SUDerb
0
I just wanted to point out a couple of things I found that differ from this users experience. I pulled apart my first Goldline T-15cell in 2005 when the first unit failed. I did not take any pictures but I did find that my plates were completely corroded. Living in Arizona our water has a very high level of Calcium and I have also measured 700ppm of incoming salt in the water. Over time my salt level creeps up and I have to dump 1/3 of the pool every 3 years to bring the level back down. I also noticed the tar/epoxy that protects the end of the connection nuts like gelatin. I have a different theory about this. In the early years when my pool was new I cleaned the cell once every 2 months in the muriatic acid solution dipping the whole cell in the Acid Bucket. I questioned this because it exposes the wiring end connection to the acid. I eventually purchased a seal stand that keeps the solution inside the cell without exposing the wiring. Since changing my method I have not seen failed cells with the epoxy end connections soft. I have not tracked every cell replaced but I believe I have been through 5 cells since 2001. The calcium levels in AZ are so high with evaporation in the summer that I usually use up 1 gallon of Acid 29.9% every 3 weeks. If I forget to add in a month my pH is up around 8.6-8.8. I too am a fan of reuse but in complete honesty you really did get your $$$worth by getting 9 years out of your cell. My first cell lasted around 4 years but ever since the first one failed I've been getting around 3 years if I'm lucky. Some of this is my fault as I get frustrated with Calcium buildup sometimes adding more acid in solution than recommended. If I don't keep on top of the cell in the summer or the pH in the pool a 2 year old cell will read 1700 salt level and the plates will be completely bridged with calcium. I suspect that the need to regularly clean the plates removes the Rhodium from the Titanium. Once it is gone your cell plates build-up quickly with calcium and the built-in controller reverse polarity cleaning mode doesn't work very well. The other adverse condition in AZ pools is the slow migration of Calcium and solids out of the cement holding the Pebble Tec or plaster together. If you have a Vinyl or Fiber-Glass pool this is not an issue because you have no migration of any minerals from pool to water. One other note, withthe pressures that are produced by the pump since I have an in-floor cleaning system with Pop-Ups the modular cell is more troublesome and has a much higher leak potential. There are several after-market cells manufactured to replace Hayward/Goldline's design but I think you will find that they are much less reliable and most people who have purchased them are dissatisfied with their performance. I always thought the clear design would be great to check the cell buildup without having to remove it but in talking with some techs at Goldline Controls and Shasta (pool builder) the opaque cell is more efficient in Arizona Sun. The reason why the generator shuts down below 60C is because you don't need much chlorine when the temp is so low. I use my pool all year with a heater and keep the temp around 68-70 but only cycle the system around 4hrs a day. The chlorine is always at the upper end even with minimal run time.