Intex Salt water Generator issues, low salt (but its not), free chlorine suddenly zero, 15k model replacement?

[theskyisthelimit99]

I have one of the original 7k gallon intex salt water generators on the intex 18x48" pool, along with the 1.5hp matrix pump.

I've dumped probably 5 or 6 bags of salt into the pool at this point, because the indicator light kept saying low salt (not sure why).
My meter was showing 5000 ppm, wayyy higher than it should be, i think 3k normally, unless the meter is off.

On average in the last week i was generally around 2 FC for the tests, then today, zero.

The pool is an avg of 86F each day, i had used stabilizer to level things out about a month ago. The pump runs from about 9am till 630pm daily and the chlorinator is set to 10 hours.

Any tips to solve this one without trying to replace the unit?

I was thinking of getting this 15,000 gallon model, its nearly the same price as the newer model 7k unit, any reason to not do that if the old is in fact defective?

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

EDIT: i guess the salt indicator issue is common and a problem with these units, maybe not the 15k model, unsure. Or perhaps i need to look to another model.
Thanks in advance

 

[PoolGate]

How old is it? The cell is a consumable it's possible it's just worn out. Do you have a proper salt test kit? At this point you're going to have to do a partial drain to get your salt level down to specs.

 

[theskyisthelimit99]

How old is it? The cell is a consumable it's possible it's just worn out. Do you have a proper salt test kit? At this point you're going to have to do a partial drain to get your salt level down to specs.

Its probably 3 years old, it was a replacement for the first one i got in 2016 (same model each time). By cell being a consumable, you mean it just will die, but no way to replace just the cell i guess.

I have a salt water meter, digital, i also have the sticks, they seem about the same.

I did go and order the 15k gallon newer model since it had better reviews than the 7k gallon unit, hopefully that can work ok for awhile longer. The pool is 8 years old, im amazed it lasted this long This intex one is $229, but i saw 3rd party ones that are around 800-1500 , not sure what the difference is between them, i would assume they would all have consumable cells though

 

[PoolGate]

Its probably 3 years old, it was a replacement for the first one i got in 2016 (same model each time). By cell being a consumable, you mean it just will die, but no way to replace just the cell i guess.

I have a salt water meter, digital, i also have the sticks, they seem about the same.

I did go and order the 15k gallon newer model since it had better reviews than the 7k gallon unit, hopefully that can work ok for awhile longer. The pool is 8 years old, im amazed it lasted this long This intex one is $229, but i saw 3rd party ones that are around 800-1500 , not sure what the difference is between them, i would assume they would all have consumable cells though

Yes it will just die at some point. I only get 3 years or so with my $700/each cells. I am on my 3rd. It all depends on usage. Mine runs 24x7 at 55%.