SWCG Functionality Testing

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Grubby

Grubby

Gold Supporter
Jun 29, 2022
23
Las Vegas, NV
Pool Size
15000
Surface
Fiberglass
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Aqua Rite Pro (T-15)
Everypeoples,

I'm new to pool care and "discovered" I have a SWCG cell in my post-filter return line, and it even appears to be sized correctly! I assumed that it was inop due to particulate build up, and so prepared to clean it. After removing the cell and looking in, I discovered that it's in like-new condition. The cell is pristine.

Confused, I asked my pool guy (almost ready to give him the boot - I'm learning so much here!) what the deal was. He said the control board was bad, and that the cell doesn't generate chlorine as a result. I'm suspicious, since the board seems to function. So! My question for the SWCG gurus is:

How should I best prepare a saline solution in a bucket to test whether the cell actually works?

I'm in the middle of SLAMming my pool right now, so the SWCG is off. Once I get everything leveled out, I'd love to maintain my levels using the generator vs. buying more chlorine. So! I tried finagling pool math by setting my pool volume to be 5 gal (lol) and then entered my starting salt count (400ppm) and my desired (2600ppm). It told me to add 0 salt. :p Any ideas for how to make a test solution (besides trial-and-error)?

Thanks all!
 
No need to make a test solution. When you're done with the SLAM process, remove any forms of solid chlorine that the pool guy may have left soaking, then take a minute to do another FC test. Then turn the device on (go ahead and choose 100%) and run the pump and cell for a couple of hours then retest your FC. It should be higher, right?
 
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YippeeSkippy said:
No need to make a test solution. When you're done with the SLAM process, remove any forms of solid chlorine that the pool guy may have left soaking, then take a minute to do another FC test. Then turn the device on (go ahead and choose 100%) and run the pump and cell for a couple of hours then retest your FC. It should be higher, right?
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True. I guess I was trying to avoid adding a couple hundred pounds of salt until I knew the unit was working. I guess maybe that's not as big a deal as I think it is? (Besides the $50-ish cost of the salt)
 
markayash said:
Some folks use salt in a pool they chlorinate with liquid chlorine. Claim is it makes the water smoother?

Actually it may have salt already, turn it on and see what happens!

Also get the Taylor 1766 salt kit maybe.

If really curious ( may be my last post before I am blocked ) take it to a pool store to test the salt quickly.
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Hoping this makes it to you before you receive the business end of a ban-hammer. :ROFLMAO:
I ordered the TF-Pro and added the Salt kit add-on, so I'm good there. Before I started the SLAM process, I measured 400ppm of salt. So, some, but definitely not enough to see results. Interesting thought though on the "feel" of the water. Maybe I'll just get the salt anyway. It's not like I'm going to just not use the SWCG...I'll trouble-shoot until it works.
 
wireform said:
You can also run it @100% and catch some straight into a bottle at the return. Compare that to what you have on the other side of the pool. That will tell you at least if it produces.
Click to expand...
love this idea... thanks for the tip! Still new to testing methods, so it hadn't occurred to me to test right at the return.
 
Take a 5 gallon bucket and put about 4 gallon of water in it. Put 2 ounces of table salt in it. That will be about 3500 ppm.

Take the SWCG put it in the bucket.
You will need an old telephone plug with wire. Twist all the wires together. Put it in the control board location for the flow switch line.

Turn the SWCG on. See if it creates bubbles. Do not run it for more than a few seconds.
 
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YippeeSkippy said:
400ppm of salt sounds awfully low for a pool that isn't brand spankin' new.
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Just drained and re-filled the pool in May. It hadn't been drained in about 7 years (or so says the pool guy). It was built in 2004, but yeah - pool is new to me (just moved in at the beginning of June).
 

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Grubby said:
Everypeoples,

I'm new to pool care and "discovered" I have a SWCG cell in my post-filter return line, and it even appears to be sized correctly! I assumed that it was inop due to particulate build up, and so prepared to clean it. After removing the cell and looking in, I discovered that it's in like-new condition. The cell is pristine.

Confused, I asked my pool guy (almost ready to give him the boot - I'm learning so much here!) what the deal was. He said the control board was bad, and that the cell doesn't generate chlorine as a result. I'm suspicious, since the board seems to function. So! My question for the SWCG gurus is:

How should I best prepare a saline solution in a bucket to test whether the cell actually works?

I'm in the middle of SLAMming my pool right now, so the SWCG is off. Once I get everything leveled out, I'd love to maintain my levels using the generator vs. buying more chlorine. So! I tried finagling pool math by setting my pool volume to be 5 gal (lol) and then entered my starting salt count (400ppm) and my desired (2600ppm). It told me to add 0 salt. :p Any ideas for how to make a test solution (besides trial-and-error)?

Thanks all!
Click to expand...
It might be the thermistor on the control board. To check this, take the cover off and check to see if is starting to come apart. I had this problem with my aquatrol and it is an easy fix, cheap part and if you have any soldering skills you can do it yourself.

​

 
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