iChlor IC-30 issues

[tiktok4321]

Hi. I’ve read a couple threads regarding these units but no clear answer yet. I have a two year old system - just out of warranty.

Noticed my pool started taking on algae. SWG says add salt. I added 20 lbs to my 10kgal pool and bumped SWG up to 80% like I’ve done in the past to boost chlorine in my algae infested pool. Next morning, I tried to turn it down but it was unresponsive (stuck on 80 and a rotating circle). I disconnected it from the control box to reset it. When i plugged it back in, the display went out, SALT started alternating between red and green, but flow is showing good.

I took it apart and zero calcium buildup. What can I do next? Is there anything in the control box that could be the culprit?

1) don’t want to replace SWG if I don’t HAVE to.
2) if I do, then Pentair Intellichlor Chlor IC-30 sucks and I’d probably prefer to replace it, so I’d there a drop in replacement? Or would I have to replace the whole control box and SWG system?

Thanks!

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Hi there....welcome! You have a chemical problem. If you're dealing with algae- you don't have enough chlorine consistently
and your pool isn't being properly balanced. How do you test your pool? We need to know you're current pool tests from your home test kit.
FC
CC
pH
TA
CH
CYA
Salt

You may very well need to perform a SLAM process using liquid chlorine and through performing the entire procedure you rid the pool of the algae which is NOT a one time administration of extra chlorine. You also need to brush the pool daily to disrupt algae and the biofilm that it can hide behind. Look in all the nooks and crannies for hidden algae.

Without knowing the size of your pool is the ichlor 30 the right size for your pool? We always advise folks to size the cell for at least 2x the pool volume to assure having all the chlorine you need.

Here are the basics and among the articles you'll find the directions for the algae killing SLAM process. Please ask questions here if need more help.
Pool Care Basics

Maddie

 

[tiktok4321]

Hi Maddie,

Thank you for your response. I did mention the size of the pool, but I admit that it may not have been obvious: 10kgal = 10,000 gallons. iChlor IC-30 should be good up to 30,000 gallons.

You have addressed the algae concern, but my real question is regarding the condition of my iChlor IC-30 SWG. It's not functioning properly. I should be getting some sort of response from it.

I'll be happy to give you my test results when I get home tonight.

Jim

 

[ajw22]

Your iChlor 30 cell is probably depleted and needs replacement.

The IntelliChlor IC40 cell can plug into the Power Center and is a more robust cell then the iChlor 30. The IC40 is not a drop in replacement as it is longer so will require some PVC adjustment to fit your plumbing.

 

[tiktok4321]

Your iChlor 30 cell is probably depleted and needs replacement.

The IntelliChlor IC40 cell can plug into the Power Center and is a more robust cell then the iChlor 30. The IC40 is not a drop in replacement as it is longer so will require some PVC adjustment to fit your plumbing.

I don't think they "deplete". It's electrolysis. After only two years there was literally no buildup, and all the fins looked new. I've never even descaled it.

I think the installers actually used the retrofit kit on my install, so I think I can remove that to put in a 40. Is the 40 a drop in, electrically?

 

[ajw22]

I don't think they "deplete". It's electrolysis. After only two years there was literally no buildup, and all the fins looked new. I've never even descaled it.

The rare earths on the plates gets depleted.

I think the installers actually used the retrofit kit on my install, so I think I can remove that to put in a 40. Is the 40 a drop in, electrically?

Yes, the IC40 plus into the same power center.

You never should have changed from an Intellichlor cell to the iChlor cell.

 

[tiktok4321]

You never should have changed from an Intellichlor cell to the iChlor cell.

I didn't. iChlor was installed with the pool, brand new, two years ago. Again, the rare earth materials can deplete in two years??

 

[ajw22]

Again, the rare earth materials can deplete in two years??

Again, yes it can.

The cell is good for 6000-10,000 hours of generation time.

The cell needs to run around 30%-40% to generate enough chlorine for your pool.

That is around 3,000 hours per year.

You probably used the cell over 6,000 hours in the 2+ years. That is within its expected life.

 

[tiktok4321]

Update. After a day or so, my SWG is now showing three in the green - Flow, Cell and Salt. However my data display is still off. Maybe that will reset itself eventually as well.

I do appreciate your comments AJW22. I was told by the installer to keep at 55-60% because of the rain we get and the hot sun burn off. I think I need to be more diligent about my stabilizer so I can run a bit lower.

So it looks like the cell is good and the flow is good. I just can’t see the display to set the % output.

UPDATE: Pool readings this morning (after shocking it):

Hardness: 500​

Chlorine: 5​

Free Cl: 3​

Ph: 6.8​

Alk: 25​

Cya: 25​