IC20 Red Flow Light

[McLovitz]

I saw a few old threads on the Intellichlor flow light staying red and so I apologize for starting a new one. In short, we just had the pool opened (we use a company to open and close the pool and I do the servicing in season) and the flow switch on our IC-20 is red though there is plenty of flow. I tried turning the pump speed up to 3200 RPM and it makes no difference. We are a few months out of warranty on the IC-20 (opening our pool for the third season) and I contacted the pool company that had opened the pool for us. He suggested cleaning the filter, so I did, and no luck. Then he suggested the flow sensor may be an issue and so I ordered a new one on Amazon and installed it tonight. Still red light. At this point, any suggestions anyone has on what I do next before giving up and buying a new salt cell? Really frustrating to be doing this a mere 2 seasons after installing the pool.

 

[mknauss]

Twist the red and black wires going INTO the cell together. Let us know if that turns the flow light green.

 

[McLovitz]

I put the red to black and I get a green flow light. What does this mean? Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[mknauss]

Means the cell is fine. The flow switch is the issue. Check to be sure it is properly installed. And that you have sufficient water flow through the cell.

 

[McLovitz]

Thanks. Can I leave red/black connected or bad idea?

 

[mknauss]

Bad idea. What happens when you turn the pump off, does the cell power completely turn off?

 

[McLovitz]

Bad idea. What happens when you turn the pump off, does the cell power completely turn off?

Yes, it does.

 

[mknauss]

Yes, it does.

Great. So the ET is functioning as the Primary safety device.
The flow switch is the secondary safety device.

 

[McLovitz]

FWIW, I wired the new flow switch as follows

 

[mknauss]

I am not conversant in using a four wire old flow switch with the new three wire IC. The black wire is common, so your picture assumes the green and blue are the common. I have never seen a flow switch with a blue wire.

Be sure the connections are secure. Tiny wires so can be an issue to get a good connection.

 

[McLovitz]

I guess the question I have is what now? Tried two flow sensors and still red.

 

[mknauss]

Something is not wired correctly or installed correctly. Rarely do the flow sensors fail on the flow side of the equation. The thermistor in them fails often, but not the flow switch.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Mc,

Wire the flow switch with Red to Red, White to White, Black, to Black, and Green does not get connected.

See how that works.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[McLovitz]

Mc,

Wire the flow switch with Red to Red, White to White, Black, to Black, and Green does not get connected.

See how that works.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Thanks. In the office now but will try that tonight.

 

[McLovitz]

Well, it's fixed and I'm livid. After coming home from work and playing with thee wires more, I took the cell off to inspect it. When I went to screw the cell back in to the fitting, it hit me. There was nothing wrong with the cell or the flow switch. The pool guy who opened us up installed it backwards. I'm so dumb.