Aqua Rite T cell question

[kevmck]

Hi all,

I bought a house out in Vegas and it has an Aqua Rite salt chlorine generator. The cell even after cleaning isn't working, so I stopped by the pool supply place and they had me get a T9 cell. My pool is ~15000 gallons

I went to follow the instructions to replace the cell, but the t number isn't in the menu, indicating it is an older model, opening the display, I have the choice of a T5 or T15 cell, but no T9

I have a few options available to me, but want to ask people who would know much better than me..

I could return the T9 and get a T5 which should just about do the job - but Hayward don't appear to have a T5 available for an inground pool, but there are no-name brands that do

I could get a T15 though I'd hate to drop an additional $200 every time it needs replaced

I could replace the board (but not sure how easy that is to do)

Or can I use the T9 regardless?

My inclination is to get the cheap T5 and then plan to have the board replaced next year and move back to a T9, but not sure of the pros and cons of that

Thanks so much!

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!
In our climate get the T15. The FC loss per day is higher here and that way you will not have to run the pump as much each day.
To keep the cell from scaling up, you need to manage your water chemistry. I suggest you get your own test kit. See Pool Test Kits - Further Reading
I suggest you read through Pool Care Basics - Trouble Free Pool and even look at a few of our videos TFP-TV - Trouble Free Pool

 

[kevmck]

Welcome to the forum!
In our climate get the T15. The FC loss per day is higher here and that way you will not have to run the pump as much each day.
To keep the cell from scaling up, you need to manage your water chemistry. I suggest you get your own test kit. See Pool Test Kits - Further Reading
I suggest you read through Pool Care Basics - Trouble Free Pool and even look at a few of our videos TFP-TV - Trouble Free Pool

Thanks for such a quick reply!

Would it be worth the time/money/effort to replace the board still? Or just swallow the cost on the T15 forever moving forward (which isn't awful if it actually lasts its life span I guess)?

There was a T15 in place when I got here, but if I'm reading the serial number correctly, it was made back in 2018, so not really a surprise it wasn't working when I moved in

 

[mknauss]

I would get a T15. You will have to run the pump close to 24 hours per day with a smaller cell.

 

[kevmck]

I would get a T15. You will have to run the pump close to 24 hours per day with a smaller cell.

Understood - and that's what I'll do

Knowing that, the board already handles T15 - there is no downside to leaving the board I have in place? (unless of course it breaks)

 

[TinFoilHat]

You can put $800-900 into the T15 cell or move to Circupool and get an RJ45+ or RJ60+ and drop just another $400 or so to get out of the Hayward ecosystem. Then your cell exchanges will be at least $200 less than Hayward cells down the road. Circupool works as well and lasts as long as Hayward does.

 

[mknauss]

Knowing that, the board already handles T15 - there is no downside to leaving the board I have in place? (unless of course it breaks)

The boards can be repaired cheaply if you wish. There are also quality non-OEM cells available. Check ChlorinatorPro.

 

[kevmck]

You can put $800-900 into the T15 cell or move to Circupool and get an RJ45+ or RJ60+ and drop just another $400 or so to get out of the Hayward ecosystem. Then your cell exchanges will be at least $200 less than Hayward cells down the road. Circupool works as well and lasts as long as Hayward does.

I don't know much about this stuff (obviously) - but comparing prices on the rj45 ($870) and rj60 ($955) cells - it doesn't seem like much of a cost saving over the $899 for the Hayward T15? I'm comparing Circupools own site vs Amazon there though

 

[TinFoilHat]

Look at pricing on Discountpools.com and see if you find the savings there. If not then they have upped their prices apparently.

 

[kevmck]

The boards can be repaired cheaply if you wish. There are also quality non-OEM cells available. Check ChlorinatorPro.

Is this the brand you're talking about?

Chlorinator, Cell 15, Salt Cell Replacement | Chlorinator Pro

Chlorinator Pro's CP-15 CELL. Replacement Cell for Hayward T-15. For Pools up to 40000 gallons. Includes Free Shipping in USA, 2 year warranty.

www.chlorinatorpro.com

It's the only place I can see it being sold?

 

[mknauss]

That is the one. The owner posts on the forum at times. Have never heard of a complaint.