swap out Hayward panel/Jacuzzi cell for Jacuzzi panel/cell or figure out what problem is?

[outdoorsgal]

I've been through a few salt cells but still on 1st panel. I'm told different from pb and poolstore but I mostly hear that panels last 7-10 yrs. We have fresh water, 4 mths or so. Clean salt cell 2 weeks ago. Looking at my pool from the house it had a green tinge. Dejavu. Walking up to it it looks fine. My next stop is the salt cell. Yep, the red light "inspect cell" AGAIN. We've had nothing but problems with the jacuzzi brand salt cell and Leslies giving us the run around. We bought it in October 2019 and they swapped our the first cell once even though some at Leslies said they can't test them but then when brining it in they tested it and said it's bad. Now, again, being told they can't test them but their guess is the chord is bad due to the message the panel gives (Chlorinator Off High Salt/Amp) and they suggested that most people by now just get a different panel, the Jacuzzi brand panel/cell. Pool Store said they stopped making the jacuzzi brand cell about a year ago and it's generic, but the Jacuzzi JSCS40 Salt System 40k Gallon is a great system and you don't have to add acid to clean it so it's supposed to last longer... Having to deal with chlorine and SLAMing my pool when this thing fails, if they truly go bad around 7-10 yrs, we're do and I'm thinking of buying new system but want to check in here to see if I'm not missing something simple. Te he next info I can have later is if it seems the pool seems it's creating chlorine or not as when I just checked the FC it was higher than I'd think. Last time something similar happened the panel said it was off but it seemed to still be creating chlorine as the FC was increasing without me adding anything. That's making it sound like a panel issue.

Any ideas and any feedback re jacuzzi brand salt system or if I'd want to try a different system? I really like that u can see inside the jacuzzi salt cell without taking it off.

 

[ajw22]

Jacuzzi does not manufacture any pool equipment. They are a branding company. They take while label products from various manufactures and put their brand on it. Jacuzzi is often changing suppliers so their products frequently change.

Post pics of what you have and like.

Have you looked at Circupool SWGs?

Salt Chlorine Generator | Pool Sanitation Equipment

www.circupool.com

 

[outdoorsgal]

Allen, thx for the link and info. I wouldn't know what to look for with the Circupool SWGs, exactly, but off the bat I'm noticing that the CircuPool SJ-35 re has a clear casing and a limited 5 yr limited warranty, 10k hrs of life, and no penalty for DIY, says DIY easy. I didn't find how long Circupool has been in business. I did see good reviews on the Circupool site and amazon. The ones that I was considering were the Jacuzzi JSCS40 system Jacuzzi JSCS40 Salt System 40K Gal | Leslie's Pool Supplies
and the Hayward -not sure if this one exactly, but the T-15 was the original cell that I had, I believe and the current Jacuzzi cell looks almost the same. I can take a pic when daylight if helpful. I see the circupool sells an adapter so that it could fit in current location. Hayward Swimpure and T-Cell 15 Swimpure Controller & T-CELL 15 (40K Gal) | Leslie's Pool Supplies. I don't see anything re hours of life and on the phone the pool store told me it'd be 4 yrs warranty plus free install. Online it says 1 yr.

The reason I was thinking of going with either brand from local pool store was the assistance I was hoping they'd provide if something went wrong. I'm waiting to hear from pb about what they suggest I do as well. My guess, they'd want to come look at the panel and that would probably cost at least $150 just to come the house house to diagnose, then I'd probably have to pay bookoo bucks for a Hayward system from them.

Have u used Circupool? I can look on here, too. Any ideas/recommendations or anything else I should be looking at? Thx!!

 

[outdoorsgal]

Circupool SJ45 seems better than the 35 as long as it can be dialed down enough to have lower levls of FC but interestingly sems they used to have 7 yr warranty and now just have 5 yr so I wouldn't expect it to last longer than 5 in most pools.

