Is my cell dying?

[JimK]

The other day I started my Aqua Rite SWCG (T-15 cell). The low salt light started flashing (the panel was reading 2600 ppm). I checked the level with the salt test strips and got a level of 2970 ppm, which is in the normal range for my SWCG. I found this odd since last season the strips and the SWCG were within 100 ppm of each other.

I went ahead and added 50# of salt which should raise the salt level by 300 ppm. The next day the SWCG did register a 300 ppm increase and all other readings on the panel were normal, so I started it up again, setting it to 50% like I normally do at the beginning of the season. The next day I checked CL and found it had dropped by 1.5 ppm, just like it had been doing each day before I turned on the SWCG. Now, it had been cloudly and cool all week, then sunny and warmer the day the SWCG ran, so I'm hoping this is the reason for the drop, but I'm concerned the cell may not be generating enough CL. Last night I increased the SWCG to 60% to see if CL stabililzes. I'll check it again this evening and tomorrow to see what happens.

Is it possible that my cell isn't working despite the panel giving normal readings?

For reference, this will be our 6th season on this cell (it was installed in June 2008) and our swim season runs about 5-6 months.

PS - If I do need a new cell, is this one the same as my Aqua Rite T-15 cell?

http://www.amazon.com/Hayward-Goldli...+turbo+cell+15

The pool store wants twice the price for a new cell, so I'm seriously considering ordering online this time (any reason why I shouldn't??).

[kelemvor]

Have you tried a full on acid wash? Last year I had a similar issue with the aqua rite t-15 reading a little lower than my test kit. I bought a k-1766 because I was doubting the strips. In the end, I cleared it up with an acid wash per the manual.

[mas985]

Did you try cleaning it? Calcium deposit can make it behave the same way.

Also, the T-15 cell is the 40k size.

When my cell gives out, I might try this one: http://www.titaniumcells.com/index.html

[JimK]

Thanks you. I greatly appreciate the suggestions.

When I closed the pool last fall the cell did have some calcium deposits so I did a manual cleaning per manufacture's instructions (sprayed with hose nozel and scraped off with wooden toothpicks). The manufacture only recommends acid washing in severe cases (I didn't think it was anywhere near severe). Btw, since the cell was installed in 2008, this is the first time it had any scaling. There's a thread about that here;

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthr...-on-cell...why

As mentioned in my original post, I increased the SWCG to 60%, there was still a loss, but only .5ppm this time. Just to make sure the cell was generating CL, I ran it at 100% for 10 hours which resulted in an increase of 2 ppm.

So the cell is generating CL. At this point I'm thinking that the cell is OK but the colder than normal water temps (it's been in the low 70s) and perhaps the cell's age mean I just have to run it at a higher setting than I'm use to for now. This morning I set it to 65% and will see if it stabilizes. If I can't get it to stabilize, I'll try an acid wash.

I'll update again later.

PS - Any idea if the cell I linked to in my original post is the same as mine? I'm thinking it is, but am not sure. I thought about a "generic" cell, but I've read a few posts where there were problems with correct salt readings, so I think I'll stick with an OEM cell.

PPS - I just discovered that my Aqua Rite is running software version 1.5, so is compatible with the newer T-3 and T-9 cells. I thought this was strange since it was installed in 2004 (the newer version didn't come out until 2009), but looking at my notes I was reminded that the main board had to be replaced in 2009, hence the updated version. Interesting, but I'll stick with the T-15 cell as it should last longer.

[kelemvor]

I think that it is, that looks like a genuine Hayward/Goldline cell from what I can tell and the pricing seems about right for genuine parts to me. I was looking at that very one (I'm pretty sure) last year. The off brand cells tend to look a bit different and are $100 or more cheaper than that. Even my local pool store sells the hayward cell for around that price. If you're pool store is selling them for twice that price, my guess is that they're also including the control panel. Either that or they are going to include a free jar of K-Y with it.

[JimK]

I think that it is, that looks like a genuine Hayward/Goldline cell from what I can tell and the pricing seems about right for genuine parts to me. I was looking at that very one (I'm pretty sure) last year. The off brand cells tend to look a bit different and are $100 or more cheaper than that. Even my local pool store sells the hayward cell for around that price. If you're pool store is selling them for twice that price, my guess is that they're also including the control panel. Either that or they are going to include a free jar of K-Y with it.

Thanks.

We were talking about when I might need a new cell when he mentioned it would cost $900+. Perhaps he was just mistaken and was talking about the whole system. Whatever the case, I'm not paying that much for a cell (or KY! LOL).

[mas985]

The generic I posted is a little different than other generics like you would see on ebay. This one has a redesigned cell for longer life. The few people that have purchased the titanium are fairly happy with it. Other generic brands I agree, they see to have issues.

[JimK]

Update...

As I mentioned yesterday, I increased the SWCG to 65%. I tested again this evening and the CL level increased by .5 ppm. So the cell is working, although I'm having to set it at a higher level than when it was new. I turned it down slightly to 63% to see if CL levels off.

I know the manual says only to acid wash if scaling is severe, but I'm wondering if an acid wash might help it work more efficiently? I did find one post where their salt reading was incorrectly low and an acid wash corrected the issue. I've never acid washed it before (again, it was installed in June 2008). Might I harm the cell or shorten its life by doing an acid wash?

[mas985]

Definitely, I would try acid cleaning. I am surprised you went this long without an acid clean. That is usually the first thing I do when I detect a decrease in cell output. Manual cleaning only gets the deposits you can see which is basically the ends of the cell. The internals are not easily cleaned manually.

Also, I clean my cell with acid several times during the season and the cell is over 7 years old and still going strong. I don't use full strength (1:4) and just long enough until all the fizzing stops.

[JimK]

Definitely, I would try acid cleaning. I am surprised you went this long without an acid clean. That is usually the first thing I do when I detect a decrease in cell output. Manual cleaning only gets the deposits you can see which is basically the ends of the cell. The internals are not easily cleaned manually.

Also, I clean my cell with acid several times during the season and the cell is over 7 years old and still going strong. I don't use full strength (1:4) and just long enough until all the fizzing stops.

Thanks. That gives me the confidence to try an acid cleaning. I was hesitant before because the manual had me thinking that acid washing could harm the cell, hence the instruction to only use acid if scaling was "severe".

I do need to order a cleaning stand so I don't have to immerse the cell into a bucket.

So the solution you use is one part muriatic acid with 4 parts water?