First Post - Love troublefreepool! I am on pool number 2 using your methods with fantastic results.
For reference, the pool in question is in Chandler, AZ.
12,000 gal pebble tec play pool. SWG (Intellichlor IC40 ver 2.02 mfg date 10/25/10).
Troublefree says do the folllowing for SWGs, so when I refilled the pool at our new house in April, that's exactly what I did...(#s are what they are now)
--------------------------------
FC 4-6 ppm (6)
PH 7.5-7.8 (7.6)
TA 60-80 (70)
CH
CYA 70-80 (60 - I need to add a bit more CYA...diluted water 2x during troubleshooting)
Salt 200-400 ppm ABOVE recommended optimum level (3400 - was 3600, but diluted water 2x during troiubleshooting)
Borates 30-50 ppm (optional) (yes - 40)
---------------------------
As the air temps and water temps have risen in AZ over the past 6 weeks I have been trying to troubleshoot why the "High Salt" light keeps coming on our Intellichlor IC40. The SWG is otherwise working perfectly. The pool temp is currently 92 deg. Air temps have been 105-115 for a few weeks now.
My question is pretty straightforward. Will the Intellichlor SWG read a higher salt level with warmer pool temperatures? If so, is there a good rule of thumb or chart I can reference?
I called Pentair and his answer was YES. The rep says the unit measures conductivity and that the IC40 is calibrated for 3400ppm at 77 deg water temp. Their rule of thumb is for every degree above 77, the unit 'sees' about 100 ppm higher salt level. So at 92 deg water temp, the unit thinks it's at 4900ppm salt, even though it's not actually that high.
He said as long as the unit is producing chlorine, the high salt light can be ignored and should go away when water temps cool.
Do the experts here agree, or have different advise/rules of thumb? I trust this site most when it comes to my pool!
For reference, this is what I've done while trying to wrap my head around this issue...
Over the last 6 weeks, I have diluted my water twice (about 6-8" each time). I have also on 2 other occasions ran the fresh water hose in the skimmer bucket with pump running (but swg off) for 30 min or so. All 4 times, the high salt light stopped flashing and behaved normally for anywhere from 2 days to almost 2 weeks. The Pentair rep said the light went off due to lower temp water being added, not necessarily from a lower salt ppm due to dilution.
My trouble shooting thought process involved...
1) maybe my math was wrong (I doubt it) and I did add to much salt when pool was refilled.
2) maybe it had something to do with faster evaporation or fill water that was salinated (tap water here has about 500ppm salt)
3) maybe the salt level sensor on the IC40 has gone or is going bad
4) maybe SWG is starting to fail completely (all other signs point to no, though)
Right now I'm at a crossroads - let light flash away or use my home warranty to have someone come out. Knowing that the unit is 5 years old, it would be nice to have it replaced. On the other hand, maybe nothing is wrong...
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!
For reference, the pool in question is in Chandler, AZ.
12,000 gal pebble tec play pool. SWG (Intellichlor IC40 ver 2.02 mfg date 10/25/10).
Troublefree says do the folllowing for SWGs, so when I refilled the pool at our new house in April, that's exactly what I did...(#s are what they are now)
--------------------------------
FC 4-6 ppm (6)
PH 7.5-7.8 (7.6)
TA 60-80 (70)
CH
- 250-350 for plaster (310 pebble)
CYA 70-80 (60 - I need to add a bit more CYA...diluted water 2x during troubleshooting)
Salt 200-400 ppm ABOVE recommended optimum level (3400 - was 3600, but diluted water 2x during troiubleshooting)
Borates 30-50 ppm (optional) (yes - 40)
---------------------------
As the air temps and water temps have risen in AZ over the past 6 weeks I have been trying to troubleshoot why the "High Salt" light keeps coming on our Intellichlor IC40. The SWG is otherwise working perfectly. The pool temp is currently 92 deg. Air temps have been 105-115 for a few weeks now.
My question is pretty straightforward. Will the Intellichlor SWG read a higher salt level with warmer pool temperatures? If so, is there a good rule of thumb or chart I can reference?
I called Pentair and his answer was YES. The rep says the unit measures conductivity and that the IC40 is calibrated for 3400ppm at 77 deg water temp. Their rule of thumb is for every degree above 77, the unit 'sees' about 100 ppm higher salt level. So at 92 deg water temp, the unit thinks it's at 4900ppm salt, even though it's not actually that high.
He said as long as the unit is producing chlorine, the high salt light can be ignored and should go away when water temps cool.
Do the experts here agree, or have different advise/rules of thumb? I trust this site most when it comes to my pool!
For reference, this is what I've done while trying to wrap my head around this issue...
Over the last 6 weeks, I have diluted my water twice (about 6-8" each time). I have also on 2 other occasions ran the fresh water hose in the skimmer bucket with pump running (but swg off) for 30 min or so. All 4 times, the high salt light stopped flashing and behaved normally for anywhere from 2 days to almost 2 weeks. The Pentair rep said the light went off due to lower temp water being added, not necessarily from a lower salt ppm due to dilution.
My trouble shooting thought process involved...
1) maybe my math was wrong (I doubt it) and I did add to much salt when pool was refilled.
2) maybe it had something to do with faster evaporation or fill water that was salinated (tap water here has about 500ppm salt)
3) maybe the salt level sensor on the IC40 has gone or is going bad
4) maybe SWG is starting to fail completely (all other signs point to no, though)
Right now I'm at a crossroads - let light flash away or use my home warranty to have someone come out. Knowing that the unit is 5 years old, it would be nice to have it replaced. On the other hand, maybe nothing is wrong...
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!