 

[C0d3Sp4c3]

I am not familiar with Hayward ProLogic but from what I've learned from other users here is, the dreaded "Chlorinator Off High Salt/Amp" is most likely caused by a loose K1 solder joint.
See if the link below can provide you with some leads in fixing your mainboard.
Aqua Logic Salt Too High - Chlorinator Off High Salt/Amps

 

[outdoorsgal]

Cod3Sp4c, thx! I'll check it out! I came to post pics of my system. I heard back from pb who said earliest appt is next Wed, in 8 days. they said if it's my cell a new Hayward with them is $1200 with a 4 yr guarantee. I don't know if there would be extra trip charges to bring it and as PBs and pStores like to say, "install" it (I say "screw it in") so warranty won't void... but I don't think so. they said if my panel is the prob I won't need a whole new panel. they would replace parts. they said mother boards can be a common thing to go which r $1k. I told her about circupool and she was not knowledgeable there is such a thing as a cell that can be cleaned without acid and she said if we bought that system we would still have to keep the panel we have now cuz our pool is automated and circupool may not be compatible and won't run the pump and filter (I'm not sure how the panel runs the filter).

I'm going to call circupool and will update what they say. thx!

 

[ajw22]

If you are reliant on your Pool Builder to do any work then they will replace the board or the cell or both.

Folks who can DIY their pool equipment can repair the Hayward boards or replace the cell at a lower cost. Hayward boards have a long history of failing. It is pretty common.

B&L Enterprises will repair Hayward boards if you are not comfortable doing board level repairs.

Circupool equipment is more often installed by DIY pool owners then Pool Builders. Lots of folks here have installed Circupool SWGs. Your Prologic panel automates your pool and you connect non-Hayward SWGs to it. You would then make any SWG setting changes on the SWG control panel rather then the Prolgic display.

 

[outdoorsgal]

I had a question re soldering, if that's my problem. Is soldering to make a connection and is it mostly foolproof for a person who pays attention to details but has never soldered before? I could practice on a board or something first... Is there more damage of messing things up even more? With my experience with techs from this pb and appliance guys... I can imagine that PB would want to replace mother board instead of soldering. My dad calls them "parts changers" instead of actual "repairmen." No offense to them, but it seems common just to repair parts and not know how the actual object works... I wish I didn't have to learn about these things and I could just pay someone but there's no point at throwing money away nor arguing with someone and I've tried the road of knowing more about my pool than them and trying the teach them. That never works, either. thx.

 

[outdoorsgal]

ajw22. that's funny. we were writing about the same stuff at the same time.

 

[outdoorsgal]

ajw22. with the topic of still needing the hayward panel for automation, why, then buy a whole circupool system? I'd probably need it in order to use their cell? I guess I'd be buying it for the warrantee and the ease of use of the cell. I'd have more parts (SWG panel) to maintain and have to figure out what's wrong, but hopefully, at least be walked through difficulties over the phone with circupool. Is that about right or am I missing something? I still don't know why I need automation accept that it's easy to turn on the lights of the pool from inside the house and I might regret getting rid of automation, or would the circupool not gain function of the pump?

 

[ajw22]

Let's discuss your options assuming your board needs to replaced.

1. You can have the PB replace it for $1,000
2. If you can turn screws and plug wires and follow the software configuration in the Prologic manual you can buy a new board for $600 and install it yourself. - Hayward Goldline ProLogic Main PCB Circuit Board | GLX-PCB-PRO
3. You can remove your board and send it to B&L Enterprises and the repair may cost you $150 - $250
4. You can learn to solder and maybe fix it yourself. The soldering equipment may cost you $25-$50

If you try and fix it yourself and totally mess up the board then you are just back to the $600 or $1,000 replace the board fix.

First thing would be to remove the board and examine both sides of it and see if you see any visual signs of burnt components or solder joints. We have various pics of problem boards in Hayward ProLogic - Further Reading and Hayward Aquarite SWG - Further Reading

Time is money. If you are paying someone to fix it then it is easier for them to plug in some new parts then take your parts away and try and fix it. If you want to invest the time in your own repairs then you can transfer your time into money saved.

ProLogic Troubleshooting Guide and ProLogic Version 4.45 Diagnostics Manual are good places to start with problems.

 

[ajw22]

ajw22. with the topic of still needing the hayward panel for automation, why, then buy a whole circupool system?

Let's understand that the Hayward Prologic system bundles in one cabinet a pool automation controller and an Aquarite SWG.

The Circupool is just the SWG component. You an unbundle your system and have separate automation and SWG. Many people have separate automation and SWG systems.

I'd probably need it in order to use their cell?

For a different SWG system you need a control/power box and the cell.

I guess I'd be buying it for the warrantee and the ease of use of the cell. I'd have more parts (SWG panel) to maintain and have to figure out what's wrong, but hopefully, at least be walked through difficulties over the phone with circupool.

