Hayward Salt Level Showing Low - New Cell

[dapman]

Good morning....I am at my whits end with my Hayward salt system and hoping someone can offer some advice. I have a Hayward Aqua rite system and a T-3 salt cell. For whatever reason, the salt reading needs to be reset everyday. In other words, the salt level shows around 2K ppm, I recalibrate it and it shows 3400 and runs all day. Wake up the next morning and the salt level shows 2K again. I just bought a new cell last week (original Hayward) and I’m still having issues. Do I need to replace the board next? Anything else I should be checking? Also I did confirm that the T-3 is what’s showing in the diagnostic menu.
Thanks for your time!

 

[mknauss]

Is the salt cell powered off when the pump is not running? Is the flow switch working?

 

[dapman]

Are you saying does it show generating even if I turn the pump off?

 

[mknauss]

Are you saying does it show generating even if I turn the pump off?

Yes. Or is it powered at all. Either situation is not good. One worse than the other.

 

[dapman]

Yes with the pump stopped it still shows it’s generating

 

[mknauss]

OK -- your flow switch is not working and the unit is installed incorrectly.

Remove the power from the SWCG now. It can explode if it is generating with the pump off.

Then check the wiring, etc for the flow switch.

It appears you have some kind of automation? Can you fill out your signature?

 

[dapman]

Thanks - I just unplugged it. Just as a FYI, I had the pool installed about 8 years ago and haven’t changed anything except the cell (this would be the second time). There is no automation, just a timer.

 

[mknauss]

The SWCG should be wired on the same side of the timer as the pump so that when the pump goes off, the SWCG system is shut down completely. Get that changed now.

The flow switch is another issue. Be sure the wiring is secure. If not, you may need a new flow switch. Read Hayward Aquarite SWG - Further Reading for more information.

Removing the power from the SWCG when the pump is off will solve the salt level issue. It is averaging in the salt level seen when the pump is off, and that is messing up the system.

 

[dapman]

Thank you so much - makes perfect sense

 

[dapman]

Quick question - I noticed the trippers have been removed from my timer. I’m assuming they are supposed to be there and they need to be placed in the same timeframe that I expect the pump to run. Is that correct?

 

[mknauss]

Wha kind of pump do you have?
Please fill out your signature.

 

[dapman]

Signature has been updated - Hayward Tristar VS 950

 

[dapman]

Good call on the flow switch - it was broken in half. I replaced it and the trippers for the timer - all seems to be back to normal at this point. Thanks for all the help!

 

[ajw22]

Signature has been updated - Hayward Tristar VS 950

How is the pump wired? Is it wired to the LINE or LOAD side of the timer?

Now that you have the timer working again does the timer turn off the pump? The pump should be on continuous power and not controlled by the timer.

 

[dapman]

Hmmm I didn’t know that - the timer went off at 5PM like I had set it and it turned off the SWG and pump as well. Is there an issue with it turning off the pump?

 

[dapman]

Timer wiring

 

[wireform]

Those wires look possibly undersized for the 20 service. Also I don't see the GFCI circuit breaker. The clock is wired to shut off the pump.You have two things turning on and off with the timer. One is the pump and not sure what else you have.

 

[dapman]

Thanks....wouldn’t the other thing be the SWG?

 

[ajw22]

Timer wiring

The VS pump should be continuously powered.

Identify the wires to the pump attached to the LOAD side 2 & 4 and move them to the LINE side 1 & 3.

Then the VS pump will be turned on and off by its control panel and the SWG will be turned on and off by the timer. Keep the timer on time within the VS pump on setting.