Inconsistent/wrong salt level reading

[dsgerber]

I bought a new Hayward AquaRite system. Cell is T-3. From day 1, the salt level reads low. Ranges from 200 to 600 PPM. I had the water tested at my local pool supply store and they confirmed the salt level is approximately 3200 PPM. I had them test the cell and it's fine. I replaced the control panel and that did not fix the problem.

Any ideas? Any way to bypass the salt sensor?

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

There is no salt sensor on Hayward systems.

This is the basic information we need to know in diagnosing a problem:

• Report all diagnostic readings when you..
  • Move the switch from auto to off and check all of the readings.
  • Move the switch back to auto and recheck the readings.
  • Move the switch to off for a minute and then back to auto and recheck the readings.
• What are the first seven characters of the cell and box serial numbers?
• What is the actual salinity and how are you measuring it?

 

[dsgerber]

Thanks for the quick response.

In the Off position, the readings are: 90; 31.3; 0.00; 51P; -0; AL-0; r 1.59; t-3; salt level 600.
In the Auto position, the readings are: 91; 26.3; 5.11; 51P; -500; AL-0; r 1.59; t-3; salt level 600.
Off for 1 minute, back to Auto: 91; 26.3; 5.16; 51P; -500; AL-0; r 1.59; t-3; salt level 600.
The S/N for the control box starts out with 3A23264.
The S/N for the cell is 3E25014

The salt test I use is at Leslie's using their AccuBlue test system. On 5/17, the salt level measured 3500 PPM.
They also have Hayward's cell test system, and my cell tested good. It should, it's brand new!

 

[JamesW]

Change the setting to T5 and redo the tests.

 

[JamesW]

Also, try setting to T-9 and redo the tests.

 

[dsgerber]

In the Off position, the readings are: 91; 31.3; 0.00; 51P; -0; AL-0; r 1.59; t-5; salt level 2200.
In the Auto position, the readings are: 91; 26.5; 5.17; 51P; -0; AL-0; r 1.59; t-5; salt level 2200.
Off for 1 minute, back to Auto: 92; 26.3; 5.27; 51P; -4000; AL-0; r 1.59; t-5; salt level 3100.

In the Off position, the readings are: 92; 31.3; 0.00; 51P; -0; AL-0; r 1.59; t-9; salt level 3100.
In the Auto position, the readings are: 91; 26.3; 5.27; 51P; -3300; AL-0; r 1.59; t-9; salt level 3300.
Off for 1 minute, back to Auto: 92; 26.2; 5.26; 51P; -3300; AL-0; r 1.59; t-9; salt level 3300.

 

[JamesW]

Leave it on T-9 for a while.

Show the cell with the label.

 

[dsgerber]

Here ya'go:

 

[JamesW]

Show where it says T-3.

 

[dsgerber]

LOL, how's this?

 

[JamesW]

Ok, if the actual salinity is correct, the cell is working like a T-9, so I would leave it on T-9 as long as the salinity on the box matches the actual salinity.

Did you register the equipment with Hayward?

 

[JamesW]

Get a K-1766 salt test kit and a salt meter.

 

[dsgerber]

A couple questions:

When I had the cell tested at Leslie's, he didn't mention that it was working like a T-9. Do you know anything about the Hayward cell tester they have? Is it reliable/accurate?

And, since there is no such thing as a salt sensor, how does it compute the salt level?

 

[ajw22]

And, since there is no such thing as a salt sensor, how does it compute the salt level?

Salinity is calculated based on the volts and amps of a new cell. As the cell ages, the volts and amps change, and the salinity calculation drifts off.

Read Hayward Aquarite SWG - Further Reading

 

[JamesW]

T-15 has 13 Titanium Plates, 150 x 63mm. Produces 1.47 lbs/day.

T-9 has 13 Titanium Plates, 101 x 63mm. Produces 0.98 lbs/day.

T-5 has 7 Titanium Plates, 150 x 63mm. Produces 0.735 lbs/day.

T-3 has 7 Titanium Plates, 101 x 63mm. Produces 0.53 lbs/day.

Maybe the cell is a mislabeled T-9?

Can you count the plates?

Maybe ask Hayward what they think.

However, you have to be 100% sure about the actual salinity.

I would want 3 good and consistent tests before I contacted Hayward.

I would want a reading from a K-1766 and from a good salt meter.

 

[JamesW]

how does it compute the salt level?

They know how many amps at each salinity and water temperature.

So, they just calculate the salinity using the amps and water temp.

Can you pop off the cap with the serial number and show the wires?

 

[JamesW]

The T-3 and T-5 should have 2 prongs.

The T-9 and T-15 should have 3 prongs.

You won't be able to see the prongs, but you can see the wires going into the black potting epoxy.

For 7 blades, one outer blade gets 2 black wires and the other blade gets 2 white wires.

For 13 blades (Plates) the center plate/prong gets two wires (Both black or both white) and the other two outside blades/plates get one wire each.

Below is a T-5

 

[dsgerber]

Is this what you want? Should I pull the wires apart so you can see where they go?

 

[JamesW]

That's ok.

I can't tell from that.

Maybe try to count the plates.

Maybe contact Hayward to see what they say.

Triple check the salinity before contacting Hayward.

Is it working ok on the T-9 setting?

 

[dsgerber]

It seems to be working fine today. Salt level 3300, the same as yesterday.

Are there any ramifications, long term, for letting it operate this way, set at T-9?