes salinity levels.
Is a salt cell worth it?
Salt systems will save you a ton of money on chemicals in the long run. While it is true that you will save money by not having to buy nearly as much chlorine, those savings are negated by the initial costs of buying the system, and the cost of replacing the cell every 5-7 years.
