Have had 2 Hayward T-15s on a 7 year-old Hayward system but am considering replacing with a Blue Works BLT-15. Any experience with them? Pros and Cons? TIA.
Blue Works SWG vs. Hayward?
- Thread starter jsbfla
- Start date
- Oct 25, 2015
- 5,144
- Pool Size
- 25000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Hi and welcome to TFP! I recently installed a SWG and did a lot of brand comparison. I liked Blue Works for their warranty but the chlorine production seemed a little low compared to others. They list their production in gr/hr so you have to do the conversion to lb/day. For example the BLT T-15 output appears to be (a little difficult to find) 20 gr/hr which is 1.06 lb per day. The Hayward t-15 output is 1.4 lb/day. There are a LOT of cells on the market as I'm sure you're finding out. There's a good comparison here but not all brands are listed so you have to find the information to compare from the individual websites. I looked at the following factors:
- $/output
- Warranty
- Customer Reviews
TFP experts suggest you select a SWG with twice the pool size rating. This will extend life of the cell.
I hope this is helpful and again, welcome to TFP! Please do keep us posted on your decision and rationale. And of course if you have any specific questions our experts are at your service.
Chris
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Thanks, Chris for the advice. Can you tell me if the CircuPool RJ45+ (which looks like the right one for me, as well) compatible with the
Thanks Chris -
At the suggestion of Tech Support at Discount Salt Pool I went with the CircuPool T-15 replacement cell, which is compatible with my existing Hayward system in terms of both plumbing and the controller. I'll keep the list posted on how it works out.
About $100 - but an update. After installing the CircuPool cell, it's not generating chlorine. My readings from the Hayward Controller, while running with the 'Power' and 'Generating' lights on, are: Salt-3500, Temp-85,Voltage-26.5, Amperage-7.27, Output-39% and Salinity (-3300) - yes, minus 3300!? Of course, CircuPool (Discount Salt Pools) says I have to contact Hayward or send the cell in for testing, and Hayward says I have to contact the cell manufacturer... frustrating to say the least.
I rarely bye a no name unless it’s a huge discount, even then I will question myself.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,449
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Your voltage and amperage are correct and indicating your cell is generating chlorine.
The - indicates it is the instant salinity reading.
See How to Read and Adjust the Hayward Aqua Rite SCG Operational Values - INYOPools.com
@jsbfla - have you had any more frustrations or luck with the CircuPool model? My T-CELL 15 is dying and I'm looking at some options. I, too was interested in trying out BluWorks, but CircuPool looks interesting. The warranty issues are something to consider, as my last new Hayward T-CELL died within its warranty and I was able to go to a somewhat local pool store that was an authorized Hayward location. They confirmed it was faulty and I was able to get a replacement cell. It would be a lot more hassle to ship a cell somewhere for diagnostics (and I'd have a big missing piece of my pipe which means I wouldn't be able to circulate the water. I guess if I go with another brand, I better keep my old cell around to fill the pipe gap 
We purchased a Blue Works T-Cell-15 and it worked for almost 2 years. We then did the trouble shooting and it still wasn't working so we contacted the company and had to jump through hoops by sending videos and pictures various times and were later told they would give us 10% off a new device. How is 10% prorated when it had a 2 year full warranty and 5 year prorated warranty? Do not waste your money on Blue Works!
I've commented many times that the warranties for BlueWorks and LemonPool (same company) are not what they are advertised to be. But people still buy those brands and are surprised every time when the company alters their "warranty". When I ordered one to test, there was zero paperwork in the box.
I recommend these guys. I have nothing but the best to say about them. They speak with you and answer to the best of their knowledge like they know you well.
- Oct 25, 2015
- 5,144
- Pool Size
- 25000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
JSB,
Sorry for the delay, I had some unexpected business travel. Yes. , the RJ 45+ is the right size for your pool. TFP recommends 2x your pool size for extended cell life. Circupool has their pro-rated warranty spelled out on the website and it was the best I could find. If you go with this company be sure to buy the maintenance kit. It includes a spool piece that is a dummy that makes piping assembly much easier since you don't have to deal with the weight of the cell during final fit-up and gluing.
As Allen pointed out it looks like your cell is working based on the numbers you quote. Take a sample of the return. It should have a very high FC. This will confirm if the cell is producing chlorine if you can't see the bubbles.
I hope this helps.
Chris
Sorry for the delay, I had some unexpected business travel. Yes. , the RJ 45+ is the right size for your pool. TFP recommends 2x your pool size for extended cell life. Circupool has their pro-rated warranty spelled out on the website and it was the best I could find. If you go with this company be sure to buy the maintenance kit. It includes a spool piece that is a dummy that makes piping assembly much easier since you don't have to deal with the weight of the cell during final fit-up and gluing.
