About a week ago, I noticed a zero salt reading on my automation Web-Client home page. Hmmm, what’s up with that? So, I starting checking in to this. Same indication on the Web-Client Chemistry Page, at the Automation Control Panel and on the iOS app.
Okay, so I next checked the “Cell Status” page on the IntellipH Control Panel. No salt or temp reading.
All solid green lights on the 7 month old IntelliChlor unit itself (no indication of any issue).
I knew chlorine was being generated because my last test was FC=6.0 ppm.
I did a little poking around using the TFP search feature but I wasn't really able to find too much info defining a cause for this issue (I might not have used the correct search criteria). But I did find something indicating that this might be a “dirty” cell issue (calcium buildup in cell).
Okay, so I removed the IC-60 from the plumbing and looked inside at the cell. The blades looked brand new.
Next, I called Pentair Tech Support (since my warranty is in effect). Once I gave the IntelliChlor Technical Support Rep (TSR) all of the above information and confirmed a few things for him, he determined the likely cause to be a defective IntelliChlor Flow/Temp Switch.
He expressed to me that not only does the flow/temp switch provide minimum flow readings necessary for operation but also temperature and salt content information and the transmission of that information through an Electrolytic Cell Controller and then on to the ipH control panel and the automation system (I hope I got all of that correct). He created a work order and I got an email that a contracted company would come out and replace the flow/temp switch.
Okay, so now the guy who provided the warranty service just left. It was not exactly a pleasant experience really.
First, his customer service “bedside manner” left a lot to be desired. This young man certainly had a major "know it all attitude” and all the while, I just kind of played stupid like I did not know the difference between a pool light and a skimmer basket. Okay fine, I can live with that (for a short period of time anyway). At the pad though, he started going through my automation menus like he "owned the place" and found that Pentair had just today, provided to me a “non-publicly released” beta version of some future updates for me to try out to see if they would solve a lighting feature issue that some of us are experiencing. He then pulled a USB flash (thumb) drive out of his pocket and I could see that he was going to first try to download my IntelliCenter configuration file and then try to steal the beta update. Whoaaaa. Hold up there guy. I thought "What in the devil does this have to do with my IntelliChlor Flow/Temp Sensor?"
I told him to please remove his flash drive from my automation system (I was thinking also that I don't want his "viruses" running through my system) and that I was under instructions from Pentair to not release those beta updates to anyone. He told me that he “worked for Pentair” and he wanted to "get those beta’s".
I told him “no, you DO NOT work for Pentair, you are contracted to provide warranty service and that if you actually “worked for Pentair” you would already have those beta's”.
I guess he really didn’t like that (oops) and I could tell this whole affair was taking a big “nose dive”.
But he then grudgingly left my control panel and set out to replace the flow/temp sensor on the IntelliChlor. Everything else proceeded without incident. I now have a salt reading but....
Here are my two questions for those that have much more experience than I on this subject.
My salt reading in the automation and ipH relayed from the IntelliChlor is now 4900 and the SALT LEVEL GOOD LIGHT is blinking green (of course as it should be with that high of a salt reading) but my last salt reading (about 3 weeks ago) from my K1766 test kit was 3900 (no additional salt has been added since). A 1000ppm difference. I'm thinking it should not be this much of a difference.
If anyone can help with my questions, It would be very much appreciated as always.
Thanks much and all the best!
r.
p.s. Yea, if things had been better, I would have certainly asked him about that device but at this point, I was "tired of this guy" and just wanted him to button up my IntelliChlor and "be gone".
Okay, so I next checked the “Cell Status” page on the IntellipH Control Panel. No salt or temp reading.
All solid green lights on the 7 month old IntelliChlor unit itself (no indication of any issue).
I knew chlorine was being generated because my last test was FC=6.0 ppm.
I did a little poking around using the TFP search feature but I wasn't really able to find too much info defining a cause for this issue (I might not have used the correct search criteria). But I did find something indicating that this might be a “dirty” cell issue (calcium buildup in cell).
Okay, so I removed the IC-60 from the plumbing and looked inside at the cell. The blades looked brand new.
Next, I called Pentair Tech Support (since my warranty is in effect). Once I gave the IntelliChlor Technical Support Rep (TSR) all of the above information and confirmed a few things for him, he determined the likely cause to be a defective IntelliChlor Flow/Temp Switch.
He expressed to me that not only does the flow/temp switch provide minimum flow readings necessary for operation but also temperature and salt content information and the transmission of that information through an Electrolytic Cell Controller and then on to the ipH control panel and the automation system (I hope I got all of that correct). He created a work order and I got an email that a contracted company would come out and replace the flow/temp switch.
Okay, so now the guy who provided the warranty service just left. It was not exactly a pleasant experience really.
First, his customer service “bedside manner” left a lot to be desired. This young man certainly had a major "know it all attitude” and all the while, I just kind of played stupid like I did not know the difference between a pool light and a skimmer basket
. Okay fine, I can live with that (for a short period of time anyway). At the pad though, he started going through my automation menus like he "owned the place" and found that Pentair had just today, provided to me a “non-publicly released” beta version of some future updates for me to try out to see if they would solve a lighting feature issue that some of us are experiencing. He then pulled a USB flash (thumb) drive out of his pocket and I could see that he was going to first try to download my IntelliCenter configuration file and then try to steal the beta update. Whoaaaa. Hold up there guy. I thought "What in the devil does this have to do with my IntelliChlor Flow/Temp Sensor?"I told him to please remove his flash drive from my automation system (I was thinking also that I don't want his "viruses" running through my system) and that I was under instructions from Pentair to not release those beta updates to anyone. He told me that he “worked for Pentair” and he wanted to "get those beta’s".
I told him “no, you DO NOT work for Pentair, you are contracted to provide warranty service and that if you actually “worked for Pentair” you would already have those beta's”.
I guess he really didn’t like that (oops)
and I could tell this whole affair was taking a big “nose dive”. But he then grudgingly left my control panel and set out to replace the flow/temp sensor on the IntelliChlor. Everything else proceeded without incident. I now have a salt reading but....
Here are my two questions for those that have much more experience than I on this subject.
My salt reading in the automation and ipH relayed from the IntelliChlor is now 4900 and the SALT LEVEL GOOD LIGHT is blinking green (of course as it should be with that high of a salt reading) but my last salt reading (about 3 weeks ago) from my K1766 test kit was 3900 (no additional salt has been added since). A 1000ppm difference. I'm thinking it should not be this much of a difference.
1. Does it normally take some time for the IntelliChlor to maybe “re-calibrate” itself to a salt reading that is a bit more closer to what the K1766 is telling me?
2. The warranty service "dude" was using some sort of hand-held, what appeared to be a bluetooth enabled device that he placed on one of the IntelliChlor buttons, pressed down on it and then held down the "more" button. It was blue, silver and black and I think it was providing some sort of info to an app on his phone. Anyone have any details or info on this device?
If anyone can help with my questions, It would be very much appreciated as always.
Thanks much and all the best!
r.
p.s. Yea, if things had been better, I would have certainly asked him about that device but at this point, I was "tired of this guy" and just wanted him to button up my IntelliChlor and "be gone".
Last edited:
). So you can look down the throat of the cell, remove the splinter screen, and shine a light to see if the electrodes look damaged or corroded. My guess is you won’t see anything wrong. 
AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN. 