How long does a Zodiac chlorinator last?
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.
Salt Levels
If you are having problems with your chlorine generator, the first thing to do is to make sure you have enough salt in the pool water. The Zodiac saltwater chlorinator will require about four thousand parts per million salt in the pool water.
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.
- Irregular amperage.
- High voltage.
- Lack of chlorine production.
- A 'Check Salt' message despite water samples showing normal salt levels.
- Consistent 'Cell Warning' light display.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Should I turn off chlorinator when adding salt?
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.
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Crank up your salt water chlorinator
Since it's summer, set your salt water chlorinator to 80% to 100%.
YES! There's no need to purchase, store and add chlorine to your pool. Simply add salt and maintain your levels and let the chlorinator do the rest.
- 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.
When should I turn on my pool chlorinator?
You should never turn on your salt chlorinator until you have balanced your pool's water and all levels are within range. It is important to maintain salt and chlorine stabilizer levels in order to prevent scaling and to maximize system effectiveness and life.
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.
If one of the lights is flashing, it means the chlorinator is running at that percentage divided by 10, so a flashing 60% means 6% and so on. To make sure you are running at 60% and not 6%, press the more button until you have the solid green light.
We definitely think a chlorinator is a worthwhile investment: It automatically and evenly dispenses chlorine (even when you're out of town) You can control the rate that chlorine flows into your pool. You can avoid chlorine tablets in your pool or skimmer (and the vinyl liner stains they can cause.
You will pay between $500 and $2,500 for a salt water chlorination system, with the cost largely determined by how big your pool is.
In-line chlorinators must be installed after the filter and after any heater. They should be installed at ground level to prevent back flow, and if you have a heater, a one-way check valve should be installed between the heater and the feeder, to prevent damage from corrosive chlorine gas.
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.
On average, you should run your pool pump around 6-8 hours per day during winter and 10-12 hours per day during summer. Note that you need to run your pool pump longer during summer because algae grow more in warm temperatures.
Should I add chlorine after every use?
When do you add chlorine? You should put chlorine in your hot tub at least once a week. However, some people prefer to add a small amount after each use. Finding the best water care routine will depend on how often and how many people use it.
Chlorine pools require surveillance whereas salt water chlorinator pools stay clean with less work because of the constant flow of chlorine from the generator.
Chlorine is added to the water to kill germs. But it does not work right away. If used properly, free chlorine* can kill most germs within a few minutes. CDC recommends pH 7.2–7.8 and a free chlorine concentration of at least 1 ppm in pools and at least 3 ppm in hot tubs/spas.
The salt cell generators are made to work when pool water temperatures are above 60 degrees. In pool water temperatures that are 60 degrees or below, the salt generators simply shut down and by design do not allow the salt cell to ionize (breakdown) the salt and convert it to chlorine.
When the pool water temperature drops between 65-62 degrees (depending on the brand), the salt cell will automatically shut down to preserve the lifespan of the cell.
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.
To add salt, turn on your filter pump and add the salt directly to your pool water. Use a brush to help the salt dissolve and to prevent the salt from piling up on the bottom of your pool. Run your pump for 24 hours to help distribute the salt evenly throughout your pool.
After adding pool salt to your swimming pool, it is always recommended to wait for at least 20 to 45 minutes so that you can swim in the pool.
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.
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.
How often should you clean your salt chlorinator?
You should clean your salt cell every 500 hours (usually every three months or so) to keep it running smoothly for as long as possible.
The life span of a chlorinator cell can be significantly shortened by two things: too frequent or improper cleaning. As the chlorinator cell produces chlorine, scale develops on the metallic grids, decreasing its performance.
When the saltwater chlorinator fails, it cannot produce enough chlorine to meet the swimming pool needs. This can result in the pool water turning dirty, leading to poor sanitation, algae formation, and corrosion in parts of the pool.
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.
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.
Choose a mid-point setting on the 1-10 dial. The higher the setting, the greater the dissolution rate. A setting of 5 may be too high, and it depends on the number of tablets in the feeder. You could fill it full, with 15 tablets, and put it on a setting of 1-2, or add only 2 tablets and put it on a setting of 8-9.
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.