With a Circupool your support is whatever you get from them. Folks here have found them to be helpful.

Is that about right or am I missing something? I still don't know why I need automation accept that it's easy to turn on the lights of the pool from inside the house and I might regret getting rid of automation, or would the circupool not gain function of the pump?

You don't need to give up the automation areas of your Prologic system that still work. You run the Circupool SWG alongside it. You just don't use the Hayward SWG part that is broken in your board.

 

[outdoorsgal]

ajw22, as you were writing such a detailed and organized response, I was on phone with circupool. Can I add to your list of options, #5 would be just to get a new salt system? In that case, going with option 1 has to get crossed off the list because the quotes I got from the SWGs I'd consider from circupool r $1079, $1389, and $1589. A new board from the PB would be over $1k plus trip charge of probably about $150.

If I went with the 2d most expensive option of about $600, would that probably take care of the problem for years to come or are there other components in the Hayward panel that will probably go bad and then I'm spending $$$ on chlorine to SLAM my pool again? If that's the case, I'd rather get a new SWG. If fixing the motherboard could buy me a few years that may be an ok option since my cell is only a few months old, however it is a generic cell and the guy at Circupool said he's never heard of someone going through so many cells (4 in 6 years).

BTW, for those of you who don't know, when u call u get a phone price that's better than the online price and he said they don't get commission and no hard sales. If I get a new SWG he told me he recommended the RJ45plus $1389 7 yr warranty-15k hr lifespan). I told him I'm ok paying a bit more if it means less problems and less $$$ chlorine in turn. He said if I bought the RJ60 plus it'd cost $1589 and would likely last longer due to not having to work as hard. 7 yr warranty-15k hr lifespan. I told him that what I liked about the system was the clear casing, I wouldn't have to add acid to clean it, and one easy screw to take out the inside part of the cell and I have to use a tool to take out current cell which I know is a no no but it leaks if I don't use a tool. Maybe I'm not strong. He didn't think that was a good enough reason to buy the SJ 45 cuz although it's only $1079 it only has 10k hr lifespan and 5 yr warranty). I can see his point.

Anyone like the SJ45 feature of not having to add acid to clean the cell? Any other thoughts? I thank you for your patience and help. I'm liking not having to rely on the PB and have always been grateful to not rely on the pool store.

 

[ajw22]

ajw22, as you were writing such a detailed and organized response, I was on phone with circupool. Can I add to your list of options, #5 would be just to get a new salt system? In that case, going with option 1 has to get crossed off the list because the quotes I got from the SWGs I'd consider from circupool r $1079, $1389, and $1589. A new board from the PB would be over $1k plus trip charge of probably about $150.

To install the Circupool SWG you need to be comfortable doing the electrical wiring to your Proglic filter/pump relay and the plumbing connections to the cell or find someone to do it.

If I went with the 2d most expensive option of about $600, would that probably take care of the problem for years to come or are there other components in the Hayward panel that will probably go bad and then I'm spending $$$ on chlorine to SLAM my pool again?

The Prologic system just has the one main board. You can probably expect the new board to last about as long as your current one did.

If that's the case, I'd rather get a new SWG.

Understand that Circupool SWGs have their share of problems. Do a search on SJ45 or RJ45 to see various threads about it.

If fixing the motherboard could buy me a few years that may be an ok option since my cell is only a few months old,

It should.

however it is a generic cell and the guy at Circupool said he's never heard of someone going through so many cells (4 in 6 years).

I agree. But the generic cells are known to have a shorter lifespan then the OEM cell.

SWG How It Works - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

BTW, for those of you who don't know, when u call u get a phone price that's better than the online price and he said they don't get commission and no hard sales. If I get a new SWG he told me he recommended the RJ45plus $1389 7 yr warranty-15k hr lifespan). I told him I'm ok paying a bit more if it means less problems and less $$$ chlorine in turn. He said if I bought the RJ60 plus it'd cost $1589 and would likely last longer due to not having to work as hard. 7 yr warranty-15k hr lifespan. I told him that what I liked about the system was the clear casing, I wouldn't have to add acid to clean it, and one easy screw to take out the inside part of the cell and I have to use a tool to take out current cell which I know is a no no but it leaks if I don't use a tool. Maybe I'm not strong. He didn't think that was a good enough reason to buy the SJ 45 cuz although it's only $1079 it only has 10k hr lifespan and 5 yr warranty). I can see his point.

