IC-40 Dead???

[Gnarbrah]

Well dang.
Another question - when I stand by the SWG I hear “bubbles” going through the system and I think there is a tiny leak on the pool side of the SWG. Not even enough to make the ground wet below it but there’s usually a drip sitting there if I run my finger under it. On the bottom of the pipe where the union glues to it the pipe seems rough. Any chance this is an issue? Is hearing bubbles normal? There are still bubbles coming out of one of the returns when the SWG is on.

 

[Lake Placid]

Well dang.
Another question - when I stand by the SWG I hear “bubbles” going through the system and I think there is a tiny leak on the pool side of the SWG. Not even enough to make the ground wet below it but there’s usually a drip sitting there if I run my finger under it. On the bottom of the pipe where the union glues to it the pipe seems rough. Any chance this is an issue? Is hearing bubbles normal? There are still bubbles coming out of one of the returns when the SWG is on.

Bubbles are normal and are a byproduct of chlorine production. You are still getting limited production so this is probably what you’re seeing. The drip may be an o-ring not quite sealed. You can pull the unions apart, lube the rings with Magic Lube II and reassemble to see if the drip stops. You might also try tightening that union a bit more. Only tighten by hand, you can risk cracking the unions using tools.

 

[Gnarbrah]

I did pull the union apart and lubed the o-rings a month or two ago when I cleaned the SWG. I know it sounds weird but it seems like the leak is at the glue side of the union.
So bubbles are normal - is it normal to hear them at the SWG bouncing around in there?

On that note - I was informed on TFP to not use muriatic acid the clean the salt cells. How are you supposed to clean them? I don't want to mess up my new one once I get it!

 

[Newdude]

How are you supposed to clean them?

By properly balancing the water so they never need to be soaked in harmful acid. An ounce of prevention whoops a pound of cure.

So bubbles are normal - is it normal to hear them at the SWG bouncing around in there?

Champagne bubbles or glug glugs ?

 

[Lake Placid]

Inspect the unions closely. I’ve seen them crack due to over tightening or age. It could be the glue joint is aged and failing, however that’s not super likely.

 

[Gnarbrah]

Here’s a pic of the underside for what it’s worth. Can we upload videos? Might be able to hear the bubbles. I’m back at work so it’ll be tonight before I can try to upload.

 

[Lake Placid]

Videos need to be loaded to YouTube as public then the link added here. Inspect the flange behind the union nut.

 

[Lake Placid]

Check the o-rings to see if they have flattened out. Over time in compression they can lose their roundness and not seal correctly.