I have the AutoPilot DIG220 SWCG that was installed when my pool was built in July of 2012. I have an RC42 salt water cell that was put installed in July of 2015. I was having trouble maintaining a chlorine level last year and this year I cannot get the SWCG to generate any chlorine level. Before the season I cleaned the cell as it did have some calcium on the blades. I am thinking the cell is shot and needs to be replaced, but I am wondering if there is a way to test the system controller itself to see if it is working. The controller appears to be working in that the display shows readings for salt level and water temperature and now is displaying a "low amp - check cell" message as well. In the installer's settings on the unit I have also changed the cell power setting to "3" the highest setting and it has had no affect. Had the water tested Leslie's and everything else was at acceptable levels.
Recommendation
- Thread starter donnyruss
- Start date
Does Leslie's always do your pool water testing??? If you've read any of TFP you'll know that is the worst way to care for your pool.
Take a cup and capture some of the water immediately from a return. I mean like don't let any other pool water in to the cup but the return water.....
Then get a different sample from elsewhere in the pool.
Test these for chlorine. The one from the return should be higher than the pool water if your SWG is working and something else is going on...... like a nascent algae bloom.
Take your cell in the Leslie's and ask them to test the cell.
List your diagnostic readings here and perhaps one of our SWG pros will be able to help you.
Maddie
Take a cup and capture some of the water immediately from a return. I mean like don't let any other pool water in to the cup but the return water.....
Then get a different sample from elsewhere in the pool.
Test these for chlorine. The one from the return should be higher than the pool water if your SWG is working and something else is going on...... like a nascent algae bloom.
Take your cell in the Leslie's and ask them to test the cell.
List your diagnostic readings here and perhaps one of our SWG pros will be able to help you.
Maddie
I may be in the market for a new SWCG system. Looking for recommendations on what brand and system people suggest.
If you are looking just for a SWCG there are many good options. I have been using the pentair intellichlor at part of a total pool automation. I have been happy with it. I chose it because it integrates with their automation systems.
You list an Autopilot which is a pretty good unit. Are you unhappy with it?
What's wrong with it that makes you want to replace it?
Circupool or Hayward are pretty good systems if you want to change brands. Pentair is a good brand as well, I'm just not crazy about their self install warranty.
What's wrong with it that makes you want to replace it?
Circupool or Hayward are pretty good systems if you want to change brands. Pentair is a good brand as well, I'm just not crazy about their self install warranty.
My issue with my unit is that it is not producing chlorine. I am thinking that the cell is bad (it was installed in July of 2015), but I have not been able to do any testing to see if it is just the cell or if there is a problem with the whole unit. My thought was that instead of replacing the cell, if that is the problem, I would look into upgrading my system to a new one with the automated controls.
Are you positive its not making chlorine?
One way to test this is to put a cup down in to the pool facing downward, immediately at the return then turn it to collect water directly from the return. Do you best not to get any other pool water in the cup. Test that water for FC.
Next take a water sample from else where in the pool and test its FC. The water from the return will be higher in FC if you're making it.
Could you possibly have a nascent algae outbreak chewing thru your free chlorine??
Maddie
One way to test this is to put a cup down in to the pool facing downward, immediately at the return then turn it to collect water directly from the return. Do you best not to get any other pool water in the cup. Test that water for FC.
Next take a water sample from else where in the pool and test its FC. The water from the return will be higher in FC if you're making it.
Could you possibly have a nascent algae outbreak chewing thru your free chlorine??
Maddie
Leslie's can only test cells made by Hayward. Tested the waster straight from the return and no chlorine reading.
- May 3, 2014
- 62,730
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Do Test Pool Pilot. Press Menu. The display should say Test Pool Pilot. Press Select. Note readings.
Do you have the correct cell selected in configuration?
What is the actual salinity as tested by a good test kit like the K-1766?
Pull the cell and check for scale and look very carefully at the plates with a flashlight to see if they look damaged.
Do you have the correct cell selected in configuration?
What is the actual salinity as tested by a good test kit like the K-1766?
Pull the cell and check for scale and look very carefully at the plates with a flashlight to see if they look damaged.
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Did test pool pilot: salt 2900, add 19 lbs salt, temp 82, 30v 1.2 amps.
Correct cell (RC42) selected in config
Actual salinity is 2700
Already cleaned the cell and when I was done there was no scale and the plates looked good
Correct cell (RC42) selected in config
Actual salinity is 2700
Already cleaned the cell and when I was done there was no scale and the plates looked good
Looks like a bad cell. The diagnostics on the DIG-220 can be a little flaky. So, try Test Pool Pilot a few times to see if you get the same numbers.
Which cell would you recommend replacing it with. Originally the RC35 cell came with the pool but someone said that was a little undersized for a pool my size so I replaced it with the RC42.
I would suggest the RC52 cell.
I am pretty sure that the cell is bad based on the diagnostics.
However, sometimes the circuit board goes bad and gives false readings.
Try Test Pool Pilot a few times to make sure that the numbers remain the same.
Turn the production up to 100% before doing Test Pool Pilot.
Also, check the cord to make sure that it's in good condition.
I am pretty sure that the cell is bad based on the diagnostics.
However, sometimes the circuit board goes bad and gives false readings.
Try Test Pool Pilot a few times to make sure that the numbers remain the same.
Turn the production up to 100% before doing Test Pool Pilot.
Also, check the cord to make sure that it's in good condition.
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James, thanks for the info. I am also considering replacing the whole system to upgrade to a newer one with automated controls. Do you have a recommendation for a new system? I had been looking at the Hayward ones but also saw PureLine ones being offered as well that look very similar to the Hayward ones.
AutoPilot is one of the best units out there, you got plenty of use out of an undersized cell for your pool, just adding my .02.