Intellichlor IC-40 reading low salt

[Ryan-Cal]

I've having an issue with my salt cell reading low salt and not producing chlorine. Here are the specifics:

• IC-40 is one-year old
  • The owner's manual says 3,600 is ideal (I've been reading the cell incorrectly and thought it said ideal was 3,000)
  • The owner's manual says cell will read low salt starting at 2,600 (Manual - pg 17 is the relevant one in the PDF)
• Salt level readings
  • My Taylor K-1766 says the salt level 3,000
  • My Aquacheck strips says salt level of 2,830
  • Pool is 18,000 gallons and plaster
  • Pool water is 80 degrees

What are your thoughts? Add 2+ bags as Pool Math recommends?

Why would it be reading low salt when it's not supposed to start reading that way until 2,600?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[mknauss]

I assume you have a green flow light, right?

The IC cells have a flow switch that has a thermistor in it. If the thermistor fails, it will report low salt.

You can try raising your salinity by 200 ppm just to be sure you are not on the edge of acceptable salinity.

Is this cell under warranty?

 

[Ryan-Cal]

I assume you have a green flow light, right?

The IC cells have a flow switch that has a thermistor in it. If the thermistor fails, it will report low salt.

You can try raising your salinity by 200 ppm just to be sure you are not on the edge of acceptable salinity.

Is this cell under warranty?

I take it back. Looking at my records, it looks like it's just over 2 years old, so I don't believe it's under warranty. I've had terrible luck with IC-40s. I'm on my 4th cell since 2014 (one was original with house, one paid replacement, 2 warranty replacements).

So you wouldn't aim for the 3,600 recommend "ideal" level?

Thanks!

 

[Ryan-Cal]

I take it back. Looking at my records, it looks like it's just over 2 years old, so I don't believe it's under warranty. I've had terrible luck with IC-40s. I'm on my 4th cell since 2014 (one was original with house, one paid replacement, 2 warranty replacements).

So you wouldn't aim for the 3,600 recommend "ideal" level?

Thanks!

And yes, I do have green flow. It was producing chlorine as recently as 5 days ago.

 

[mknauss]

You can add salt to 3600 if you like.

A flow switch costs under $100. Or, we can show you a hack to use a thermistor installed on one of your flow lines that then wires into the SWCG so that you are bypassing the flow switch thermistor.

I have had great luck with my IC. Seven years and still producing.

 

[Ryan-Cal]

You can add salt to 3600 if you like.

A flow switch costs under $100. Or, we can show you a hack to use a thermistor installed on one of your flow lines that then wires into the SWCG so that you are bypassing the flow switch thermistor.

I have had great luck with my IC. Seven years and still producing.

Thanks. Is the flow switch integrated in the cell itself or is that a separate installation? Are there posts around on how to install the flow switch and/or thermistor?

I can't thank you enough for your help. This is great info.

Ryan

 

[mknauss]

The flow switch is separate. There is a small white cover on the inlet end of the SWCG. That is where the flow switch is.

We can walk you through either replacing the flow switch or adding a thermistor. There is also a way to 'fake' out the thermistor in the flow switch temporarily. But first, try adding a touch of salt to see if that solves things.