Jandy AquaPure 1400 Error 172/186 after every cell cleaning

[Michael314]

It seems like every time the chlorine generator cell is cleaned, my Jandy AquaPure 1400 starts throwing Error 172/186. I just replaced the cell a little over a year ago, and I can't imagine that it is really going bad against after only one year. The errors started immediately on starting the pump right after cleaning the cell. I cycled power about three times and the error went away. I thought all was fine until I tested and found I had no chlorine in the pool. The next time I cycled power two or three times and the error went away, so I let it run a few hours and when I checked it the flow light was still on before I turned if off. However the chlorine level is still not going up, and today after about 3 power cycles and the error going away I let it run for three hours only to find that the service light had come back on after flow being fine, and my test strips still detect no chlorine in the pool.

On another thread it was mentioned that my plumbing may be bad - the chlorine generator appears to be on a bypass from the main flow. Here is a picture of the plumbing:


Is this a problem?

 

[JasonLion]

Re: Jandy AquaPure 1400 Error 172/186 after every cell clean

172 and 186 both indicate a problem with the flow sensor, which can be replaced separately. Before you do that, make sure that the cable between the flow sensor and the control box is intact, no cuts or nicks, and firmly plugged in.

 

[Michael314]

Re: Jandy AquaPure 1400 Error 172/186 after every cell clean

Thanks, I am familiar with what the error code means. I just replaced the flow sensor about 14 months ago and I am having a hard time believing that it would just happen to fail coincidentally right after the cell was cleaned, two times in a row. If it really is a faulty flow sensor then I am going to just throw away the chlorine generator, as I can't afford to keep paying $200 *every year* to replace a flow sensor. That is over twice what it would cost to just throw chlorine tabs in the pool for the year.

I will double check that the wiring is okay, just in case something came loose with the cleaning.

 

[Michael314]

Re: Jandy AquaPure 1400 Error 172/186 after every cell clean

I double checked the wiring this morning. The cable is intact, has no cuts or nicks, and is firmly plugged in.

I also re-opened the chlorine generator to inspect it and found some calcium build-up, indicating that the generator has been running intermittently. After re-cleaning and getting the service code I let it run for a while, paying special attention to the noise in the pipe (by putting my ear up to it). After running for about ten minutes I restarted it and this time the service code went away and the flow light resumed, and the noise in the pipe had changed.

So, I am thinking perhaps the reason for the low flow indication is not a bad sensor but actual low flow. After cleaning the sensor there definitely would be low flow for a while as part of the pipe is initially empty and perhaps the reason the light comes on later is a leak or for some other reason I am not getting good flow. If only part of the pipe were clear so I could see it...

Anyway, I would like to get some opinions on the way the generator is inline to a diversion from the main pipe, not in the main flow itself. In the picture I posted above, the main flow runs through the short run of pipe crossing visually into the generator (but actually behind and below it). As seen in the picture, the diversion runs from the lower right, dropping below the main pipe, falling back, then up in a loop, through the generator, then down and back below the main pipe and up the reconnect. So the path for water to get through the generator is a lot longer, although I don't know what percentage of water will actually go each way - I would assume less than 50% would go through the diversion.

Thanks for any help, comments or suggestions.

 

[Michael314]

Re: Jandy AquaPure 1400 Error 172/186 after every cell clean

Update: After talking to tech support I learned that the service life of the flow sensor is only 2-3 years, and that of the cell itself is only 4-5 years. I guess that's understandable considering the environment it works in. But at $500 for the cell + sensor, and $200 for just the sensor, that is at least $700 ever 4-5 years just to maintain the generator. Best case, that is at least $140 per year! I definitely did not spend that much on chlorine tablets, an $80 bucket from the hardware store (which by far does not have the best prices!) lasted an entire season.

So, it does not seem that a chlorine generator is really worth it. Can anybody else confirm or refute these figures?

