False Low flow light pentair IC40

[Randy_Pool]

Having problems with my IC40 generator. Red flow light is on most of the time, but does go green for a while sometimes.
I have cleaned the Cell.
I have tested the switch with a meter, it seems to open and close red and black wire when I push the metal flapper in the line.
I have even soldered the red and black wire to guarantee the switch is closed. But it still intermittently goes Green and stays Red most of the time.

Also checked for 39 Volts going to the cell it's right at 40V.
I have disabled the easytouch from the cell to allow it to function locally, but the flow indicator still stays Red most of the time.

Any ideas?

 

[JamesW]

What is the manufacturing date from the bottom sticker?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Randy,

Are you saying that you soldered the Red and Black wires going to the cell together, by passing the switch?

If so, and your flow light is still red, then the cell has to be bad...

Or did you solder the two black wires together, and the two red wires together, just to ensure a good connection??

Most intermittent flow indications are due to a dirty filter. Or running a VS pump at too low of a speed.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Randy_Pool]

Randy,

Are you saying that you soldered the Red and Black wires going to the cell together, by passing the switch?

If so, and your flow light is still red, then the cell has to be bad...

Or did you solder the two black wires together, and the two red wires together, just to ensure a good connection??

Most intermittent flow indications are due to a dirty filter. Or running a VS pump at too low of a speed.

Thanks,

Jim R.

I soldered the black and red wires together, never cut them just stripped some insulation. So the switch is always closed, but light is sometimes green but mostly red.

Cleaned filters, chemistry is all perfect.

 

[Randy_Pool]

What is the manufacturing date from the bottom sticker?

October 2016, was installed December 2016.

 

[JamesW]

Looks like a bad cell.

 

[Randy_Pool]

Looks like a bad cell.

First Cell lasted 6 years.
Second Cell lasted 3 years.

Seems like no one has came up with a alternate Cell that is Modbus (rs485) linked to the Easy touch. Would be nice to have a alternate choice. It does not appear that the Intelichlor line is up to the standards I would expect from Pentair, I thought they were top of the line.

 

[JamesW]

The power center communicates with the Easytouch through the communication wires.

 

[mknauss]

SWCG life has a lot to do with sizing (is the SWCG sized for at least 2X your pool volume); chemistry maintenance, and how often you clean it with acid. Properly managed pool water chemistry should result in the SWCG never needing to be cleaned with acid.

You can install a different SWCG. You just will not be able to adjust the % generation using the Easytouch.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Randy,

The cell is not bad because it is used up... It appears that it has a failure in the flow detection circuitry...

Normally, the cell will not make any chlorine if the red flow light is on. But, maybe the problem is just the light itself.. ???

Do you know if the automation shows a low flow warning? Was the cell light green, even when the flow light was red..

I guess my point is, if the problem is just the light and not actual low flow, the IC40 might still generate chlorine..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Randy_Pool]

No light is lit on the Cell .

 

[Randy_Pool]

In the cell section, there are not lights, not a good green one or a check cell light.

Pool is about 25k gallon, run it at 40% most of the time

 

[Randy_Pool]

On Remote it says now error..

 

[Randy_Pool]

Sorry NO error.

 

[JamesW]

Looks like you need a new cell.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Randy,

I also suspect the cell is bad... but.. You do realize that the "Cell" light comes on and goes off based on the % of output... I'd crank the output up to 100% and check the "Cell" light again, just to make sure it never come on..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Randy_Pool]

Set to 100%,
All looks good at the moment...
Flow green, and cell light on and a few minutes later cell light off.
At 100% should the cell light ever go off?
Seems to me that there must be something wrong with the control board on the Cell. Working for a while, then stopping.

 

[JamesW]

Are the percentage LEDs solid or flashing?

 

[JamesW]

At 100% with all LEDs solid, the Cell light should be on for 265 seconds and then off for 35 seconds and then back on for 265 seconds etc.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Randy,

I am not sure we have proved anything, as the flow light was also green...

What we were trying to prove is that with a "false" red flow light, that the "Cell" light was on... indicating the cell was making chlorine.

Thanks,

Jim R.