More on Jandy 1400

[ndnnfan]

Hi everyone:

Sorry for a rehash of this issue if it was already posted. I really didn't see an end cause or result.
I contacted Zodiac.. and they, well, have no clue on what is causing this.
I have a Jandy 1400 Aqua Pure Salt System and for the past few years which has been mostly problem free and my pool in constant balance.

This past summer, my unit started throwing odd codes indicating that the flow sensor was not receiving proper input. Anyway, I replaced that older flow sensor with the updated 3 port sensor recommended by Zodiac/Jandy (but that included sensor new indicator module, which my older unit didn’t have).


After about a week or 2 of use, my salt system immediately stopped producing chlorine and started throwing codes (125/194)– but it was the end of our season, I figured I deal with cleaning the cell properly in the spring as I usually do. I dismantled my cell system this past weekend as I keep the salt cell inside during the winters to keep the winter elements off of it.


Anyway, after taking apart the system -- I noticed a major issue with my cell. The entire center of the 3 port cord has melted away and the center prong on the cell unit itself has basically corroded and disintegrated. I don’t why or what caused this or why even would occur. Has anyone else report this to Jandy/Zodiac? Attached are pictures.


My questions are these – would the purchase of new flow sensor cause this issue – or has something else gone completely wrong here?

• Is the salt cell now unsalvagable? I presume so. I don't think this is reparable.
• Most importantly, is this situation a potential fire hazard? Obviously this is heat/surge related with the melting of the unit’s cord.

Honestly, I don’t want to replace my cell next season and spend upward of $500 and have this not function properly (or have another cell and cord melt away on me). This is concerning to me.


Can anyone supply some information to me on what happened here?

thanks a bunch.
Jon

 

[JamesW]

Probably a leak at the pin. Remove the 2 screws and remove the seal plate that covers the pins to check the orings around the pins.

The pins might come off with the plate if they are loose.

How old is the cell?

 

[Dodger]

My AP1400 cell had the same corrosion on the middle prong last year. I don't have enough confidence in the history of that cell to say what might have caused the corrosion, but I don't recall having the melt-away problem with the power cord. I replaced the cell in March 2016, but I don't think I replaced the power cord at that time because I still have the new power cord that came with the new cell sitting in it's package on my shelf. I inspect the "old" power cord and the new cell's 3 prongs regularly and so far no signs of corrosion, 18 months later. I had to replace the old temp/salinity sensor a couple of months ago, getting the new style one with the additional sensor indicator module. It all seems to be running fine and I've recently dropped the setting down to 20% and 9 hrs per day, keeping about 7ppm FC.


Edited again: The more I think about it, I believe there was damage to my original power cord, and that I just bought a new power cord first and replaced it. Then, when the corrosion became more obvious on the prong, I bought a new cell. That new cell came with an additional power cord, which is the extra one I have now. My apologies for the confusion.

 

[needsajet]

I replaced a similar cell that looked like this last year. The owner had done an acid wash in a bucket and had dropped the entire cell in the water, rather than just immersing the plates. No idea if that's the case here, but maybe something handy to consider.

 

[ndnnfan]

Thanks folks -- yes- it is about 5-6 years old. No problems up to this point.

 

[wayner]

I have had the center pin become corroded and I have had one fall out.

When you say it is 5-6 years old - is that the salt cell? If you have got 5-6 years from the cell then you are lucky and it is probably time for it to be replaced.

 

[ConradM]

If you got 5-6 years out of it that was very good. Most cells don't last that long. Don't worry about what caused it just get a new one. You got your moneys worth. You would have spent twice that in chlorine.