Why is my Zodiac chlorinator not producing chlorine?
Low/No chlorine production
You should check the free chlorine levels once a week and adjust the chlorinator accordingly. Make sure the cables are connected to the cell. If the chlorine level is a bit low then the Zodiac saltwater chlorinator has a boost button that will super chlorinate your pool.
The easiest way to ascertain if the chlorinator is working is to make sure the cell is clean by checking the needle or production lights. Ensure there is enough salt in the pool. On the chlorinator box there should be a light or dial that indicates it is working.
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.
- Irregular amperage.
- High voltage.
- Lack of chlorine production.
- A 'Check Salt' message despite water samples showing normal salt levels.
- Consistent 'Cell Warning' light display.
Chlorine tablets should only be a helping hand. Instead of filling your chlorinator or floater to the top with tablets, use one three-inch tablet for every 10,000 gallons of water in your pool. If you are shocking your water weekly, this amount of tablets should be perfect to maintain a good chlorine level.
With a properly sized filter and salt chlorinator, run times of 7 – 8 hours will generally be necessary. The defining factor governing filtration times in a salt pool is usually determined by the size of the filter/ioniser and the need to make sufficient chlorine. ie.
A general good rule to follow is 1 hour of filtration time for every 10 degrees of air temperature above 15 as the minimum daily run time. Hours are generally added for increased bather load, usage, animals, rainstorm or extreme heat.
Your pool system including chlorine generator should be operated often enough to completely turn your pool water over at least every 12 hours or twice a day.
When you are ready to begin, you will need to turn off the salt chlorinator before adding salt to pool water. Don't turn it on again until the salt reaches the proper concentration; if the salt chlorinator is running before dissolving the salt, the pool will have uneven salt concentration.
- If the salt cell bubbles, but only a little bit, then you probably have a bad cell. ...
- If the salt cell bubbles vigorously, then it is working fine.
- If the salt cell is good, but you are are constantly getting a zero chlorine reading in the pool, something else is wrong.
How often should I clean my chlorinator cell?
Even if the chlorinator is self-cleaning, the cell still needs to be cleaned roughly once every 6 months (more often in hard water areas). Many of these intelligent units advise you when it is time to clean the cell and warn about the low salt level in the pool water as well.
When the generator or salt cell stops working, there will be low chlorine in the water which can lead to bacteria growth, murky pool water and algae bloom. Your chlorine generator should also begin to display error codes.
- Check that all power connections are in place.
- Check and clear your pool lines, skimmer baskets, pump baskets for clogs.
- Check and balance your pool chemistry.
- Check and clean your salt cells.
- Check salt levels with a test kit.
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.
Unclogging a tablet chlorinator
Squirt water down the chlorinator with your garden hose to help flush out any debris that remains. Once you see liquids flowing through the chlorinator, the blockage is cleared and you can add tablets to the chlorinator. It is best not to add any more than 5 tablets at one time.
Make a cleaning mixture of 1 Hydrochloric Acid to 10 parts water (always add Water first then the Hydrochloric acid to the water). Turn the equipment off at the power point. Remove Salt Cell from the housing. Add the Salt Cell to the acid/water mix making sure the water does not touch the cell terminals.
A better method is adding chlorine tablets directly to your swimming pool skimmer. When your filter is running, water will move quickly over the tablets in the skimmer basket, dissolving them much more effectively than the floater does.
According to many, the improved way of adding chlorine tablets in the pool water is directed through the swimming pool skimmer basket. This method slowly softens the chlorine tablet and mix into the pool water more efficiently other than the floating pool chlorinator.
Floating pool dispensers can be used in aboveground and inground pools, but make sure your pool manufacturer says it's safe to use one. The chlorine floater must be removed from the water when people are in the pool.
Shock your pool once a week with Salinity Surge Shock. Pool shock works as an added defense against bacteria and contaminants. With Oxidizing shock, you can use your pool after just 15 minutes! Shock your swimming pool on the same day each week for the highest benefits and keep your pool in tip-top shape!
Is salt chlorinator better than chlorine for pools?
Because they have lower chlorine levels, saltwater pools are gentler on the eyes and skin. Research indicates that saltwater systems may be safer than chlorine pools, which require pool owners to store and handle harsh chemicals. Saltwater pools produce softer-feeling water, which many find desirable.
Salt Systems work best with approximately 3200 parts per million (ppm) of salt, which is roughly the equivalent to a teaspoon of salt per gallon. However, all Hayward Salt Systems are designed to operate with salt levels anywhere from 2700 ppm to 3400 ppm.
Never leave your cleaner in the pool while adding chemicals to the water, as high chemical concentrations can harm the cleaner. Allow the water plenty of time to circulate, and recheck the water balance before returning it to the pool for another cleaning cycle.
