Brand New IC40 Says Low Salt

[aerospa]

Brand new IC40 says Low Salt ... but the Taylor K1766 says salt is at 3400ppm.

Good evening. I just plumbed in a Pentair IC40. I brought salt up to 3400ppm in two steps. I've been aerating and acid dosing to bring TA <=80, and then I'll add cyanuric acid to bring CYA up to 60. In the mean time, I ran water through the cell and applied power to it to make sure it checks out good. The flow switch shows good, cell output lights indicate 100%, and for the first few minutes I get the dancing red/green lights as the cell tests for salt. Then I get a solid red LOW salt light.

The numbers:
FC - 7
CYA - 40
TA - 100
CH - 350
pH - 7.2-7.8 as I aerate and acid dose
Water temp - 86F

Pool was replastered two months ago.

What's going on with the Intellichlor? Do I need to run water through it for a while, or do I have a bum unit?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Aero,

What did you use to test for salt??? Sorry, I can't read..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[wireform]

but the Taylor K1766 says salt is at 3400ppm.

 

[aerospa]

Aero,

What did you use to test for salt???

Thanks,

Jim R.

Hi Jim,

I used a freshly procured Taylor K1766 to get the 3400ppm reading.

 

[aerospa]

but the Taylor K1766 says salt is at 3400ppm.

I’m not sure if you’re responding to Jim, or saying that I should disregard the cells reading in favor of the more accurate test. If the latter, my issue is the cell won’t produce if it thinks the salt is to low.

 

[wireform]

I’m not sure if you’re responding to Jim, or saying that I should disregard the cells reading in favor of the more accurate test. If the latter, my issue is the cell won’t produce if it thinks the salt is to low.

This was for Jim. Sorry I confused you. Are you sure you tested correctly.

 

[JamesW]

Are you using the correct sample size and the correct multiplier?

 

[JamesW]

When is the last time that you tested the salinity and when is the last time that you added salt?

 

[aerospa]

Are you using the correct sample size and the correct multiplier?

Are you sure you tested correctly.

Hi James, wireform,

I collected a sample at elbow depth, put 10mL in my cylinder, and using my magnetic stirrer, I add 1 drop of R-0630. The solution turns yellow. I add one drop of R-0718 and the solution goes milky yellow. I keep adding R-0178 until the first change to brick red; it's a dramatic change. Drops of R-0718 times 200 = salt in ppm.

I tested 1000 ppm on Thursday before adding* any salt.
I added 300 lb of salt on Thursday (19,000 gallon pool) and tested at 3000ppm.
I added 50lb of salt on Friday.
I added 1 gallon of 31% muratic acid, and now test at 3400ppm today (Saturday).

The numbers seem to add up.

*This is a new fill as of two months ago, so I was surprised to see I started at 1000ppm salt. Granted, the remodeler did the plaster start up for me and I can't be sure what they added. I tested the fill water at 400ppm salt, 8.2 pH, 110 TA. Readings were the same whether I tested from the water softener source or from hard water. Pool was originally filled with hard water, and now I top off with soft water.

 

[wireform]

Just checking I know it sounds stupid but the 10ml is before the magnetic stirr bar is inserted, right?

 

[aerospa]

Just checking I know it sounds stupid but the 10ml is before the magnetic stirr bar is inserted, right?

Yessir! Good idea though, it would be nice if it were that simple

 

[wireform]

How old or new are your reagents and how are they stored.

 

[aerospa]

How old or new are your reagents and how are they stored.

I just bought them, and they expire May 2024. I store them in the garage between 70-85F

 

[JamesW]

Check the temperature reading.

Also, check the salinity a different way like a calibrated salinity meter.

Brush the pool well several times.

 

[JamesW]

Can you show the label on the back of the cell?

 

[aerospa]

Can you show the label on the back of the cell?

 

[aerospa]

Check the temperature reading.

Also, check the salinity a different way like a calibrated salinity meter.

Brush the pool well several times.

Nifty test. Its reporting water is between 86-95F. Intellicenter says 86F and skimmer thermometer says 87F. So that checks out.

 

[aerospa]

Also, check the salinity a different way like a calibrated salinity meter.

How does the average Joe come by one of those?

 

[JamesW]

How does the average Joe come by one of those?

Maybe go to a pool store to see what result they get.

 

[JamesW]

If you can verify the actual salinity is correct, file a warranty claim.

However, make sure that the salt is completely mixed by brushing several times and test the water with at least three independent good salt tests.