pentair ic60 not generating chlorine

[prasadkm0204]

It seems like for the last week+, my ic60 is not generating chlorine. all the lights are fine on the system but i do not see any tiny bubbles in the water when the pump is running...and my chlorine level has been going down constantly.

i called pentair and they mentioned that since my phosphate level is high ( 1025), that would be the cause for chlorine not generating. even if they send a representative to check the pump..if they see higher phosphate levels i would be charged.

any idea what to do next ? ( from TFP I know that phosphate levels do not matter, but no point trying to convince that to pentair guy).

ic60 was installed in Mar 2021.
there is no calcium build up in the cells.

 

[mknauss]

It would be very unusual for all the lights on the IC to be properly showing it generating chlorine and it not be.

I would suggest doing an OCLT tonight.

 

[Jimrahbe]

204,

Set the cell to 50% output... Run the system and the 'cell' light should come on for about 2.5 minutes and then go off for about 2.5 minutes.

If that test works, it is unlikely that your cell is not working.

How long are you running the cell each day? At what output percentage?

What FC are you trying to maintain?

What is your current CYA level?

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[prasadkm0204]

sorry for the delay in response. i did a OCLT test and found no issues. Also, I added liquid chlorine to bump the FC level after which I noticed the issue resolved by itself (?) until today....

Today, I noticed FC dropping again and the app says 'clean salt cell'. The 'inspect salt cell' light is also blinking on the SWG. I examined and found no calcium built up but regardless I did some light acid cleaning (just a little bit of bubbles)
After this it seemed to run fine for a few mins before the light started flashing again..

Now I am clueless what to do..
The water temp is 73. FC currently is 3.0.

Also, my IC60 is about 19 months old.Salt level is 3050ppm.

 

[mknauss]

A flashing Cell light and no scale on the plates typically points to a failed cell. At 19 months, it is covered under warranty. File a warranty claim.

 

[Jimrahbe]

204,

When the cell light flashes and the cell is clean it means the cell is dead.

Since the cell is less than 2 years old you should file a warranty claim.

What you described above is exactly what happens when the cell dies. It will often work for a couple of hours, maybe a day or so, but will go back to flashing the cell light again.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[prasadkm0204]

ok. thanks. will call pentair. but wondering if they will bring up the phosphate level in question. any idea ?

 

[mknauss]

ok. thanks. will call pentair. but wondering if they will bring up the phosphate level in question. any idea ?

no idea. But a flashing Cell light is not caused by phosphates.

 

[Jejunum]

What do phosphates have to do with a salt cell? Thanks in advance.

 

[setsailsoon]

J,

So far I've only seen this warranty requirement for Circupool. I believe they are trying to eliminate the possibility of algae since the cell could be producing and the FC could be consumed by algae. This is nonsense, they don't understand the OCLT test positively proves if algae is present or not. Maybe you can find a customer service rep that will be willing to work with you or you may just need to do a phosphate removal to get the warranty replacement. This is the first time I've seen the phosphate test requirement for Pentair.

Chris

 

[prasadkm0204]

ok. thanks. i’ll call them today and see how it goes. i was thinking along the same lines of doing phosphate removal if they insist.

 

[Jimrahbe]

P,

Do you know what your phosphate level is right now???

Jim R.

 

[setsailsoon]

Jim's got a good point. You may not need to do anything other than get a test. Circupool required a pool store test for this. That's the only thin pool store tests are good for.

Chris

 

[prasadkm0204]

i know that my phosphate level is high. it was 1000+ few months back. probably higher now. i’ll get it tested at leslie’s and then treat it if pentair insists on it.

 

[mknauss]

Read this on Phosphates -- Phosphate Removers - Further Reading

 

[prasadkm0204]

my bad luck. I ended up with the same representative who brought up the phospate level in question.
i guess i'll get the current levels and go from there...

 

[setsailsoon]

i know that my phosphate level is high. it was 1000+ few months back. probably higher now. i’ll get it tested at leslie’s and then treat it if pentair insists on it.

This is a real dilemma. Phosphate treatments are a pain and totally unnecessary for pool care... guess it's worth it if you can get a warranty exchange but they really should accept an OCLT test by owner... require photos if needed or something.

Chris

 

[prasadkm0204]

as expected my phosphate is at 1246. i bought orenda p10000 and will start the treatment today/tomorrow.

my cya is also low which i knew but never had any issue keeping up with FC because my pool is covered and we always swim after sun set. hopefully the pentair guy doesn’t make an issue out of it. let’s see.

 

[prasadkm0204]

update:

short version: brought down phosphates to zero, cell light still flashing, pentair agreed to replace the ic60.

longer version: ic60 is backordered and it would take 2-3 months to be delivered. warranty period doesn't extend with the new equipment..so warranty will expire end of March 2023. so i have just a maybe 2 weeks in March to check if its generating chlorine since the water temperature would be too cold by the time it arrives.

thanks everyone for your support!

 

[mknauss]

Polytec Pools in Las Vegas has them in stock. Check with Pentair on getting one from a different supplier.