Error message on cell power pack reading "Check Cell"

[CPetersoniv]

I've read through multiple threads stating to check this or that when it comes to the error on the power pack that reads "Check Cell". So, I have done the following:

1. Clean the cell of any and all salt buildup. It's clean as a whistle.​

2. Check the water temperature - Has been in the mid-80's for nearly 2-weeks now.​

3. Check the salt level - Salt level reads between 3200 - 3400 steadily for five days in a row.​

4. Yes, the salt cell does leak a little, but it always has since the pool was installed. I thought this was normal :/​

The pool was built and completed in May 2018, and it's 16,350 gallons. The model number of the salt cell is TRUCLEAR11K, and the model on the power cell is TRUCLEAR35P. I have read that these cells need replacement every now and then, but it's unclear to me WHY it would need to be replaced every 3-4 years. Why do they not last much longer than this?

I have sent an email contact to Jandy for support, but in the meantime while I wait for their (hopeful) prompt response, does anyone else have any other suggestions for me or tips?

Thank you in advance!!

 

[JamesW]

Salt level reads between 3200 - 3400 steadily for five days in a row.

Reads where?

 

[CPetersoniv]

Reads where?

I’ve got home testing strips and I’ve had it tested at a pool store using their machine. Both are consistent with one another on the level of the salt.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

it's unclear to me WHY it would need to be replaced every 3-4 years. Why do they not last much longer than this?

The rare earths that coat the plates are depleted as the cell generates. When the rare earths are all used up the cell stops generating chlorine.

SWG How It Works - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

3 years is about what I would expect from that size cell in your pool.

A cell is good for around 8,000 to 9,000 hours of generating. the cell is rated for 30K with your 17K pool. Let's say you generate at 50%, Let's also say you run your SWG 250 days out of the year with the rest being too cold to generate. That is about 3,000 hours of generating a year or 9,000 hours in 3 years. That is about the life of your cell.

 

[JamesW]

It might begin working if you add some salt but the cell is most likely dead or near dead.

 

[Boilerth98]

I'm in the same boat with the "Check Cell" message. Clean cell, salt level 3200 (via pool store test), no previous issues or concerns but my cell has only been in operation for just under a year. I calculated closer to 5,000 hrs of use for the cell (35k capacity, 24k pool and 210 days) but still well below the life expectancy of the cell. Including a pic of the cell plates. You can see the center plate is corroded extensively which I'd not noticed at previous cleanings (1/month).