High Salt Reading with In-Spec Current & Voltage

[Seadweller]

I've got an odd situation that I can't figure out, and neither can CircuPool, so I'm looking for input from someone knowledgeable with the electrical nuances of these systems.

In a nutshell, I've tested myself, with confirmation from my local pool store, the salt level in my pool, and it's 3,200ppm. The SWG is showing a reading of 5,500, and the "high salt" light is of course blinking. I've read about the PCB issue that causes high salt readings, but it's always associated with a high voltage reading. In my case, both the current and voltage readings are well within spec, and towards the lower end of the range. As I understand it, the cell doesn't actually read the salt level in the pool, but uses current and voltage to arrive at the level. As I also understand it, as long as the current and voltage are within spec, the SWG will continue to produce chlorine, regardless of the blinking "high salt" light.

The question is, if current and voltage are in spec, how/why is the SWG displaying such a high salt reading? The cell by the way is new, and these readings came about after installing the new cell.

I'm going by the assumption that the system can't be harmed by a possible defect with the cell if all electrical readings are within spec, but the high salt reading has me baffled.

 

[laprjns]

Is the cell version correct? See pages 11, 12, and 21 of the Universal manual. The Universal, as my Inyo Crystal Pure, is a Hayward AquaRite SWG clone. The controllers of these SWG can be used with different cell sizes by changing the cell version setting. Now sure what the setting is suppose to be for your cell.

 

[Seadweller]

Indeed, there's quite a number of SWG and cell companies that OEM this equipment from I believe Ningbo C.F. Electronic Tech. I've seen the bill of lading for CircuPool, so I know it's who makes theirs. Crystal Pure, Lemonpool, BlueWorks, Crystal Blue and the list goes on.

The proper setting is F15, and I've confirmed the setting. I also tried C15, which is for the extended life version of the cell, and that made no difference. I believe even the current and voltage remained the same. It's got me totally perplexed. I'm tempted to put my old cell back in to see if the readings change back to normal.

 

[JamesW]

What are all of the diagnostic readings?

 

[Seadweller]

Salt Reading is 5,500
Pool Temp is 86
Voltage is 22.1 volts
Current is 5.3 amps
Cell type is F15 (I also tried C15 to no avail)

Let me know if you require the software rev or system ID.

Thanks!!!

 

[JamesW]

At 5.3 amps, the high salt should not be on. That points to the wrong cell type being selected. What are all of the possible cell types in the settings?

 

[laprjns]

Here's the cell versions for the Crystal Pure. Maybe you've got a missed labled 60K cell Try T15 for your setting. I don't think it can hurt the cell.
PL7701 F3 20,000 gallons
PL7700 F15 40,000 gallons
PL7703 T15 60,000 gallons

 

[Seadweller]

Thanks everyone...The cell types available are listed below. I don't have an option for a "T" cell type:

Si15=F-9
Si20=F-9
Si30=F-9
Si40=F-15
Si45=F-15
Si15 Plus=C-9
Si20 Plus=C-9
Si25 Plus=C-9
Si30 Plus=C-9
Si40 Plus=C-15
SI45 Plus=C-15

I tried the C-15 setting, and it made no difference. I'll see if I can find a part number on the cell.

 

[JamesW]

Not sure why it's giving the high salt warning at the current current. Probably need to check with the manufacturer.

 

[Seadweller]

So it's unanimous, everyone, including CircuPool is stumped!

Thanks for the help everyone. I guess I'll just let it run since there's no electrical oddities, and ignore the salt level from the system. I manually test the salt levels which will ensure they're correct for chlorine generation.

 

[JamesW]

Do you have a picture of the main circuit board?

 

[Seadweller]

Well, I figured I'd update this as I did a bit more probing with the system. The manual that I have shows only selections for cell types F (for normal cells of varying output), and C (for the extended life cells of varying output). I decided I was going to try the C9 cell type, as I had only tried F9, F15 and C15, none of which corrected the issue. To my surprise, while scrolling through the cell types, T-15 appeared. The system is now running on T-15, and for the moment, it looks like the salt level reading has returned to normal. The voltage and current readings have actually moved up into the middle of the specified range. Given that the new cell is a "T-15 equivalent," I believe this should rectify the issue.

Thanks to everyone for helping out! Without your input, I probably would have just let it run on F15 and put black tape over the "High Salt" light.

 

[laprjns]

So it looks like you got a missed labeled 60K cell. CircuPool® Si-60 Replacement Cell

 

[Seadweller]

Would the 60K cell operate on a T15 setting? I will say this, I tested my water this morning, and my FC skyrocketed to 12, so at the new setting, the cell is definitely producing more chlorine.

 

[laprjns]

Well my Crystal Pure is a 60K cell and the controller is set to T-15.