I have an IC40 for a ~12k or so gallon pool. Salt levels 3750 (yes a bit over try and keep it ~3600) and 25% output. My chlorine levels have been around 0 and getting algae buildup in the pool. Water is still clear but something seems up. Last summer when I put this in had no issues and generated enough chlorine where I never had issues. This year is a very different story especially as we start to get to the 80-85%+ water temps. It also seems rather odd that my salt level is still up at 3750 with all the heavy rains, evaporation and water i add weekly to the pool. Is there any maint i missed doing on the IC40 or anything that should be done to get this back to chlorinating properly?
IC40 Not Chlorinating Enough/At all
- Thread starter evamor
- Start date
an1vrsy
Bronze Supporter
- Jul 10, 2018
- 1,240
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
How do you test your pool water? Do you use one of the recommended test kits? what is your CYA?
Add liquid chlorine to raise FC, then use the SWG to maintain that FC amount depending upon your CYA.
Add liquid chlorine to raise FC, then use the SWG to maintain that FC amount depending upon your CYA.
As long as you haven't removed water and only lost via evaporation the salinity should be the same or close . How's the water being tested. Where's the CYA level at. Post all your tested levels .....
eva,
I doubt the problem is the cell, it is most likely the algae. Algae can eat more chlorine than a cell can produce.
Do this test..
Set the output to 50% and watch the 'cell' light. It should come of for about 2.5 minutes and then it will be off for 2.5 minutes.. It will just keep repeating this cycle. It the cell light is working correctly, then the cell is most likely making chlorine.
Please tell us how the test worked.
Thanks,
Jim R.
I doubt the problem is the cell, it is most likely the algae. Algae can eat more chlorine than a cell can produce.
Do this test..
Set the output to 50% and watch the 'cell' light. It should come of for about 2.5 minutes and then it will be off for 2.5 minutes.. It will just keep repeating this cycle. It the cell light is working correctly, then the cell is most likely making chlorine.
Please tell us how the test worked.
Thanks,
Jim R.
- Jul 17, 2019
- 4,094
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Hey Evmore - Just a couple of key items:
- Your salt doesnt get consumed or evaporate. It should be fairly stable and only leaves the pool from splash out, backwashing, and leaks.
- Higher salt does not equal higher chlorine production. Your cell operates at a set salt range. Either the salt is in that range and your IC40 produces chlorine, or it is out of range and the IC40 will not produce chlorine.
- You have to test and adjust your IC40 as temps change, bather load, etc. through the year. I'm in DFW with an IC40 and a similar size pool. I run my pump 24/7 and bumped up my IC40 output from 20% to 40% a few weeks ago for a graduation pool party. I'll probably bump it back down a bit this weekend, but likely have to adjust it again in July/August.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,234
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
You must Deal with the algae first with
the SLAM Process .
Then after you pass all 3 end of slam criteria you can do an overnight gain test to determine how your swg is doing.
You will need a
Test Kits Compared to accomplish these things.
As mentioned above no swg can overcome an algae problem. That is simply not their design. They are too slow. They are maintainers.
At some point your fc got too low for your cya for whatever reason (low cya, swg not set high enough, heavy bather load etc) & you got algae so now you must deal with that
FC/CYA Levels
the SLAM Process .
Then after you pass all 3 end of slam criteria you can do an overnight gain test to determine how your swg is doing.
You will need a
Test Kits Compared to accomplish these things.
As mentioned above no swg can overcome an algae problem. That is simply not their design. They are too slow. They are maintainers.
At some point your fc got too low for your cya for whatever reason (low cya, swg not set high enough, heavy bather load etc) & you got algae so now you must deal with that
FC/CYA Levels
Appreciate the advice guys. Turns out it was totally my fault my levels for everything are totally jacked. F- for house pool boy side job. 0 FC, 8.2 PH, 115 TA, 225 CH, 0 CYA. I've gotten very lazy and complacent since converting to salt and only kept an eye on salt levels via intellicenter app and not actually running full tests.....um very often at all 
- Jul 17, 2019
- 4,094
- Pool Size
- 13000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Oh my. I would get some chlorine in there ASAP. Its freakin hot out, and I would consider doing an OCLT to make sure you do not have algae brewing with 0FC. If you do have algae, I would SLAM. If you pass the OCLT, get your FC up with liquid chlorine and get some CYA.Appreciate the advice guys. Turns out it was totally my fault my levels for everything are totally jacked. F- for house pool boy side job. 0 FC, 8.2 PH, 115 TA, 225 CH, 0 CYA. I've gotten very lazy and complacent since converting to salt and only kept an eye on salt levels via intellicenter app and not actually running full tests.....um very often at all
eva,
This is a known problem when you have a SWCG. SWCG's makes pool maintenance so simple it makes people complacent.
As you found out, SWCG's may make things easy, but they don't remove the need to routinely test to make sure you are on the right track.
Thanks,
Jim R.
This is a known problem when you have a SWCG. SWCG's makes pool maintenance so simple it makes people complacent.
As you found out, SWCG's may make things easy, but they don't remove the need to routinely test to make sure you are on the right track.
Thanks,
Jim R.