According to my SWG manual ideal levels run at 3200ppm. I have not added salt to my pool yet and wanted to get some feedback on this topic. Before adding I plan on testing and will add incrementally until I reach my desired level. That is the question though what's the desired level? SWG Hayward Turbo cell TCELLS325 (T- Cell 9 Replacement).
Recommended Salt Levels for Salt water Pools
- Thread starter cwscott
- Start date
- Jul 17, 2019
- 3,714
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
If 3,200 is what the manual says, that would be your ideal level. You could go a bit higher to allow for splash out, but with a cartridge filter, you really wont be backwashing or anything that would cause you to dump a bunch of water.
- May 3, 2007
- 16,934
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Hayward generally gives a range of 2700-3400 ppm. However, there are consequences for running at too high or too low of a salt level. In both cases, the unit can shut off. At the high end, these units will shut off at 8 amps which is dependent on both salt level and water temperature. On the low end the units will start to warn you at 2600 ppm of low salt and then shut off at 2400 ppm or below.
However a word of caution, at the high end of the range, current gets higher and more heat is generated in the SWG unit which can cause premature failure, a not so rare problem with Hayward SWGs. So I tend to keep my salt level closer to the lower range (~2900 ppm). This is lower than Haywards suggestion of 3200 ppm but as I said before, it helps prevent board failures. Also, there is no real downside to keeping salt levels on the lower end of the range other than slightly lower CL production which can easily be compensated for by a higher percent setting.
But in general, if the SWG unit does not complain, then I would not get overly concerned about salt level. When the unit alarms with a low salt level, it is a good idea to get an independent test to confirm. Salt cells will typical register low salt levels when they begin to fail. You don't want to add salt to a pool when it is already high enough and then after replacing the cell, the salt level is then too high for the new cell and partial drain is required.
However a word of caution, at the high end of the range, current gets higher and more heat is generated in the SWG unit which can cause premature failure, a not so rare problem with Hayward SWGs. So I tend to keep my salt level closer to the lower range (~2900 ppm). This is lower than Haywards suggestion of 3200 ppm but as I said before, it helps prevent board failures. Also, there is no real downside to keeping salt levels on the lower end of the range other than slightly lower CL production which can easily be compensated for by a higher percent setting.
But in general, if the SWG unit does not complain, then I would not get overly concerned about salt level. When the unit alarms with a low salt level, it is a good idea to get an independent test to confirm. Salt cells will typical register low salt levels when they begin to fail. You don't want to add salt to a pool when it is already high enough and then after replacing the cell, the salt level is then too high for the new cell and partial drain is required.
I target 3000 to 3200 then let it ride until the cell complains.
Wolfepack88
Gold Supporter
- Jun 21, 2020
- 759
- Pool Size
- 17690
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
Dang I wanted 3200 and blew it. LOLIf it helps any, I went a bag light, aiming for 3000 to 3200 and hit 3400 anyway. Whattayagonnado?
How do you get your salt water pool to be unique? You neak up on it….aka, add half bags at a time.
i like this thought process and it makes sense to me.
Wolfepack88
Gold Supporter
- Jun 21, 2020
- 759
- Pool Size
- 17690
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Jandy Aquapure 1400
Me too that's going to be my gig next year unless I get some dilution but with my autocover not likely.
With a T-15 cell, it can be easy to hit 8.0 amps with warm water.
With a T-9, the high amp issue is mostly not going to happen.
I would go for about 3,000 to 3,200 ppm.
The T-9 will be in the range of about 5 to 6 amps.
With a T-9, the high amp issue is mostly not going to happen.
I would go for about 3,000 to 3,200 ppm.
The T-9 will be in the range of about 5 to 6 amps.
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