Low chlorine production

[Dogcalleddill]

Hello,

I recently moved to a property with a salt water chlorine generator. I replaced the cell about a month ago. The chlorine production is very low (0.5 ppm). There are no error messages on the display.

Equipment:

16000 gallon in ground pool - marsite
Digital Pool Pilot
SC-36 cell
Pent air Sand filter
2hp pump

The pump runs every day for 9 hours. The display shows the following:

Minerals 3000ppm
Power level 2
19V 6.5A
Purifier at 100% (always runs at 100%)


The water test shows the following:

Free Chlorine 0.5
Ph 8.0 (added 1 quart of Muriatic acid)
Acid demand 3
Total alkalinity 100ppm
Calcium hardness 235ppm
Stabilizer 80ppm
Total dissolved solids 3900ppm
Salt 2700ppm

I am a novice, but it seems all ok to me so why is the chlorine production so low? The kit shows a different salt level than the pool pilot, but would this be a problem?

The water is slightly cloudy, but has not turned green although when I brush each week there is a very light green mist.

All suggestions greatly appreciated. Also, should I shock the pool each week with a salt water chlorine generator? If so, with liquid or powder?

Many thanks in advance

 

[JohnT]

Welcome to TFP!

The water is slightly cloudy, but has not turned green although when I brush each week there is a very light green mist.

Chances are the algae is consuming the chlorine faster than your generator can produce it. Grab a water sample from a return and test that to see if has more chlorine in it.

Either way, you will be needing to SLAM your pool. Read about it at SLAMing Your Pool

 

[linen]

Welcome to tfp, Dogcalleddill

As JohnT said, you need to do the SLAM process to eliminate the algae...then it is likely the swg will be able to keep your FC up. Do the SLAM process with bleach/liquid chlorine.

Weekly shocking of a pool is not necessary if proper FC levels (for your cya level) are maintained.

 

[jblizzle]

Welcome to TFP!!!

Given that you reported total dissolved solids, I am going to assume that those test results are from a pool store which we have found to be notoriously inaccurate. If you do in fact have your own kit, which one? If not, your first step will need to be ordering one of the Recommended Test Kits to allow you to understand your pool's water and take control.

 

[JoshU]

19V 6.5A

These are perfect amps and volts for an SC-36 (RC-35) cell at power level 2 so it appears that system is producing and working properly.

 

[Dogcalleddill]

Thank you al so much for your responses! The test results are from Pinch a Penny. I test the water there each week. I will test the water directly from the return and let you all know. Thanks again!

 

[Dogcalleddill]

I forgot to mention that I live in Florida and the water temperature is 87 so maybe the algae production is higher because of the climate?

 

[jblizzle]

Pool store testing is notoriously inaccurate. Best path forward is to order one of the recommended test kits and trust your own accurate and repeatable testing.

 

[pwrstrk]

With higher water temp your chlorine loss will be greater. Thus algae can get a foot hold easier. With higher water temps you need to stay on top of your FC levels.