Old Aquarite System needs new Cell. Options?

[jbailey895]

I've had an AquaRite SWG in our pool (15000 gal w/ built-in spa.) Cell is about 3 yrs old and likely shot. I see T-cell-15's on Amazon for about $900 now? Wow, they went up since last purchase. Is this still the best way to generate chlorine? I haven't been paying attention to the latest/greatest, and just reading up on threads now.

Thanks for any input.

Joel

 

[ajw22]

Yes.

Prices on all forms of chlorine have gone up.

 

[jbailey895]

Thanks for the response. After reading more posts in this forum, I guess my question should be: should I switch to the newer technology? If a 3-yr T-cell 15 is $900, but an 8-yr Circupool is $1300, sounds like the math tells me to switch?

 

[ajw22]

Thanks for the response. After reading more posts in this forum, I guess my question should be: should I switch to the newer technology? If a 3-yr T-cell 15 is $900, but an 8-yr Circupool is $1300, sounds like the math tells me to switch?

If you believe Circupool inflated marketing and understand their prorated warranty and think clone Chinese equipment is any more modern.

 

[jbailey895]

Well, that is relevant info as well. I assume you believe the Pentair IC60 is superior? Again, I'm just starting to research this stuff, I have no bias. The AquaRite has worked to varying degree for me for two decades, but the salt cells are finicky and I have high calcium deposits, so it is a PITA to keep the cell clean. I would expect that problem to continue with any SWG, so just trying to filter and optomize my options.

Thanks for the input.

 

[ajw22]

The weakness in the Aquarite system is the control panel electronics keep on getting reused and aging with cell replacements.

With the IntelliChlor system you get new electronics with every new cell. That reduces the problems that happen during the cell life and makes it a more reliable system.

Have you tried a combination of a low TA and borates in the water to minimize pH rise in the cell and scaling?

Borates in pool - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[CHOFarmer]

I was just in a similar situation as you. Older Aquarite system with a T cell 15. My controller was pretty old with the firmware at 1.03 so I could not go with an aftermarket cell and I didn't want to keep paying that much for an OEM cell. I am installing a Circupool universal system I got from Discountsaltpool right after I finish breakfast.

I went with the universal based on cost of replacement cells moving forward and it will drop in directly to my existing system. Replacing the controller will be a straight swap as well so I should be up and running in no time. For me this was a cost effective way to go based on my demands for the pool. Especially because I am doing the install myself and it wont void the warranty. Depending on the condition of your system as a whole upgrading may be a worthwhile investment. If you get it professionally installed then that is an added point to consider. If you ever need service you Hopefully will have a brand the local companies are familiar with.

The Circupool RJ series is very popular on this forum and I almost went with the 45+ but I went with the cheaper option and saved a few hundred. Hopefully this helps and more people will chime in. The folks here are super helpful and have a ton of information so you are in the right place.

 

[jbailey895]

Thanks, CHO, if you have a moment, let me know how it goes. I am considering the same option (I have 16.5k gal. pool, so maybe a 30 or 45 for me?) I have replaced the PCB board and multiple cells on my Aquarite, might be time for a change.

 

[CHOFarmer]

So the install was super easy. Took me an hour to swap out the controller box and do a little re-plumbing of my lines. I'm really happy withe the unit and how well it works. I had dumped in the Salt the day before, confirmed I was at 3500ish and pH was spot on. I purposely let the chlorine drop to 0.2, and then turned it on 75% per the manual and let her go. I also switched up my pump schedule from 9 hours to 24/7 to reap the rewards of having a VS pump. 16 hours later I was at 5.9 so it can crank out the chlorine. I set it to 10% right now while I burn it off a bit and I will set it to 25% and tweak from there.

I think the universal 30 would be good for a pool your size unless there are a lot of trees around. I have them surrounding my pool so having a slightly oversized cell is advantageous with the extra biologic load so you may need to go up an additional size. Time will tell but so far I'm really happy knowing I will have a consistent load of chlorine going into the pool.

 

[jbailey895]

Thanks for the quick write-up. Looks nice. I was considering the "screw in place" one that would replace my Hayward cell (seemed easier to install than yours.) Do you know the costs for the replacement cells in the system? Hopefully less than the $900 Hayward cells.
Thanks for the feedback

 

[CHOFarmer]

Thanks for the quick write-up. Looks nice. I was considering the "screw in place" one that would replace my Hayward cell (seemed easier to install than yours.) Do you know the costs for the replacement cells in the system? Hopefully less than the $900 Hayward cells.
Thanks for the feedback

Thank you. The only reason I had to redo the line was the original flow switch was toast and the previous owner reduced down 1.5" right after the switch and then back up to 2" for whatever reason. Everything else is 2" and it bugged me so I replaced it all. Otherwise it would have gone right in. If you are just replacing the cell, it's 5 minutes. There are a few aftermarket options that just slide in based on price point, warranty, etc that works best for you

My replacement cells are about $600 and if I get 6 years I will be very happy with $100 per year in cost. Maybe less, but I really like having a salt pool already.