Salt cell prices gone through the roof

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jan verbeem

Well-known member
May 26, 2016
82
Thailand
I have a Zodiac Tri large, with which I'm satisfied, and due for a new salt cell.
My last replacement end of 2016 was 350 AU$, a replacement currently is 875 AU$, which I hesitate to spend, because I see such a price increase as price gouging and greed.
So what are your opinions on this. Retire the chlorinator and add chlorine daily?
I would love to hear your opinions.
 
While the increase is not pleasant, If your last cell lasted 8 years (which is phenomenal) then that’s still only $110 a year for chlorinating your pool at the new price. Not sure how much liquid chlorine is there but here it’s $5+ a gallon. So the cell is still a bargain.
 
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TinFoilHat said:
The salt cell will pay for itself over it's lifetime, hands down. There are several calculations of LC vs SWG that have been posted and it comes out to about $3000-4000 of LC over the course of a typical cell life of 4-5 years.
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I understand inflation, but an increase of 150% is considered over the top imo, so where is this gonna end?
Any suggestions on alternatives are welcome.

The cell is still working currently, just wanted to be prepared for when it fails.
Any tips on the cheapest source to purchase one are also welcome
 
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Mdragger88 said:
While the increase is not pleasant, If your last cell lasted 8 years (which is phenomenal) then that’s still only $110 a year for chlorinating your pool at the new price. Not sure how much liquid chlorine is there but here it’s $5+ a gallon. So the cell is still a bargain.
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I must have good water :) because this is only the second cell in 13 years, and it is still working.
My deep well water has very low calcium, and contains iron, is that a positive or negative for a salt cell?
I still have the first cell, and it still looks good, but I had to replace it because the middle plate had corroded at the back side to the point that there was no connection anymore .
 
While I share your frustration, you probably have no idea that the prices on the precious metals (Ruthernium and Iridium) have increase exponentially from 2016. Ruthenium (500% increase), Iridium (400% increase) and all labor, utility prices, plastic costs to make cell and transportation costs increased almost 100%. It's not price gouging or greed, it's market conditions in a world economy.
 
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jan verbeem said:
I understand inflation, but an increase of 150% is considered over the top imo, so where is this gonna end?
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When i built my 1st pool in 2012, liquid chlorine was under $2 a jug. Now it's $6+ at best. It's $7+ at lowes and $9+ at Home depot.

So yeah. But SWGs didn't go up to the extent that bleach did. (Here at least)
 
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I do not believe that's its not greed. All these companies took advantage of COVID, and the "shortages". Were there shortages for a while? Absolutely, but look at all the big corporations year over year profits, and you don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure out we are all being ripped off. Unfortunately, we have no choice.
 
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Fwiw, I watched prices of replacements for my cell for months. When I saw a one somewhat below the still high average, I went ahead and bought an extra. It's nice to have the spare just in case. And, it's effectively an investment making the pool industry inflation rate - which seems to be about 20% since 2020 - in interest :cool: .
 
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jan verbeem said:
I have a Zodiac Tri large, with which I'm satisfied, and due for a new salt cell.
My last replacement end of 2016 was 350 AU$, a replacement currently is 875 AU$, which I hesitate to spend, because I see such a price increase as price gouging and greed.
So what are your opinions on this. Retire the chlorinator and add chlorine daily?
I would love to hear your opinions.
Click to expand...
I would shop around. There are lots of online retailers nowadays. For example the PoolandSpaWarehouse has them for AU$500.

We have been hit with inflation increases. Food has gone up %20, insurances ~%40 and since covid the cost of building materials has gone through the roof. But we had an extended period of low inflation prior to covid so maybe part of that increase is just part of a natural economic cycle.

