Generic T15 Salt Cell Options
- Thread starter Sneaky D
- Start date
Yup, that's why I'm switching to Circupool. Their replacement cells are a little less money and not generic.
It's in every industry these days. Blame the people who pay the premium. Hayward, McDonalds, John Deere, etc only get away with it when enough people pay extra to offset the customers who walk away.
In the case of pool equipment, I believe the 'big 3' can charge whatever they want and it's merely a rounding error on a $100k+ pool build. We're seeing more and more that are well over $100k and would anyone even notice that each piece of equipment went up $300 each tomorrow ? The $122k build became $124k and nobody would blink.
But folks replacing any piece of equipment surely consider the premium. I look at my equipment everytime I'm out there and pretty much know I'd be changing brands it if it broke tomorrow.
In the case of SWGs, that's one area I'd make sure it was apples to apples going generic. Many generic cells have smaller or less plates, decreasing their lifespan by as much as 2/3s. The sticker price may not properly reflect what you think you're buying.
What would you recommend for a Hayward generic replacement? I'm sure that quite a number of people, including myself, cannot afford to pay over a grand for a replacement cell.
Everyone that tries a generic cell has varied results. Some good, some not so good. For 4-500 more than a Hayward T15 cell you can get an entire Circupool RJ+ system which fits where the T15 fit.
I have an above the ground that uses the Hayward return jet cell. Does Circupool make one like this?
Circupool has drop in replacements. It's a happy medium of going generic, but not no name generic.
If they don't state the expected lifespan, there's likely a good reason why and I'd keep looking.
But if they do, you can be pretty confident Circupool will be here for the next 5 years you might need them. I know money is an object, but strongly consider going with a larger cell. If it's twice as big it lasts twice as long, but may only cost 20% more. Figure those maths when looking at them.
Last edited:
- May 3, 2007
- 18,067
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
A generic T15 cell should have nearly the same size plates as an OEM T15 cell otherwise if it were smaller in size, it would draw a lower amount of current which will be reflected as "low salt" and the unit will then shut down.
Because the plate sizes must be about the same size, chlorine production should be about the same as well although you will sometimes see generics advertising higher production rates which is really not possible given the form factor constraints and control unit power supply constraints. Chlorine production is proportional to current draw so if production is increased, current must increase with it and the controller power supply has a current limit so would likely alarm and shut down.
The most likely reason generics are cheaper is because they are using less of the rare earth metals (i.e. thinner) which protect the plates from corrosion. This will reduce the life of the cell so while the generics might seem to be a bargain, in reality, the $/lbs of chlorine produced may not be any better or perhaps worse in some cases.
Because the plate sizes must be about the same size, chlorine production should be about the same as well although you will sometimes see generics advertising higher production rates which is really not possible given the form factor constraints and control unit power supply constraints. Chlorine production is proportional to current draw so if production is increased, current must increase with it and the controller power supply has a current limit so would likely alarm and shut down.
The most likely reason generics are cheaper is because they are using less of the rare earth metals (i.e. thinner) which protect the plates from corrosion. This will reduce the life of the cell so while the generics might seem to be a bargain, in reality, the $/lbs of chlorine produced may not be any better or perhaps worse in some cases.
Last edited:
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,002
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
You should be able to use a generic t cell replacement if thats what you mean.
A t5 cell without alterations
Or a t15 cell if you add a jumper (which you said you’ve already done)
The rj connection is just a fitting that you will need to reuse.
AquaTrol owner confused by cell compatibility
Hi, long time lurker here. Thanks for all the information over the years, but now I've run into my own problem. I purchased a used AquaTrol system with cell last year. The system worked reasonably well, but it was obvious that the cell was aged, and even more so now. I'm looking to replace the...
www.troublefreepool.com
I have a pureline generic t15 replacement cell & have been happy with it.
Or maybe I misunderstood your question?
For a replacement system you can use anything you want - it doesn’t have to be a “return jet style” just because you have an above ground pool. You just may need to add a little pvc to rework your setup.
Circupool has multiple styles of systems-
The core system is an all in one if you’re trying to avoid plumbing in a separate flow switch.
I have an AquaTrol unit with the J4 jumper so I would be using a T-15 cell. Right now I am using a Saltpool store Platinum T-15 that has been working good for 3 years but I am inticepating having to replace it soon, hopefully not this year as it is coming to the end of the season.You should be able to use a generic t cell replacement if thats what you mean.
A t5 cell without alterations
Or a t15 cell if you add a jumper (which you said you’ve already done)
The rj connection is just a fitting that you will need to reuse.
Circupool makes generic replacement t cells in multiple sizes.AquaTrol owner confused by cell compatibility
Hi, long time lurker here. Thanks for all the information over the years, but now I've run into my own problem. I purchased a used AquaTrol system with cell last year. The system worked reasonably well, but it was obvious that the cell was aged, and even more so now. I'm looking to replace the...
I have a pureline generic t15 replacement cell & have been happy with it.
Or maybe I misunderstood your question?
For a replacement system you can use anything you want - it doesn’t have to be a “return jet style” just because you have an above ground pool. You just may need to add a little pvc to rework your setup.
Circupool has multiple styles of systems-
The core system is an all in one if you’re trying to avoid plumbing in a separate flow switch.
- May 3, 2007
- 18,067
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
If you are interest, I was able to extend the life of my cell by 10 months by tricking the controller:
www.troublefreepool.com
Failing T-15 SWG Cell Experiment
I am currently on my 3rd T-15 SWG cell for an 18 year old pool. The 1st cell lasted about 9 years and the 2nd about 4 years and just passed year 4 on the 3rd cell. I thought it might be useful to document this cell's behavior as it is going through the last stages of useful life. As time goes...
www.troublefreepool.com
Curious since you are in Long Island..when you say 3 years, do you mean three seasons of 6-7 months each?
If these companies suddenly went out of business who would be doing the innovations....most likely not the generics (and I'm one of them). Circupool has gone beyond the traditional generic route, but all it's items are made in China utilizing a combination of their specs and manufacturers specs (same mfg that I use). However, most generics cannot (or will not) provide the level of customer service that Circupool, my company, and a couple others provide.
So your Platinum cell has really lasted 12-15 months so far. Better than most folks.
Running it at a 100% . I think it might be starting to go, about once a week I see the chlorine prduction stopped and I have to cycle the switch off and on to start it up.
My opinion is that they are hurting themselves. Hayward OEM parts for any of their products are priced through the roof and I for one will purchase aftermarket parts that are available for the item I am repairing.
I posted this on another thread but it fits into this discussion as well....I can only speak for generic Hayward cells but I have noticed since the beginning of summer that a flood of really inexpensive Chinese cells have hit the USA market (some would call it dumping). Prices of $150 below normal for t-15 equivalent. Common denominator is that a dozen online auto parts sellers who also have set up some private swimming pool brands (thru eBay and Amazon) are the vendor. Quick research shows that one company owns all those "online stores". Most certainly all the cells are 3000 hour cells (under optimum conditions) designed to fail at 14-15 months. if you are ok with that. I think the overall strategy here is these new sellers all sell the same products and the owners try to sell the online stores as a FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) business because that is what is super hot right now. You may get covered under the one year warranty if the cell fails in first 60-90 days but chances rapidly decline the closer you get to one year. Folks are falling for the cheap prices just like they did for the saltpoolstore.com scam . There are only a few suppliers in China that manufacture salt cells. Many claim to but they are only distributors who lie about their mfg capabilities. They also supply the Australian market.