Read the fineprint on the warranty and I think you will find the warranty is prorated. So if the cell fails in year 6 of a 7 year warranty they give you a credit of 1/7 the price of a new cell.

Anyone like the SJ45 feature of not having to add acid to clean the cell?

I am a bit skeptical of how well that feature works. If you keep the correct water chemistry you never have to clean the cell. That can be a challenge in your area where you have hard water and pools CH rises.

Any other thoughts? I thank you for your patience and help. I'm liking not having to rely on the PB and have always been grateful to not rely on the pool store.

TFP looks to educate pool owners to do their own pool care. No one will take care of your pool as well as you will.

 

[C0d3Sp4c3]

@OP, I have a Hayward SwimPure Plus and 3 months ago, I replaced the 4 yr old OEM T-15 cell with a Jacuzzi JSCG40 cell for half the price of the OEM T-15. So far, the performance percentage is at 120% on both polarities.
In your case, all you have to do is to locate the AC breaker and turn off the AC power to the Prologic. Disconnect the cell, remove the 2 screws on top to remove the front panel. Take pictures of the wiring connections so you can reconnect them back with ease. Remove the mainboard and inspect the K1 relay solder joint as shown in the pictures from the link I included in my previous post. OR,,, kindly ask a friend or someone to do it for you. If soldering skills is lacking, take the board to any electronic repair shop to re-solder. Your call.

 

[outdoorsgal]

thx. lots of info I didn't want to hear, especially about Circupool SWGs having their own problems. I would pay much to have a system be problem free. People r right when they say pools r money pits. The time factor of trying to keep figuring out the SWG issues is difficult as it feels like it's so frequent, but I do love my salt pool when it's working.

Unfortunately B & L Enterprises is on vacay through the end of August and especially with the chlorine shortages I want to get this taken care of ASAP. I'll do some more research, including youtube videos on how to solder. Seems crazy to run around trying to find an electronic repair person (not looking easy so far, even though I live in Phoenix which is a large city) when I have an appointment (that I'm hoping to cancel) with a pool guy next week when they should be able to do this repair, but I'm not counting on it. I'll let u all know what I come up with!

 

[outdoorsgal]

C0d3Sp4c3​

How can u tell the performance of your cell is at 120%? Or do u mean your panel? I wish there was a way to tell if the cell is bad by testing it. Leslies pool supply doesn't have a way to test their own cell that they sell (my Jacuzzi cell). They can test Hayward which would've been twice the cost. The pb said there's a way to test the panel. If I'm in the panel anyway, maybe I should test it or am I messing with live wires and if it's dangerous then I won't bother. thx!

 

[chlorinatorpro]

Just resolder the K1 solder points on the back of the board. I had five customers in the Phoenix call me in the last 48 hours with the same issue and everyone has fixed it by resoldering. Must have had quite the lightening storm out there.

 

[C0d3Sp4c3]

C0d3Sp4c3​

How can u tell the performance of your cell is at 120%? Or do u mean your panel? I wish there was a way to tell if the cell is bad by testing it. Leslies pool supply doesn't have a way to test their own cell that they sell (my Jacuzzi cell). They can test Hayward which would've been twice the cost. The pb said there's a way to test the panel. If I'm in the panel anyway, maybe I should test it or am I messing with live wires and if it's dangerous then I won't bother. thx!

Since you have a Prologic, please see post# 3 here.

Just resolder the K1 solder points on the back of the board. I had five customers in the Phoenix call me in the last 48 hours with the same issue and everyone has fixed it by resoldering. Must have had quite the lightening storm out there.

Indeed, I was hoping for a member near the OP's area to offer some help and save the day! @chlorinatorpro

 

[outdoorsgal]

Just resolder the K1 solder points on the back of the board. I had five customers in the Phoenix call me in the last 48 hours with the same issue and everyone has fixed it by resoldering. Must have had quite the lightening storm out there.

thx! I think we found an electronic repair guy that can do it locally but my husband didn't explain to him correctly. I'll have to explain to my husband that there ris no replacing needed to be done, just to resolder a part that came off, if that's the correct way to say it. Should we tell him re the K1 or would that part not be something the electronic guy would understand and that is lingo to this particular motherboard? Do we need to just show him the part that came off or got burnt? If we get stuck and u r in business of resoldering, I could send it to u? Yes, we've had storms. That could be a cause to solders disconnecting? That's interesting! thx!