Salt cell question

[BPool18]

About a week and a half ago my salt cell was showing 3100. I brought a water sample to the pool store (the salt reader meter is the one thing I don’t have which my local pool store does). They had the reading around 3300-3400 and said the display was likely off because probably my cell that needed cleaning.

Checked it today - week and a half later, and it now shows 2000 with low salt, check cell lights red.

Also tonight was the lowest reading of FC I’ve had all summer.

Thoughts on how to proceed? Assuming I need to take this thing apart and clean it?

 

[mknauss]

Please post the diagnostics from the SWCG.

 

[JamesW]

What are the diagnostic readings?

How old is the cell?

 

[ctrav]

Not trying to jump to far ahead but wouldn’t the T-15 be better suited over the T-9 for that size pool?

 

[mknauss]

Not trying to jump to far ahead but wouldn’t the T-15 be better suited over the T-9 for that size pool?

Yes.

 

[BPool18]

2000
85
33.0
0.00
62P
-0
AL-0
r 1.59
E? (Not sure of symbol) -9

check salt light red
inspect cell orange (steady)

Bought house this past April. They had entire pool/salt system all put in 2014

I’ve never cleaned the cell. Not sure if previous owners did or if it’s part of pool closing (they paid for professional open/close)

Hoping there is a fix until next summer due to some unexpected medical bills in the family :/

 

[JamesW]

Move the switch to off for a few minutes and then back to auto and recheck the instant salinity. It will start high and scroll down and stabilize.

Then, do the same thing again and report the instant salinity in both cases.

 

[BPool18]

Will do first thing in the morning and will report. Thank you

 

[BPool18]

Test 1: -2000
Test 2: -700 (not sure if I waited long enough)

switched back to off. Waited 5 minutes.

Test 3: -2100

 

[mjc123]

This sounds almost exactly the same as my recent experience - including the T-9 (posted here: How do I know when it’s time to replace the cell?).

 

[BPool18]

So 100% likely I need a new cell? Could it simply just need to be cleaned) if cell replacement is needed, Is there anything I can do to postpone this until next summer? And still use the pool until mid September

 

[mknauss]

Use liquid chlorine to maintain your FC based on the [FC/CYA][/FC/CYA] for non-SWCG pools.

Clean the cell and see if that changes anything.

 

[BPool18]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t0N4x_tjDp8

Thanks. I found the video above for instructions on how to clean the cell. I don’t have the stand but I don’t think it’s necessary.

Do i I need to release the air pressure on the filter relief valve? I don’t see that on mine and don’t know if it’s Necessary

 

[mknauss]

I believe with a sand filter you can move your multi valve to waste or back wash to relieve any air pressure in the unit. You should not have any.

- - - Updated - - -

Please start adding liquid chlorine so you do not get algae. Use your test kit to test FC every day and add the required liquid chlorine.

 

[BPool18]

Thanks. I have on the LC.

Ok, so am I safe to leave the filter on while cleaning the cell?

 

[mknauss]

What do you mean by leaving the filter on? The pump must be turned off to remove the cell. It is part of the circulation system.

 

[JamesW]

Looks like a bad cell. Clean if necessary and retry readings.

If the cell is clean, it's bad.

You can finish the season with liquid chlorine and replace the cell next year if you don't want to get a new one this year.

Get a T-15 when you get a new cell.

 

[BPool18]

Thanks. My guess is the cell hasn’t been cleaned in 4 years unless a professional did it during pool closing.

Marty - That was my clarification. Thank you

 

[BPool18]

Thanks. My guess is the cell hasn’t been cleaned in 4 years unless a professional did it during pool closing.

Marty - That was my clarification. Thank you

Maybe a silly question — but is it normal to need a large wrench to take off sides. Tried removing by hand but won’t budge

 

[JamesW]

They can be difficult to remove. If you use a large wrench or channel lock pliers, be careful not to use too much force or squeeze the union nuts too hard.