Some commercial properties require 24-hour a day pump circulation, but as a homeowner, this is not advisable. If you are lucky enough to own an Energy Efficient, Variable Speed swimming pool pump (VSP) then , yes, technically you could run your pump for 24 hours a day.
Cleaners aren't meant to stay in the pool 24/7. This is true for all cleaners. Pressure side cleaners run on a schedule every day so why take it out? Leaving the cleaner in the pool 24/7 increases its exposure to corrosive chemicals in the water, such as chlorine or shock.
Crank up your salt water chlorinator
Since it's summer, set your salt water chlorinator to 80% to 100%. You're going to need all the chlorine you're going to get from your unit as your pool will need it due to a number of reasons: UV rays from the sunlight will “eat” your chlorine faster.
So how long it takes for a chlorine tablet to dissolve really varies for every pool. As a general rule, we see stabilized chlorine tablets (also called trichlor tablets) last anywhere from two to three days. Slow dissolve cal-hypo tabs may last four to five days.
A well-maintained salt chlorine generator will last 3–7 years. Replacing the salt cell costs $700–$1100. Replacing the control board costs $500–$900. You can extend the lifespans by maintaining a consistent salt level, cleaning the cell only when needed, and using the reverse polarity function.
The question of whether to use a chlorinated or non-chlorinated shock will depend on how much total chlorine you have in your pool or spa. If your total chlorine level is high, you will use a non-chlorine shock; if it is low, you will use a chlorinated shock.
A low salt level will reduce the efficiency of your salt chlorinator and result in low chlorine production. A high salt level can cause your chlorinator to shutdown and may begin to give your water a salty taste.
What percentage should my chlorinator be set at?
We suggest you start your salt chlorine generator at 50 percent output and run it for a couple of days, then check the chlorine level. In a balanced pool, a good chlorine level is 1-3 parts per million. If your chlorine levels are low, you can raise the percentage, and if it's high you can lower the percentage.
Reset AquaRite Salt Chlorination Inspect Cell Light
If the Inspect Cell Light is the only LED light flashing, then you can reset it by simply holding down the diagnostic button for 3 seconds, then release. The Inspect Cell indicator will now reset and will later come back on after another 500 hours of use.
- Turn the pump off.
- Remove the cell at the unions and unplug it from the power supply.
- Pour enough Salinity Cell Cleaner to cover the fins inside the cell.
- The solution will bubble up, breaking apart the calcium build-up on the cell. ...
- Safely discard the solution by returning it to the pool.
- Switch off the filter pump and chlorinator and close the necessary valves.
- Unplug the cell terminal cap.
- Unscrew the electrode retaining ring and remove the electrode.
- Immerse the electrode in self-cleaning solution ensuring that the terminals are not immersed.
Air that has entered the system elsewhere, usually through a leaky O-ring in the pump, may be trapped in the chlorinator canister and cause an air lock. This will become evident by unscrewing the canister lid with the pool pump turned off. A very low water level in the canister indicates the presence of air.
Your salt system can be set to run from 0% to 100% capacity. If you have your system set on 50% capacity and your pool pump is set to run 8 hours per day, then your salt cell will produce chlorine for 50% of that time – or 4 hours.
Unclogging a tablet chlorinator
Squirt water down the chlorinator with your garden hose to help flush out any debris that remains. Once you see liquids flowing through the chlorinator, the blockage is cleared and you can add tablets to the chlorinator. It is best not to add any more than 5 tablets at one time.
If your Zodiac pool cleaner stops and starts, the first thing you might want to do is check the suction flow coming through the hose. You will need your pump on for this operation. Included with this Zodiac pool cleaner is a pool pulse, and it has numbers on it.
Even if the chlorinator is self-cleaning, the cell still needs to be cleaned roughly once every 6 months (more often in hard water areas). Many of these intelligent units advise you when it is time to clean the cell and warn about the low salt level in the pool water as well.
Make a cleaning mixture of 1/10 parts Hydrochloric Acid to water (always add Hydrochloric acid to water). Turn the filtration system off. Remove Salt Cell from the housing. Add the Salt Cell to the cleaning mixture making sure there is little to no contact with the terminals.
How do you get air out of chlorinator cells?
Increase the pump speed until the bubbles disappear. Ensure water levels in the pool are half way over the skimmer box and clear of any debris. Check all lids and seals to ensure they are tight. Possibly lube any seals around the pump or the cell with silicone grease.
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.
The O-ring on the inside of the chlorinator can become brittle over time. If your chlorinator is leaking or you're having difficulty closing the lid, we recommend replacing your O-ring. While the lid is off, we recommend checking for calcium deposits. Over time, small calcium deposits can form.
The original Zodiac diaphragms last about two or three months.