Aquatrol warning lights

[Mherndon68]

My Aquatrol is repeatedly giving the warning lights for low salt and inspect swg( continuous light). I just cleaned it a month ago when I opened and recently inspected it and reset the warning light. It is currently reading 1900 ppm of salt but my TF-Pro salt test yesterday indicated 3200-3400 ppm. It seems to be maintaining the free chlorine levels at around 5 ppm. Is something wrong with the controller or the cell? What should I do or what else should I check?

 

[ajw22]

Your cell is probably aging and getting depleted.

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

• Report all 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?

 

[Mherndon68]

Well I didn’t think this through that there might be more info needed. We actually left town for a few days so I’ll have to post the needed info once I get back. I do know the this is only the salt cells 3rd season, and I use the TF-Pro test kit which is a drop test. 10 ml water 1 drop of the first bottle then dropwise until it changes to a salmon color.

I’ll do the diagnostics and post the results Wednesday or Thursday.

Thanks

 

[Mherndon68]

Pulled codes while pump was running. Switched from Auto-Off; 2500, 90, 31.7, 0.00, 30P, -0, AL-7, r1.47
Switched back to Auto; 2500, 90, 27.4, 3.56, 30P, -2200, AL-7, r1.47
Turned Off for 1 min then back to Auto; 2500, 90, 27.4, 3.56, 30P, -2200, AL-7, r1.47

When in Auto at start and both times during testing both check salt and inspect cell lights were on and flashing.

Actual Salinity is 3400 ppm using drop test; 10 ml water, 1 drop R-0630 Chromate Indicator, 17 drops R-0718 Silver Nitrate Reagent (17x200 = 3400). 16 drops was yellow with just a hint of pink but 17 drops was fully brick red. I don’t think it would be dark enough to consider the brown that the test instructions say is to much R-0718 reagent.

First 7 of box S/N: 1A20354
of cell S/N: 1E20353

Thanks in advance for all the help.

 

[mknauss]

You divide your SWCG reported salinity (2500) by the actual salinity (3400) to get its performance. If that is less than 0.75, it is time for a new SWCG. Yours is 0.73.

Time for a new cell.

 

[Mherndon68]

The cell was installed with the pool at the start of the 2021 season so this is just the start of its 4th season. Is that typical. 3 years doesn’t seem very long.

 

[mknauss]

Your cell is a T5 as you state Aquatrol. For your volume of pool, it is small. A T15 would be a better fit.

See Hayward AquaTrol SWG - Further Reading