As Allen pointed out it looks like your cell is working based on the numbers you quote. Take a sample of the return. It should have a very high FC. This will confirm if the cell is producing chlorine if you can't see the bubbles.
I hope this helps.
Chris
Avoid BlueWorks. Although the price and warranty seems attractive it is not worth buying this product for those reasons. I had two cells fail within a two year period. The company makes you pay for shipping so I ended up paying $80 shipping it back twice. This company is unethical and won't stand behind their product. The first time it was returned within 6 months after use and they admitted it failed but didn't want to replace it under the warranty terms. After much battle I finally got the cell replaced. The replacement cell failed after 9 months and the return process experience was pathetic. After multiple emails and phone calls it took several weeks for them to respond and only responded once Amazon stepped in. Again after much difficulty and weeks later they decided to replace the cell. Instead of replacing with a new cell I received a much older used cell in very poor condition. They stated that I won't be able to return the cell again under warranty even though it has over 3 years left. The employees side with the customer but blame the owners for making these decisions. That's why I said they are unethical and can't be trusted. Blueworks company goes by a seller cover name Pool Supply Depot. They are the same company as they have the same phone number.
Their explanation of why the cells keep failing is that I was operating it too long. I was told the max operation if using a variable speed pump is 12 hours at 50% output. Their performance is much less underrated then the OEM brand and it is not advertised to operate at a reduced setting to avoid failure. Avoid this product and this company. The company is shady and the reliability is very poor. When it fails it will be very difficult and costly to process a warranty claim.
Their explanation of why the cells keep failing is that I was operating it too long. I was told the max operation if using a variable speed pump is 12 hours at 50% output. Their performance is much less underrated then the OEM brand and it is not advertised to operate at a reduced setting to avoid failure. Avoid this product and this company. The company is shady and the reliability is very poor. When it fails it will be very difficult and costly to process a warranty claim.
Another example of BlueWorks (LemonPool) in action. At the very least they should have allowed you use the prorated portion remaining on the warranty but IMO they did you a favor as you would have been paying 60-90% of some mythical MSRP for more cells that would have failed in less than a year.
Their cells are rated for only 3000 hours. If you used the cell for 12 hours at 50% output that would still be only 2190 hours per year. Sounds like you only got 1000-1500 hours from each cell (and that's IF you're the cell running 12 hours at 50% which you probably aren't).
Their cells are rated for only 3000 hours. If you used the cell for 12 hours at 50% output that would still be only 2190 hours per year. Sounds like you only got 1000-1500 hours from each cell (and that's IF you're the cell running 12 hours at 50% which you probably aren't).
I purchased a new Blue Works chlorinator about 45 days ago that started malfunctioning. After contacting support and sending them multiple pictures and documentation they stated that they would not honor the warranty because I didn't buy the chlorinator directly from their Amazon store or website. None of these stipulations are in the warranty documentation. If they were I would have returned it immediately.
- Oct 25, 2015
- 5,144
- Pool Size
- 25000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
My criteria for selection of a saltwater generator
Chris
- $/lb chlorine production
- Warranty terms
- Reputation here
Chris
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Bob Jakob
In The Industry
Generic cells produce generic results! Keep your fingers crossed when purchasing any generic cell. you usually get what you pay for!
+1. If you go this route, make sure you verify their lifespan to compare apples to apples. The major manufacturers expect 10k hours of runtime with perfect conditions. I have seen generics rated as low as 3k hours and that would totally skew the ROI.
Hal3
LifeTime Supporter
Just to be fair, I ordered a Blue Works BLSC40 on 9/20 from Amazon for $770. It was one of the few I could find in stock at that point in the pandemic.
It is considerably oversized for my pool and I only have to run it between 10% and 20% for about 12 hours per day - maybe a few more hours depending on how I have my variable speed pump set up.
I have no complaints so far. It seems to be working perfectly. I will update if necessary.
It is considerably oversized for my pool and I only have to run it between 10% and 20% for about 12 hours per day - maybe a few more hours depending on how I have my variable speed pump set up.
I have no complaints so far. It seems to be working perfectly. I will update if necessary.
An update on this. The company I bought this from (Spreetail) allowed me to return it while also allowing me to keep the cell to complete my pool plumbing. As it turns out, my system wasn't defective. The issue was me being new to salt systems and not understanding that the generate light goes out periodically depending on what % you select. It's crazy that Blueworks wouldn't even try to troubleshoot at all. I would have learned that fact a lot earlier lol. I would still have returned it because of the warranty issue though.
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