Mdragger88 said:
While the increase is not pleasant, If your last cell lasted 8 years (which is phenomenal) then that’s still only $110 a year for chlorinating your pool at the new price. Not sure how much liquid chlorine is there but here it’s $5+ a gallon. So the cell is still a bargain.
Click to expand...
I just did an Aussie comparison. I just bought my yearly supply of pool chlorine from our Bunnings which is a bit like Home Depo without any competition. It was AU$18 for 5 liters which is around US$9.00 a gallon. I have no idea how much @jan verbeem will pay for shipping for the cell or what the cost of pool chlorine is in Thailand but I expect the SWG to be the cheeper, easier and more consistent option over time. Although full tropical with lots of rain the cost of salt would need to be factored in.

generessler said:
Fwiw, I watched prices of replacements for my cell for months. When I saw a one somewhat below the still high average, I went ahead and bought an extra. It's nice to have the spare just in case. And, it's effectively an investment making the pool industry inflation rate - which seems to be about 20% since 2020 - in interest :cool: .
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What a good idea. Although there is always a chance that the control box goes and then your stuck with a cell with nothing to run it.
 
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AUSpool said:
I just did an Aussie comparison. I just bought my yearly supply of pool chlorine from our Bunnings which is a bit like Home Depo without any competition. It was AU$18 for 5 liters which is around US$9.00 a gallon. I have no idea how much @jan verbeem will pay for shipping for the cell or what the cost of pool chlorine is in Thailand but I expect the SWG to be the cheeper, easier and more consistent option over time. Although full tropical with lots of rain the cost of salt would need to be factored in.
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Thanks for the tips.
From memory, my previous cell was 35AU$ shipping, will be more now I presume.
It rains here some parts of the year, but don't have to add salt too often.
25kg of salt is 5.3 AU$ here. When it rains a lot, I supplement with Chlorine tablets TCCA 90% in a floating dispenser, and they are 26.50 AU$ for 5kg. (edit to get the correct exchange rate :) )

Will check out pool and spa warehouse.
 
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jan verbeem said:
Can you explain what liquid chlorine does to salt water?
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They meant that liquid chlorine degrades as it ages & becomes less potent to the point that it’s just expensive salt water after a while.

Liquid chlorine does the same thing to salt water as it does to non salt water- raises the fc level.
 
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AUSpool said:
I would shop around. There are lots of online retailers nowadays. For example the PoolandSpaWarehouse has them for AU$500.
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I contacted PoolandSpaWarehouse, but they don't ship international.
The cell you linked to looks identical in shape to the genuine one, but they also have the one pictured below, which I found at Replacement Chlorinator Cell for Zodiac Tri Large | 6-Year Warranty for 409$ and which ship to Thailand for 90$

Does anyone have experience with this store, and this generic brand?

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jan verbeem said:
I had a look and found that is generic, while the genuine is 750 AU$. Will generic cells last as long as genuine?
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My bad. I just noticed that the cell I linked above is the generic where the original is ~AU$750. But I notice in the description that it is a Kawana. I used to live around the corner and have bought from Kawana spares, they make and sell a lot of cells and I thought they make the K-chlor.

8 years from your first cell is good. I have heard of our older cells lasting quite a while. I don’t know if the generic and the original are identical in terms of build quality or even if the new original is exactly the same as the original one form 8 years ago but both the original and the generic one have the same warranty.

jan verbeem said:
I contacted PoolandSpaWarehouse, but they don't ship international.
The cell you linked to looks identical in shape to the genuine one, but they also have the one pictured below, which I found at Replacement Chlorinator Cell for Zodiac Tri Large | 6-Year Warranty for 409$ and which ship to Thailand for 90$

Does anyone have experience with this store, and this generic brand?

View attachment 612341
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I haven’t seen that store before but will bookmark it for future reference. Their PO address is Yatala which is southeast Queensland. There is a brand called crystal chlor that comes from Yatala. Could just be a coincidence. Crystal chlor make retrofit chlorinators, new control box and cell but the cell fits in the original housing so there is no re-plumbing. I have a Crystal Chlor that’s probably past its use by date but it’s still working on the original cell.

The cell above from Tropical PS has a 6 year limited warranty. I don’t know what limited means.
 
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