So my Intellichlor IC40 started flashing the inspect cell light today. I acid washed which really didn't do anything and did not bubble at all. Put it back in and powered it up and same thing. I checked the salt level using Taylor kit. Salt level in good range. I believe that most likely my cell reached the end of its life. It is about 7.5 years old. So....my question is should I spend the money and buy another IC40 or consider going away from a chlorine generator and use something else. I do still have the working EasyTouch but with everything being 13 years old at this point I am a little nervous buying a very expensive new cell now only to have something like the ET go out next. I will say that I lose all of my cya over the winter every year so I even wondered about going the route of a tab feeder since I wouldn't think I would ever end up with too high cya since I lose it all each winter and start from 0 on opening. I am just looking for the most cost-effective least risk recommendation in regards to other things failing that would force me to put more money into producing chlorine. The last time I bought the cell I paid $500 and I just looked today and got sticker shock. All of my equipment is 13 years old except the IC40 and the filter cartridges of course. I am just wondering if I should consider a little bit different setup when things start failing since everything seems so much more expensive. Thanks for any recommendations.
Need Recommendation
- Thread starter briansturgeon
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,306
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
There is nothing better then what you got. Someday when your EasyTouch dies you may do an IntelliCenter upgrade.
Replace the cell with an IC40 or IC60.
Replace the cell with an IC40 or IC60.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,074
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
In Cincinnati, a bit south of Ashtabula, you likely have about 400FC demand during the year, like me.
Your pool is about the same size as mine.
100lbs of TriChlor pucks would add 378 FC, and raise CYA by 229 in your pool. You would have multiple drain refill cycles during the year to lower the CYA. 50 lbs is about $200, so $400 for the year.
100 Gallons of Walmart Liquid chlorine 10% would raise FC by about 345 FC, and is about $6/gallon at Wally World. About $600/year.
Ic-40 is about $1250. Payback on Trichlor would be 3 years cell life, without considering the water replacement time and money. It would be a 2 year payback on Liquid.
Get the IC-40 and don't think about it again.
Your pool is about the same size as mine.
100lbs of TriChlor pucks would add 378 FC, and raise CYA by 229 in your pool. You would have multiple drain refill cycles during the year to lower the CYA. 50 lbs is about $200, so $400 for the year.
100 Gallons of Walmart Liquid chlorine 10% would raise FC by about 345 FC, and is about $6/gallon at Wally World. About $600/year.
Ic-40 is about $1250. Payback on Trichlor would be 3 years cell life, without considering the water replacement time and money. It would be a 2 year payback on Liquid.
Get the IC-40 and don't think about it again.
Sorry. One more question. Will I save money in the long run going with the 60K assuming I get more life out of it by running at a lower percentage? It looks like it's about $500 more. I am just not sure it's worth it because of the variables involved. Thanks.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,074
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
ic-40 put out 1.4lb per day
ic-60 puts out 2.0 per day
That's a 43% increase in $$ for a 42% increase in price. About a wash economically.
I'd get the 60 just because the IC-40 isn't 2x, and will make 5.8FC in 24 hours. On a high demand day, you could have demand at least that high or higher.
Do you have automation? If not, you might consider the Circupool RJ-60+ You can get the whole unit for $1389 +10, then the replacement cells are $800.
I have no affiliation with discount salt pool or circupool.
Use the red button on this page to get the 60 for $10 more:
www.discountsaltpool.com
Replacement Cell
www.discountsaltpool.com
ic-60 puts out 2.0 per day
That's a 43% increase in $$ for a 42% increase in price. About a wash economically.
I'd get the 60 just because the IC-40 isn't 2x, and will make 5.8FC in 24 hours. On a high demand day, you could have demand at least that high or higher.
Do you have automation? If not, you might consider the Circupool RJ-60+ You can get the whole unit for $1389 +10, then the replacement cells are $800.
I have no affiliation with discount salt pool or circupool.
Use the red button on this page to get the 60 for $10 more:
CircuPool RJ-45 PLUS Saltwater Chlorinator | Discount Salt Pool
www.discountsaltpool.com
Replacement Cell
CircuPool® RJ-60 PLUS Replacement Cell | DSP
www.discountsaltpool.com
That is kind of what I was thinking as well. I do have automation. Thank you for your insight.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 16,074
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus