Chlorinator shows high salt after running for a long time

[pgjohnson]

Hi,

• I have a viron v35 chlorinator.
• Pool size of approximately 48/50000 litres.
• Chlorine output can be set from 0 to 8.
• Salt lever for chlorinator should be in range 3000-8000.
• Have tested salt levels many times (> 10 times) at various pool shops and readings all come back around 3500.

I can run pump for 4hrs twice a day (8am - 12pm, 2pm - 6pm) on level 8 with no problem.

Problem arises when I run pump continuously (start at 8am and check next morning around 6:30am) that eventually the chlorine output cuts off and chlorinator says high salt. Considering I am near the bottom of the range of salt level, was wondering why this would be happening?

My only conclusion is that possibly the cell is about to die?
When you have a range of 3000-8000 is it better to have more salt? Does more salt = able to use lower setting on chlorinator/generate more chlorine?

Any help appreciated. Thanks

 

[Bperry]

Hi,

• I have a viron v35 chlorinator.
• Pool size of approximately 48/50000 litres.
• Chlorine output can be set from 0 to 8.
• Salt lever for chlorinator should be in range 3000-8000.
• Have tested salt levels many times (> 10 times) at various pool shops and readings all come back around 3500.

I can run pump for 4hrs twice a day (8am - 12pm, 2pm - 6pm) on level 8 with no problem.

Problem arises when I run pump continuously (start at 8am and check next morning around 6:30am) that eventually the chlorine output cuts off and chlorinator says high salt. Considering I am near the bottom of the range of salt level, was wondering why this would be happening?

My only conclusion is that possibly the cell is about to die?
When you have a range of 3000-8000 is it better to have more salt? Does more salt = able to use lower setting on chlorinator/generate more chlorine?

Any help appreciated. Thanks

Pool shops in the US are known for not accurately testing water and I’d guess the same is there. Do you have a way to test it yourself?

 

[mas985]

Problem arises when I run pump continuously (start at 8am and check next morning around 6:30am) that eventually the chlorine output cuts off and chlorinator says high salt. Considering I am near the bottom of the range of salt level, was wondering why this would be happening?

My only conclusion is that possibly the cell is about to die?
When you have a range of 3000-8000 is it better to have more salt? Does more salt = able to use lower setting on chlorinator/generate more chlorine?

Any help appreciated. Thanks

Usually, when cells starts to fail, the current drops and the SWG salt reading drops with it so they tend to read low salt. Yours seems to be the opposite of that.

Normally, when an SWG unit reports high salt it is due to high current so a component within the system may be failing.

 

[mgtfp]

The Virons adjust the voltage until the current matches the required value for the wanted chlorine production. Showing high salt means that only very little voltage is required.

Wondering if there could be some sort of short between cell plates? Maybe take the cell out and give it a good hose, have a look if there's something stuck between the plates.

And get a salt test from Clear Choice Labs to confirm your salt level.

 

[pgjohnson]

Thanks so much everyone. Think I might have to check the cell and clean. Unfortunately I can't test the salt myself.

So some more information:
Can set the output to 7 - if I run for too long, like > 6 hours cuts off and says high salt.
Output set to 8 fails fairly quickly.

When it fails and says high salt, I can stop chlorinator and restart and it seems fine again.

Will try some more testing.

 

[mgtfp]

Thanks so much everyone. Think I might have to check the cell and clean. Unfortunately I can't test the salt myself.

So some more information:
Can set the output to 7 - if I run for too long, like > 6 hours cuts off and says high salt.
Output set to 8 fails fairly quickly.

When it fails and says high salt, I can stop chlorinator and restart and it seems fine again.

Will try some more testing.

Testing salt is not difficult, all you need is this:

Salt Detection Test Kit – Clear Choice Labs

Or get the complete kit, you need this anyway to apply the TFP method:

Total Pool Water Testing Kit, Salt Water – Clear Choice Labs

And be careful with cleaning the cell with muriatic acid as described in most salt cell manuals. The acid takes off some of the cell coating, reducing the life time. Have a read through this article:

SWG How It Works - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com