 

[ping]

Re: Jandy AquaPure 1400 Error 172/186 after every cell clean

Here is my experience with the Aquapure, my cell is now 20 months old and I'm on my third sensor. The first one lasted 18 months and the second one lasted 2 months. Mine were replaced under warrranty as I have a 3 year warranty with the new pool. My builder says they are replacing a lot of sensors right now and Jandy hasn't figured out what is going on with the sensors yet.

Do you remove the sensor when you clean the cell? The sensor needs to be removed and cleaned with a cleaning pad, no chemicals are to be used to clean the sensor. I have never had to clean my cell so my sensors have never been exposed to harsh cleanings. Also, if you ever add salt to the water, make sure the setting is at 0% for 24 hours.

If things keep up the way they are once I'm out of warranty, I will definately be getting rid of the Aquapure.

 

[rus1]

Re: Jandy AquaPure 1400 Error 172/186 after every cell clean

I concur with Ping. I have had a Jandy Aquapure 1400 for 5 years and am now at the end of generator cell life. During this time, I have had to replace the sensor in this 3 -port system 6 times, and only 1 was under warranty. That translates to $1,000 in costs, and multiple headaches of stopped chlorine generation. I believe their sensors are unreliable and problematic. I am currently looking for a simpler, more reliable salt gen. system. If not found, it is back to chlorine tablets to save headaches, time, and money.

 

[ddas]

(I know this is an old thread, but just to contribute...)

I've been having similar problems. I called a local pool repair company who had extensive experience with salt cells. When they came over to inspect my Jandy, they instantly diagnosed the problems and told me all kinds of background information. They did confirm that the salt cells don't last that long (3 years average for the new ones because they're using less ruthenium in the newer cells compared to the old square ones), and that yes, the flow sensors are also pretty spotty, not lasting more than a few years tops. Bummer. There is a newer version (with inline electronics) that seems to be slightly better, and can be replaced easily if you have the older style with no inline electronics, but it's still an added cost.

I asked them point-blank how reliable the Jandy Apure 1400 (which is my system) is compared to other salt systems and they did seem to say there are more reliable choices out there nowadays, however, it'll still be more than a cool grand to install a brand new system. So as always, it's a choice between pouring more money into the Jandy, or throwing the whole thing away and starting new, or giving up on salt. The cost for chlorine tabs is not zero, but the cost for a salt system and maintenance on it is more. Salt systems are a "luxury" product so to speak. You will have a more pleasant swimming experience and you will pay more for it. Totally up to you on whether it's worth it to you.

 

[wayner]

I have had the same issue - I replaced my cell in May of this year but kept the old flow sensor at the time, despite the fact that the cell came with a new sensor. I started getting the service code errors and about two weeks ago I replaced the sensor with the new one and that seems to have solved it. The new sensor is different in that it has two metal sensors rather than three and there is a gray plastic box inline with the cord. My new sensor looks like this:


The old one looked like this:


There is also a setting that you can change from Program A to Program B but I couldn't find anything about what program to use in the manual so I didn't change it and it seems to be working.

 

[ddas]

There is also a setting that you can change from Program A to Program B but I couldn't find anything about what program to use in the manual so I didn't change it and it seems to be working.

The specialist who came over specifically told me that that Program A/Program B setting was important and to follow the instructions carefully for installation. If I were you I would google for this and see if you can find the answer. Or call a specialist. (I can pass on the name/number of the one I talked to.)

I'm still using the "old style" (3 metal sensors and no inline gadget) but the new style is fully compatible with older systems.

 

[wayner]

I found a thread here that has more info: Jandy Aquapure R0452500 Flow Sensor Manual . That thread also mentions that the manual is silent on this issue.

It says:

On the pcb there is a cpu with a number on it. If the number is 02110A10 or 01220A15, you use program A, otherwise you use program B.

I have been using it in the default Program A mode for a few weeks with no issues so I am guessing/hoping that I am good.