CompuPool CPSC36 salt cell melted or burned

[kelemvor]

Fortunately, according to our manual, there is a 2-year warranty plus a third year "pro rata" (whatever that means) or 8000 hours of operation "on the power unit and on the cell from the date of purchase." We are trying to get our pool company to respond to the problem, but it's a holiday weekend. I did email the owner, who poo-pooed it and said he doesn't believe anything dangerous is going on. He said if we have clear water then there is no problem.

He said that after seeing that photo? I think I'd probably try and avoid those guys for future purchases!

[Jodester]

It's weird -- while very prompt in responding to my emails about this and the other issues we're having with the salt and temperature readings, the guy has not acknowledged the photos. The last message he sent me said, "I do not believe there is anything dangerous going on, the unit worked fine last year, if something was wrong it would be a manufactorer's issue, but I am not saying anything is wrong... I hope you can relax and not worry too much about this... did you call the manufactorer?... I have never heard of a dangerous situation with a salt generator... the office will certainly help you, but just installing a new unit is not the answer, that might not change anything even if it happened... " Notice the repeated disclaimers avoiding responsibility -- "I am not saying anything is wrong" and "even if it happened". When I point-blank asked him after this message if he had viewed the photos, that's when I never got a response.

Does anyone out there have any experience with this?? Can anyone offer any explanation for why this is happening?

-- Jody

[kelemvor]

I'd call the manufacturer right away and unplug the cell until it's been replaced. Just use bleach to manually chlorinate in the meantime. Maybe there is some pool chemicals that could cause that kind of discoloration; but the thing definitely looks like it's been burned to me.

[Jodester]

Good news! Our pool company sent my photos to the manufacturer, and they have agreed to replace the whole kit and caboodle under the warranty. I expressed a theory I have that this was possibly caused by the fact that the cell unit was installed vertically, when the manual says, "The cell is to be mounted horizontal with the inlets and outlets facing down. If required the cell can be mounted vertically." When vertical, I see there are two tiny (intentional) holes on the black rubber plug cap that I bet water can get into, especially if it rains hard enough -- which it did, both a week before Hurricane Irene and then during Irene itself. I bet there's a chance water got into the circuitry over time and when we had that tremendous rain around mid-August, that's when things got really heated in there. So we requested that they make every effort to install the cell horizontally this time, as I see no real reason why it couldn't have been horizontal in the first place.

-- Jody

[PoolDoc]

At least somebody has some sense, even if your builder is a bit lacking! That's good news.

Ben