If I want to clean my SWG cell, is a stand necessary? I don't want to take it apart and then realize I don't have all I need.
-Becky
-Becky
Cell stand needed?
- Thread starter Ribbod
- Start date
- May 23, 2015
- 25,724
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
If your water is balanced you should never need to clean the cell. It should only ever be cleaned if you can see white/light-gray build up on the plates. Never use concentrated acid and always use the least aggressive means to clean it. Some people simply use the spray from a garden hose to knock off any flakes they see. If you must use acid, start with 1:1 diluted white vinegar (if you can find 6% cleaning vinegar, then that is great to use). If you feel you must use muriatic acid, then use it diluted 9:1 (water to acid). Let it soak for a few minutes or until any bubbling stops. Once it's done cleaning, rinse it with fresh water.
A rubber hand ball is usually quite good at plugging up one of the holes. Simply stand it up in a 5 gallon bucket and let the acid clean the plates. The metal coatings on the plates are very sensitive to acid etching. This is why you should be very apprehensive about cleaning it unless there is a verifiable issue that requires it. Acid cleaning the plates reduces their usable lifespan.
A rubber hand ball is usually quite good at plugging up one of the holes. Simply stand it up in a 5 gallon bucket and let the acid clean the plates. The metal coatings on the plates are very sensitive to acid etching. This is why you should be very apprehensive about cleaning it unless there is a verifiable issue that requires it. Acid cleaning the plates reduces their usable lifespan.
@JoyfulNoise -Thank you!!
I'm almost at the end of my 3 week SLAM and haven't added any salt yet, was going to inspect cell and clean, if necessary. The cell is 2 years old and I've yet to inspect it
.
I'm almost at the end of my 3 week SLAM and haven't added any salt yet, was going to inspect cell and clean, if necessary. The cell is 2 years old and I've yet to inspect it
.
- May 23, 2015
- 25,724
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
@JoyfulNoise -Thank you!!
I'm almost at the end of my 3 week SLAM and haven't added any salt yet, was going to inspect cell and clean, if necessary. The cell is 2 years old and I've yet to inspect it
In the 7 years my cell has been running, I cleaned it once....and it really did not need it. Like I said, if you don't see anything visually, it's not worth cleaning. You do more harm than good with acid cleaning.
Good luck with the SLAM.
Hootz
Bronze Supporter
- Feb 5, 2018
- 374
- Pool Size
- 24000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
Since you have a vinyl liner you really don't need to pay much attention to the csi results in pool math; however if you can keep CSI on the negative side it is best for your swg cell and cleanings will be few and far between (possibly none required).
Is your water in Marietta as soft as mine near Augusta? My calcium in tap water is about 45ppm. My pool is about 200ppm,
and I never once cleaned my cell and recently replaced the 8.5 yr old cell. I'd say the lack of cleaning didn't hurt it.
maddie
and I never once cleaned my cell and recently replaced the 8.5 yr old cell. I'd say the lack of cleaning didn't hurt it.
maddie
I think I will continue to concentrate on the last bit of this slam (3 weeks already) and stop trying to look for things to fix that aren't needed I have already deep cleaned my SWG and it was perfect - I'm sure the cell is fine
Thanks, All!
I have already deep cleaned my SWG and it was perfect - I'm sure the cell is fine Thanks, All!
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