IC40 center blade nearly deteriorated

[CavVet]

My Pentair IC40 has been blinking ‘check cell’ for some time. I’ve cleaned it with the hose and acid according to the instructions. The cell light continues to blink, so I decided to take a closer look.

When I got a bright light and shown it into the cell, I noticed the center blade was over 50% deteriorate. I thought this was perhaps a sacrificial anode; but can’t find any documentation to back this up. For reference, the other blades have 0% deterioration.

Before i I cough up the $600 balloons, has anyone heard of this before? The cell itself is at least 4 years old, but I’ve only been doing TFP for 8 months. I also want to make sure I don’t damage the new cell.

 

[JamesW]

It happens. Time for a new cell.

 

[mmcwhorter]

4 years, nice. Mine lasted one season, actually 3/4 of a season, but it was replaced at no charge. Their customer service was decent, unexpectedly. Starting the new one up this week here in MD....hope to get 4 years, that would be a big win.

 

[JamesW]

The poster says "at least" 4 years.

Is there a sticker on the bottom of the cell that shows the date that the cell was made?

 

[CavVet]

Sorry, i didn't think to look for a sticker. I will look this evening.

 

[CavVet]

I would say it had a good life. It worked just fine until this spring.
Hopefully the new one lasts as long!

 

[JamesW]

Ok, 9 years is pretty good.

 

[peterl1365]

I noticed the center blade was over 50% deteriorate. I thought this was perhaps a sacrificial anode; but can’t find any documentation to back this up.

I'm curious what this looked like. Was 50% of the center blade completely gone?

 

[CavVet]

yes, it looked like it deteriorated somehow. i'll try to get a good picture of it.

 

[CavVet]

In the first picture, you'll see (kinda deep down) that the blade has deteriorated. The second picture is the other side, but you can see that the particular blade has started wearing down on this side as well.