Cool water and low salt indicator

[Andrew Herman]

Hi,

I've actually never closed my pool in the winter. Always had one question. The SWG will indicate low salt as the water temperature declines. If I remember, it is about 70ppm decrease for each degree of temp drop. This morning, my water temp is 70, the Intellichem is indicating about 2500 ppm, when a few days ago is showed 3400. Test kit still shows approx 3300.

Anything I need to do?

Thanks,

Andrew

 

[markayash]

Following also, my first winter with the SWG and debating when to install the dummy cell

 

[Desert Dog]

I don't close either. At some point the SWG will stop workings, it thinks the salt level is too low. At that point I unplug or shut the power to it off. Then just manually chlorinate through the winter. This happens when the water temp drops to about 55 degrees.

 

[Desert Dog]

I haven't used the dummy and would be curious to know if it would be better to remove it. I'm not worried about freezing or sun beating on it.

 

[markayash]

I haven't used the dummy and would be curious to know if it would be better to remove it. I'm not worried about freezing or sun beating on it.

I bought one when I bought my SWG. Just thought it might extend the life of water isn’t running across it But probably not that big of a deal.
I have just used a floater in the winter and always surprised how clear the water stays with the pump off.

 

[Desert Dog]

I assumed the dummy would be used if you had to send the cell out for repair, but honesty did not know it existed until about 6 months ago. Then I wondered if water running over it when not is use would add to it wearing down. I thought about it, and since the SWG is after the filter I assume there is no significant wear like having some sand in the water running through it.

 

[Dirk]

The wear on an SWG cell occurs while producing chlorine. I suppose the water current could cause some, but it would be pretty small. In the coldest months when the cell won't produce, I'm down to only a few hours of pump runtime a day (enough to run the vac and stir in the liquid chlorine), so if wear is happening it would be very little.

I disconnect it electrically, but I don't remove mine. It's my silent protest against the crazy cost of dummy cells. Any day now I expect the entire pool industry to be down on their knees! You'll see. You'll all see!

 

[Andrew Herman]

Previously, I've just turned down to min. and put in a floater. A single tab lasts about a month.