circupool RJ45 goes Kaboom !

[fishinabarrel]

Well it looks like during the last 20F cold snap, water leaked from the cell into the chamber where the electrical contacts are.
A few days ago, came out to see water spurting from the unit !!





This is the older style RJ45 with the vertical setup.
So, a new cell would be needed. And a new cable. I don't see cable as a part for sale.
I took the control unit apart and I can see where the cable attaches, looks straightforward. I have contacted the company and asked if replacing the cable is possible.

So new cell would be $495. Cable cost unknown. The controller I assume will all still work fine.
What would you do in this scenario, Fix and repair or look for a new SWG ?

If new, I am leaning to a Hayward AQR15 or circupool Universal40.

And how do I avoid this in the future? Pool is in NC, we don't winterize the pool. The chlorinator was installed this past summer and was purchased used.

 

[fishinabarrel]

For future reference, if this happens to you, it can be fixed.

Cell is $495
Housing is $88
New cable is $72.

$650 for parts (not sure if that includes shipping)
Now I shall ponder whether this gets fized or if I just go buy a whole new SWG system of some sort.

 

[ping]

It's your call on what to replace it with, but whatever route you go you should install a dummy cell housing that you insert during the winter months. Most brands have them for $50ish or so.

 

[robl45]

How would the control box not be damaged if the wires melted? surely the short went to the control box. I would start over at this point. The Aquarite I found an installer on craigs list who installed one for a friend for like 950 installed for the 40K version.

Looks like going rate is 900 new for the Aquarite and 600 with rebuilt cell

Hayward Aquarite Pool Salt Chlorine System ** REBUILT** AQR15 Pools up to 40k | eBay

I'd personally have an aquarite if I didn't need it to interface with my jandy aqua link

 

[fishinabarrel]

How would the control box not be damaged if the wires melted? surely the short went to the control box. I would start over at this point. The Aquarite I found an installer on craigs list who installed one for a friend for like 950 installed for the 40K version.

Looks like going rate is 900 new for the Aquarite and 600 with rebuilt cell

Hayward Aquarite Pool Salt Chlorine System ** REBUILT** AQR15 Pools up to 40k | eBay

I'd personally have an aquarite if I didn't need it to interface with my jandy aqua link

Thanks for the input.

I think you are right about the control box being possibly damaged, that it is best to start new.
I thought I'd have a few months to decide but with the cold snap in NC this past weekend, I needed the pool pump running.
I opted for the $4.80 solution of PVC piping to remove the SWG system entirely.

Survived the weekend of cold !
Maybe it is back to another summer of bleach buying every other week. I can take my time now at least on whatever path I choose.

 

[chiefwej]

A new Hayward AQR15 can be had online for under $900. I've been using one for 12 years and love it. I wouldn't consider any used or "rebuilt" SWG equipment.

 

[robl45]

That's salt solutions. I would buy a rebuilt cell from them with no reservations.