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False reading on chlorinator
This is the third winter for my pool and each year I have the same problem. The chlorinator will not produce chlorine because it is reading salt content at 1450. I had the water tested at two places and got the same result - 2,500. I did add 40 lbs of salt and it is up to 1900 on the chlorinator. In the past, I added more and ended up having to drain water from the pool when it warmed up because the salt was too high. What is the best way to calibrate the chlorinator (1) by resetting to factory defaults once I have the salt at 3500 or (2) by trying calibrate the chlorinator manually.
Views: 62
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Pentair Product Technician-Ben on -
These cells are calibrated with 77* water, every 5 degree change will alter the reading by ~200ppm. What version cell do you have? There's a sticker on the bottom that will tell you the version.
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Permalink Reply by Larry Littlejohn on -
Sorry, I hit the wrong "reply button." Thanks for the clear reply. Let's say my water temp is now 50. That would mean that my true salt reading would be what the Intellichlor is reading plus about 1000ppm. The reading this AM is 1800 so true would be 2800 and I should add about 15 lbs of salt. That should make the Intellichlor read about 2000 and would it then produce chlorine. If not, should I chlorinate or shock? I have version 201.
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Permalink Reply by Pentair Product Technician-Ben on
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It will not activate the blades until it believes the salt level is above 2600ppm. Also it will not activate if the water is under ~55* (temp varies with version), so the salt level won't matter if your water is 50*.
No matter what, if your chlorine level is too low add chlorine to the water. Things don't like to grow in cold water, so it won't get used very fast but still get some in there.
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Permalink Reply by Larry Littlejohn on
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Thanks so much for your help. I have had three different pools in thirty years, but this is my first salt water pool. Your explanation is great.
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Permalink Reply by Kent Kilmer on
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@Ben - My EasyTouch panel indicates that the salt level is 2450 and the cell "check salt" LED is on. However, I've noticed that the cell is active at times and my chlorine level is OK. Water temp is 58, thus according to your numbers above, my actual salt level is approximately 3290. Should I just wait until spring/summer for my solar to heat up the pool or is there something I should be doing in the meantime?
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Permalink Reply by Pentair Product Technician-Ben on
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This will vary depending on the version of the cell. The latest versions compensate for temperature, but some older versions do not.
If everything looks ok right now, I'd let it go until things warm up personally.
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