Bad Cell or something else?

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T

tomas.galvez

New member
May 30, 2024
4
San Diego, CA
Pool Size
15500
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair iChlor 15
Hello there !

I have a IC15K chlorinator in a 15,5K Gallon pool. (Wrong size, but that's what the guy installed when I had no idea). Installed in Oct 2020. I've managed to maintain a decent amount of chlorine in past seasons. All lights are working fine, I have it at 90% and flow light is good and salt light is good and 90% of the time it shows the "generating" circle. I've cleaned it last week as well using the typical youtube guide.

Now, my chorine level doesn't go up, it goes from 0 to 1.

CYA is 50
PH is 7.4

I guess my question is: How can I know whether the cell is actually generating any chlorine or it's bad?

p.s. I also tried adding a gallon of liquid chlorine and it went up to 7 ppm, then in about 24 hrs, back to 0.
 
Tomas,
Whether the cell is producing is a cell issue possibly but the bigger picture here is obviously how are you testing and the fact you went from 7 to 0 is proof something is awry with your chemistry and therefore the cell may be producing but can't achieve anything as it gets consumed immediately by something in the water such as algae. A SWCG is designed to maintain FC aka chlorine but it cannot bring it back from zero let alone you say its undersized. Read the following links but most importantly order o e of the recommended test kits asap as without it we can't give concrete advice.
Pool Care Basics
Test Kits Compared
FC/CYA Levels
PoolMath
Overnight Chlorine Loss Test
SLAM Process
 
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tomas.galvez said:
Hello there !

I have a IC15K chlorinator in a 15,5K Gallon pool. (Wrong size, but that's what the guy installed when I had no idea). Installed in Oct 2020. I've managed to maintain a decent amount of chlorine in past seasons. All lights are working fine, I have it at 90% and flow light is good and salt light is good and 90% of the time it shows the "generating" circle. I've cleaned it last week as well using the typical youtube guide.

Now, my chorine level doesn't go up, it goes from 0 to 1.

CYA is 50
PH is 7.4

I guess my question is: How can I know whether the cell is actually generating any chlorine or it's bad?

p.s. I also tried adding a gallon of liquid chlorine and it went up to 7 ppm, then in about 24 hrs, back to 0.
Click to expand...
Tomas,
Welcome to TFP! You've come to the only place I know that gives you great, unbiased advice every time. The reason is simple: we sell nothing. Just volunteers that want to help new members like they received when they first joined. Also a great mix of true experts in everything to do with pools. First question, what is your test method? Second, what does your pool look like? Do you smell and chlorine smell?

Not sure how long you've been running 1.0 FC but that's way too low if it's correct. Here's what I'd do:
  • Look at Test Kits Compared in @wireform 's list and figure out which kit you want and get it on order asap from your favorite place to buy.
  • While you're waiting for the test kit read through @wireform 's list carefully. Ask any questions you have.
  • Once you get the kit ordered, start adding 3-4 ppm FC each day which should take about .5 gal of 10% liquid chlorine. This is kind of a wag that at least helps keep your pool from getting worse than it is. I would also turn off the swg. There's a good chance you'll need to SLAM and your swg can't make enough chlorine for that. Plus you're not ready to make decisions about next step until you get reliable test results from a reliable test kit. If you're using a cheapo kit keep testing daily and look to see if your FC goes up. Don't let it go higher than 10 ppm. This is again a wag in absence of a reliable test result and you'll not likely see any increase in FC.
  • By the time your kit arrives you'll know all about how to fix your pool the TFP way. It's the easiest and cheapest way in the world to maintain a perfect pool.
  • With reliable test results you can do what's needed based on TFP recommendations and know when you're done fixing it.
  • Then you get your pool chemistry lined out for long term, simple operation to get the test results in range.
  • Lastly, sit back and enjoy the pool. You'll only spend a little time maintaining it and it will look perfect from now on!

You'll also learn about TFP recommendations for maintaining an swg pool chemistry that not only keeps out algae but it also maximizes your swg cell life by reducing deposits. Cleaning salt cell deposits removes catalyst from it's plates and that diminishes it's life. You will eventually need to replace the cell and at that time you can look at upgrading to a larger cell.

I hope you've already ordered that kit (or maybe you have one and I just don't know that yet). That's the first step to getting all the benefits of a TFP pool! Second is ask any questions so you can "hit the ground running".

I also hope this is helpful.

Chris

PS Many new members come here with the mistaken perception that pool store test results are the gold standard. That's not what we find and we have hundreds of thousands of members that can verify this. I'm one of them and I learned this about 9 years ago when I started here.
 
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Thomas,

Normally, if the Cell light, or generating light, is on, then the cell is making chlorine.

How old is the cell?

Our standard answer to your question is a request to perform an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test (OCLT). This test is designed to tell us if something in your water is consuming your chlorine. If you pass the test, them most likely the cell is bad. If you fail the test, then the problem is your water chemistry..

Overnight Chlorine Loss Test

Since I suspect that you have been keeping your FC level at 1 or 2 ppm, then I'd guess you have algae, even if you can't see it yet.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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Hi ! Thank you so much for your responses !

I have a complete taylor Test Kit, I'm also running this waterguru appliance that's probably not very accurate but so far it's in line with what I test.

The cell is about 4 years, I clean it every 6 months or so with muriatic acid diluted (1/4 MA, 3/4s water). I cleaned it when I noticed this behavior.

I just let the pool company go, since I don't think they were keeping up with the problem.

I'll perform the overnight Chlorine test tonight and see how I fare.

I totally forgot that I need to SLAM every year when the pool season starts :D ... somehow I thought the pool company had maintained properly so I wouldn't have to do that ... :unsure:
 

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