OmniPL T-Cell Plug PCB Repair documented

hal3d

New member
Mar 27, 2020
3
Fort Worth, TX
I did this repair yesterday without blowing anything up.
I have repeatedly found information on this forum helpful, so I thought I would share my experience.

Last year I upgraded a dated Hayward system with the OmniPL upgrade kit (also discovered here).

I ignored some warnings about my chemistry early on, which finally resulted in corrosion forming on the T-CELL connector on the PCB.
Upon removing the plug to attempt to clean it recently, I noticed some pins were missing - completely corroded and destroyed due to my negligence no doubt.

The error "T-CELL Cable/Sensor Open Chlorinator1" was constant, so that made perfect sense at this point.

0_TCELL_ERROR.PNG

1_Corrosion1.JPEG

Close-Up:
2_Corrosion2.JPEG

Ordered a New Connector from DigiKey:
Part#: WM7188-ND
Link: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/molex/0015246101/3044404
Price: $ 1.31 (plus $12.99 2nd day FedEx shipping because I am impatient)


3_NewConnector.JPEG

Removal was a little challenging due to my soldering skills (or lack thereof), but I finally got it out.

Bottom side view:
6_Removed_Bottom.JPEG
Top side view:
5_Removed_Top.JPEG

Bottom Side View after soldering new connector in place:

7_Soldered.JPEG

Done and installed back in place.... Happy to report that everything works.
I also replaced the T-CELL, since I bought that first hoping it would fix things. I will keep the old one and may attempt to replace the male connector and have the cell as a spare - (probably not to be honest though).

9_NewInstalled.JPEG
 
I think it was this thread actually that gave me the idea it was chemistry related: Hayward T-Cell - Plug Corrosion
Salt level, and amperage according to one of the replies. I guess that isn't technically "chemistry".
In the same thread, JamesW suggests chemical exposure could cause it if you store acid or tabs in the same room?? My system is completely outdoors - nothing like that is stored nearby.

I do recall I got warnings of low salt for a little while, even though I had cleaned the cell, and I remember the OmniPL app gave me some kind of warning but seemed to allow me to keep the chlorinator running (like an override?).

Sorry, my details are lacking. I just know it's probably something I screwed up - I'm still getting used to the OmniPL system.
 
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