Longest Life of T15 Cells?

thadius65

LifeTime Supporter
Jul 30, 2011
448
Bloomsburg, PA
Just checking in with those long-time SWG users - Who has the oldest TCell15 that is still working? I installed mine beginning of 2012 season, and it is still working. I run my pump at 100% for 12 hours, salt generation at 30% in my 20,000 in-ground vinyl pool. I think oversizing the cell and using at lower percentages and cleaning are the trick. I also remove and put it indoors during Central PA Winters. How are others doing?
 
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salt generation at 30%
65,

Just in case this was not a typo..

Salt cells do not generate salt, they generate Chlorine. :mrgreen:

I think your location is the primary factor. We always recommend that a cell be rated for at least 2 x the volume of your pool, so in our minds, your 40K cell is the exact size it needs to be.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
I run my pump at 100% for 12 hours
2 and change hours on mine at full throttle costs the same as 24 hours of 1200 RPM. Is there any reason to run it 100% ? Slow and steady works wonders for poolcare.
salt generation at 30%
So it's only producing chlorine for 3.6 hours a day. (30% of 12 hours). It'll take a while to reach 10,000 hours with the short PA season. The cell doesn't care if it's run 80% of 4 hours 45 mins, or at 30% of 12 hours. Any equivalent maths are the same hours off the lifespan of the cell.
cleaning are the trick
How and why do you clean it ? I ask because my PB (and the cell itself said) to frequently acid bath it. I never once had scaling and ignorantly let it soak in straight muriatic acid for 6.5 hours over its lifespan. It was no surprise it failed 4k hours early when I learned better.
 
2 and change hours on mine at full throttle costs the same as 24 hours of 1200 RPM. Is there any reason to run it 100% ? Slow and steady works wonders for poolcare.

So it's only producing chlorine for 3.6 hours a day. (30% of 12 hours). It'll take a while to reach 10,000 hours with the short PA season. The cell doesn't care if it's run 80% of 4 hours 45 mins, or at 30% of 12 hours. Any equivalent maths are the same hours off the lifespan of the cell.

How and why do you clean it ? I ask because my PB (and the cell itself said) to frequently acid bath it. I never once had scaling and ignorantly let it soak in straight muriatic acid for 6.5 hours over its lifespan. It was no surprise it failed 4k hours early when I learned better.
I didn't state this, but my pump is only a dual speed. I run it on high for 12 hours. My low just doesn't seem to have much power. To clean, I just plug one end and dump muratic acid in it, let sit for 30mins or so and then hose it out. I don't inspect it, just a yearly habit. Overall, I based the 30% chlorine setting on my chlorine PPMs over the first couple years. Seemed I was hitting my sweet spot of 4-5ppm dialed in at 30%.
 
I didn't state this, but my pump is only a dual speed
Ahhhh. Ok. Please fill out your Signature. It helps us ALOT to not have to ask questions about your questions. :)


To clean, I just plug one end and dump muratic acid in it, let sit for 30mins or so and then hose it out. I don't inspect it, just a yearly habit
Cease this immediately. If you don't see toothpaste like scaling on the plates, do not clean it. If you do see buildup, use a popsicle stick or such to knock as much off as you can. Then use Vinegar for the rest.

My original cell said right on it to clean every 3 months, which the PB concurred. They were wrong. The new cell says to inspect and clean when necessary.
Seemed I was hitting my sweet spot of 4-5ppm dialed in at 30%.
The daily UV demand changes over the season like a bell curve, with little loss at the ends and more in the middle. But every season is different. Last year I needed one setting for 10 or so weeks. Usually it was 4 or 5.
 
FYI - My cell finally died. It was coming up on its 12th season. Got more than my monies worth out of it. Then I went to buy a replacement, and Hayward only has the T-Cell-940, basically an "extended life" version of the T-Cell-15. I shopped around, and best I could find was $1250. OUCH! Keeping settings same, and cleaning routine same. lets see if I can get some life out of this unit!
 

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W3T-CELL-15

Hayward added W3 to the front, but the W and the 3 do not indicate a warranty cell or 3 year warranty.

W3 indicates an "Open Line" Product, which is authorized for online sales.

The "Expert Line" is only supposed to be available from Hayward or an Authorized Seller.

The warranty cell ends with "W".

The serial number indicates the warranty period.

Open Line Products: Are approved for sale online and via brick-and-mortar locations.

This includes W3 SKUs, Replacement Parts, White Goods, and Accessories.

Warranty coverage is for parts only.
 
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