Pentair IC-40 blinking cell light won’t resolve. Is it time for a new unit? Is TradeGrade warranty worth it vs buying online and install DIY?

[lilaZ]

Hi!

Our Pentair IC40 quit working a month or so ago. Husband called the pool store who suggested acid wash. He never got around to it, got bored of shocking the pool, and it became a black swamp.

I decided to go to “YouTube university” and learn what needed to be done. I’ve learned a lot from this forum.

Initially, flow light was off intermittently, and then the cell light would flash red.

Acid washing didn’t produce any bubbles and there wasn’t really any visible deposits, just some algae gunk that I cleaned off.

After running diagnostics on the SWG, found the temp sensor wasn’t reading correctly. I replaced the flow sensor, which corrected the temperature readings and the flow light is now solid green. Great!

However, the cell light now blinks green. The pool is clean and clear, filter has been backwashed. I inspected and acid washed the SWG again today now that I know all the algae is done running thru. It did not fix the problem. It appears there may be some small poppy seed size deposits on some of the blades, but nothing crazy and again the acid didn’t bubble at all.

First question: Does this mean it’s time for a new SWG? Or is there anything else worth trying. We’ve owned the house for 4 years so it is at least that old. The lifespan indicator is only at 60% used.

Second question: the pool store quoted us $2000 for a new one, I am unsure if this includes labor. Online retailers sell for $1250. Pentair site explains with the TradeGrade policy that the warranty is limited to 60 days with online purchased items, whereas the warranty is longer (not sure how much longer) if purchased and installed thru pool store. Is it worth the $750+ for the warranty? Other options?

 

[PoolStored]

Which green light is flashing? There are several. The most obvious possibilities are salt, cell, or life.

We don't recommend acid washing. It removes the metals required to make chlorine.

SWG How It Works - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

The IC40 cell, purchased by itself, does not require a qualified installer to get the 2 year warranty.

Pool Product Warranty Information

Whether you are planning a pool party for friends and family or prefer the serene sensation of a calm pool, Pentair has the pool and spa solutions just for you.

www.pentair.com

 

[lilaZ]

hi PoolStored! Thanks for taking the time to reply!

Which green light is flashing? There are several. The most obvious possibilities are salt, cell, or life.

The “CELL” light is flashing green. salt “GOOD” light is solid green, “FLOW” is solid green.

We don't recommend acid washing. It removes the metals required to make chlorine.

SWG How It Works - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Yes, I did end up reading something about that on this site after the first wash. It makes a lot of sense, and I was surprised since the cell indicates you should do it every three months - we have not done it once in 4 years and it seemed pretty clean. I will take a look at this article for future. The second wash I did today was kind of like a last attempt to see if it would fix it. Since it hasn’t been washed since we’ve had it I figured one more try before I trash the cell.

The IC40 cell, purchased by itself, does not require a qualified installer to get the 2 year warranty.

Pool Product Warranty Information

Whether you are planning a pool party for friends and family or prefer the serene sensation of a calm pool, Pentair has the pool and spa solutions just for you.

www.pentair.com

This is good to know. Though I am confused these two paragraphs seems to contradict themselves- I’m probably missing something: the first says all tradegrade products are limited to 60 days if not purchased by pool store. But then it does say the IC cells purchased online are covered by the 2 year for parts in the next one…

 

[PoolStored]

The cell light flashing green means something is preventing the cell from working correctly. A number of things can cause that, cold water, calcium scaling, oils accumulating on the cell plates, or a defective cell. Assuming you water isn't in the 50s, or colder, and you cleaned it, might just be a defective cell.

 

[ajw22]

This is good to know. Though I am confused these two paragraphs seems to contradict themselves- I’m probably missing something: the first says all tradegrade products are limited to 60 days if not purchased by pool store. But then it does say the IC cells purchased online are covered by the 2 year for parts in the next one…

P/N 520555 is the Trade Grade IC40 cell.

P/N EC-521105 is the ECommerce IC40 cell.

They are two different products with different warranties. No contradiction there.

Get P/N EC-521105 and you get a 2 year warranty.

Buy the Trade Grade 520555 and you get a 60 day warranty unless you buy it from a Pentair authorized installer.

You have three choices:

• $1,250 for the Trade Grade cell with 60 day warranty DIY install
• $1,718 for the EC cell with 2 year warranty DIY install
• $2,000 for your Pool Store to install a Trade Grade cell with a 2 year warranty.

Your choice if you want to pay for the warranty or installation.