Intellichlor salt cell issues

[Jdaileyin]

I’m just opening my pool. I have a mineral springs pool. I’ve put about 14 bagels (27 pounds each) of beginnings and shocked it. Water looks great, skimmer is working and water temperature is about 70 degrees. Initial water test had salt at 1500, added 6 bagels of beginnings and it went to 2100. Added additional 8 bags yesterday for the total of 14 bags. My salt cell continues to have a red light on the flow indicator and the salt indicator continues to alternate red/green flashing. Not sure what the issue is. Any advice would be appreciated

 

[Jimrahbe]

J,

How big is your pool in gallons???

The IntelliChlor will do NOTHING when the Red flow light is on.. It can't check the salt level and that is why you have the red/green flashing lights.

You need to fix the flow issue...

Either you have good flow through the cell or you don't.. If the flow of water back to your pool feels strong, then either the flow switch in the SWCG is bad, or maybe the cell is installed backwards.. Was it removed for the winter??

Show us a couple of pics of your equipment pad.

As a side note... Why are you adding BioGuard junk science chemicals to your pool, when all you need is salt???

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[ajw22]

Welcome to TFP.

What are the Mineral Springs Chemicals?​

The Mineral Springs products contain a mixture of salt, acids, and CYA. In addition to being quite expensive, they don't allow you to adjust each of those levels separately.

What is in Beginnings?​

Beginnings is a mixture of pool salt, borax, and CYA.

What is in Renewal?​

Renewal is a mixture of dry acid(sodium bisulfate), boric acid, and phosphonic acid (scale inhibitor).[3][4]

What Are Alternatives to Mineral Springs Chemicals?​

Pool salt or water softener salt can be used with the Mineral Springs SWG.

Stabilizer/CYA can be added as needed.

pH is best controlled using muriatic acid.

Borates in pool can added separately with boric acid.

Scale inhibitors are not needed unless you have a high calcium hardness problem or metals in the water.

 

[Jdaileyin]

J,

How big is your pool in gallons???

The IntelliChlor will do NOTHING when the Red flow light is on.. It can't check the salt level and that is why you have the red/green flashing lights.

You need to fix the flow issue...

Either you have good flow through the cell or you don't.. If the flow of water back to your pool feels strong, then either the flow switch in the SWCG is bad, or maybe the cell is installed backwards.. Was it removed for the winter??

Show us a couple of pics of your equipment pad.

As a side note... Why are you adding BioGuard junk science chemicals to your pool, when all you need is salt???

Thanks,

Jim R.

It’s a 26,000 pool. Will send pictures later when I get home. Good recommendation on just adding salt. Costing a fortune for the beginnings. Have actually considered just going to a chlorine pool. Cell was not removed in winter so it’s installed correctly. I’m not sure how to check the flow switch but assume I need to disconnect the cell and figure that out. Advice is appreciated.

 

[Jimrahbe]

J,

Not saying this is your problem, but I had an IC40 that would not close the flow switch.. When I took the cell out and looking inside, the actual spring metal that moves with the water had broken off.. Kind of like bending a coat hanger back and forth until it breaks..

The flow switch can be DIY replaced..



Also, need to know how old the cell is.. the cell itself could also be bad..

Do a visual test and tell us what you find..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Jdaileyin]

Here is a picture of the cell (about 2 years old) and the flow switch.

 

[Jdaileyin]

J,

Not saying this is your problem, but I had an IC40 that would not close the flow switch.. When I took the cell out and looking inside, the actual spring metal that moves with the water had broken off.. Kind of like bending a coat hanger back and forth until it breaks..

The flow switch can be DIY replaced..

View attachment 650334

Also, need to know how old the cell is.. the cell itself could also be bad..

Do a visual test and tell us what you find..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Here is a picture of the cell (bought 8/22/22 and the flow switch.

 

[Jimrahbe]

J,

I did not mean for you to take the flow switch out.. I just meant to look in one end of the cell...

Now that it is out.. tie the flow closed and stick it back in for a quick test.. You can't leave it that way, but a quick test will be ok..

Notice that there is an arrow on the flow that shows the direction it needs to be installed..

And... When your pump is off the cell should have no lights.. It is wired wrong.. If the cell has power with no water flow it can explode.. Does not happen often, but does happen..

How old is the cell.. Take a pic of the label on the bottom side..


Thanks,

Jim R.