Intellichlor Ic40, breaker tripping, not turning on

[Diy_guy419]

I realized that my intellichlor ic40 isn't working. No lights at all, and the breaker is tripping.




I tested with a voltmeter in this picture, and got 31-32 volts.


I tested the power coming out, and got about 12 volts.



Is the board bad, or is the cell bad? Every time I plug the SWG in, the breaker trips, and green light turns off.

Is there a way to plug the SWG directly to power without going through the breaker to see if it turns on?

Need help.

 

[ajw22]

No picture but the cell is bad from your description.

 

[Diy_guy419]

No picture but the cell is bad from your description.

Sorry, I hit post early, can you look back at the edited post?

 

[ajw22]

It is a bad cell. Replace it.

How old is the cell?

What size cell is it?

 

[ajw22]

Pentair IntelliChlor Salt Replacement Cell | IC40 | EC-520555

 

[Diy_guy419]

It is a bad cell. Replace it.

How old is the cell?

What size cell is it?

It's barely 2 years old. It's the IC40.

Is the voltage correct?

 

[Jimrahbe]

419,

If the breaker does not blow with the cell disconnected, and does blow when the cell is connected, then the cell is bad.

Did you check to make sure the cell is clean??

Most cells last 5 to 7 years, so longer than that.. 2 years is way too early.. You should contact Pentair and see what they can do for you.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Diy_guy419]

I will contact them tomorrow.

How do I check if it's clean?

Shouldn't it at least light up of it's dirty?

 

[Diy_guy419]

419,

If the breaker does not blow with the cell disconnected, and does blow when the cell is connected, then the cell is bad.

Did you check to make sure the cell is clean??

Most cells last 5 to 7 years, so longer than that.. 2 years is way too early.. You should contact Pentair and see what they can do for you.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Also, this is my second one.

First one was replaced under warranty less than 2 years of ownership.

 

[wireform]

Also, this is my second one.

First one was replaced under warranty less than 2 years of ownership.

2 cells in 4 years? To me it may be something going on with your setup or chemistry.

 

[Diy_guy419]

2 cells in 4 years? To me it may be something going on with your setup or chemistry.

What could be off? Any ideas?

 

[wireform]

Poolmath doesn't show your pool logs, perhaps share so we can see the chemistry side of things. Are you cleaning it, how often and if so with what.

 

[Diy_guy419]

I have a Pentair Warrior, a brush and net.
I clean it everyday.

When PH is high, I add muriatic acid.

I try to keep the chlorine at 3ppm, and pH at 7.3.

 

[Jimrahbe]

How do I check if it's clean?

419,

Really?? Over the past 4 years you have never removed the cell and looked to see if it was full of calcium build up?

Maybe that is why your cells only last 2 years..

Your water balance may be perfect, and you have zero build up, but Pentair recommends visually inspecting the cell every 90 days.. I think that is way too often, especially after your get a feel for how your pool works, but you should be removing the cell and visually inspecting it at least once or twice a year.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Diy_guy419]

419,

Really?? Over the past 4 years you have never removed the cell and looked to see if it was full of calcium build up?

Maybe that is why your cells only last 2 years..

Your water balance may be perfect, and you have zero build up, but Pentair recommends visually inspecting the cell every 90 days.. I think that is way too often, especially after your get a feel for how your pool works, but you should be removing the cell and visually inspecting it at least once or twice a year.

Thanks,

Jim R.

So, I live in Ohio, the cell is removed every winter, and reinstalled at the beginning of the season. The pool builder opens and closes my pool.
Every time they open they inspect it.
My pool is only open for 5 months out of the year.

 

[Jimrahbe]

419,

That makes perfect sense!!

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

So, I live in Ohio, the cell is removed every winter, and reinstalled at the beginning of the season. The pool builder opens and closes my pool.
Every time they open they inspect it.
My pool is only open for 5 months out of the year.

Are you sure your builder is not giving your cell an acid bath every time he opens and/or closes your pool?

 

[Diy_guy419]

Are you sure your builder is not giving your cell an acid bath every time he opens and/or closes your pool?

I am not sure, but they "Check" it.
What are they supposed to do? Acid Bath?

I Called Pentair today, and they will follow up with me on whether they will cover it for me.

 

[Jimrahbe]

419,

They should not acid wash it unless it is full of calcium.. And even then, it should be a very weak acid wash, for a short period of time.

If they acid wash it wrong, it just removes some of the metals that make the chlorine.. and reduces how long the cell will last.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Diy_guy419]

419,

They should not acid wash it unless it is full of calcium.. And even then, it should be a very weak acid wash, for a short period of time.

If they acid wash it wrong, it just removes some of the metals that make the chlorine.. and reduces how long the cell will last.

Thanks,

Jim R.

Ok,
What would be the correct way to clean it for future reference?