Is my cell dying?

[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?

[mas985]

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

Correct.

[JimK]

Correct.

Thanks.

How do I safely dispose of the acid solution when I'm done?

[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.....

At 63%, CL was still increasing, so yesterday I dropped it to 55%. It's apparent the cell is still working. Hopefully it won't give out any time soon.