Hayward SWG, salt level accuracy, potentially cell end of life?

[whatdidigetmyselfinto]

Hi there,

I do not know the history of our SWG and its cell, but we have been using it for 2 years now with good success on salt levels reported on the Hayward Aquarite SWG. This year, after opening, and adding 5 bags of salt (to compensate for the drain/refill) salt cell was reading 2400 (when I really expected it to read above 3000). Which made me suspect that salt cell is reaching end of life.

Quick note : based on my pool volume (100,000L) 1 bag adds around 200ppm.

BUT :

After we turned on the heater, the numbers jumped up and after putting 2 more bags of salt, we are now at 3500 (instantaneous).
What complicated this further for me is that the pool store test yesterday reported 2500! I find that hard to believe after adding 7 bags of salt. so I am ignoring that number. I really would like to have my own test kits but things are harder to get (and expensive) in Canada...

two questions :
1. How do I evaluate the salt cell reaching end of life?
2. Does water temperature affect SWG salt level reading?

Current Diagnostic Readings :
3.50
23
26.8
6.23
100p (i am super chlorinating right now)
-3.20
AL-0
r1.59
T-15 cell

 

[JamesW]

For AquaRite, move the switch from auto to off and check all of the readings.

Move the switch back to auto and recheck the readings.

Move the switch to off for a minute and then back to auto and recheck the readings.

Report all readings.

What are the first seven characters of the cell and box serial numbers?

What is the actual salinity and how are you measuring it?

What is the T-cell size?

Is the T-cell size set correctly in settings?

To get the performance percentage of the cell, divide the instant salinity reading by the actual salinity reading.

You need to be really sure about the actual salinity reading.

You need to use a K-1766 salt test kit or a calibrated meter.

K-1766 Taylor Salt Test​

tftestkits.net

Note that ProLogic, AquaLogic and AquaPlus use the Hayward T Cell.

However, the procedure to get the diagnostic readings is different.

Here is the procedure for ProLogic, AquaLogic and AquaPlus:

Go to the diagnostic screen, note the readings and then press the + button to reverse the polarity.

When the new numbers appear, see what they are.

Then, press + again and note the new readings.

 

[whatdidigetmyselfinto]

To start with, I don't have a Taylor test kit but found a salt test trip AquaChek (expiry July 2022)

Here are the values from Aqua Rite:
3.40, 22, 32.7, 0, 16p, -0.00 (Off)
3.40, 22, 26.8, 6.30, 16p, -3.20 (auto)
3.40, 22, 27, 6.34, 16p, -3.20 (auto AFTER 1 min off)

salt cell : SE12333-200513 - T15 cell (and AquaRite is set to T-15 as well)
AQR-CUL : 3A12163

AquaChek Salt strip reading : ~3510

 

[JamesW]

The box was made on the 163rd day of 2012 (9 years old).

The cell was made on the 333rd day of 2012, which makes it over 8 years old.

To get the performance percentage of the cell, divide the instant salinity reading by the actual salinity reading.

You need to be really sure about the actual salinity reading.

You need to use a K-1766 salt test kit or a calibrated meter.

If we use the box reading of 3,200 ppm and the test strip reading of 3,510, the performance percentage is 91%, which means that the cell is producing at 91% of expected new output.

You really need a K-1766 salt test kit to verify the actual salinity to get a better, more accurate performance percentage for the cell.

Above 75% is useable.

Below 75% and the cell is due for replacement.

https://tftestkits.net/K-1766-Taylor-Salt-Test-p31.html

 

[whatdidigetmyselfinto]

They seem to be old, but at the same time seem to be doing fine.
I will definitely try to get my hands on a Taylor test kit.

Wondering though : why was it reading a very low 2400 at the beginning of the season I wonder (when we compensate for the 2 bags I added later, that is around 2800 - still quite a bit lower than the 3400 it is reading now). Is the water temperature a factor in how AquaRite / Salt cell reports these values?